Quoted:
My mom wants a generator for backup power and I'm trying to steer her in the right direction.
First, the load will consist of 1 chest freezer, 1 up right freezer, 1 refrigerator, a few lights and a fan or 2. Food could be consolidated into the chest freezer if necessary.
Eventually, she will want a transfer switch installed, but for now, if she needed to run power from the generator it would be with extension cords.
If it will work, I would like to recommend a couple Honda EU2000/2200's.
My logic is 2 is 1, 1 is none. Also, she wants to buy an RV or travel trailer in the next couple years and will need an easily portable generator to use with it anyway.
Does the 2 Honda's sound like a good solution given her situation?
If so, which 2 model numbers should she get?
If I understand Honda's system correctly, one needs to be a companion model right? What about hooking them up to a transfer switch, would one or both need a 30A receptacle?
Is it worth stepping up to the 2200 over the 2000?
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I’ve gone with the 2 eu2200i solution. I went with one normal and one companion model to get the 30 amp plug (L5-30R).
I also have a larger (very loud) generator that has an L14-30R plug.
Instead of transfer switch I went with a panel interlock and a 30 amp power inlet box (has a L14-30P connector).
So using an L5-30P to L14-30R adapter I can then use a cord with L14-30P and L14-30R ends to connect the eu2200i companion to the power inlet box or use the cord directly to the larger (loud) generator to the power inlet box.
Then using the breaker panel and interlock I can choose what breakers I want to power from the generator when grid power is turned off.
The eu2200i generators (even paralleled) will not be able to supply 240 V appliances, but will supply 120 V to both legs on the panel for all the 120 V loads.
For small window unit ACs there are models sold that have a lower in-rush current that can more easily be started by smaller generators (still need to have the continuous power capacity). Alternatively there are hard start and soft start kits for various ACs that are sold that will reduce the require in-ruch.
I also have extended run fuel tanks for the eu2200i generators so that the time between fills is extended and the tanks can be refilled without turning off the generators.
The eu2200i generators have 0.95 gallons tanks and can run for anywhere from 3 hours to more than 9 hours using ECO Throttle depending on the load.
I like the idea of having the 2 generators that can be used individually or in parallel depending on the power demands. I also like that they are small enough for myself and others to more easily handle. I am working through the security aspects of them at the moment but I think that won’t be too hard to finalize.