MacGregorSailors.com

Yeah, I'd go back and check those specs on the Northern site - I'm not sure they agree with what DaveB stated, but perhaps they've made a change? Also, the Honda EU1000i and EU2000i generators have an 'econo' mode that GREATLY reduces the decibels and still produces loads of power, even under load - mine is so quiet that from 10 feet away you can barely hear it.

I ran a skill saw that is rated at 13.5 amps and it just barley powered it and that is what the 2000 is rated at. I think they rate the dbs at 20 ft. but I cannot hear it inside my trailer with it 5 ft. away. There is not much different of sound between idel and full draw maybe 60 dbs under full load. I use to run a 1300 watt ,2cycle and that was much louder. I have run the 1000 Honda gen. and it is same or a bit louder than the powerhouse.
You can easy carry a normal conversation next to it under full load.
I like it a lot and see no reason to spend the double price of the Honda.
Dave

Obelix wrote:Hi Dave,
I was looking at the Northern Tool generator, but I'm concerned about the real noise under load. I know, on paper, it sounds to be in the same class as the Honda or the Yamaha, would you confirm these claims and judge it comfortable for use on a Mac?
Your earnest opinion is appreciated

Obelix

I did go back to their site and see that they lowered the dbs to 5.2 db. , normal conversation is at 60db.
Dave

kmclemore wrote:Yeah, I'd go back and check those specs on the Northern site - I'm not sure they agree with what DaveB stated, but perhaps they've made a change? Also, the Honda EU1000i and EU2000i generators have an 'econo' mode that GREATLY reduces the decibels and still produces loads of power, even under load - mine is so quiet that from 10 feet away you can barely hear it.

+1 stern rail seat--that's where we strapped our EU2000 the (very) few times we've used it aboard. Because we don't have AC or refrigeration, our power needs are quite small. Our single battery can drive the LED lighting and chargers & such in the boat for a week, and any amount of powering the boat seems to keep us topped off. I'm now in the habit of simply running our outboard at high-idle (which delivers the full 27 charging amps) on the ETEC whenever the voltage gets down to 12 on the voltmeter.

Yes, it's about half as efficient as running a generator for power, but at less than a gallon to top-off a 100ah battery, we're years away from paying for the Honda generator in extra gas money.

Obelix wrote:Hi Dave,
I was looking at the Northern Tool generator, but I'm concerned about the real noise under load. I know, on paper, it sounds to be in the same class as the Honda or the Yamaha, would you confirm these claims and judge it comfortable for use on a Mac?
Your earnest opinion is appreciated

Obelix

Northern Tool 2000 W generator is much louder with a lot more vibration. Northern Tool let me crank both the Honda 2000 and their brand side by side in the store. Their brand took off across the floor from the vibration. Every 3db is twice as loud; db is a logarithmic scale.

Finally gave up after trying to be cheap and bought the Honda and have zero regrets.

We use a high density foam pad under the feet to further dampen the vibration.

The Honda is used on every trip for AC, hot water showers and blender (frozen drinks). No need for a generator if you don't use these devices.

Victor

Thanks, Victor
That information is what I was basically looking for, somebody that has done a direct comparison with a Honda or a Yamaha.
I plan to add an A/C unit for the next season to battle the hot summers here in FL (110+ deg is just not bearable to sleep).
Btw, I am still holding for your AP-unit, any progress on that?

Obelix

This is total wrong, there is very little vibration and feel many may be lead to people who have not tried this generator.
I have had mine for 4 months and below statement is totally wrong.
I have no financial interest in the Generator and find this forum for some reason resents the true facts .
This Generator stays in place with no movement on a glass surface.
Does not vibrate as stated.
Do the research and buy one, take it back with full money back if you don't like it, my bet is you will keep it over a $1000 Honda 2000 gen.
Northern Tools will not allow any gas products to start up inside the store!
My Question is, if one actually took a Honda 2000 outside next to the 2000 powerhouse and started them both up?
The powerhouse also comes with the cable for two generators ($100 option on the Honda).
Try them both, I am sure the Powerhouse has less noise and vibration.
I personally think both are equal except for price and extra cable cost , Does the 2000 Honda come with the 30 amp connection?
NO, the Powerhouse does have 30amp connection.
My camper has a 30 amp connector that powers everything, good to have a 30 amp outlet to connect the generator even tho it puts out 13.5 amps.My 5000 btu AC draws 4 amps running full power, edgestar 63 quart frig draws 2.6 amps running every 20 min. for 5 min. top loading. (90 degree outside temps)
That's 6.6 amps if both are running, start up will increase by 7 amps for AC for 2 seconds and 5 amps for refig. for 2 seconds.
Both running is 1/2 the compacity of the powerhorse. Running time is about 9 hrs on a gal.of fuel.
Dave

vkmaynard wrote:

