Sine-wave power AND a nice hand-warmer for those outdoor October gigs in MN....
Attachments
Last edited:
Just the ticket....
- Thread starter Dick Rees
- Start date
Re: Just the ticket....
The GK UltraPhones work quite well as ear muffs........
The GK UltraPhones work quite well as ear muffs........
Re: Just the ticket....
How loud do you have to crank the volume for those UltraPhones to keep your ears warm?
Just wondering why you got the 3000 rather than 2 2000s you could parallel if you need to? The 2000 is more scalable and easier to carry if you need less than 1600 watts for small gigs.
How loud do you have to crank the volume for those UltraPhones to keep your ears warm?
Just wondering why you got the 3000 rather than 2 2000s you could parallel if you need to? The 2000 is more scalable and easier to carry if you need less than 1600 watts for small gigs.
Re: Just the ticket....
The excellent attenuation of outside sound is paralleled by the attenuation of outside cold air.......
I have a 3000 and a 2000. The 3000 will do just fine for my needs as I don't do rock bands or jobs needing more than one small sub. If I need a big sound rig, the presenters must pay for the power. If it's a small job like that one I provide my own power. It evens out as the price of the generator is saved by only having to use a few SOS. The rig was 4 x EV Sxa 250's with a pair of Alto wedges which got used for voice only. The listening area was asymmetrical with two EV's on the wide side and one on the narrow. The fourth one ended up being a pseudo-sub for the electric bass in the final group.
The main reason for the 3000 is the larger fuel tank and the extra watts needed for power headroom. I ran for six and a half hours and still had fuel left. If it was a pair of 2000's I'd have had to have the additional fuel tank expander(s) or had to shut down for re-fueling. There's a reason for Honda telling you not to do a re-fuel while running.
BTW, my 2000 was in the van with an electric heater in case they needed a warming station on stage...........
The excellent attenuation of outside sound is paralleled by the attenuation of outside cold air.......
I have a 3000 and a 2000. The 3000 will do just fine for my needs as I don't do rock bands or jobs needing more than one small sub. If I need a big sound rig, the presenters must pay for the power. If it's a small job like that one I provide my own power. It evens out as the price of the generator is saved by only having to use a few SOS. The rig was 4 x EV Sxa 250's with a pair of Alto wedges which got used for voice only. The listening area was asymmetrical with two EV's on the wide side and one on the narrow. The fourth one ended up being a pseudo-sub for the electric bass in the final group.
The main reason for the 3000 is the larger fuel tank and the extra watts needed for power headroom. I ran for six and a half hours and still had fuel left. If it was a pair of 2000's I'd have had to have the additional fuel tank expander(s) or had to shut down for re-fueling. There's a reason for Honda telling you not to do a re-fuel while running.
BTW, my 2000 was in the van with an electric heater in case they needed a warming station on stage...........
Re: Just the ticket....
Dick,
How do you feel about the noise level of the 3000 versus the 2000? I've experience with the 2000 and found it to be a solid little unit, but the 3000 seems to be a big step up in every regard. There's no significant difference in their rated noise output, but the 3000 seems to spread its noise out over the frequency spectrum better based on recordings off Honda's website.
Dick,
How do you feel about the noise level of the 3000 versus the 2000? I've experience with the 2000 and found it to be a solid little unit, but the 3000 seems to be a big step up in every regard. There's no significant difference in their rated noise output, but the 3000 seems to spread its noise out over the frequency spectrum better based on recordings off Honda's website.
Re: Just the ticket....
Funny, what sold me on the 3000 was after the guy who owned the hardware store told me it was quiet, he went ahead and started it -in the store, only 10 feet away from me, and I really couldn't tell it was on beyond the background music and other noise in the store. I'm certain I could have it 25 feet away from a remote wedding, powering SOS with lavs and not be disturbing. After a bad experience with a client provided "big boy" generator leaving us to really have to fake it, I realized that I could have limped by with my generator, had I brought it. I was scared I'd be too close to the 23.3A though between 2 55" LCDs, mains, monitors, and the LEDs. Next time. The peace of mind would have been great as a fall back.
Funny, what sold me on the 3000 was after the guy who owned the hardware store told me it was quiet, he went ahead and started it -in the store, only 10 feet away from me, and I really couldn't tell it was on beyond the background music and other noise in the store. I'm certain I could have it 25 feet away from a remote wedding, powering SOS with lavs and not be disturbing. After a bad experience with a client provided "big boy" generator leaving us to really have to fake it, I realized that I could have limped by with my generator, had I brought it. I was scared I'd be too close to the 23.3A though between 2 55" LCDs, mains, monitors, and the LEDs. Next time. The peace of mind would have been great as a fall back.
