Smallest generator & least noise

Pickup jockey · 05-01-2016, 07:13 AM

Greetings ,After my battery question I now would like to hear your thoughts on a small back-up generator. I know ;no A/C or stove or Microwave maybe some hot water, a TV for the kids video & games some lights and to keep the batteries up to prevent damage. Looking to see what size you are using and is the noise level reasonable in close quarters (30 amp). size and weight ??

Ela1948 · 05-01-2016, 07:26 AM

I think most agree that the Honda's and Yamaha's are the quietest and are very reliable. Both 2000 watt units are around 45 lb. in weight. Champion has a 2000 watt generator that is slightly noisier but not objectionable. They are roughly half the price at about $600. If money is not an issue, Honda would be my choice. I have had a 2000 watt Champion now for 3 years and has worked well.

Nukeneck · 05-01-2016, 08:07 AM

I have the Champion 2000 and found it on sale for $499 last month on Home Depots website. It has an economy mode that is very quiet. Smarter Tools also makes a 2000w inverter generator that has a Yamaha motor. It is also extremely quiet. I believe they run about $700-800 bucks. Both of these gens can be paralleled for more power

dzwiss · 05-01-2016, 08:10 AM

I have a Honda 1000. It is small and light (30 lbs). We use it when boondocking for charging batteries and vacuuming. It will not power our 90 amp converter so we use a 25 amp smart charger. It serves our purpose well since we also have solar however I would prefer one large enough to charge off of the converter. I'm not sure a 2000 would be able to run a 90 amp converter if the batteries were low so I'll stick with the 1000.

Cheetah053 · 05-01-2016, 08:18 AM

I carry a Honda 2000 with me in event of emergency. I do not have a built in gen since we camp only at campgrounds with full hookups. We have used it a few times when power went out. I also take it with me to football games for tailgating. It is very reliable and very quiet. By the way Honda sells a useful battery cable accessory for charging your batteries.

Pickup jockey · 05-01-2016, 12:03 PM

Good feedback, just that your prices are not the same north of the border. Honda 2000W are close to the 2000$ mark!!

**norty1** · 05-01-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickup jockey

Good feedback, just that your prices are not the same north of the border. Honda 2000W are close to the 2000$ mark!!

Honda 2000i can be purchased most anywhere for $1000 in UAA, and if you shop around even less.

Bassdogs · 05-01-2016, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickup jockey

Good feedback, just that your prices are not the same north of the border. Honda 2000W are close to the 2000$ mark!!

Sounds like a quick trip south of the border might be a plan. Just a ??, if you did buy a Honda 2000 on a trip into the US, I guess you are expected to declare it when you head home. How does anybody know when and where you picked it up. Do they take inventory when you cross on the way south or is this an honor system??

Raspberry · 05-01-2016, 02:26 PM

We are in Southern Ontario and use the Champion 2000w when we are at the race track. Small and easy to move around. Runs everything except A/C. Can do microwave if need but turn off other major draining items to insure no issue. Usually just run for a few hours early evening to recharge and we are good to go for the night and next day. You can buy a second one and run parallel to be able to operate your A/C as well. The noise dc is in the same range as the Honda 2000.

We bought our Champion 2000w last year at Costco Canada. I see they still have them and the are $689.00 CDN.

canadiankid · 05-01-2016, 03:34 PM

Not sure if it's changed or not but a few years ago when I bought my Honda 2000eu you could not get them set up for hooking 2 together. For that reason alone it was worth the drive to the states to buy.

Pickup jockey · 05-01-2016, 04:00 PM

Well, as a good Canadian we should register all high ticket items before leaving Canada with your Local Customs office or keep the Canadian bill of sale as proof. The resulting taxes and duties and penalities if caught would cancel any savings and would leave you open to increased inspection on any following trips ( Customs has a long memory). Also just because you may have gotten through on the first trip back, you may be caught on another trip if you cannot produce proof of origin. But I don not want any trouble with border crossing and it is wise not to mess with Customs (U.S. or Canadian). The ability to travel between our two countries in good conscience is and worry free is PRICELESS.

canadiankid · 05-01-2016, 04:10 PM

Totally agree! I claim and pay duty on everything. That one was especially tricky cause our small side business bought it and had to go thru the commercial side.