Obelix wrote:Hi Dave,
I was looking at the Northern Tool generator, but I'm concerned about the real noise under load. I know, on paper, it sounds to be in the same class as the Honda or the Yamaha, would you confirm these claims and judge it comfortable for use on a Mac?
Your earnest opinion is appreciated

Obelix

Northern Tool 2000 W generator is much louder with a lot more vibration. Northern Tool let me crank both the Honda 2000 and their brand side by side in the store. Their brand took off across the floor from the vibration. Every 3db is twice as loud; db is a logarithmic scale.

Finally gave up after trying to be cheap and bought the Honda and have zero regrets.

We use a high density foam pad under the feet to further dampen the vibration.

The Honda is used on every trip for AC, hot water showers and blender (frozen drinks). No need for a generator if you don't use these devices.

Victor

Really Dave you were in Cary North Carolina when we cranked up the generators in the store and missed that event that actually happened?

As much as I don't like to spend money on the Honda ther is none better.

Victor

I have to take DaveB's observations as valid - after all, the man owns one. That being said, I'm left somewhat conflicted, since this seems to be at variance with what the manufacturers are saying about their own products.

For example, here's the Honda website's information about the 2000i:



Honda is claiming that the maximum is 59dB(A), but it can go as low as 53dB(A) (I'm assuming this is in their "Eco-Throttle" [econo] mode).

Now here's the information on the Powerhouse 2000, taken from the unit's operation manual (PDF) that you can download from the Powerhouse 2000's description page on the Northern Tool website:



Note that they say it can go as low as 56dB (at 23 feet) to as high as 66dB (at 23 feet). There's also a note that this is "no load ~ full load".

So, if we are to believe the manufacturers, then when operated under full load the Honda should be 59dB(A) and the Powerhouse should be 66dB (at 23 feet). Assuming they are measuring dB the same way, that's a heck of a difference. The difference would be, for example, between the sound of two people having a normal conversation (59dB) to standing next to a running vacuum cleaner (66dB).

Or am I reading this all wrong?

Also, just from my own experience with my own EU1000i (rated the same dB's on Honda's site as the EU2000i), when you are 23 feet away and it's running under full load you can just barely hear it running... it's *very* quiet. Now if Northern Tool is correct in their measurements, the Powerhouse 2000, at the same 23-foot distance, should sound about as loud as a vacuum cleaner running next to me. So... as I say... I'm left conflicted... seems like a huge difference to me, but then I've not had the opportunity to actually listen to a Powerhouse 2000. I wish I had a Northern Tool store around here so I could test it for myself! All we have is Harbour Freight.

You got the wrong model.
Powerhouse M42411E
52dba-61dba, 1.1 gal fuel, 46lbs
I paid $499 for it back 4 mo. ago and see it now is $569 and bet it will go much higher now that most others are seeing the difference. Most smaller campers have the 30 amp hookup and comes standard with this unit along with 2- 110 outlets and cord for twin hookups. This weighs the same as the Honda 2000, has larger fuel tank and is copper wound.
Not even close to apples to apples and price!!!
Dave

kmclemore wrote:I have to take DaveB's observations as valid - after all, the man owns one. That being said, I'm left somewhat conflicted, since this seems to be at variance with what the manufacturers are saying about their own products.

For example, here's the Honda website's information about the 2000i:



Honda is claiming that the maximum is 59dB(A), but it can go as low as 53dB(A) (I'm assuming this is in their "Eco-Throttle" [econo] mode).

Now here's the information on the Powerhouse 2000, taken from the unit's operation manual (PDF) that you can download from the Powerhouse 2000's description page on the Northern Tool website:



Note that they say it can go as low as 56dB (at 23 feet) to as high as 66dB (at 23 feet). There's also a note that this is "no load ~ full load".

So, if we are to believe the manufacturers, then when operated under full load the Honda should be 59dB(A) and the Powerhouse should be 66dB (at 23 feet). Assuming they are measuring dB the same way, that's a heck of a difference. The difference would be, for example, between the sound of two people having a normal conversation (59dB) to standing next to a running vacuum cleaner (66dB).

Or am I reading this all wrong?

Also, just from my own experience with my own EU1000i (rated the same dB's on Honda's site as the EU2000i), when you are 23 feet away and it's running under full load you can just barely hear it running... it's *very* quiet. Now if Northern Tool is correct in their measurements, the Powerhouse 2000, at the same 23-foot distance, should sound about as loud as a vacuum cleaner running next to me. So... as I say... I'm left conflicted. I wish I had a Northern Tool store around here so I could test it for myself! All we have is Harbour Freight.

