And now I need to buy a generator - what kind?

[Fawkinnae]

Next challenge is to buy a generator to go with the new wheel house.
I hear nothing but good things about the Honda 2000, however they are about $1000.
Costco has a generator that sells for $600 that I'm interested in. Specs are below. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any other brands you like?
Thanks - and thanks for all your comments!

Smarter Tools 2000-watt Parallel Capable Inverter Generator with Yamaha® Engine
Pure Sinewave™ technology, suitable for powering sensitive electronic equipment like a laptop computer
Yamaha® MZ80 Engine
Single unit provides 1600 sustained watts and 2000 surge watts
Can operate in parallel with another AP-2000iQ for 3000 sustained watts
5V USB for charging and operating popular handheld devices
Easy to read fuel gauge
Maximum compliance ratings for both EPA and CARB
Super-quiet muffler with USFS-approved spark arrestor, only 51 dB and eliminates straying sparks
Compact size is easy to store and transport
Gasoline petcock lets you shut off the gas to run the carburetor dry for storage, prevents stale gas problems
Guarded recoil line, protects both the line and the unit
Thermal overload protection - prevents generator damage in case of overload
OHV engine with cast iron cylinder liner, efficient, reliable, powerful providing long life and excellent heat dissipation
Low oil shutdown, prevents engine damage and provides added peace of mind
3 Year Factory Limited Warranty

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[Boar]

Honda ui2000. Hands down. But get the cold weather kit istalled. Im havng probs rigjt now with moister freezi g it up. I had to bring it in and take off the air intake cover and set it in front of the heat till the battery went dead. Then put it in the back of the suburban out of the element.if u dont want to have the cold weather kit installed,  keep it out of the elements. Google cold weather kit for honda generator.

[The General]

Sounds like a good motor if it's anything like the same one in a Yamaha generator.  Now if the rest of it is just as good.  Quiet and parts availability to me would be the main thing. 

[Fawkinnae]

All good points. The other thing I find myself asking is, is it worth it to save $400 bucks and hope your cheaper generator runs fine on Upper Red Lake when it's -40 below out.

[kenhuntin]

Stop in at Acme up by you. They have Yamaha generators and perhaps they could help with any queries you have.

[cookie]

the eu honda I have is a dream machine and  I wish I could get two more. I have two 2500s from northen hydrolics with honda motars. They have also been great machines. The eu gos 12 hours and 3/4 of a gallon while the 2500 go 12 hours on 2 1/2 gallons. The gas I could save in a season with a eu 2000 would pay for it self if I could pull the trigger on another eu 2000. 900 bones. I paid 600 a piece for the 2500s. I keep them in boxes when on the lake 3 sided with a lid .

[Fawkinnae]

Well short story long. I bought a Honda - new.

But there is more to the story. Found an ad on Craigs List.
HONDA EU 2000 GENERATORS NEW IN STOCK!!!! CALL FOR SPECIAL CRAIGSLIST PRICE
STAR WEST MOTORSPORTS - Delano

So I called and the woman I talked to said - Oh yeah we have them. $899. I said I'm on my way.

Got there and everyone is acting kind of weird. One guys asks another guy if he can help me (obviously the guy at the bottom of the food chain). He says Oh I think we're out of those. I said I just called less than an hour ago. Then he pretends to check the stock and says they are out of them and tries to sell me a Yamaha. Mother F%#*ker. What a dump!

Stopped at Acme on the way home and picked one up.

[The General]

Did you call agian when you got home just to see what they say?

[Fawkinnae]

Did you call agian when you got home just to see what they say?

Did not. I'm inclined to call the Attorney General on Monday though.

[Boar]

Wow bummer on that but at least ya got.one. do urself a fav. An google cold weather kit honda generator. U wont be dissapointed with yur new purchase. See ya in two weeks!!

[The General]

Forget about wasting your money on that kit.  If you're that afraid do as cookie did and build a box.  If you have a pickup truck you are set already.  Besides Boar, I know 10 other guys who have these generators and none of them ever have any problems and no such kit.  I've came out to mine in the morning at 30 below covered in a snow bank still running.  If you really want to spend money buy the bigger gas tank kit.

[Boar]

all Im sayin to people G is look at it, not afraid of it anything and not telling to buy. 160 is alot of money to install something, but at the same time the number of your freinds that never had a problem, theres more that have, its just soemthing to consider. after all the money one spends on ice fishing one wouldnt miss a insurence policy of 160 bucks. I put mine in my suburb or what eve vehicle I have at the time, but if one want to go into town its exposed. the simple reality is these machine were not designd forthis application of arctic fishing, they became popular with the wheel house phenom cause of their light weight and length of run time and low decibles. not to left out in the harshes codition and engulfed in a snow bank, thats just gona catch up sometime for sure. see now heres where our logic differes, you dont think spending 160 bucks on a part to possibley help stop a 1000 dollar machine from freezing up in a application it wasnt specificaly designed for. but I wont waset money on an extra tank system when all it takes is a minuet of my tiem every 10 hrs to fill. its what ever anyone wants to spend their money on, im not insisting on it just want peope to research it and decide for them themselves.

[deadeye]

I will go out on a limb here.  The vast majority of "stuff" on Craig's list is a scam of some sort.  I believe it's a very stout limb.  I'm planning on putting it on Craig's list, anyone interested.   

