Inverter Generator...?

Garry Dean

Garry Dean

Garry Dean Quality!
I am going to purchase an inverter generator for those times when I need to provide my own power...



I am always trying to move closer to strictly working at my shop, but I definitely do enjoy getting away once in a while. Being mobile will never be completely cut out for many reasons, but mainly because I enjoy working on large boats and rvs that are easier done on site. Not to mention that it is more convenient to my clients.



I have narrowed it down to 2 units... The Ryobi from home depot or the Honda eu2000i.



There is a considerable difference in price. The Ryobi is $599 and the Honda goes for $1149.



I need to power my rigid 5hp vac and my polishers... Both units are rated at 2000 peak watts so they should both work fine.



What do you think? Is it worth paying twice as much for Honda's proven reliability? The Ryobi gets pretty good reviews too. I don't mind paying for the Honda, but I don't want to save half and have twice the problems...
 
Not the same model, but I have the Honda 5000w (to 7000w surge) from the industrial line - EB5000X K3. I used it for 4 months straight, 8-10 hours every day, in the cold and rain to power a construction site (a house I'm building). Started (still does) on the first pull every time. Great on gas (auto regulates for load). I should probably change the oil or something - but it's a Honda, it doesn't seem to matter. I did hose the mud off a couple times. I have heard the eu2000i, and it's pretty quiet.



I've only owned one Ryobi tool that I didn't hate within a couple of days (a 10" chop saw). The two leaf blower / vacs, the string trimmer, the biscuit joiner, and the router table all were pretty much junk.
 
Gary, having used the Honda I can say it's an all around great machine! Not sure who is making the units for Ryobi, but having owned or used there products, you get what you pay for! First time I saw the the Honda in action was 10+ years ago at an art fair. Artist used it to power lights and a compressor for an airbrush. You could barely hear it running over the compressor! I was sold! Bought the unit and still use it today! They have gotten better and quieter over the 10 years. Little maintenance is needed and they run forever on very little gas! Very little emissions also, have run it in enclosed areas and it doesn't smoke at all! Although not recommended. I would not hesitate to buy another one, and have recommended it to others and everyone has been pleased! The only drawback if any is the price! For such a small package it is pricey! But like I said "You get what you pay for"!
 
Honda EU2000 is the way to go. It's an heirloom quality tool. It only has on real issue, thieves know what they are and how fast they sell. People get silly hours out of them. They are also amazingly quiet. 59 db at full load. A PC is louder than that.



Everything else is just a ok. You gotta ask yourself how easy are parts going to be to find for the Ryobi in five or ten years? People even complain about the Yamahas and dealers willing to work on them.



And you can find the Honda for 899 at Speedway sales, great outfit for Honda stuff.
 
I agree with the others... having had other Ryobi gas-powered tools, I've been less than impressed with the quality and longevity (or lack thereof). Everything Honda I've ever had or been around, however, is practically bulletproof.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. I called Northern Tool earlier today and got some info from them. It definitely does seem like the Honda is the way to go.



It is actually $999 there, not the $1149 I thought they were. They employ a Honda certified tech full time and the sales guy said the Honda warranty is 3 years parts and labor.



I will be buying the Honda. I sure hope to get the $400 difference back in longevity.
 
Garry, I have used my Honda for the exact same thing. Another detailer who was interested in the unit asked me to try to run both a polisher and wet/dry vac at the same time.



DSC_3925-1.jpg




They both ran, but power to each was limited, and rpms slowed. It works great with only one unit running. So don't expect to have a helper vacuum while you correct the paint.
 
A few years ago I bought a mobile detail set up from a guy who was moving out of the country. Foolishly I sold the Honda eu2000 that came in the set up...it was well used and I was still able to sell it for about $700! You wont be disappointed with the Honda and if you decide to sell it later on you will get your money back out of it.
 
Highrev1 said:
Garry, I have used my Honda for the exact same thing. Another detailer who was interested in the unit asked me to try to run both a polisher and wet/dry vac at the same time.



DSC_3925-1.jpg




They both ran, but power to each was limited, and rpms slowed. It works great with only one unit running. So don't expect to have a helper vacuum while you correct the paint.
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Thanks bro. I generally like to completely finish the interior before I even think about the exterior so thats not an issue. That looks like the Griots unit... Ill bet you could run the PCXP and that vac together without issues if you need to. Can you run 2 polishers at the same time?
 
Garry Dean said:
Thanks for the replies, guys. I called Northern Tool earlier today and got some info from them. It definitely does seem like the Honda is the way to go.



It is actually $999 there, not the $1149 I thought they were. They employ a Honda certified tech full time and the sales guy said the Honda warranty is 3 years parts and labor.



I will be buying the Honda. I sure hope to get the $400 difference back in longevity.
Click to expand...



See if they will match Speedway's price. Northern used to be pretty good about price matches, and who couldn't use another $100. And yeah, the warranty on the unit is unmatched, its three years, even for commercial use!
 
Dan said:
See if they will match Speedway's price. Northern used to be pretty good about price matches, and who couldn't use another $100. And yeah, the warranty on the unit is unmatched, its three years, even for commercial use!
Click to expand...



Hmmmmm, since they are in WI, I would save 7% FL state sales tax and they offer free shipping, but they do charge $20 for some type shipping insurance. I cannot see the price because I dont have an account.



If its $899 + the $20 insurance I would actually be saving $150 over buying it at Northern.



Have you personally ordered from them before? Is it worth the savings or should I just buy it locally? Will the techs at Northern still be able to service it under Hondas warranty?
 
Gary, I can vouch for them, good people! With a Honda warranty you can take it to any Honda service center.
 
Garry Dean said:
Hmmmmm, since they are in WI, I would save 7% FL state sales tax and they offer free shipping, but they do charge $20 for some type shipping insurance. I cannot see the price because I dont have an account.



If its $899 + the $20 insurance I would actually be saving $150 over buying it at Northern.



Have you personally ordered from them before? Is it worth the savings or should I just buy it locally? Will the techs at Northern still be able to service it under Hondas warranty?
Click to expand...



I bought mine from there as well as my dad's snowblower. Its $899 once you register. Not sure about Northern, but any Honda dealer should service it.
 
Dan said:
I bought mine from there as well as my dad's snowblower. Its $899 once you register. Not sure about Northern, but any Honda dealer should service it.
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Thanks, Dan. I will call them tomorrow. It seems like they are the place for me to buy from.
 
Ok... Im biting the bullet this weekend on an eu2000. Im going to try and see if I can get Northern to price match with Speedwaysales.com, but if they dont Im going to just place the order online.
 
Nice move Garry, I have 2 eu2000 units in my van. I went without using them for over a month, had to use one of them last weekend for a completely mobile job and it started on the 1st pull (like always). What's cool is when you run the polisher you can have it on silent mode and really enjoy the quietness of the unit.



I can run my pressure washer and vacuum off one generator at the same time. Vac boggs down a little, but it's still extremely impressive nevertheless.



-Kody-
 
OK, I just placed my order with speedway sales as northern wouldn't price match. We shall see if it was worth saving $150 ordering online vs buying locally.
 
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