DaveB wrote:You got the wrong model.
Powerhouse M42411E
52dba-61dba, 1.1 gal fuel, 46lbs
Dave

Can you post a link to that generator from the Northern Tool website, Dave? I can't seem to find it.

kmclemore wrote:

DaveB wrote:You got the wrong model.
Powerhouse M42411E
52dba-61dba, 1.1 gal fuel, 46lbs
Dave

Can you post a link to that generator from the Northern Tool website, Dave? I can't seem to find it.

OK, nevermind - I found it. You've got the name wrong, Dave... the one you're referring to is a "PowerHORSE" not "PowerHOUSE". Perhaps this is the reason for the confusion. Yes, there is a PowerHORSE 2000 generator, and that states it has a range of from 52-61dBA. Still a bit louder than the Honda under full load, but potentially quieter under no or little load.

I stand corrected, I don't know were the Powerhouse came from but it is the Power horse.
Dave

kmclemore wrote:

kmclemore wrote:

DaveB wrote:You got the wrong model.
Powerhouse M42411E
52dba-61dba, 1.1 gal fuel, 46lbs
Dave

Can you post a link to that generator from the Northern Tool website, Dave? I can't seem to find it.

OK, nevermind - I found it. You've got the name wrong, Dave... the one you're referring to is a "PowerHORSE" not "PowerHOUSE". Perhaps this is the reason for the confusion. Yes, there is a PowerHORSE 2000 generator, and that states it has a range of from 52-61dBA. Still a bit louder than the Honda under full load, but potentially quieter under no or little load.

No worries, Dave. Just a mix-up - it does seem an odd thing to have two so similarly named products offered by one retailer!

As I look at the specs, it appears that the two (Honda/PowerHorse) are very different in some important ways. You're right, the PowerHorse has the 30A plug, and that could be important to an RV owner. It also does have the dual-setup cables and, again, to an RV owner or to someone wanting to use it as a backup genset for a home this would be an important feature.

Both generators have the 'copper wound' heads, so that's a wash, and they're also about the same dB, too.

However, for boat owners the PowerHorse may have some drawbacks as opposed to the Honda. First, it comes with only a 2-year (versus Honda 3-year) warranty, and maintenance and repair parts for the unit may be significantly harder to obtain than for a Honda (air filters, carburetor rebuild kits, etc.). Indeed, I'm not sure where you'd get parts for the PowerHorse... do you know?

In addition, there are a wide range of accessories made or the Honda (see the Honda website and places like eBay & Amazon) which add flexibility to the unit, including such things as propane & natural gas fuel conversion, extended run fuel hookups, lock-down brackets and boxes, oil-changing devices, fabric covers (including a nice "Honda Marine" one in Sunbrella blue - I couldn't resist buying one for mine) and even attachable light units (though the latter has little use on a boat!).

There's also one other very important difference... although both units have a standard load rating of 1600 watts, the PowerHourse can sustain a surge load above 1600 watts for only 4 seconds, whereas the Honda can sustain a load up to 2000 watts for up to 30 minutes. This could be important to those wanting to use more hearty AC units on the boat or devices with significant surge on startup.

Most importantly, though, the PowerHorse lacks a feature that could be particularly crucial to boat owners... it doesn't have a 12V output battery charging outlet, so it can't be used to directly recharge the boat's batteries. You'd have to buy a battery charger and run that off one of the 120V outlets. When I purchased my EU1000i that was one of the most important features to me, and I purchased the special Honda cable that's offered to connect that outlet to my batteries (it's helpful, too, that it's a really LONG cable!). It will recharge at about 8 amps, so it charges almost as well as running the motor (10 amps). I was wary about having 120V extension cords and battery chargers running across my decks while out on the water - it just seemed a lot safer and much more simple and efficient to directly charge the battery at 12V.

And I know it's silly, but the cover is kinda cool... it exactly matches my sail cover and bimini.

kmclemore wrote:No worries, Dave. Just a mix-up - it does seem an odd thing to have two so similarly named products offered by one retailer!

Or three similar products from one retailer.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... nt=970x250



Generac is a big name in standby home generators. This is probably a rebranded Chinese knock off. Of course they are all knock offs of the Honda.
This one has the 12v port. They all seem to copy the Honda in many ways.

I have a super cheapo Harbor Freight Chinese knock off inverter generator. Never really used it, but it looks like these all.