Firman 2000w inverter generator? Advice?

[EllPea in CA]

I just noticed that Costco has this for $349, which seems like a real steal. Advertised as "whisper quiet" (is there such a thing in generators?)

I've checked Amazon for reviews, and I only see one (1 unit only) there with the same specs, and THAT is listed at 729.99.

Any thoughts? I don't have AC in the Lil B, but at some point a generator would probably be on my wishlist...

[C&G in FL]

Ellpea,
To answer your question, yes, some generators are relatively quiet. I don’t know much about the Firman. If it isn’t running, it will be whisper quiet!��
My Honda EU2000i is relatively quiet on the Eco mode, but louder if working harder. In either case, it is louder than a whisper unless you are 100 yards away.
You mentioned A/C. Really, to run an A/C on a 2,000 watt generator you really should install/have installed an Easy Start on the A/C.
If you are boondocking or off grid often, at the price the Firman could be replaced twice at the current price of a Honda. I would not, of course, recommend using a generator if other campers are nearby. Whisper quiet or not, you are likely to annoy others. Living in Florida, I use my generator if and when the temperatures are high and the power is off (post tropical storm) in order to sleep in cool comfort. It has a kit installed so it will run on propane longer than it runs on its 1/2 gallon tank. Or if I have to evacuate with the trailer, I take “Jenny” along, as everyone else evacuates and campgrounds are typically full. So if I end up behind a Walmart or in a dispersed area I can run the A/C. However, my preference on a normal trip is to leave the generator at home, primarily because I prefer to be in campgrounds with hook-ups.

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by CPW

Ellpea,
To answer your question, yes, some generators are relatively quiet. I don’t know much about the Firman. If it isn’t running, it will be whisper quiet!��
My Honda EU2000i is relatively quiet on the Eco mode, but louder if working harder. In either case, it is louder than a whisper unless you are 100 yards away.
You mentioned A/C. Really, to run an A/C on a 2,000 watt generator you really should install/have installed an Easy Start on the A/C.
If you are boondocking or off grid often, at the price the Firman could be replaced twice at the current price of a Honda. I would not, of course, recommend using a generator if other campers are nearby. Whisper quiet or not, you are likely to annoy others. Living in Florida, I use my generator if and when the temperatures are high and the power is off (post tropical storm) in order to sleep in cool comfort. It has a kit installed so it will run on propane longer than it runs on its 1/2 gallon tank. Or if I have to evacuate with the trailer, I take “Jenny” along, as everyone else evacuates and campgrounds are typically full. So if I end up behind a Walmart or in a dispersed area I can run the A/C. However, my preference on a normal trip is to leave the generator at home, primarily because I prefer to be in campgrounds with hook-ups.

Yep, I have camped next to motorhomes who have not paid for hookups and which were running their generators instead. Shoot me now.

I wouldn't expect this one to run AC, it may take years for me to put AC in or that might never happen.

I was just in Costco and there must have been 30 of these on display... I was really tempted. (I did look them up at Costco.com and they were listed as out of stock... that must be because they've all gone out to the stores!)

[thrifty bill]

Consider the price. And you typically get an automatic extension on warranty using your Costco card. Is it equal to a Jonda? Of course not. But at the price, why not?

I bought a larger Champion generator at Costco. Anymore, I usually just take my suitcase solar panel instead. Other campers will despise you for having a generator, quiet or not. And many campgrounds severely restrict operating hours for generators (but not always enforced).

Personally, smoky campfires bother me a lot more than generators!

[EllPea in CA]

OTOH, even if I didn't take this camping, I have lost two freezers full of food (one freezer, two events), during power outages.

One event probably cost me that much in lost groceries...

[MyronL]

I liked all the reviews I read of the Firman and I would have bought one at Coscto. Pretty sure they are built in Arizona and have a good service department. Costco wasn't selling that smaller version at the time so I ended up with a Wen2350W inverter generator, and it runs my 11,000btu Dometic ac with the Micro-Air Easy Start add on just fine.

[dmad1]

I understand the concern for the price vs. the Honda durability but also take into consideration about their dealer network. I have had two Honda 2000i since 2002. They have almost 2000 hours on them. Other than regular up keep, I have not had to take either one into the shop, but it is a good feeling to know there is nearly always a Honda dealer not far away. Extra money well spent for me.
I sometime connect both together to run the a/c. On the 9000 btu I have, it runs one gen. at about 4500 rpm, (don't remember for sure) and connected they run at the minimum rpm (3000) and are much quieter. I also run two fuel lines out one 5 gal. fuel can and can run them for a couple of days without haveing to find a fuel station.