[A/S] Re: Honda generator revisited

["Jeff R. \"JR\" Harmon" <jeff.harmon@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mine was around $1850 including the *optional* wheels and 12v pigtail (and 
WA state 8.5% sales tax).  There are various options that can raise the price to 
about $2000 (tops).  It's heavy enough that I can't imagine anyone enjoying 
life with an EU3000is w/o wheels unless it was truly, statically located.  I don't 
know the exact weight but mine is heavy enough that lifting it (alone) is not a 
particularly enjoyable experience.  I can do it but it's cumbersome and 
certainly not something you'd want to lift more than a foot off the ground (or 
carry it more than twenty feet) unless two people were available.   It weighs 
somewhere in the 50/60lb area.  I've used it to drive the largest possible, 
single phase MIG welder at about half, uhh... throttle (not that welders have 
throttles but you get my drift ... welder at half/gen at full, btw).  It would drive 
the welder at full boogie for a minute or two but doing so exhibited strong 
phase pulsing that eventually caused the inverter to say "no thank you very 
much!" after a minute or so.

Equipped with wheels (as mine is) it will fit (fully) inside a 26lx23hx18w 
rectangular space (+/- 1/4 inch).  It has a handle on either end for lifting.  If you 
had a static installation you might be able to bring the height down about 2+" 
and the length down about 2-4" by removing the wheels and handles.  That 
said you need access to the end (for electrical/control), the top (for fueling) 
and the sides (for emergency pull start and engine access/service).  Both 
sides are covered by panels that fold down.  I can't imagine any cubby hole 
on the outside of any Airstream trailer I've ever seen that this thing would fit 
inside (i.e., it'll have to ride in the pick-up bed or trailer interior).

The 3000is differs from the Honda's other 3000 product in that it a) employs a 
flywheel-based design and b) uses a signal conditioner that exceeds housing 
a/c noise standards so you can safely use any noise sensitive electronics 
(e.g., computer) with it.

It has electric start and a pull start plus load sensitive auto-throttle (or simple 
full throttle).  It has a manual choke pull knob, two 20a outlets and a jack for 
an optional 12 charge service (pig-tail required).  At full throttle operation (i.e., 
non-auto mode) it will run approcimately 4 hours.  With auto-throttle you can 
go _significantly_ longer than that.  It is VERY, VERY quite even at full throttle 
(68dB peak if memory serves me).

JR