Nukeneck · 05-01-2016, 04:58 PM

So just curious. If you bought a Champion for $500 in the states and it cost you $700 in Canada, do you have to pay the difference in duty?

canadiankid · 05-01-2016, 05:05 PM

We always have to pay taxes but duty is dependent on where the product was made. Mexico and U.S. Products are duty free. Some countries have very high duties so doing homework before going would be important.

Raspberry · 05-01-2016, 05:51 PM

Don't forget exchange rate is crazy right now. 500 US = 609.20 CDN. As per today's rate.

Seann45 · 05-02-2016, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nukeneck

So just curious. If you bought a Champion for $500 in the states and it cost you $700 in Canada, do you have to pay the difference in duty?

No you only pay duty on what you spent.. US dollars converted to Canadian dollars.. Normally the duty is the GST+PST of the province you crossed back into.. which is why I always cross back into Alberta..

Bassdogs · 05-02-2016, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickup jockey

Well, as a good Canadian we should register all high ticket items before leaving Canada with your Local Customs office or keep the Canadian bill of sale as proof. The resulting taxes and duties and penalities if caught would cancel any savings and would leave you open to increased inspection on any following trips ( Customs has a long memory). Also just because you may have gotten through on the first trip back, you may be caught on another trip if you cannot produce proof of origin. But I don not want any trouble with border crossing and it is wise not to mess with Customs (U.S. or Canadian). The ability to travel between our two countries in good conscience is and worry free is PRICELESS.

Not advocating breaking the law, but really "register all high ticket items"?? At $1000 my H2000 was for sure not cheap, but it is far from what I consider a high ticket item. Just see "registration" as a path for future confiscation or taxation. As a good American I join others in fighting against registration of common personal items, expensive or otherwise. We register vehicles including cars trucks rvs and boats but my 3d flat screen, pc, and mobile devices are no ones business. All of this is one reason I have chosen not to drive north on several trips near our northern border.

robert9999 · 05-02-2016, 08:35 AM

Powerhorse 2000 watt from Northern tool is under 50 lbs & quiet $600.

Kim Gass · 05-02-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Not advocating breaking the law, but really "register all high ticket items"?? At $1000 my H2000 was for sure not cheap, but it is far from what I consider a high ticket item. Just see "registration" as a path for future confiscation or taxation. As a good American I join others in fighting against registration of common personal items, expensive or otherwise. We register vehicles including cars trucks rvs and boats but my 3d flat screen, pc, and mobile devices are no ones business. All of this is one reason I have chosen not to drive north on several trips near our northern border.

Its a shame. You will only have problems if Douanes Canada thinks you will resell the item being brought north.

We have done about 150 border crossings over the years and twice I was bringing items for resale. They were declared and taxed.

You will have no problem if you do not volunteer information and just answer the question" Are you bringing items to leave in Canada". Do not give any other info like" I have three big screen TV's" unless asked!

I've made trips to Canada since then and never had my gear gone through. yes with mobile devices and computer and canoes.

Giljmo · 05-02-2016, 11:12 AM

Pickup Jockey:
When it comes to generators there are usually three trains of thoughts: Honda v Yamaha v Everybody else.I fall into the everybody else category.With my pop-up, I did quite a few field rally’s, and still do.With that being said, I had water in my tanks but any and all power came from my Ryobi Inverter Generator 1800/2000.
Let me tell you I worked that thing like I stole it, for at least three/four years.Then I upgraded Trailer and generator.The only reason I had to upgrade the generator was because I now have a 15k AC.The Ryobi actually powered the lights, water pump, and AC (13K).Now I am not saying, it wasn’t struggling, but it did it, July in Alabama for three years.
Please don’t be lulled into thinking you must outlay a huge amount of money to accomplish your power needs. I think I paid around $450 for the Ryobi from Lowes/HD.It is quiet and purrs like a dream.It is very manageable.It has wheels, pull out handle and lightweight. No... I’m not trying to sell it.
I now have a Jayco 24rbs and a Champion 2800/3100. But I will hold onto the popup and Ryobi for when my children and their significant others want to go out and camp too.

You may also like: