Honda EU2000i generator at Camping World

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I see the above generator at Camping World for $1,099.00 (with club membership discount-which includes shipping) Wondered if anyone knew of anywhere else where it can be had cheaper. This is the one that can be tied to another 2000 companion.

I would like to have one, but have spent so much money for STUFF for my new camper. I know I could get a 1000, but the cost difference is too little to justify going smaller to me.

What I am trying to justify is whether I need it or not. I know if I only camp at parks with electricity, I do not need one, but I don’t want to be restricted to power only locations.

I like the idea of getting away from the crowds sometimes and enjoying a more pristine less traveled scenic environment. But truth be told, I don’t know how well I will be able to adjust to both NO TV or Internet. Shameful, isn’t it. I feel guilty just admitting it. I AM ADICTED !! My withdrawal might not be pretty. Besides, it’s my security blanket, and the best way for me to fall asleep. Hmmm, looking at this paragraph is kind of ironic and funny. Want to enjoy nature, but with my TV. (Don’t forget, I’m having to give up my internet. How far can you push a junkie at one time?)

So, if I had a generator what’s the likelihood I could run it for 3 or 4 hours in the evening to run a TV. From what I understand, they are either off limits or confined to only an hour or two in the evening when permitted, which is understandable knowing the noise level of some generators.

Can someone who does a lot of dry camping give me a little more insight into this matter? I could easily function without lights, and even heat to a degree, but sure would like to have my TV. What kind of camping woos am I? I don’t want to get into solar at this point, and I’m not even sure it would work for running a TV in the late evening.

I bought a regular 19” LCD TV for Trailmanor and just this week bought a little 7” TV/DVD combo. Don’t know how many amps it pulls (7” TV) but it takes 6 hours to recharge and is only good for about 2 ½ hours after fully charged. It can run ac or DC.

I’m not sure how much drain it would be on Trailmanor battery plugged in and running for 4 hours. Could I run it for 4 hours at night and then recharge the TM battery with the generator in the morning? Or is 4 hours to much to expect?

There is no DC input in the back bed area of my 2619. Can one be put in somewhere back there? Wish I had a better handle on this battery stuff.

Have not changed to two 6 volt deep cycle batteries yet, but it is on the agenda.

Yes, I'd highly recommend Wise Equipment and Rental out of Schaumburg, Illinois.
Their # is 847 895 5555. They are also on the web. They provide free shipping and better prices than CW. I bought a Honda 3000 Handi and it was very well packaged and sent promptly. And their sales folks were polite and responsive.

[Bill]

As I have posted before, I don't understand the allure of a 2000-watt generator. 2000 watts is just exactly the wrong value. It won't run your air conditioner. And it is way overkill for most other things. A 1000-watt generator is smaller, cheaper, quieter, and will handle most anything you are likely to have in a TM.

The exceptions to the "overkill" statement are usually heat-producing appliances such as a microwave, an electric skillet, or a hair dryer, all of which draw a bit more than 1000 watts in their normal household incarnations. But by shopping a bit, you can find 800-watt versions of all these, so I don't find it to be a big deal.

Having said all that, I hope it is obvious that if you really want to run the TM's air conditioner, a 1000-watt generator isn't the answer, and a 2000 watt generator isn't, either. You will need a pair of EU2000i generators and the connecting cable. Or a 2500-watt unit from another manufacturer. So the need for air conditioning is really your big question.

To answer your specific question, a television draws a relatively tiny amount of current. Somewhere on the case, near the power cord entry, will be the actual numbers, but it is probably less than 100 watts (1 amp on AC power). A 1000-watt generator will handle it just fine. And if you buy an AC/DC model TV,you can run from battery all evening, and recharge from your generator in the morning.

Just my two cents - many others disagree.

Bill

I got one at Speedway Sales for $899 including shipping. The one advantage over the 1000i is that if you ever need to use AC you can get a second one and parallel them easily. And the price is not much more than the 1000i. When AC is not needed it is little bit of overkill but at a small price in cost , fuel and weight.

An inverter would convert 12 volts from your batteries to AC to run you TV, very quietly.

I never watch TV and rarely access Internet when we go camping.

I bought the Honda 2000 because if I ever want to run the a/c I can get a second one. The Yamaha was not available as far as I know when I bought my Honda in March 2005. Besids that, my Honda can be carried on my side with one hand. The Yamaha 2400, which many people have been able to use for their a/c, has two handles and you carry it in front of you. I have been out of work several times for 1 to 2 weeks when I injured my back, and I ain't getting any younger.

We have a small microwave from Walmart, and in two years have used it once. So I mostly leave it at home.

If you want to try camping off the beaten path, at the Spring 2010 TM West Coast rally in Petaluma, California I did a presentation (plug here) on dry camping, disconnecting the umbilical cord. It was taped and a DVD is available. I'm not sure of the price. I think it is around $5.00 to cover the cost of the media and shipping. Since April 2005 we have had shore power 5 times.

I go camping to get away from people. If I wanted to be surrounded by people I would stay in San Jose.

My older brother has a big fifth wheel, very nice. But I like to ost that I do not like to go where my brother goes (rv parks) and he can not go where I can go (sometimes places with not even water).

[ShrimpBurrito]

Since the cost isn't too much more, IMHO the main advantage of the 2000 watt model vs. the 1000 watt has nothing to do with camping, but emergency power at home. A 2000 watt will run your home refrigerator. A 1000 watt one probably will not (it definitely won't run mine, and mine is only 6 years old and nothing especially large or fancy).

I've measured the power drawn by the TM. When charging the batteries at ~8A, it draws about 200 watts. See here for more info:
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=7876

Dave

[Wavery]

Just for kicks & giggles I tried running my Coleman Mach, 13,500BTU A/C off of my Honda EU2000i generator this weekend and it worked fine. It remains to be seen what will happen when it gets hot out.......

The nice thing about the 2000W over the 1000W is that you can run most of your appliances, like the microwave, hair dryer, electric heater and electric coffee maker.

Dave

The 1000i will probably run your fridge if you leave it off for a while before trying it to allow the head to dissipate.It will have an issue if it turns back on before head is gone.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Bob - Well, the sticker on the inside of the fridge says it takes 8.3A at 120VAC, which is 996 watts. I presume that is normal operation (not starting), but I haven't measured it. I haven't tested running it on a genny, as I don't even have one, but I have thought about getting one for earthquake preparedness. I believe the Honda 1000 is 1000W peak, and 900W rated, so the fridge would take it to the max during normal operation. But I'm not sure the fridge could even get started without making the genny die.

Dave

Originally Posted by harveyrv

Just for kicks & giggles I tried running my Coleman Mach, 13,500BTU A/C off of my Honda EU2000i generator this weekend and it worked fine. It remains to be seen what will happen when it gets hot out.......

The nice thing about the 2000W over the 1000W is that you can run most of your appliances, like the microwave, hair dryer, electric heater and electric coffee maker.

My Honda 2000 will start the a/c. But the first time it cycles it trips the breaker.

I have the same situation when I plug the TM into a 20 amp circuit at home. This is with nothing else running, except the converter. I have heard, but have not tried, turning off the converter to allow the Honda to cycle without tripping the breaker.