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Old 06-01-2016, 02:00 PM   #1
Agent216
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Default looking for a portable generator

Hey Y'all... like my title states... i'm looking for a small portable generator to fit in the space under the rear seat... I purchased a 2014 EZ GO TXT and am not sure how long the charge will last... i use it for the beach from Port Aransas to south Padre and don't wanna get stranded... can anyone give me some insite on what to purchase... will a 1000watt generator work.. or do i need more wattage... size is the issue..which I'm sure everyone knows... thanks for your time..
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Old 06-01-2016, 02:32 PM   #2
Clemsoncartguy
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

Simple how many watts does your charger use? Have to get a generator that can supply that much. But those tiny 2 stroke geneaters like HF sells I think are only like 600watt, which I don't think is enough for your charger? Are you wanting the charger to be hooked up while driving? Are they designed to not run while charging? But anyway once you get above those baby joke generators the size goes basically to the full size models and they won't fit under any seat, they will have to sit on a flip rear seat bed.
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Old 06-01-2016, 03:19 PM   #3
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

You really need a 2,000 watt class quality inverter generator for this, unless you use a small undersized charger. A typical golf cart charger draws 10 or 11 amps at 120Volts AC, add to this that since you are running a generator you might also want to power a few lights, radio, etc. I would even say a little bigger may be nice. The 900 - 1000 watt class of inverter generators output about 7-8 amps.

Now there is a lot of cheap made in China junk out there in this class, however there are a couple of quality products. In short there are 2 you should consider the Honda EU-2000i (I have owned its little brother the EU1000i for about 10 years) and the Yamaha EF2000 (they just introduced a new improved high surge capacity Version 2, which means there may be some good deals out there on version 1's) Both of the above models typically sell in the $1,000 price ballpark

Ike

p.s. if you decide to go the smaller 1,000 watt option with a smaller lower output charger and want a good price on a Honda EU1000i, PM me as I would love to sell mine ang upgrade to one of the new Yamaha's, I am in Louisiana, but my mother in law lives in Katy (well near Hwy 6 and I-10) so getting it to you should be no problem.
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Old 06-01-2016, 05:50 PM   #4
Volt_Ampere
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

Getting an undersized generator will be very disappointing. You will have nothing but problems with it. You need at least 2KW to run something like a golf cart charger.
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Old 06-01-2016, 06:14 PM   #5
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

Note on the Honda EU-2000i they advertise an 8 hour run time on a 1 gallon tank of gas, but the fine print is that is with the eco-throttle option turned on and at 1/4 (500 watt) output. At full load you get about 4 hours of run time, so you would probably need to bring an extra gallon or so of gasoline to do a typical 8 hour charge cycle. Also note the EU-2000i and the EF-2000 are both rated at 2,000 watts max, 1600 watts continuous Watts = Volts x amps, so a 120VAC golf cart charger that draws 12 amps is drawing 1,440 watts, leaving enough spare power on one of these 2000 watt inverter generators to power a few 13 watt (60 watt equiv) CF or LED light bulbs, a couple of small personal sized fans, maybe a radio, but not a lot else.

Ike

p.s. between the Yamaha / Honda choice the two companies have a long standing one upmanship rivalry in Japan on these small inverter generators, which Yamaha has been winning for the last few years even before their new V2 EF-2000 however parts availability is slightly better in the US for the Honda's so either could be a valid good choice. The Yamaha is 1 lbs lighter, holds .1 gallon more fuel, and has 2 hours longer run time at 1/4 throttle, it is also rated very slightly quieter in eco-throttle mode, but that could just be test condition differences.
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Old 06-01-2016, 07:03 PM   #6
Luke Duke
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Sounds like you need a gas cart.
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Old 06-01-2016, 08:14 PM   #7
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

Isaac provided a wealth of info, and he certainly knows his stuff. You can't go wrong with the Honda or Yamaha models. I would recommend the exact some models in the 2000W variety.

I'll add one more for your consideration. I have two of the Champion inverter generators and I love them. They are nearly as quiet as the blue and red models, but cost a bunch less. They have proven engine designs and have amazing customer support to stand behind their products. You can find them everyday for less than $600 and occasionally for less than $500. I highly recommend considering them too. The only downside is that I can only get 1600W from them continuously (vs 17-1800 for the others). It is a tradeoff that is worth the cost savings for me.

I also have converted them both to tri-fuel and can run them from either gas, LP, or LNG. One 20# grill propane tank will run the genny for a couple of days at deer camp.
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Old 06-01-2016, 08:30 PM   #8
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke Duke View Post
Sounds like you need a gas cart.
I was Thinking the same
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Old 06-01-2016, 08:35 PM   #9
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clemsoncartguy View Post
I was Thinking the same
Running a genny for charging a cart isn't ideal. However, they can be used for multiple purposes, and so it may mak sense in the long run. I depend on mine to keep my sump pump running during power outages. Without it, my basement would flood.

I also use it for camping and deer hunting where no power connection exists.
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Old 06-01-2016, 09:49 PM   #10
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Default Re: looking for a portable generator

One thing I don't like about the Champion generator is if you go to their web site you see little US flags all over the place, but if you download their engine owners manual at the bottom of the first page it says "made in China" Personally I would much rather trust a made in Japan engine than a made in China knock off, particularly one made by Honda or Yamaha. Now I know money is money, but there are too many reports of people living off grid using these little Honda inverter generators as their only source of power and them lasting for thousands of run time hours, with some reports at well over 10,000 hours before replacement / rebuild.

Here is a quote from just one of many such threads I found with a simple google search for "honda eu2000 hours"

quote:

My eu2000 quit after 3900 hours.

Best investment I ever made can't wait to get a new one!!!!!!!!

reply:

Seriously, 3900 hours? I run my little cabin I live off the grid in, with an EU2000i and I'm on my 3rd one. The first got a valve stuck at 19,000 hours. The second I traded in on a new one (that I'm using right now) with 15,000 hours on it. The one I'm running now has maybe 4500 hour on it.

I never had to do anything to any of them with the exception of replacing the pull cord. Even at 19,000 hours my first one had the original spark plug in it. I just change the oil every 100 hours or so and they just keep on ticking
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