Tailgate generators
- Thread starter Felonious Junk
- Start date
Honda
https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i
Another option I like are the power stations like
https://www.rockpals.com/products/rockpower-500w-portable-power-station
https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i
Another option I like are the power stations like
https://www.rockpals.com/products/rockpower-500w-portable-power-station
Probably not what you are looking for if its just for tailgating..
I bought a Westinghouse 4500 watt inverter generator this summer for about the same price as a 1000 Watt Honda inverter. I bought it mainly for my RV since its dual fuel and will run of my propane tanks or gasoline. It will be just as quiet as a small Honda at a tailgate load. Much more fuel capacity and run time. And if you don't have one, it can serve as an emergency home generator to run a fridge/freezer, some lights and a few other appliances in power outages.
The downside is it weighs 100 lbs vs the 30 lbs of 1kw Honda... And you don't get to brag about having a Honda.
https://www.electricgeneratorsdirec...q9dj7RnEtoyWa3amPGdV0zpzjkYh_g_RoCRNQQAvD_BwE
I bought a Westinghouse 4500 watt inverter generator this summer for about the same price as a 1000 Watt Honda inverter. I bought it mainly for my RV since its dual fuel and will run of my propane tanks or gasoline. It will be just as quiet as a small Honda at a tailgate load. Much more fuel capacity and run time. And if you don't have one, it can serve as an emergency home generator to run a fridge/freezer, some lights and a few other appliances in power outages.
The downside is it weighs 100 lbs vs the 30 lbs of 1kw Honda... And you don't get to brag about having a Honda.
https://www.electricgeneratorsdirec...q9dj7RnEtoyWa3amPGdV0zpzjkYh_g_RoCRNQQAvD_BwE
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If you're just running your TVs, I recently ditched my generator and use the deep-cycle trolling motor battery from my boat an a decent power inverter to go from 12V to 110. Most LCDs are pulling less than 200 watts of power.
I have one of these and love that I don't have to mess with liquid gas, just hook it to a propane tank. Like I said, I don't end up using it as much because I'm mostly just running a TV off my battery.
https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/200961-2500-watt-dual-fuel-inverter/
I have one of these and love that I don't have to mess with liquid gas, just hook it to a propane tank. Like I said, I don't end up using it as much because I'm mostly just running a TV off my battery.
https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/200961-2500-watt-dual-fuel-inverter/
Honda is the best, but for my money and ease I would look at the new EGO generators and see if it would power a TV for 8 hours.
That would be infinitely better strictly for tailgating.
https://egopowerplus.com/nexus-portable-power-station/
Looks as if with 4 7.5 a/h batteries it can power a tv for 16 hours.
No gas, no oil, no sound what so ever. Sounds good to me.
That would be infinitely better strictly for tailgating.
https://egopowerplus.com/nexus-portable-power-station/
Looks as if with 4 7.5 a/h batteries it can power a tv for 16 hours.
No gas, no oil, no sound what so ever. Sounds good to me.
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To me, there are two choices, and they’re the extremes:
- if you just need one to power some minor stuff like a TV, a phone charger and a satellite or something, AND you have an open area where you can put the generator and knock the sound down - go get a $150 one and an extra extension chord at Harbor Freight. It’ll do everything you need, but it’s loud as hell.
- if that doesn’t fit your needs, and it’s something you truly think you’ll use for multiple years - get a Honda. They’re the Cadillac for a reason. They’re so dang powerful and quiet.
I’ve spent years running tailgates for ungrateful ********, and this is my experience. Upgrading to the Honda was worth it, but the cheap HF ones served their purpose well, too
- if you just need one to power some minor stuff like a TV, a phone charger and a satellite or something, AND you have an open area where you can put the generator and knock the sound down - go get a $150 one and an extra extension chord at Harbor Freight. It’ll do everything you need, but it’s loud as hell.
- if that doesn’t fit your needs, and it’s something you truly think you’ll use for multiple years - get a Honda. They’re the Cadillac for a reason. They’re so dang powerful and quiet.
