Generators?

[garlandk]

What does everyone use for a generator at the field? I recently bought the Ryobi from Home Depot. Runs great! Have not really put it to the test yet. I am wondering today if I should have just saved a bit more money and got the Honda or Yamaha. I am just using it for charging and running my FPV station.

 

[3D-Joy]

From my experience, I have yet to see someone with a Honday say he should have gotten something else (well maybe they say they should have picked a different size). Also, the majority of people using something else say they should have gotten a Honda.

Not saying you made the wrong choice, saving money is good too and from what you say it looks like a very light duty application.

My honda 1000 has to be 10 years old. The only way I found to make it not start within 3 tries is to forget to put gas in it. Very quiet and light so its easy to store inside my camping trailer. The cap on it seals the tank perfectly, there isnt even a hint of gas odor inside the cabinet I store it in. I got it used for 300$ about 3-4 years ago. I'm sure I can resell it for the same amount, not sure about other brands but thats really hard to beat for resale value !

 

[siko_flyer]

Unless B&S changed them drastically when they bought them, stay away from the Generac generators. I have been a small engine mechanic for 30 years and they are by far the most problematic. I have seen a lot of brand new ones with bad stators or rotors right out of the box. I would say Honda has the best and Coleman one of the better low cost generator. Most Coleman's I repaired only needed either a new cap or new brushes.

 

[Spats]

I have the Honda and love it. I can't here it run in my trailer and never have I ever heard of any problems with them although I am sure it can happen. That said a guy at one of our local fields just got the Yamaha and it is just a bit louder but seems to be identical to the Honda performance. As for ALL the others well that's what they seem to be, just the others.

I do notice just about every fire department and emergency crew I see use the Honda's. Hmmmm.

 

[Phil.Griffin]

Honda.

 

[Islandflyer]

I have a Honda 2000. It runs great, so quiet it does not annoy anyone else when I run it.

 

[Ohio AV8TOR]

I am luck that we have power at our field, but if I would buy one the Honda is the best and Harbor Freight is the best value but louder.

 

[BarracudaHockey]

Honda 2000 is probably the best for us if you're flying electric or need to double it to run the heat in a camper.

 

[Kevin-Young]

Most of the guys I know have the Honda's because Honda has always been known to be a very quiet generator but I have heard good things about the 2000 watt generator from Costco (http://www.costco.com/Smarter-Tools...or-with-Yamaha®-Engine.product.100121916.html) which has a Yamaha motor in it. I have also looked at the Ryobi one myself and for the price I think it is a good option as well it is just a little heavier and louder then the honda or Smarter tools version. I have had very good luck with ryobi tools in the past though.

 

[ryan_m]

I have the Yamaha 2000 watt one similar to the Honda. Love that thing. Quiet and easy to start. Picked mine up used on ebay for about 500 bucks. Had it for about 4 years now.