Inverter Generators

Signman · 09-03-2011, 07:42 PM

Have sold off my big noisy generators. (Hope they helped some families get through this flood a little easier) Am in the process of research and purchase of new inverter generator. (Know there will be cheers by some who have parked next to me and had to endure my generator keeping a laptop charged all day

)

Looking for a 3000 Watt so there will be no issues with running equipment: Laptop, Battery Charger, Air Compressor (Small), Hand Power Tools, Lighting. On rare occasion Small Welder.

Top of the list is the Honda EU3000 (Honda is Honda)

Three additional units are of interest, would appreciate comments on experience with them.

KIPOR IG3000
Have seen some of this company units in trailers.
Good reviews.

LIFAN ESI3600iE
Some rental companies use these.
Home Depot among others sells these online.

BOLIY PRO 3600SI
A few good reviews.

Opinions are appreciated.
Any info on sources with the best pricing would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

jmcarter · 09-03-2011, 07:51 PM

I have a Yamaha 3000ISB (the B is for 'booster' which cranks out enough watts temporarily to get a air conditioner compressor started) and fellow racers are always asking me about it since it's super quiet (quieter than Honda) and has delivered great service for 7 years and still running great with recommended maintenance.

Rich Biebel · 09-03-2011, 08:11 PM

Frank......I am in the generator business......

We sold a number of Cummins-Onan.....Inverters and have had no comebacks....

They are similar to the Honda's......A little more power at 3200 watts and they come with wheels. A wheel kit is a $100 option on the Honda....We also have sold the same units branded as a Wacker......These units are built by Robin Subaru and are very good. Cummins -Onans are red Wackers are yellow.....Very quiet. A battery for electric start is addittional and they use a small motorcycle type battery. The batteries tend to go dead since they are left without a charger on them for long periods. They have pull starters and start very easily....so the battery is a lazy mans option....

Cheaper than Honda's by a few hundred bucks......

I don't think we have anything in stock but if you want one I can look into it for you and see what I can find....and give you a good price.....I have been on vacation for the last week.....Thankfully, as it had to be an insanely busy week at my place.....You can call me Tuesday.....973-328-6880 We are in Dover.....

P.S. All the brands you mentioned are Made in China......Robin Subaru is made in Japan....The difference in quality is like Night and Day between those two places of origin....

P.S. 2 I had to go to my shop today and saw the place littered with portables...including a Honda and numerous Made in China types....Once one of these breaks it's not usually a good scenario......

BlueOval Ralph · 09-04-2011, 08:23 AM

Are the Hondas built in Japan???
Thanks

340Cuda · 09-04-2011, 09:45 AM

I have the Honda and really like it.
Bill

novassdude · 09-04-2011, 10:25 AM

Do any of the inverter generators have 240 volt outputs?

Rich Biebel · 09-04-2011, 02:15 PM

Most inverters are 120 only since they are relatively low on output and most RVs and trailers are wired for 120 only......

Larger units might have a 240 outlet.

Cummin-Onan made a 4300 watt Inverter and for some reason they discontinued it......I don;t recall if it had a 240 oulet.....I doubt it...

Honda makes a 6500 Watt inverter.......Don't know about that one as I've never seen one. They are pretty expensive.....

Most regular type portables do have 240 outlets....even the smaller ones...

I have a 3500 Watt Honda on wheels and it offers both 120 and 240.....I use it at the track and can use it at home in a power failure.....It doesn;t power up much but since I have a 240 volt well pump it runs that and keeps some lights on and the fridge running.....It's not anywhere near as quiet as any of the inverters...

henrys57wagon · 09-05-2011, 10:15 AM

I was talking to a buddy about these inverter gen's and he said the head mechanic at the RV dealer said that some of them have a low shut off point, so if you are running the A/C and some other item comes on the inverter shuts down.

Chris DeGidio · 09-05-2011, 11:17 AM

I agree with JM on the Yamaha...I have one and it's super quiet,I even use it to run the pop up camper when we go to sites that have no power.I've had mine many years and it's never given me a problem.

Signman · 09-05-2011, 12:41 PM

Thank you for the replies!

Rich I will give you a call.

