Honda Generators and the Great Outdoors: A Match Made for Adventure
Getting away from it all to explore the great outdoors doesn’t mean you have to leave the comforts of home behind. Taking a portable generator with you as a camping power source gives you the best of both worlds. Whether you’re camping in a tent or an RV, a Honda generator can turn your adventure into a luxury outdoor retreat.
When you think of unplugging on a camping trip, it usually just means putting your phone away to enjoy the beauty of nature. However, a generator can power so much more than your phone charger. From lights and electric stoves to air conditioners and refrigerators, there are plenty of ways a portable generator can upgrade your camping experience.
Honda Power Equipment offers a full line of portable generators for every adventurer’s needs. Choose from a selection ranging from lower wattage models to 7000 watt powerhouses.
How do Generators Work?
A generator is an appliance that uses fuel to power an engine that produces electricity. The most common generator fuels are gasoline, propane, natural gas, and diesel.
Most generators fall into two categories: portable and standby. A standby generator is installed permanently on a home or commercial building. If there is a power outage, the generator turns on automatically to power the entire building.
A portable generator, on the other hand, can be moved around freely. Rather than powering a whole building, portable generators have a few built-in power outlets to power individual devices and appliances.
Advanced portable generators use what’s called an inverter, meaning they convert AC power into DC electric current, then back into AC electric current that your appliances can use. This is different from a car or RV battery, which produces DC current that will overcharge electronics.
Since portable generators use gasoline or diesel, they produce carbon monoxide. That means it’s only safe to use them outdoors, away from confined spaces.
Reasons to go Camping with a Generator
Once you’ve experienced portable power when camping, you’ll never want to go back. Here are some of the ways a generator can transform your camping experience:
Everyday Comforts and Conveniences
The most obvious applications for generators are simple things, such as:
- Phone and tablet charging
- Small appliances like fans and inflatable air mattresses
- Coffee makers and electric cooktops
- Lights if you’re camping with your kids
Luxury and Entertainment
For more luxurious retreats by the lake or in the mountains, you might want to use your generator for comforts like:
- Mini refrigerators
- Air conditioning
- TVs and streaming devices
Hiking Adventures and Tent Camping
Even if you’re roughing it in a tent, a small generator can power smaller temperature regulators like small fans or space heaters. At less than 30 lbs, smaller portable generators are ideal for minimalist off-grid adventures.
Emergency Needs
Outside of luxuries and comforts, having a portable generator can give you peace of mind in the wilderness. Outdoor enthusiasts who need specialty medical equipment can use a generator to take everything they need with them. You can also keep a generator with you outdoors as “just in case” emergency backup power.
What are the Key Features and Benefits of Honda’s Camping Generators?
Honda’s selection of portable generators are loaded with smart features for ease of use, safety, and reliability. Some of the features Honda users can expect include:
- Portable, reliable power
- Honda My Generator app
- CO-MINDER™ Advanced Carbon Monoxide Detection System
- Commercial grade engine reliability
- Quiet operation that’s softer than normal conversation volume
- Quick and easy startup
- Lightweight and compact for easy transport
- Fuel efficiency for overnight use
- Stable, clean power for big appliances and small electronics
- Easier oil changes
- Better overall durability
Best Honda Generators for Camping
Let’s take a closer look at Honda’s portable generator lineup. Each of these models delivers portable, low-noise power in a compact package.
EU1000i
The EU1000i is Honda’s lightest generator, perfect for minimalist outdoor power.
- Weighs just 29 lbs
- 1000 watts
- Super quiet operation
- Up to 6.8 hr runtime
- CO-MINDER™ carbon monoxide detection
- Parallel capability to connect to other identical models for more power
EU2200i
The EU2200i is a more powerful lightweight option for outdoor camping.
- 47 lbs
- 2200 watts
- Super quiet operation
- Up to 8.1 hr runtime
- Honda My Generator app & Bluetooth® capability
- CO-MINDER™ carbon monoxide detection
- Parallel capability to connect to other identical models for more power
EU2200i Companion
The EU2200i Companion is an upgraded version of the EU2200i with a 30A outlet for your RV.
- Built-in 30A outlet for RV use
- 47 lbs
- 2200 watts
- Super quiet operation
- Up to 8.1 hr runtime
- Honda My Generator app & Bluetooth® capability
- CO-MINDER™ carbon monoxide detection
- Parallel capability to connect to other identical models for more power
EU3200i
The EU3200i offers a good balance of power and portability for most applications.
