Honda Generator Question

[JimBuck]

I've been looking at picking up a Honda EU2000iA Generator and noticed they now offer the Companion model in addition to the Regular model. There is a bit of a price difference, I'm wondering what you gain going with the companion over the regular model. I understand that the companion has the ability to hook up to an additional generator but is that all? If I have no intentions of hooking up to another generator is the regular model the way to go? I'm looking at using the generator on the ice with the house to run accessories and charge deep cycle batteries.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[remington 300]

jim, i have the regular eu2000 and it can be hooked to another generator/ie, in series, i guess, ive never needed it or tried it but it can be done with an optional cord. that being said i love mine, powers the fish house perfectly

and it also is able to charge a battery with another optional cord, if needed,

which i have done while ice fishing.

so how much cheaper is the companion? and is it still a 2000 watt?

You wont be disappointed with the honda either way. There quite and they run

like, well, like a honda.

later,

mike.

[remington 300]

after looking at hondas site, it looks like i have the companion version,

didnt know this, but it looks like the only difference is the companion has a 30 amp outlet to connect to a second generator, which most people will never need in a fish house.id get the regular version, it appears to be about $120.00 cheaper, msrp.

mike.

[Powerstroke]

The companion model is mainly geared to RV'rs because of the need for a 30amp outlet. Items like a microwave and air conditioner need the higher amps to function properly.

If you don't have the need for the 30amp outlet then the standard 2000 will be plenty. Actually, if you only plan on running some lights and charging batteries then the 1000 is more than enough, but since the 2000 is only $100 more, I would say get the 2000. Its a no brainer.

[JimBuck]

Great, so it seems that unless I am looking to connect my generator to another unit, the 30 amp plug-in doesn't do much for me. Thanks for the information guys. I've had my eye on one of these since using a friends last year. Sweet litttle machines.

One more general question, how do you folks have your deep cycles hooked up for lights and general use while charging? Is an on-board charger the only way to go for this type of thing? Sorry for the questions, this is my first wheelhouse and all of this is very new to me..I appreciate the responses.

[cold one sd]

I have an on board charger in my wheelhouse. In my old shack I used a battery charger when running my generator. I think I would use either of these methods before the 12v charging cord that plugs into the generator. If you are running sensitive electronics on 12v you could have a problem while charging batteries. My lights and fans are all 12v DC and everything else uses 110v AC so I don't have any sensitive electronic components to worry about.

[Ufatz]

You will never go wrong with one of the little Honda gensets. Have used them in the bush, while Rv camping where there is no power available and, I haul one around in the back of my Kawasaki Mule. I fire it up, drive to where I want to cut a tree or just cut some wood, plug in my Makita electric chainsaw and zipidee doo dah! Bam.....I'm makin' wood. The combination is great. And don't laugh at an electric chainsaw....the Makita is NOT like the $49.95 ones in the hardware store.

Buy the Honda!

[bopper4]

I have the 2000 and love it. We received it for a wedding gift last fall. We made the auxillary tank (Similar to the Red Lake Cap) and we can run off a 5 gallon tank all weekend. We start it when we get there and shut her down when we leave.

[Ed Carlson]

Great unit the EU 2000i.

Watch for some deals...this weekend.