Thread: Honda 1Eu Vs 2Eu

I have an EU20i, it will run the iMac, 2 laptops, cordless phone, ADSL modem, wireless router, 2 flouro lights, a 310L fridge and 300L freezer for about 4 - 4.5 hours before needing a refill. As for camping, it handles charging the 210Ah battery system on the camper and running a 40L Engel without batting an eyelid.

I also take a 1800wat electric chainsaw which the 2Eu handles well Cuts the fire wood or any downed trees and dont need to carry a fuel mix

I have an Honda Eu20i - for exactly the reasons you mentioned.

For around the campsite I find it is overkill - my 30amp battery charger would just as easily be run by the Eu10i as the Eu20i. (With lots of reserve power for charging/running other things)
Much better to run lights from the battery rather than from the generator, as A, it is cheaper, B, it is quieter, and C, you won't disturb your neighbours...
Then you can charge your battery every day or 2 for the few hours you have too.
Personally I would get a good high capacity AGM/gel battery in the trailer and a good charger than get a bigger generator.
The Eu20i runs up to 1600watts constantly, and has surge capacity to about 2000 watts. Can run a small electric heater or microwave. But in reality I never use the heater or bring the microwave (which came with my camper when I bought it!)

Given the extra size, higher fuel consumption and slightly higher noise output, for camping, I would be inclined to buy the Eu10i...... I bought my Eu20i with the thought that I could use it at home in blackouts....but haven't needed to in the 2 years I've owned it....and even if I did, I wouldn't run the house fridge, I would chuck all the fridge stuff in to fridges in the trailer (or bring them inside!) and run it all off 12 volt. I would also run 12 volt lighting at home (I have a spare battery I'd bring inside).....

Although I have had no problems with my Honda (and am very happy with it) if I were to have my time again, I would get the smaller one and pocket the savings.

I went the EU20i, cause I could just imagine how happy I'd be if the 10 didn't have enough grunt. There's not a huge jump in price until you go up to the model 30.

10 is still pretty good if you can be economical and modest with what you want to run.

Am presuming that 1eu and 2eu are newer models than the EU10 and EU20 .....

(Just a quick edit to say that we use this around the farm, and I wanted to be able to run a big grinder or drill if required)

I agree with spudboy. I bought the EU1.0 and its great. It stays on my boat where it runs 25 amp battery charger and tv without breaking a sweat. But i wish I had bought the 2.0 on the odd occassion when I wanted to use power tools or as a backup at the house when the power goes off. Go with the bigger one if you can afford to.

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Hi Guys
Will be looking into a Honda gen-set for the camper trailer.One of those nice quite Honda inverter types.
Any ideas what sort of load/appliances the EU1 and EU2 handle bearing in mind the 2 is almost double the cost of the 1.
Main use would be nightime lighting(fluro tubes) and battery charging via a 240V hi capacity charger when the sun isnt doing the job.
Not about to put a microwave in the trailer but the use of the bigger unit in a blackout will be part of the final decision.
Thanks
Andrew

I bought a Kirpor brand 1Kva generator from a mob in Newcastle, NSW called Novasmic for $375 delivered. I have sat mine next to a 1Kva Honda and I cant tell the difference, same motor, OHV 4 stroke, genny looks identical, even the controls are the same, only difference I can see is no Honda name. Same decibels as Honda, had mine for 2 years now and cant fault it and about $600+ cheaper, Regards Frank.

Talk to your friendly Honda dealer about engine life expectancy (engine hours expected from unit) of the EU 1 vs the EU 2 unit. If you are gonna use it the 2 will be a better buy.

When in "Ergon Failure Mode" I run our house on the EU2
thats two freezers, fridge, a ceiling fans, low wattage lights.
just need to sync the freezer/ fridge switch on so they arnt all trying to hit it at once.

The 2 has a better fuel system which is less susceptible to dirty fuel (so i was told by Mr Honda) which is good when bush. In fishing mode we run the EU2 on its eco throttle setting powering 3 fridges and two battery chargers, pretty much burns a tank (4-5L) per 12 ish hours.

S

I have been loking into this aswell, and at a local field days show recently, the Kirpor guy told me that he had the contract to repair both makes, and alot of parts were interchangable. With similar warranties, noise levels and outputs, I personally don't see the point in paying for the Honda brand name.

Your choice.
Jack