Looking to pick up a generator for the track. I need at least 1000w continuous... What generators do people have experience with? Please don't tell me the Honda EU2000- I know it's an excellent generator that's very quiet - but I really can't afford 1k for a new one or 600+ for a used one. I was hoping for the 2-400 range... Any suggestions ? I see a couple online for that price but don't know which ones are cr*p... Thanks in advance! -Andres
ok....buy the cheap one....but buy a 1000ft extension cord and keep that damn thing away from my trailer. have you ever heard a honda generator owner say they wish they bought a different one? ever see a used honda generator for sale? 'nuf said.
Keep the loud Genny away from me too! After a day you'll wish you bought a quiet one... I've seen used honda gens for sale but they don't last long... I've got a Kipor (honda clone) 1K watt. Runs my Woodcraft warmers just fine but won't power up the chickenhawks as they're power hungry.
yeah, I have seen used honda generators for sale. 600-900 bucks which I agree adds to your point of how good they are. That is not a point I'm disputing... While I appreciate your response, there was a reason I asked for generators OTHER than Honda's, they are simply out of my budget for the time being. In the past I saw people post about other semi quiet generators at a third of the cost of the Honda's- and while they won't last as long, I will have more funds to spend on inverters / generators in the future. But I too am one of those people that have a nice relaxing moment when somebody's loud generator runs out of gas. But back to the original questions, besides the 1000 dollar Honda generators, what other options do I have? My tire warmers total 1000w's that I will need for continuous power so I'm guessing I'm looking for a 1500-2000 w option... I'll search to see if they have a higher wattage Kipor Thanks guys... -Andres *edit- I don't know why my quote isn't working...
no problem....just realize that 'semi quiet' is not accurate. many people think they are 'close enough....' also realize the reliability is nowhere compared to the good ones (honda, yamaha, kipor, etc) might be cheaper up front. but that's about it.
Wait until you can at least afford a Kipor. Their quality and quiet is good, but if you ever need to get it serviced it will by much tougher than the Yama-Hondas to service. They aren't that much cheaper any more either. You could probably get by with an ETQ, but it will be loud so pit at the edge of the pits and remember the longer your extension cord the more loss too, so if you are planning on that 100' extension cord to get away from the noise, you will have to budget for a low gauge extension cord too.
Just my .02 cents my meijer special is enought to run three sets of warmers and a small compressor it is pretty quiet compared to what i have seen at the track dont get me wrong its not honda quiet but its better than i would say 75% of what people are running at the track!
As mentioned a 1000 watt will run a substantial portion of the warmers out there. I have seen used Honda 1k's for $500, a lot less than the $1k estimate you are using. I completely understand your situation on the money side, I had the same issue. I waited until I could afford a Honda, and simply made do with paying for power or not running my warmers. Power is available for a reasonable cost at many tracks, and if you look around you can usually find someone willing to let you chip in a little for their surplus power. I let neighbors use my surplus from my EU2000 as it beats listening to a bag of nails fall down a never ending rain gutter. There is a reason everyone is adamant about avoiding loud genny's, consider that carefully. It's a free world and you can buy anything you want, but be aware it's a free world on the other side of your exhaust too. I buy power when available even though I have a Honda FWIW. Good luck with your search.
not sure where you are but here is one on our local Detroit Ducati board... http://www.ducsunlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9183
I suggest that you do what I did... figure out a way to power your warmers (buddies Honda, plug in the wall and extension cord, etc) and save your money, when you have the $879, buy the Honda 2000EU. It will run 2 sets of warmers. http://www.wisesales.com/EU2000.html Then help someone else power their warmers until they can afford the right generator. LOUD GENERATORS SUCK. Oh ya... when you look at Decibel of a generator, remember that it is logarithmic Chad
i bought one from pep boys, its 2300watts and i think i had a coupon for $20 with a final price around 270 or so
Did it come w/ a set of glasspacks on it? How easy is it to carry on a conversation in your pit when running? how easy is it to carry on a conversation in your neighbors pit when its running? Yeah, cheap power is great, but I agree w/ the above, there is a reason that people stress quiet. Save your money to increase your budget and spend the extra $$ for a quality unit. FWIW, i have had a Honda for years and NEVER had issues w/ it.
A Honda 2000 will not run two sets of warmers. Remember, 2000 watts is max peak load,(surge) 1600 max continuous. Warmers run 1000 to 1250 watts per set. Overload even a Honda and you will burn it out. I tried running two sets and the poor thing sounded like an r6 at redline. It ran but it did not put out the power needed and both sets of warmers did not heat properly. Honda even warns of overloading the genny.
Unless you can afford either the Honda or Yamaha genny, the real question is do you REALLY even need one? A lot of people run warmers who really don't ride hard enough to keep heat in their tires anyway..... Seriously, DO NOT skimp on your generator - a good (quiet) one will run without issue for years and you will not be ostracized for being 'that guy' with the loud generator. And IMO if you DO cheap out - please don't get a long extension cord - keep that damn noisy thing right next to your ass.... just make sure that you pit far away from everyone else!!
i've run two sets of chicken hawk warmers on the same honda 2000 for 7 years now. i think i changed the oil once.
We ran 2 sets of CH Pole Positions on a honda eu 2000 all year. It was "louder" than with just 1 set, but we still had to touch it to make sure it was still on.
So, many people overload the genny regularly and it still runs! If that doesn't tell you how good this genny is nothing will. Your tires are not getting as hot as they should though. Poor genny.
Also remember that with electronics such as: video cameras, laptops, cell phones, a small microwave, you will need an inverter generator to power or charge these devices when you are at the track.
saw a 2000w+ @ our local Sams club don't remember the brand, had a very low db rating similar to yamaha/honda...less than $500, looked in between Kipor/Honda/Yam quality, looked nice. good luck!