Wats a good generator.

[Boar]

decided to take the leap an get a generator, tiered of lugging deep cycles back an fourth althou I'll still use them for variuous things. Have no Idea on wttage use, I primarily want to run 1 to 2 fans all the time. A coffe pot in the morn. maybe a toaster. Lights at night till bed. I understand heating type elements like coffe pots an toasters take more watts for their heating elements. Dont plan on running a tv or dvd player, but would like to cover that base as well. would like to stay under 5 hundy.

Wats a good one to recomend, an your experience. Thanks boar

[hamms-scooter]

Ihave used honda generators and they are flawless. Quiet and good on gas. They have the idle down mode when power isn't being used good units.

[efgh]

You will need a least 2000 watts to make toast and coffee. A good all around generator size. Don;t skimp on dollars, buy a Honda or Yamah, their generated elec. power is cleaner, you won;t have those wavie lines on t.v. and steady lites, not sort of blinking.

[FIRECAT]

Bought a off-brand 1200 watt Gen at FF ,It powered the coffee pot in the morning, charged batteries (trickle charger), run lights and tv at night. She would really grunt when the power was needed. Not real noisy for a 2-stroke. Under $100 on black Friday, But found a sale on a Honda 2000 WOW what a difference, Very quiet, gas miser, Ran 7-8 hours this weekend and the tank wasn"t completely full, and it was still running.

[Mike Stark]

I have nothing but good things about Honda generators.

[rbs]

spend the money on a Honda...you won't regret it!

[DRH1175]

Honda or Yamaha are the only 2 I would buy. After hard research I bought the Yamaha 2000is and love it. Best thing I ever bought.

[low277]

+1 on the Honda/Yamaha. I bought a Yamaha 2000is because it was the right price at the right time. Great unit. Ships without crankcase oil, add about 1/2 quart of oil some gas and it started on the 1st pull.

Also added the hour meter/tachometer and bought the cover. I am pretty sure this unit will get passed down to my kids or grandkids.

[Boar]

Thanks guys I really do appreciate the in put, but the hondayamakawasukis are just not financialy fesable, an its tough to find them remotely affordable used even. Believe me if i could I would. anything else youd recomend. Thanks boar

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Can't go wrong with the Honda or Yamaha. I went with the Yamaha 2000 watt because of great reviews, price was $100 less than the Honda, came with battery charging cables, and a gas gauge. It'll run 12 hours on a tank of gas (~1 gallon) depending on what is plugged in. If I were to do it all over again, I'd choose red or blue based on whatever is cheaper.

[Hawg]

I agree with all of you and own a Honda . Has anyone tried one of those Generac generators? I've always been curious about them as they run comparable engines so the sound levels should be farly close. Anybody have more than an opinion and actually use one?

[Ryan_V]

The guy said he can't afford the honda/yamaha.... Every one of these posts turns into "get the honda" while I agree, we need to respect the original posters parameters of what he is asking...... How many watts, and under $500. So my answer is 2000 watts should work for you, but I can't help with a generator within your price range. Good luck, nothing better than being able to make your own coffee on the Ice rather than driving to town!

[Boar]

Thanks ryan, found it funny. But hes right I"d like know if anyone has info on a lesser brand. Thanks boar

[Pleasant]

Well Boar, I have a Pramac ES3000, which I have had good luck with. They also make smaller units and the Powermate brand, may be what you are looking for.

[Boar]

Well I appologize for this but it didnt dawn on me till about now that my brother is sale manager for a tool outfit distributer. DER DOI AN DUH!!!! I guesse I will save my pennes an rub my nickles till then at his price for a Honda 2000. Oh an Hawg? he said DONT EVER BUY A GENERAC!!!! That exactly how he put it. Thanks for all the feedback Boar

[Hawg]

The reason for a 2000watt is that most heating elements are around 1500 watts. If you don't care about coffee a 1000 watt can run 99%of the houses out there.

[Boar]

Coffee is my blood type. Gonna have to get a 2000

[pushbutton]

Boar i am a cheap arse and do not like to buy top line anything...... but did go for the Honda 2000(yammy would be good too)....it is one of those things that needs to be better than just ok if you really need it.

[Hawg]

Boar, I'm as hard core Honda as they come but I realize they cost a ton. It sure seems the other companies have figured out the engines by now and some should be ok. Stay away from those Briggs and some of the real loud ones or you won't have any friends near you. They are obnoxiously loud, even yourself won't want it around. I have a friend who says he just points the exhaust away from his house and that helps but I bet the people just away from him wish they had their deer rifles and it's still loud even in his house.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I went through the same dilemma awhile back. I looked at all the alleged "Honda-knockoffs" and rumored to "use the exact same parts as a Honda", etc.

The bottom line is this:

-There are cheap generators that acknowledge that they are junk (Champion, etc). Cost ~$200-300, and everyone on the lake will hate you, and it might last a year or two. Resale=$0

-There are generators that try to claim to be the Honda, but have terrible reviews (Honeywell, ETQ, Generac) ~$700. Resale $200-300, if you're lucky.

-And then there are the good generators (Honda/Yamaha) ~$900. Go look at used prices...they don't move much, because people aren't dumping their junk generator for whatever they can get. They hold their value extremely well, and have virtually zero problems. For a little extra $ upfront, you'll be happy as long as you own it, and you'll have something to sell if the day ever comes.

[low277]

+1 on what Lip_Ripper said, I really wanted a Generac, but after reading the reviews I could not do it. In the end even SWMBO agreed that buying blue was a good purchase. (marked that one on the calender)

[Boar]

Yhanks guys, I hear ya cluckin' wen I posted this I failed to realized the busssiness my brother was in, he can get me a honda 2000 for 825 plus tax. I agree with you guys on all points, its just so much money. But should last till I can no longer ice fish. I had thought they were much more, closer to 1500.00 Thanks for all the input, Ill have it for next year. Boar

[Nilsfisher]

remember..... Volts X Amps = watts.

so on the back of most appliances, it says how many amps (sometimes watts) that particular appliance uses. take that and multiply that by 110v and that will give you the watts of that appliance. add them all up and that should give you an idea of the size generator you need. after that is determined, then go by brand, you might need more watts than a brand you like or others like offer, and might have to go for something else. just my input. Hope it helps.

[goosemafia]

Honda is the only way to go. cant even hear it and it wont bother anyone else either.

[waskawood]

remember..... Volts X Amps = watts.

That is true in a purely resistive circuit. Once we add capacitors or inductors to the circuit it becomes voltamps. Motors and electronis will need more "watts" to run than a purely resistive heater of the same volt X amp. It is called power factor and can cause a problem when operating a generator close to name plate rating.