09-03-2011, 07:42 PM	#1
Signman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 535 Likes: 22 Liked 269 Times in 99 Posts	Inverter Generators Have sold off my big noisy generators. (Hope they helped some families get through this flood a little easier) Am in the process of research and purchase of new inverter generator. (Know there will be cheers by some who have parked next to me and had to endure my generator keeping a laptop charged all day ) Looking for a 3000 Watt so there will be no issues with running equipment: Laptop, Battery Charger, Air Compressor (Small), Hand Power Tools, Lighting. On rare occasion Small Welder. Top of the list is the Honda EU3000 (Honda is Honda) Three additional units are of interest, would appreciate comments on experience with them. KIPOR IG3000 Have seen some of this company units in trailers. Good reviews. LIFAN ESI3600iE Some rental companies use these. Home Depot among others sells these online. BOLIY PRO 3600SI A few good reviews. Opinions are appreciated. Any info on sources with the best pricing would be helpful. Thanks in advance. __________________ Frank Ferrucci I/SA 1271 "Be Thankful for the Gifts You are Given"

09-03-2011, 07:51 PM	#2
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,299 Likes: 2,388 Liked 3,184 Times in 973 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators I have a Yamaha 3000ISB (the B is for 'booster' which cranks out enough watts temporarily to get a air conditioner compressor started) and fellow racers are always asking me about it since it's super quiet (quieter than Honda) and has delivered great service for 7 years and still running great with recommended maintenance. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

09-03-2011, 08:11 PM	#3
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators Frank......I am in the generator business...... We sold a number of Cummins-Onan.....Inverters and have had no comebacks.... They are similar to the Honda's......A little more power at 3200 watts and they come with wheels. A wheel kit is a $100 option on the Honda....We also have sold the same units branded as a Wacker......These units are built by Robin Subaru and are very good. Cummins -Onans are red Wackers are yellow.....Very quiet. A battery for electric start is addittional and they use a small motorcycle type battery. The batteries tend to go dead since they are left without a charger on them for long periods. They have pull starters and start very easily....so the battery is a lazy mans option.... Cheaper than Honda's by a few hundred bucks...... I don't think we have anything in stock but if you want one I can look into it for you and see what I can find....and give you a good price.....I have been on vacation for the last week.....Thankfully, as it had to be an insanely busy week at my place.....You can call me Tuesday.....973-328-6880 We are in Dover..... P.S. All the brands you mentioned are Made in China......Robin Subaru is made in Japan....The difference in quality is like Night and Day between those two places of origin.... P.S. 2 I had to go to my shop today and saw the place littered with portables...including a Honda and numerous Made in China types....Once one of these breaks it's not usually a good scenario...... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 09-03-2011 at 08:18 PM.

09-04-2011, 08:23 AM	#4
BlueOval Ralph Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 852 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators Are the Hondas built in Japan??? Thanks

09-04-2011, 09:45 AM	#5
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,672 Likes: 3,866 Liked 802 Times in 339 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators I have the Honda and really like it. Bill

09-04-2011, 10:25 AM	#6
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 752 Likes: 204 Liked 136 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators Do any of the inverter generators have 240 volt outputs?

09-04-2011, 02:15 PM	#7
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators Most inverters are 120 only since they are relatively low on output and most RVs and trailers are wired for 120 only...... Larger units might have a 240 outlet. Cummin-Onan made a 4300 watt Inverter and for some reason they discontinued it......I don;t recall if it had a 240 oulet.....I doubt it... Honda makes a 6500 Watt inverter.......Don't know about that one as I've never seen one. They are pretty expensive..... Most regular type portables do have 240 outlets....even the smaller ones... I have a 3500 Watt Honda on wheels and it offers both 120 and 240.....I use it at the track and can use it at home in a power failure.....It doesn;t power up much but since I have a 240 volt well pump it runs that and keeps some lights on and the fridge running.....It's not anywhere near as quiet as any of the inverters... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 09-04-2011 at 02:17 PM.

09-05-2011, 10:15 AM	#8
henrys57wagon Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carleton Place, On. Canada Posts: 107 Likes: 5 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators I was talking to a buddy about these inverter gen's and he said the head mechanic at the RV dealer said that some of them have a low shut off point, so if you are running the A/C and some other item comes on the inverter shuts down. __________________ old 1608 stock racer

09-05-2011, 11:17 AM	#9
Chris DeGidio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 364 Likes: 8 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators I agree with JM on the Yamaha...I have one and it's super quiet,I even use it to run the pop up camper when we go to sites that have no power.I've had mine many years and it's never given me a problem. __________________ Nautilus Racing

09-05-2011, 12:41 PM	#10
Signman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 535 Likes: 22 Liked 269 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Inverter Generators Thank you for the replies! Rich I will give you a call. __________________ Frank Ferrucci I/SA 1271 "Be Thankful for the Gifts You are Given"