Honeywell 2000i Generator

[ROAD Soldier]

I have an opportunity to pick one up for $408 but time is of the essence. I have read all the reviews I could find on the internet and they all can be summed up like this compared to a Honda 2000i:
a. Slightly louder than a Honda.
b. 13lbs heavier than a Honda.
c. made partly in china instead of Japan so either way not made in America anymore.
d. Can buy for 40% of the coast of a Honda.
e. Starts every time like a Honda.
f. Almost as fuel efficient as a Honda.

I have plenty of ideas to negate the increase in noise level.
So the only questions left unanswered is there anyone on this site who owns one?
Have you used it heavily?
I need the longevity question answered. What I don’t want is opinions from people who don’t own or don't have direct experience with one. If I want opinionated BS I will watch CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, and MSNBC. I need just the facts people time is of the essence.

[Russ]

Amazon has it here for $499. If you haven't, you might read their comments.

It looks exactly like the one I have but mine is some unbranded model. I'm going to assume Honeywell just slapped their name on this same unit that is sold elsewhere under different names.

Yes, it's made in China and as such made like you would expect. I ripped a screw out trying to remove the cover to add the engine oil to the crankcase. Yes it is a 4 stroke. Mine is hard to start if it's been laying around for a while and it is VERY noisy compared to the Honda. It works as advertised and I keep it around for emergency use and if I need power at our dock (we have no shore power at our marina). There is a guy down the dock that has a Honda that he runs to charge his trolling batteries. It's very peaceful and is a quiet hum. This Chinese unit you will hear when running like a softer version of a lawnmower.

I'm not sure how you will soften the noise. There is a mod posted here where they guy put the exhaust underwater. Good idea, but he said the bubbling sound is noisy. I suppose one of those fish tank aerators might turn bubbling into a fizz sound. I experimented with some ideas and most of the sound comes from the block I think. There is some sound insulation, but cheap is cheap.

It works for what I use it for (very rarely) and the cost savings is worth it. However, if I were to use this regularly, I'd seriously go with the Honda. It's powerful and I've hooked a leaf blower to it and even an space heater.

So before you pull the trigger ask yourself:

Will I use this regularly? If so, skip it.

Can I get service? If you can find a Honeywell dealer, then it might be good.

How's my back? This is a heavy unit.

--Russ

[ROAD Soldier]

Nice to hear from someone who might own one. However some reviews I have read are like yours some are even worse but the majority I have read is very much positive. One thing I have positively determined is I will not buy any generator of any type from Amazon. However the main question I asked about longevity is still not answered since you said you use yours very little. You went over and over about the noise thing and I got it. I also have fixes for it that are based on experience of being in the Army with very loud diesel generators a least with the ones built before the year 1995, the new ones are quiet. Now the other thing that gets me is you say you own one of a different brand. I can find plenty of ones that look just like the Honda but are not the Honda as reviews on them diffidently show. A lot of those say they are just as quiet as the Honda and are not, at least this one makes no such claim. Just because it is made in the same country doesnt mean it is the same generator. That’s like saying someone from Minnesota is the same as someone from West Virginia they are not. However they are both inferior to someone from Colorado or at least someone who moved there from Minnesota and now lives in Virginia. Now if I offended any Social Liberal out there from Minnesota, West Virginia, or Virginia who cant take a joke, all I have to say is a good Army saying to live by is “Suck it up and drive on” just like I have to do with my 5th Commander and Chief. Is it 2012 yet?

[Divecoz]

[Done with Hamin and this board

[craiglaforce]

What is your main usage intended for the generator? If 1000 watts will suffice, you can save a bunch and buy a very cheap, quiet reliable (albeit 2 stroke) Chinese unit. They sell for anywhere from 100 bucks to 140. I bought one about 6 years ago and it is very quiet. Dead simple little engine that the Chinese have built by the millions for their mopeds.

[Russ]

I'm not sure I would buy one from Amazon either. The shipping would kill you, although I've had fantastic experience with Amazon and returns. The reason I posted that link is I really enjoy reading reviews on Amazon.

I went out and took a pic of my genset which is a generic nobrand. It looks VERY similar to the Honeywell model with some controls placed differently but still uses the same controls on the panel. Perhaps they've just updated the look since mine is 2 years old. It may not be the same but I doubt Honeywell is making their own motors and inverters. My guess is they might have put their own case on the same unit, but who knows.

I'm not sorry I bought it, but I couldn't stand to listen to it on my transom for more than 30 minutes. I mainly use it for portable dockside power for vacuums and such since our marina has none. So what are you ideas to quiet the gen down? I'd love to hear them because maybe it would make my life easier using this thing. Like I said, I've stood next to a Honda and it was a deep rumble and mine is MUCH louder despite what appears (by specs) to be only a little bit louder.

