[VAL] Honda generator -- EU3000is

["Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

After looking around for a *quiet* generator that fits our needs I finally
purchased the Honda EU3000is model.  This unit is the absolutely quietest
generator made by Honda with a decibel range of only 49-58.  Normal speech is
rated at 59 or 60 decibels from what I've read.  So, now our cooling and 120
vac concerns have been met.  We will now be free to "boondock" even if it's
only in a Wally-World parking lot or a Flying J truckstop if need be.  I feel
that since we've purchased the quietest generator known to the RV world that
we can still be good neighbors to most; and when our WBCCI unit camps where
there is nothing but 12 vdc battery power from their contained units at least
we will have the option of adding our own 120 vdc supply.

The EU3000is unit is advertised to run up to 20 hours at 1/2 rated load on the
generator and about 7-8 hours on a full rated load with it's 3.45 gallon
gasoline tank.  I also purchased a 2-gallon plastic gas can so I can have that
little bit of extra fuel during the hottest of days.

My question now is about *security* and how many of you who own the Honda line
of generators have done your best to try and make sure that your generator
doesn't "grow legs" so to speak.

I've thought about removing the outside covers of the EU3000is generator and
actually having some metal pieces welded to the frame internally just to make
it even more difficult for a thief.  I've also thought about adding an
exterior connector like on a boat when it's plugged into "shore power".  My
thinking is that if the electricity from the generator goes off it's either
one of two things -- it's run out of gas or someone has unplugged it from my
Airstream due to the larceny in their heart.  If I'm on a 30' power cord I
feel that's just 30 more feet ahead of me chasing down the thief or thieves
that would try to steal my generator.

What  have you done in this regard to try and ensure that what is yours
remains yours?

Later on I might give some thought to removing one LP tank up front, building
a metal platform on the trailer frame and then mounting the generator and the
other LP tank side-by-side.  This setup would then have it's own enclosed
sides and top with automatic fans that would both cool and exhaust gases
anytime the trailer used power from either the genset or the LP tank.

What do you think?  I'd be very interested to know what you think of such a
setup for better or worse.

Tom Meeker
WBCCI 5303