Canadian tire Yardwork portable generator

[pjcomeau]

Hi Fellow Canadians,

There has been topics in the past where the portable generator of choice is the Honda EU1000i. Has anyone tried the Yardworks model available at Canadian Tire (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672946&bmUID=1200762426954&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443296839&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true)? It's currently on for $299. It has a 4 year warranty. It's rated 50W less then the Honda (for but max and continuous numbers).

Everybody Else,

What is the typical maintenance schedule on the Honda EU1000i? How often change oil and spark plugs. The little bit of information I found for the Yardworks is that it is frequent (10 - 20 hours).


I will only be cruising long weekends at a time and maybe 1-2 one full week cruise. So very low usage. So $299 sounds like a good deal...

All comments welcome,

New Catalina 24 owner (Can't wait 'til spring for my first sail with it),

Pierre Comeau

1988 #687 (currently looking at renaming it from TIME to keel).

[Stu Jackson]

Pierre,

The two consistent themes regarding generators (in addition to quality and price) seem to be:

1.  Noise

2.  Size (electrical output)

Most seem to have agreed that the Hondas are very quiet.

The sizing has to do with what you intend to use it for:  either just charging your batteries or doing that AND making hot water with the water heater, although most advise to do only one of those at a time.  To make hot water you need the larger Honda Eu2000i, which is bulkier and for Mark I boats needs some ingenuity for storage since it seems difficult to stow in the port locker.

You can compare specs between your Canadian Tire machine and the Hondas from the Honda website:  http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/own.htm.  You can also download the Operation Manual and find out about maintenance intervals.

[Ron Hill]

P : Let me add to Stu's comments.   
The Honda generator is a VERY reliable piece of equipment.  A Briggs&Stratton "can't hold a candle" to the reliability and performance of the Honda engine!  One pull and it runs!!   A thought.   

[Kyle Ewing]

Besides the Honda there are a lot of inexpensive generators similar to the one sold at Canadian Tire.  Northern Tool, for example, has one for $120 (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200313480_200313480.  Its noisier at a rated 69dbs but the dimensions are slightly smaller (15x16x13) compared to the Honda.

In addition to engine noise, size, and overall quality, I'd be concerned about how clean the power is.  When it comes to generators and inverters there are other considerations the electrical minded people here can explain.

[Tom Lanzilli]

The Honda Eu2000i was my gift to myself for the holidays.  I did a lot of research and I was really sold on the low noise level of this unit while it is in operation.  I just could not live with a loud noisy unit.  Also the reviews this device has received from fellow owners has been very, very positive.