- Front panel LED indicators for fuel level and operation info
- Weighs less than 60 lbs
- 3200 watts
- Super quiet operation
- Up to 8.6 hr runtime
- Honda My Generator app & Bluetooth® capability
- CO-MINDER™ carbon monoxide detection
- Enough power for furnace, fridge, microwave, and RV AC
EU3000iS
The EU3000iS is a much less portable generator, but the most fuel efficient option for longer runtimes.
- 3000 watts
- Powerful enough for furnace, fridge, microwave, and most 13,500 BTU RV AC units
- Super quiet operation
- Nearly 20 hr runtime
- CO-MINDER™ carbon monoxide detection
- Parallel capability to connect to other identical models for more power
EU7000iS
The EU7000iS is the biggest recreational generator Honda offers. What it lacks in portability, it more than makes up for in power and features.
- 7000 watts
- Powerful enough for a home backup and a wide variety of appliances
- Super quiet operation
- Up to 16 hr runtime
- Honda My Generator app & Bluetooth® capability
- CO-MINDER™ carbon monoxide detection
- i-Monitor™ system to track runtime, RPM, voltage, and wattage
- 120/240 V selector switch
- Parallel capability to connect to other identical models for more power
- Wheel kit and folding handles
- Push button start and fuel gauge
Which Generator Is Best for My Camping Needs?
Which generator is right for you depends on your camping needs. For lightweight tent camping, the super quiet EU1000i is a good choice for powering a few lights and fans and phone charging. To run multiple appliances while RV camping, like a furnace, air conditioner, and/or fridge, something more robust like the EU3000 or EU3200i would be a better choice.
How to Choose a Portable Generator for Camping
Choosing a generator is a big decision. To determine how big of a portable generator you need for your outdoor adventures, consider the following factors:
- Portability: If you don’t have many devices to power, but need something that’s easy to transport, a small generator for camping should be sufficient.
- Power needs: Make a list of all the devices and appliances you need to power, and add up the running wattage of each device to determine how many watts you need in a generator.
- Features: Consider whether you need specific features in a generator, like parallel capability or Bluetooth® connectivity.
Explore Honda Generators
Whether you like to tent camp on hiking trips or travel in style in your RV, Honda has a variety of portable generators to suit any adventure. If you aren’t sure which model is right for you, use the Honda selector tool to find the perfect generator for your next camping trip. Feel free to browse our models or find a dealer today to discover the best Honda generator for your needs.
FAQs
What are the key benefits of camping with a generator?
Camping with a portable generator offers several advantages, including:
- Temperature control in your tent with fans or space heaters
- Park your RV anywhere, even without shore power
- Take modern conveniences like refrigerators and coffee makers anywhere
- Keep your electrical devices charged in case of an emergency
How do generators work?
Portable generators use an engine to turn mechanical energy into DC electrical current. An inverter then converts DC into clean, stable AC current that can power sensitive devices without overcharging them. Most portable generators run on gasoline, but some use propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel.
What types of outdoor adventures can I use a generator for (e.g., family tent camping, mountain hiking, RVing, etc.)?
Generators come in a variety of sizes and power capabilities, so there’s a model that’s perfect for powering any outdoor adventure. For long mountain hikes, a small 1000 watt generator is a good choice to run a fan, charge your phone, and power a small coffee maker or cooktop. For RV travel, choose a larger generator that can run an AC and furnace, as well as a few large appliances.
How heavy is a portable generator?
Portable generators range in weight from under 30 lbs to over 200 lbs. A generator that can produce larger amounts of current needs a bigger engine and fuel tank, which adds to the total weight. Many models are light enough to carry by hand or throw in the trunk of a car.
How do I store a generator?
If you plan to use your generator within a month of storing it, add fuel stabilizer to prevent oxidation and deposits from forming. To store a generator for closer to a year or longer, it’s best to drain the fuel tank and carburetor. Be sure to cover your generator to keep moisture and pests out. Disconnecting the battery will also prevent it from losing charge over time.
How do I choose the best generator for my camping needs?
To choose the right generator for your outdoor recreation, make a list of the devices and appliances you plan to run. Find out the running wattage of each device and add them up. This is the amount of watts your generator should have.
Beyond wattage, identify any added features you want in a generator, like Bluetooth capability and specialty outlets. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, find the generator that best fits your needs and budget.