[The General]

I wouldn't buy the gas tank kit either. I have no problem just running out and filling it.  What I'm saying is $160 vs a $5 wood box or putting it in your truck is free.  I'm also not advocating to leave it running in a snow drift like I did.  For Doug, a guy who just spent a bunch of money a a new fish house a $1000 on a new generator, $160 kit that you don't need would be on the bottom of my list.  Probably just below portable crapper.  Now in the wife's eyes her want list wouldn't be the same.  I can tell as I get the look every time I give her the bucket with a plastic garbage bag.

[The General]

I will go out on a limb here.  The vast majority of "stuff" on Craig's list is a scam of some sort.  I believe it's a very stout limb.  I'm planning on putting it on Craig's list, anyone interested. 

Yeah the, "I have a $10,000 polaris ranger for $1500" needs to be questioned.  But I've had very good luck with the list.  1 truck, 4 4wheelers, snowmobile, fish house, ice auger, depth finder, wii for the kids, 1 car, and I'm sure other things I can't remember.  I've also sold said truck, JD lawn mower and snow blower, and currently have my sub compact tractor on there and not trying to scam anyone.

[Fawkinnae]

I've had good luck buying and selling on Craigslist also. And I've met some good folks and a few knuckleheads.

[Boar]

tru dat! Dead eye, what are ya gona list on craigs, what did I miss here? The general took me into his fantisey world and that dude is large. and im fighting to come back to reality.   those kits if your refering to are made by honda themselve to combat the freezing issues somepeople are haveing, not some rinky dink company teling everyone you need this. if thats the scam your refering to. Thats why i say googel it an reearch it. Althiough I guese honda wouldnt be free of telling people "hey if you have this you need this too" sellers market. in the fishing realm

[Boar]

And totally agree with building a weather box to just dont have the time.
         My time=40 dollars an hour
         build box= pull out eupiment an materilas an contruction for me= 4 hours
         total= 160 bucks of my time
         cold weather kit installed ( if one wants do that) = 150.00
          Put it in the back of a truck or vehicle= 1 second cant do the math on that but its money saved.

[The General]

And totally agree with building a weather box to just dont have the time.
         My time=40 dollars an hour
         build box= pull out eupiment an materilas an contruction for me= 4 hours
         total= 160 bucks of my time
         cold weather kit installed ( if one wants do that) = 150.00
          Put it in the back of a truck or vehicle= 1 second cant do the math on that but its money saved.

I've seen your work and you are giving yourself way to much credit.  $5 an hour tops

[Boar]

LMAO

[Onin24Eagle]

I've had a Honda EU2000i for almost 2 years and love it.  Never had any problems starting it in cold weather.  Nice thing about them is that they come with a 3 year warranty and they hold their value.  If you go on ebay or craigslist you will see really beat up used ones going for $750 - $850, sometimes more.  I've seen used ones sell for more than new ones (apparently there are just as many knuckleheads buying as there are selling).  Point is, you can buy one, run it until the warranty expires, then sell it and buy another new one without making a big dent in your wallet.  Can't beat that!  Trust me, someone out there is willing to shell out $800 for your 3 year old used Honda.  Mine will bet getting listed next year if anyone here wants to save $100 on a generator with no warranty.

By the way, if you're in the area they have them at L&M Fleet in Bemidji for $900.  That's where I got mine and my brother just bought one there two weeks ago.  Last time I was in there they had about 20 of them on the rack.

[Fawkinnae]

Great info and feedback from everyone. Thanks!

[thunderpout]

Hey Doug... First id ask ya if you ever plan to run something like an ac unit or the like.... If you plan to youll need somthing like a 4000 w gen... (Or hook two like honda2000s together)If not, i wouldnt mess around saving a couple hundred bucks, get a 4 stroke honda or yamaha, probably 2000w.... Ive had a Honda 2000 for a bunch of years.... Freinds all got them, they hook em up tandem to run ac units.... Band equipment(?!?) always run a little iso/sea foam in the fuel and put good gas in them and theyre bullet proof... Yeah, a rain/ snow box/roof would be nice but i still havent built one yet either....(putting them under a tailgate works well..... )

[dew2]

 Myself I'd say size it to what your going to run.On the back of every appliance there are tags stating the electrical draw.Look at everything you may run add up all the wattage draw of all appliances,That will give you total wattage of your draw needed. Add em all together then do Watts divided by volts that will  equal total amps needed. Honda is the leader so far?? BUT there are other brands that have come out cheaper and just as good since honda started the line.2 eu 2000  put out 33.3 amps bout the sams as 2 home circut breakers cost might about 2 thou.But one eu3000 cost about the same and should put out 25 amps, one generator to carry and fuel at 6 amps less.The best way to decide is figure what amperage you'll need then up it a few amps just incase!
 Keep in mind rated generators are surge watts>>The 3000 puts out 2800 steady and 3000 surge the 2000 puts out 1600 watts steady  and 2000 surge.Neither can run full rated wattage for extended time.So the 2000 with 2 units does 3200 watts steady with full fuel consumption the 3000 2800 watts.If I was close to full wattage I get a single generator.Personal preferance thats all easier to carry>one to start and fuel good luck!

[Boar]

Man ur  smart dew.

[dew2]

Man ur  smart dew.

  Thyanks Boar! Tis not that I'm smart, just older than most!!!! And made so many mistakes learning.I always said I like to learn from others mistakes,But no one has screwed around with everything I ever owned and its my mistakes others can learn from!!! Math is easy any union carpenter needs to know it.

[Boar]

I hear ya, no substitute for life experience.