I’ve spent years running tailgates for ungrateful ********, and this is my experience. Upgrading to the Honda was worth it, but the cheap HF ones served their purpose well, too
My group used STT for years until a few dropped out so the remaining people decided to buy our own stuff this year to save money. We didn’t want to go all in, just have a TV to watch other games to start with.
We looked at Honda’s (obviously), but they are expensive. We ended up doing some research and bought an Alpha Works inverter 2250 watt “super quiet”. So far no complaints. We only have the TV, Dish and phones on it so we can run it in ECO mode and it is as quiet as the Hondas nearby. Was right at $500 and it ran for 6-hours at the Bama game and used about a 1/2 gallon of gas (again on ECO mode).
We looked at Honda’s (obviously), but they are expensive. We ended up doing some research and bought an Alpha Works inverter 2250 watt “super quiet”. So far no complaints. We only have the TV, Dish and phones on it so we can run it in ECO mode and it is as quiet as the Hondas nearby. Was right at $500 and it ran for 6-hours at the Bama game and used about a 1/2 gallon of gas (again on ECO mode).
I’ve had 2 Honda’s since early 2000’s. Not a minute of trouble. Quiet as hell. On eco mode especially. Change the oil annually, use non ethanol gas. Neighbors at tailgate have a Westinghouse—loud as hell and the emissions suck a—!
Sportsman Generator
picked one up last year, at Walmart (on Line) at less than $200.
Just 800/1000 watt, but handles delicate electronics (some don't)
Just Slightly louder than a Honda. I've tested the heck out of mine.
Looks like Tractor Supply has them near $200.
I'd buy another. (not California compliant)
picked one up last year, at Walmart (on Line) at less than $200.
Just 800/1000 watt, but handles delicate electronics (some don't)
Just Slightly louder than a Honda. I've tested the heck out of mine.
Looks like Tractor Supply has them near $200.
I'd buy another. (not California compliant)
Otherwise, get,
a Renogy 1,000 watt Pure Sinewave Power Inverter on Amazon,
currently at $159. plus a good Deep Cycle Battery.
Good Quality.
(then get the generator to charge the battery)
a Renogy 1,000 watt Pure Sinewave Power Inverter on Amazon,
currently at $159. plus a good Deep Cycle Battery.
Good Quality.
(then get the generator to charge the battery)
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Been using a Wen for 3 years with no issues. Very quiet and fuel efficient. Got it for under $400 during a sale at Home Depot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Sup...r-with-CARB-Compliant-Engine-56200i/205825829
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Sup...r-with-CARB-Compliant-Engine-56200i/205825829
Generac 2200i. Runs 6-8 hrs on a gallon of non ethanol (depending on load) and almost as quiet as the Honda for 1/2 the price. Has hookup for running 2 generators in sequence for more power output, and USB port for phones. I was pleasantly surprised that the 2200 will run tv, satellite & reciever, a fan, string lights, crock pot, and phone charger.
When we started to do our own tailgate a few years back I had two rules of thought. Buy the best, get a Honda then get upset if it was ever stolen. Get an off brand for half the price and not be as mad when it gets stolen.
I have been running a Wen 2250 for the past 4 seasons and have been pleasantly impressed. The key to storing small engines is to not store them with fuel in carb. I went with this model because it has a fuel shot off. I have never had any issues storing it in the off season and it starting right up with a few pulls when season rolls around.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MN11GV8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1.
I have been running a Wen 2250 for the past 4 seasons and have been pleasantly impressed. The key to storing small engines is to not store them with fuel in carb. I went with this model because it has a fuel shot off. I have never had any issues storing it in the off season and it starting right up with a few pulls when season rolls around.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MN11GV8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1.
I got one of the Bluetti power stations (EB55) recently and really like it. 700 watts (1400 peak) 537WH It has 13 different power ports including 12volts, USB's, 120Volts, and even one on top you can lay your phone on for wireless charging. Got it on sale for $449. It charges from house current in a couple hours, by car charger or solar. I bought it more for short term outages rather than lengthy emergencies (have a gas generator for that) and it does great for a couple fans, crock pot, tv, phones, radios, etc. You can get these w/ up to 2,200 watts
https://www.bluettipower.com/products/bluetti-eb55-537wh-700w-portable-power-station
https://www.bluettipower.com/products/bluetti-eb55-537wh-700w-portable-power-station
Something that hasn't been mentioned about noise. It's all about load. It doesn't matter how quiet a generator is when its idling at no load, its how quiet it is when its powering all of your goodies.
