Portable generator comparison

Feb 2005



Honda EU1000i
 Yamaha EF1000iS
Honda EU2000i
AC Power Out Max/Rated
 1000/900 W
 1000/900 W
2000/1600 W
AC Current Max/Rated
 -/7.5 A
 8.3/7.5 A
-/13.3 A
12V current output Max
 8 A
 8 A
8 A
Separate 12V alternator winding
 Yes
 Yes
Yes
Price dealer/street
 $789/$645 shipped (eBay)
 /$637 shipped (eBay)
$1080/$923 + ship
Motor
 50cc OHV 4 stroke
 50cc OHV 2.2hp 4 stroke
98.5cc OHV 4 stroke
Dry Weight
 28.6 lbs
 27.9 lbs
46.3 lbs
Dimensions
 17.7 x 9.4 x 14.9
 17.7 x 9.4 x 14.9
20.1 x 11.4 x 16.7
Noise 1/4 load/full load
 52/57 dBA
 47/57 dBA53/59 dBA
Tank capacity
 .6 gal
 .66 gal
1.1 gal
Run time full load/quarter load
 3.8/8.3 hrs
 -/12 hrs
4/15 hrs
Spark arrestor
 Yes
 Yes
Yes
Carburetor run dry feature (fuel cock)
 No
 Yes
No
Carburetor drain
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
Low oil indicator
 Yes
 Yes
Yes
Economy throttle feature?
 Yes
 Yes
Yes
12V in economy mode?
 No
 No
No
Warranty
 2 yr
 2 yr
2 yr
12 V cables included
 No?
 Yes
No?

My research on the 1000W Honda vs the Yammy showed that they are very close in features -- almost identical. Clearly Yamaha knows what the competition is, and have practically cloned it.  Some of the info I got from reading the Honda owner's manual which is available online (kudos to Honda).  I couldn't find the Yamaha manual online, but assumed that the feature or two in question would be the same, which turned out to be the case (e.g. spark arrestor and separate 12V winding).  Note:  the table shows the 2000W Honda as well, because I was considering it also. I have only listed the parameters that mattered to me.  The Honda's ability to connect two generators in parallel had no bearing on my choice, but might be a great differentiator for others.

I looked at the Honda's at a nearby dealer, who wanted top dollar, of course.  But I'm the kind of guy that by the time I talk to a dealer I already know more about the product than he does, from my own research.  So I tend to shy away from going in and trying to get them to come down to an internet price, which would eat into their commissions and profits.  I'd sooner deal online in many cases.

In the end, I went for the Yamaha mostly because of price and a couple of small things that I liked (DC cable included, fuel cock knob allowing you to run it dry, teeny bit larger fuel tank, slightly quieter). Furthermore, even though I'm both a Yamaha and a Honda customer, I felt that Yamaha, being the underdog on this product in terms of market share, would deliver more bang for the buck. I was a little turned off about things I've read in RV forums about Honda's arrogance in this market, and how they tend to take care of the dealer at customer expense. So I'm happy to help Yamaha increase their market share by saving me money and doing quality business online.