Re: Just the ticket....
Dave,
You may be interested in this review ScreenLight & Grip's E-Newsletter of the EU6500, which is apparently the bee's knees. This is God's gift to generator reviews and use writeups.
Dave,
You may be interested in this review ScreenLight & Grip's E-Newsletter of the EU6500, which is apparently the bee's knees. This is God's gift to generator reviews and use writeups.
Craig Hauber
Sophomore
Re: Just the ticket....
Awesome article, thanks Bennett.
I've been doing some off-grid living and work for a while and have been accumulating questions about generator types, inverters and low wattage devices. This article answered most of them.
I know it was tailored to production lighting needs but I'm sure the unit they describe would probably be just as ideal for audio use even though it's not consistent current draw. The parts about grounding and gfi's is good to know too.
Thanks.
Awesome article, thanks Bennett.
I've been doing some off-grid living and work for a while and have been accumulating questions about generator types, inverters and low wattage devices. This article answered most of them.
I know it was tailored to production lighting needs but I'm sure the unit they describe would probably be just as ideal for audio use even though it's not consistent current draw. The parts about grounding and gfi's is good to know too.
Thanks.
Re: Just the ticket....
I couldn't really say. In the picture I posted the 3K is behind a big cottonwood tree and about 40' from the stage. If you listen hard you can hear it running if there's nothing going on on stage. I usually try and situate the generator about that far away, but with some minimal shielding I think you could place it right behind most stages and not worry at all. IMO they are so much quieter than anything else as to render any noise concerns null and void.
I think the "tonal" difference in the two has something to do with the way the exhaust is vented. The 3K diffuses the sound through louvered vents while the 2K pretty much has an exhaust pipe.
I couldn't really say. In the picture I posted the 3K is behind a big cottonwood tree and about 40' from the stage. If you listen hard you can hear it running if there's nothing going on on stage. I usually try and situate the generator about that far away, but with some minimal shielding I think you could place it right behind most stages and not worry at all. IMO they are so much quieter than anything else as to render any noise concerns null and void.
I think the "tonal" difference in the two has something to do with the way the exhaust is vented. The 3K diffuses the sound through louvered vents while the 2K pretty much has an exhaust pipe.
Re: Just the ticket....
I'd be using it for home backup use and camping, Dick, so a much lower noise floor environment. The 2000 is appealing since its smaller size makes it easy to hide in a closet, and it should be enough power to run the Internet and some lights and the fridge... maybe a heater in the winter, but we rent now so I don't care so much. The 3000 is appealing due to its apparent better construction, as well as run time and maintenance requirements.
I'd be using it for home backup use and camping, Dick, so a much lower noise floor environment. The 2000 is appealing since its smaller size makes it easy to hide in a closet, and it should be enough power to run the Internet and some lights and the fridge... maybe a heater in the winter, but we rent now so I don't care so much. The 3000 is appealing due to its apparent better construction, as well as run time and maintenance requirements.
Re: Just the ticket....
Bennett, if you can manage the extra cost, the 3000 is a fantastic generator. A friend owns one and it is much nicer IMHO than the 2000, more than just on paper. Noise on either is practically a non issue (as far as generators go), but the 3000 wins.
I intend to purchase a 3000 myself, just waiting for a deal....
PS, thanks for sharing that great link.....
Bennett, if you can manage the extra cost, the 3000 is a fantastic generator. A friend owns one and it is much nicer IMHO than the 2000, more than just on paper. Noise on either is practically a non issue (as far as generators go), but the 3000 wins.
I intend to purchase a 3000 myself, just waiting for a deal....
PS, thanks for sharing that great link.....
Re: Just the ticket....
Great Article Bennett!
I'm wanting to get into the 6500 and a 2K, fully outfit the 6.5 with the transformer / distro they package. Wan to buy my 3K? I've started it the first of each month for about a year, but that's it. Help me get into that big boy unit.
Great Article Bennett!
I'm wanting to get into the 6500 and a 2K, fully outfit the 6.5 with the transformer / distro they package. Wan to buy my 3K? I've started it the first of each month for about a year, but that's it. Help me get into that big boy unit.
Re: Just the ticket....