There is a guy that tests generators on YouTube and he tested 7 different 2000W inverter generators at 30ish% Load (450W) and 90ish% load (1500W) from 23 feet. Of the 7 generators he had 2 Hondas, the new 2200 and the old 2000. The dB(A) was virtually the same on everything except for the 1500W test on the Honda 2200. Instead of 90% load, it was only running at 75%ish load and was a full 10 dB(A) quieter than everything else, including the other Honda. Once he added a little more wattage and got the Honda 2200 up to 90% it was running just as loud as the others. I'll put the link below if you want to watch the whole video, but here are the results in screenshots.
View attachment 22569
View attachment 22570
So after understanding this, you realize its much quieter to keep your wattage below 75% of rated load. In fact the lower the better. You will also get better fuel economy and get longer life out of your generator. Case and point, the same guy did a comparison of a Champion and Westinghouse 4650W and 4500W Igens and at 1500W, both were as quiet as the Honda 2200i. While neither would be considered to be nearly as quiet as the 2200i in theory, in practice, at 1500W they are barely working.
View attachment 22571
I did a deep dive on all this stuff earlier this summer before buying mine. My goal was different because I do want the capability to run my AC on my RV when necessary, but most of the time I will be in that 1000W range. My first instinct was to buy 2 smaller generators and then parallel them when necessary, but it was more expensive and a lot more hassle.
Having used higher wattage (10,000W+) portable generators for years in construction, the other thing I know that's more important than brand is not running it too close to rated load all of the time. We had all kinds of problems out of a Honda 10,000W and none out of a Generac 15,000W. We ran a concrete grinder and dust collector that added up to about 8KW for hours at a time everyday. Not knocking Honda, it was just too much load and when the guys sat down on that grinder it was too much.
https://youtu.be/0uylaUkpw_M
https://youtu.be/CJp1avTDbv8
There is a guy that tests generators on YouTube and he tested 7 different 2000W inverter generators at 30ish% Load (450W) and 90ish% load (1500W) from 23 feet. Of the 7 generators he had 2 Hondas, the new 2200 and the old 2000. The dB(A) was virtually the same on everything except for the 1500W test on the Honda 2200. Instead of 90% load, it was only running at 75%ish load and was a full 10 dB(A) quieter than everything else, including the other Honda. Once he added a little more wattage and got the Honda 2200 up to 90% it was running just as loud as the others. I'll put the link below if you want to watch the whole video, but here are the results in screenshots.
View attachment 22569
View attachment 22570
So after understanding this, you realize its much quieter to keep your wattage below 75% of rated load. In fact the lower the better. You will also get better fuel economy and get longer life out of your generator. Case and point, the same guy did a comparison of a Champion and Westinghouse 4650W and 4500W Igens and at 1500W, both were as quiet as the Honda 2200i. While neither would be considered to be nearly as quiet as the 2200i in theory, in practice, at 1500W they are barely working.
View attachment 22571
I did a deep dive on all this stuff earlier this summer before buying mine. My goal was different because I do want the capability to run my AC on my RV when necessary, but most of the time I will be in that 1000W range. My first instinct was to buy 2 smaller generators and then parallel them when necessary, but it was more expensive and a lot more hassle.
Having used higher wattage (10,000W+) portable generators for years in construction, the other thing I know that's more important than brand is not running it too close to rated load all of the time. We had all kinds of problems out of a Honda 10,000W and none out of a Generac 15,000W. We ran a concrete grinder and dust collector that added up to about 8KW for hours at a time everyday. Not knocking Honda, it was just too much load and when the guys sat down on that grinder it was too much.
https://youtu.be/0uylaUkpw_M
https://youtu.be/CJp1avTDbv8
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