Here's mine (double click to enlarge)


The Honeywell.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Havent owned either model, but when the Admiral isnt filling the role of MD, psychiatrist, adjudicator, Judge, or swimsuit model she does noise abatement and regs for a living...one thing I can tell you is trying to characterise noise performance is difficult and one number will not tell the tale of how annoying something is.

[ROAD Soldier]

Russ yours looks exactly like the Digital brand out right now that you can get for $225 on ebay. Not saying all are not made by the same factory I don’t now and don’t speak Chinese to find out. Now here is an idea you can try for noise abatement. Back in the day of super loud generators in the Army we would dig a pit with 90 degree sides and put the generator in there. What that would do is aim the noise strait up so unless you were near or leaning over the edge you didn’t have to wear ear plugs and could carry on a descent conversation with a fellow Soldier. Just for a cheap try next time you go down to the dock to use your generator take along a heavy duty cardboard box that is big enough to hold you generator and still allow it to breath and is about a foot higher than your generator. Leave the top open and start your generator and step back just a couple of feet and listen. Make sure the box is elevated enough so when you step back you can’t see the generator. Now if that noise becomes acceptable for on board use come up with a little more classer box system for the boat. I.E. maybe one that folds or one that doubles for storage or something.

[Gazmn]

I have all three -
Don't ask me why

The Honeywell should be called the hernia well. I wouldn't use it in my boat. It's too big, loud and heavy. As mentioned, I have the 1000 & 2000 W Honda and love them. Except my 2k needs service. I use it mainly to supply my little camper. Somehow I damaged something over the course of 3 yrs and it won't forgive me without taking it in for service. I use the 1K on the boat. Easy to lug, store and use on that rolling surface, but not strong enough for an AC - so I use a fan instead.

I bought the Honeywell as a quick fix for camping for 300 bucks at Home Depot - maybe it was 350
Worth it for camper where you can run it far away from you - provided you don't pull your back out carrying it. I'm in decent shape - but It Is HEAVY... Especially once it's filled. Who needs an empty generator

[nedmiller]

Gazmn,

I don't mean to high-jack the thread but I've spent a couple of years finding appliances that the Honda 1000 will run. It will run the small Haier air conditioner (with the mechanical controls) We used ours on Kentucky lake last summer. Turn to full cold so it doesn't cycle often. It also will run the 600 watt microwave that you can get at Kmart now. That little Honda is quiet and dependable. I wouldn't have anything bigger or heavier since it will do everything we need it to.

Ned

[Gazmn]

Thx Ned

[ROAD Soldier]

Finially someone who owns one. Not taken not going to get one. Thanks.

[Russ]

Back in the day of super loud generators in the Army we would dig a pit with 90 degree sides and put the generator in there. What that would do is aim the noise strait up so unless you were near or leaning over the edge you didn’t have to wear ear plugs and could carry on a descent conversation with a fellow Soldier. Just for a cheap try next time you go down to the dock to use your generator take along a heavy duty cardboard box that is big enough to hold you generator and still allow it to breath and is about a foot higher than your generator. Leave the top open and start your generator and step back just a couple of feet and listen. Make sure the box is elevated enough so when you step back you can’t see the generator. Now if that noise becomes acceptable for on board use come up with a little more classer box system for the boat. I.E. maybe one that folds or one that doubles for storage or something.

Interesting. In our old house I had a noisy generator because we were on well water and without power we had no water. I wired the genset bypass which worked well, but the generator was not an OHC and was very loud. I put it in the woods to help with the sound.
Your idea was one I had thought of. Dig a hole and put the genset down in into it. We moved and I never had a chance to try it. I may use your idea with a box and see how it helps. Thanks for the info.

--Russ

[vkmaynard]

Re: Honeywell 2000i Generator
by ROAD Soldier » Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:20 pm

Finially someone who owns one. Not taken not going to get one. Thanks.

Which one?

I had a chance at Northern Tool to compare the 2000W All Power America ($499, made in China go figure) running against the Honda 2000i. The APA was louder, walked across the floor and was not nearly as fuel efficient according to the specs. Will wait for a Honda next year.

Victor

[Captain Jim]

We have had the Honda 2000i now for two years and it has perfomed flawlessly for us and is extremely quiet. We use it quite often at our boat slip as well as at home. I have not yet figured out the best place to set it on the for overnighters. It just seems like there is no convienient spot.

I am a strong supporter of the Honda 2000i; oh by the way; one can buy a second one and parrallel them together and they are cheaper than buying the 3000i and easier to handle!

Fair winds,

Jim
BOLD VENTURE