Key start generator

[mothercoder]

I am thinking that a pull start generator will not be something I can manage with my bum wing. Which quiet generators offer a key/push start? Just Yamaha and Honda? 

If I buy a used generator, what should I look for? How can I tell how many hours it has on it and how many is too many? 

Thanks!

 

[Trebor English]

Champion has two 3500 watt electric start.  Loud, $500, quiet, $1100.

 

[mothercoder]

Champion has two 3500 watt electric start.  Loud, $500, quiet, $1100.

Thanks. Sounds like I need to adjust my budget for a $1000 generator. ?

 

[highdesertranger]

how big of a generator do you need? the smaller Hondas and Yamahas pull start real easy. have you tried one? highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

Both my decade old generator and the new one (Honda 1000s) start with a single pull of the cord. I simply put my foot on the bottom 'foot' of the gennie to brace myself and give it a tug.

The only time they are hard to start ie, needing more than one pull, is if I let one of them run out of gas. Then it can take multiple pulls to get the gas back through the carb.

Do any of the portable generators even come with push button (remote start), I've only ever seen that on built in gennies in RVs??

 

[mothercoder]

how big of a generator do you need?  the smaller Hondas and Yamahas pull start real easy.  have you tried one? highdesertranger

A 2000W inverter generator would be fine. No, I haven't tried one. Wouldn't know where to go to try one.

 

[mothercoder]

Both my decade old generator and the new one (Honda 1000s) start with a single pull of the cord. I simply put my foot on the bottom 'foot' of the gennie to brace myself and give it a tug.

The only time they are hard to start ie, needing more than one pull, is if I let one of them run out of gas. Then it can take multiple pulls to get the gas back through the carb.

Do any of the portable generators even come with push button (remote start), I've only ever seen that on built in gennies in RVs??

I believe the 3000 series Yamaha and Hondas have electric start but they are too expensive for my wallet. I've heard that most pull start generators are harder to start than a lawn mower. I don't have a lot of strength in my right arm and quick jerky movements are painful. I don't know if that will get better with time but it's been 7 months now.

 

[highdesertranger]

the 2,000 water inverter generators from Honda and Yamaha are easy to pull. I think you could pull it with your left arm too. go to a dealer and ask for a demo you will be surprised. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

The 3000s will also be way too heavy for you to maneuver. The reason I have 2 - 1000s is because even the 2000 is too heavy for me to comfortably lift in and out  of the van.

First thing to figure out is how much generator you really really need.

I needed the 2000 because of the start up on the battery charger that was needed because of the battery bank which is large because of my Whynter deep freeze. Without the freezer I could have gone less than 1/2 that size and only needed a single 1000 watt generator.

 

[mothercoder]

I'm going to need 2000 watts to handle a 5000 btu window AC on occasion. Someone on FB suggested the Champion 3400 with remote start but that sucker is 100 lbs.

 

[John61CT]

Go to a shop sells the little Honda and give it a try.

Quiet small light and reliable.

Electric start gets up to big and very heavy, and quiet & reliable is a lot more expensive.

 

[Van Lady]

The Honda 2000 starts very easily...one easy pull each time.
My problem is I cannot lift it in and out of the van. I really do not want the generator and gas in the van anyway, so a hitch carrier is in my future.

 

[John61CT]

Not nearly the longevity / reliability of the Honda, nor Yamaha, but many say they've been getting better, maybe #3 spot now, and certainly a low price.

 

[jimindenver]

Champion has proven itself and its generators to be reliable and have been for a while now. Their 3500/4000 is likely the most popular RV generator out there and the 3100i and 2000i are very popular. I can't pick up either or I'd have one of them.

 

[blmkid]

Honda EU1000i, less than 29 lbs. If you get the camping trailer your thinking about, the 1000 honda would be good. It's what I have. Honda  Link: http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i[/SIZE]

 

[user 37446]

For your shoulder issue I’d say two Honda 1000’s or their equivalent, with a parallel cable for the few times you need ac.  Look at “just incredible” on you tube, he uses a 2000 or smaller off brand inverter gennie for his 5000 btu ac.  

You can also read the forums about a “hard start” capacitor:
From the “Love Your RV” site:
Installing Hard Start Capacitor into my RV Air Conditioner
[font=Arial, Georgia, sans-serif] July 10, 2013[/font]
[size=medium]Why do I want a Hard Start Capacitor?
When dry camping there are times I would like to run the roof-top air conditioner to cool the camper down. I have a pair of Champion 2000w inverter type generators that I can parallel together for 4000 peak watts and 3200 continuous watts of power. They normally can power the AC fine except when the temps and humidity climb and it gets really hot, like above 95F.  In these conditions, the AC’s compressor needs more current to start and will cause even the two paralleled generators to overload, especially if we have a few other things running and also drawing some current in the trailer.
While researching a solution, I came upon many forum threads and blog posts expounding the virtues of installing a hard start capacitor kit. Researching it a little more I discovered my RV’s roof-top air conditioner didn’t have the hard start kit, but one could be easily installed. I decided to get a hold of the hard start kit and give it a whirl.[/size]
**End of quote.

Remember the poster’s need for those two bigger gennies is due to their big rooftop ac, likely 13,500 watts...

However that’s a lot of expense for you buying two units, or too much weight for a 3000 plus watt unit with battery start.  Certainly not budget friendly for your beginning.  Could you forget about powering the ac until you are better then see what you could handle?[/font][/size][/font][/size][/color]