What size generator?

[mnhunter2]

Looking at getting a generator for the fish house and back up power for the wife if the power goes out at home anyone have any comments on the hondas am thinking about a 1000I[8 amp]or a 2000I {15 amp}.

[Shawnny B]

it all depends on what your going to run, for the fish house usualy 1000 will run pretty much anything you want. but for you house you will need the 2000 just to run your fridge, the start up power anyhow. usualy (700run14-2100 start up) I use to sell Generators at Northern Tool. The most common sold for a home was 2500/5000 Watts and we usualy recommended a transfer switch so you dont have to run power cords threw out the house.

here is a standard calculator for you from honda

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/genwat.asp

I have a 1000eu from honda that We use for our fish house, Very quiet and runs forever! but I dont think id be able to use it for the house. Just my figures

Shawnny B

[Whopper Stopper]

I have the Honda 2000. Very quiet, fairly light weight(16 pounds dry) but still able to run the lights and the microwave in my house. I had the 1000 but was a little limited as far as power went. Just keep in mind that on the 2000, the rated output is 1600 with the max being 2000. Just add up your watts and figure from there. That being said I also have a 3500 watt Honda. This is the ticket for running about anything fishing related plus the electronic dart board for in-between bites, but..Takes it two guys to lift it in and out. Hope this helps........WS

[kylouie]

Shawnney,

For running a generator, what kind of transfer switch would you propose? Would a person still be able to charge batteries with a switch in?

[Mudcat21]

So would the Honda 1000 run a small 13" tv/dvd plus a couple lights? I like the dart board idea too!

[Dry_Fly]

You will have no problem with a couple lights and a TV with the 1000 Honda. I have a 2000 for myself like the extra watts can even run a air conditioner on my camper with it when I want to.

[Macgyver55]

No problem. After the big storm we had down here in Sept. the power was out for a while. I used my 1000 Honda to run my refrigerator, tv/vcr and a couple lights. After a while I unplugged the frige and plugged in the freezer and cycled that just to keep things solid. We use it every year at deer camp for all of our lights, charging batteries and watching tv. Its been flawless in over 12 years. Simple power management will allow a smaller generator to do a big job. Starting requirements are only for the initial start and then additional things may be operated.

If I were going to have a bunch of stuff going all the time I guess I'd opt for the 2000 but for me the 1000 is perfect. Nice and quiet, light and easy on gas.

[bigdog]

I have the 2000EU and would not want anything smaller unless I was going to own two generators. My skill saw can kick out the 2000 under a heavy load. Its a nice size as a short term backup for the house and is still light enough to carry around outside.

[minnbowhunter]

i have the honda 1000 and wish i had the 2000,

[pout-pounder]

If I remember right the 2000 has a much larger fuel tank. This will allow a much longer run at similar loads than the 1000. I have the 2000 and love it. I was a generator mechanic in the military and am very impressed with the performance of the gen-set. I only re-fuel the unit twice per day and we run a t/v, sat dish battery charger(s, lights and an electric fry pan at times. I don't think I'd ever trade the 2000 for the 1000. $0.02

[Mudcat21]

Anybody out there have the Yamaha EF1000iC generator and have an opinion on it?