The only drawback in going all the way up to the 6500 for me is that any generator over 5k has to be permitted and inspected. Of course, this is for my use in event power. For homeowner use you can probably do what you want.
The only drawback in going all the way up to the 6500 for me is that any generator over 5k has to be permitted and inspected. Of course, this is for my use in event power. For homeowner use you can probably do what you want.
Re: Just the ticket....
A lot of these small gasoline engines easily develop varnish in the carburetor if you use ethanol-containing gas that is not real fresh. Apparently the ethanol picks up water vapor from the air and unless you drain the bowl in the carburetor and run the engine dry after each use, letting it sit with gas in it can cause the carburetor to gunk up with a layer of varnish that then has to be manually cleaned out, a PITA job at best.
Anyone know if any of the 4 models EU2000i, EU3000i, EU3000is or EU6500is is less prone than the others to developing varnish in the carburetor from gas that is not real fresh? If you don't use the generator more than a few times a year, it is a pain to repeatedly have to refill your gas can every few months with fresh gas, add stabilizer, and toss the old gas (eg, run it in your car).
A lot of these small gasoline engines easily develop varnish in the carburetor if you use ethanol-containing gas that is not real fresh. Apparently the ethanol picks up water vapor from the air and unless you drain the bowl in the carburetor and run the engine dry after each use, letting it sit with gas in it can cause the carburetor to gunk up with a layer of varnish that then has to be manually cleaned out, a PITA job at best.
Anyone know if any of the 4 models EU2000i, EU3000i, EU3000is or EU6500is is less prone than the others to developing varnish in the carburetor from gas that is not real fresh? If you don't use the generator more than a few times a year, it is a pain to repeatedly have to refill your gas can every few months with fresh gas, add stabilizer, and toss the old gas (eg, run it in your car).
Re: Just the ticket....
I have the smaller EU1000i that I bought at least 5-6 years ago used from a rental place and since then I haven't done anything more than add gas to it. I also don't use it very often (maybe 3-6 times a year) and it stays in the garage all winter.
It has been a real workhorse and has always performed flawlessly (unless you loan it to someone who switches it to "eco" mode which is NOT happy on transient loads like amplifiers)
Jason
I have the smaller EU1000i that I bought at least 5-6 years ago used from a rental place and since then I haven't done anything more than add gas to it. I also don't use it very often (maybe 3-6 times a year) and it stays in the garage all winter.
It has been a real workhorse and has always performed flawlessly (unless you loan it to someone who switches it to "eco" mode which is NOT happy on transient loads like amplifiers)
Jason
Re: Just the ticket....
I would love to, but it won't fit in my current apartment! If you still have it in a year maybe.
Re: Just the ticket....
Yamaha also has a nice line of quiet inverter generators. I have a 3000 watt unit that I've only used a few times but really like so far. Yamaha Generators, Portable Generator, Generators for home
Jeff
Yamaha also has a nice line of quiet inverter generators. I have a 3000 watt unit that I've only used a few times but really like so far. Yamaha Generators, Portable Generator, Generators for home
Jeff
Re: Just the ticket....
It does look comparable to the Honda in the specs and the price is close to the same. The only two differences readily apparent are:
1. The Yamaha has built-in wheels that the Honda does not. Wheel kit for the Honda is a separate option.
2. The Honda has both electric and recoil start. The Yamaha recoil only.
It does look comparable to the Honda in the specs and the price is close to the same. The only two differences readily apparent are:
1. The Yamaha has built-in wheels that the Honda does not. Wheel kit for the Honda is a separate option.
2. The Honda has both electric and recoil start. The Yamaha recoil only.
Re: Just the ticket....
I ran a pair of JBL PRX's from a little EU1000 a few weeks back for a fireman's 9/11 memorial walk and it worked great.
The Local Parks and Rec mobile stage has a built in 15KW Onan Diesel that's a real champ. It has a 50A california plug and I've run pretty sizable PA's off of it with no hickups. It's been my dream been to find one from an old RV or similar to mount to a small trailer or heavy duty Dolly. It would be great for street fairs or small festivals.
I ran a pair of JBL PRX's from a little EU1000 a few weeks back for a fireman's 9/11 memorial walk and it worked great.
The Local Parks and Rec mobile stage has a built in 15KW Onan Diesel that's a real champ. It has a 50A california plug and I've run pretty sizable PA's off of it with no hickups. It's been my dream been to find one from an old RV or similar to mount to a small trailer or heavy duty Dolly. It would be great for street fairs or small festivals.