Thoughts on a Honda 3000w Generator

[Brankon]

I purchased a new cargo trailer this year for hauling the rhino in and camping inand have so far insulated it and got the boarding back up and 1 roof vent installed so far. Been planning my source of power for recharging the battery and have been tossing between solar and a generator and have decided that a generator works no matter what the weather is. I realistically only need a 2000w generator but i figure if I'm going to buy new I might as well buy something that can run my fridge and deep freeze at home as well if the power ever goes out for whatever reason for an extended period of time.

Anyone have any input on the 3000w hondas with the electric start? I know a few people with them and have used them at work a handfull of times and they seem like a solid unit, just wanted to broaden my research input a little more to people that are likely around this forum using it like I will be.

[Dean2]

Make sure it is an inverter version if you are going to run frifge and furnace with it. Modern computer boards don't tolerate dirty power.

[brendon444]

Have one and it’s heavy. Very hard to move around.

Also have a Yamaha 2000. Prefer the 2000 watt Yamaha and add a second unit for 4000watts combined when needed.

[elkhunter11]

The Honda and Yamaha 3000w inverters are both excellent. Two 2000w units used in parallel, are another option.

[IL Bar]

I have both a Honda 3000 watt and a Yamaha 2400 watt. They are both excellent generators. The Honda takes 2 people to load and the Yamaha I can load by myself. I bought the Honda after I bought my last holiday trailer because the Yamaha wouldn’t run the A/C in this trailer.

I would recommend the Honda first. Honda also just came out with a smaller, lighter, 3200 but it is quite a bit louder than the original one.

[moniaw24]

I would recommend the Honda 3000 and install the wheel kit on it with the handles... kinda like using a wheel barrow.... works very well and you can move it around by yourself

[rafternk]

Honda now sells a Honda 2000 X 2 parallel option with an additional fuel tank to extend the run time ( Honda had a display of this system at the RV show) . I also had a 3000 Invert. with wheel kit and it worked flawlessly but it was heavy without the wheels and ramp solution.

[walker1]

Another vote for the big red 3000 genny. Around 140 pounds if I recall without fuel. Sips the gas and is about 49decibels. I built a cart with big casters for lugging.
If I did not have the cummins onan 5500 in my toyhauler I would have kept the honda 3000.

[Brankon]

Good to hear, I'll likely end up with the wheel kit since that would make it 100x easier just to roll it up my trailer ramp door. Thanks for all of your input!

[crazyperch]

if you don't care about the electric start, i would get the 3200 "suitcase" style Honda

https://www.hondaextreme.ca/new-mode...200i-29007762b

[Okotok]

I've had the 3000 inverter with electric start for 12 years. Zero problems so far. I still throw it in the back of my F350 by myself but having someone help is a lot easier. I'm guessing it's a little over a hundred pounds. The ones without electric start are a lot lighter but are also a few hundred more. I guess you pay for the reduced weight.

[Tungsten,]

Originally Posted by crazyperch

if you don't care about the electric start, i would get the 3200 "suitcase" style Honda

https://www.hondaextreme.ca/new-mode...200i-29007762b

Maximum 2600W continuous power,start up 3200W ,will that run an A/C?

[1886]

I have a power fist 2500 inverter and it would run the ac but no other high draw appliance like a coffee pot at the same time. Bought the Honda 3000 inverter with electric start and it will run every thing at once in the rv

[crazyperch]

Originally Posted by Tungsten,

Maximum 2600W continuous power,start up 3200W ,will that run an A/C?

Yes, it will run AC.

[BlackHeart]

Originally Posted by brendon444

Have one and it’s heavy. Very hard to move around.

Also have a Yamaha 2000. Prefer the 2000 watt Yamaha and add a second unit for 4000watts combined when needed.

THIS!!!!

Plus you have:
1) Flexibility to take one or both depending on needs
2) each unit is easy to load.
3) somewhat of a backup security. If one fails you can still function with the other.
4) two of them have more power than a single 3000
5) the cost is much better
6) resale if wanted, is better

[bezzola]

I have the i-power one from costco its runs my a/c and my wifes computer for work 2 years now and not and issue. Has handle and wheels one it also light enough to pick up. It will run on gas or propane.
One of my sons has the honda 3000 and the other yamaha 3000 the yamaha has wheels on it which is a nice feature.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by BlackHeart

THIS!!!!

Plus you have:
1) Flexibility to take one or both depending on needs
2) each unit is easy to load.
3) somewhat of a backup security. If one fails you can still function with the other.
4) two of them have more power than a single 3000
5) the cost is much better
6) resale if wanted, is better

Yup!
Costco sells an AI brand of inverter, runs on propane. I’m sure they’re not as good as Honda but the warranty will be rock solid.

[Tactical Lever]

No experience with the Honda, but the Hondas all seem to perform well from reviews. I wouldn't bother with any of the Chinese ones. Seems to be very hit and miss, and they seem to all mess up eventually.

I have a Yamaha 2400, and it's a bit bulky, but it's very quiet, and sips fuel. Starts easy. Whether it'll run an AC unit depends on how big it is, but it's big enough to run a 13 500 BTU, which seems to be a popular size on the trailers. I turned the AC on in our old trailer, full blast, switched the fridge to AC power, turned on every light in/on the trailer, the little stereo, and ran the water pump, and it seemed to be doing it all and without drawing the battery for the DC stuff.

One thing I found when looking at generator testing, is most of the inverters won't be able to sustain or hit maximum rated power, except the Honda which could. But the Yamaha, was actually able to EXCEED rated power.

Should mention that mine is the regular 2400, but they now have an optional(?) version that is the HC I believe (high current), that can handle a larger start up load. I did trip the breaker on mine, when I short cycled the AC once, but I suspect even a bigger one would've also.

My 2400 would be big enough to run the furnace at home with no problem, and 4 freezers and a fridge I figure as they wouldn't all be cycling at once. I'd probably stage the start ups if I came home and everything was off for 24 hours.

[Dean2]

For use with a trailer etc, the gas and propane versions work great. However, for longer term use in a power outage, they do make an inverter that will run on propane or Nat Gas, it uses your Nat Gas BBQ outlet for fuel. They also make a version that is tri-fuel. Might want to give them a look as they are not much more than the gasoline only ones.

[IL Bar]

Originally Posted by BlackHeart

THIS!!!!

Plus you have:
1) Flexibility to take one or both depending on needs
2) each unit is easy to load.
3) somewhat of a backup security. If one fails you can still function with the other.
4) two of them have more power than a single 3000
5) the cost is much better
6) resale if wanted, is better

I disagree with you. Two parallel 2000 watt Yamahas only put out 3000 watts when run in parallel not 4000. The 2200 watt Hondas will put out 3600 watts when paralleled. By the time you buy both generators and a parallel kit they will cost more than the 3000. And I don’t know about you but I’d rather do one oil change than 2.

[270person]

Dont plan on putting a remote start on the Honda if you want to add later. Pretty sure it voids the warranty. Yamaha no problem.

3000 H is a beast generator. Bugger for one guy to move around tho. Quality on both is pretty much equal.

[Ackleyman]

Honda has always being reliable. The new Cummins / Onan may be worth condideration. Inverter Gen ,remote start , direct 30 amp rv plug in , built in tow handle and wheels. And pricing is quite reasonable.

[elkhunter11]

I just noticed that Honda has a new 3200w unit , that is very compact, and weighs less than half of what the 3000w unit does. If I needed more than my 2000w unit can produce, I would be looking at the 3200.

[otto389]

I picked up one of those Honda 3200watt suitcase units last spring and I like it. It is fuel injected so super easy to start, I can lift it and move it around by myself. It has a small gas tank but it seems to run for ever on it. It will run my rv ac , although the start up hit is almost 3000, and it runs around 1200 iirc. The app on your phone lets you keep track of it while it’s in use. You can see the load at any given time, the fuel level and I believe time left till it runs out, and you can shut it off from the comfort of your bed at the end of the night. Lol. Only down Side... it’s pricey.

Otto.

[tranq78]

My next door neighbor borrowed my Honda 3000 series. He liked it so much he bought a Honda 6000 series for himself. His model is newer and is winterized for very cold starts.

My Honda 3000 is dead quiet and goes forever with basic maintenance. I just change the oil and replace the spark plug.