Opinion on Costco's CPE generator

[akjunkie]

Saw a CPE generator/inverter @ Costco for $489.

2000 watts max
1600 watts working
53 Decibels

Very small unit, similar to the Honda EU2000 except it's 1/2 the price.

Anyone have first hand experience with the CPE? its made by Champion Power Equipment.

[ar15robert]

that wattage should run most small microwaves easily.Theres a big thread on these over at rv.net tech section.

[covertcombatant]

Could keep your fridge cool with it too!

[Dutch3]

The low noise level is a definite plus, it is probably good on fuel consumption as well.

I don't have an inverter unit, but do have a Champion generator I have been very happy with. It's a 3500/4000 with switchable 120V/240V output. I bought it during a long-term power outage a few years ago for $299. I can plug it into my main panel and it will run my well pump, refrigerator, freezer as well as some lights, etc. It is fairly noisy, though.

[Str8shutr]

Hey akjunkie....
I just talked to a friend who has the EXACT same genny from Sam's club (just different name but 100% the same) and he loves it. Not quite as quiet as the honda, but he has just returned from a two week camping trip and he said he used it for at least 4 hours a day and had zero trouble.
I think you could buy with confidence. I am actually thinking about picking one up as a backup.

[akjunkie]

Hey akjunkie....
I just talked to a friend who has the EXACT same genny from Sam's club (just different name but 100% the same) and he loves it. Not quite as quiet as the honda, but he has just returned from a two week camping trip and he said he used it for at least 4 hours a day and had zero trouble.
I think you could buy with confidence. I am actually thinking about picking one up as a backup.

Thanks Str8,

I found some reviews on youtube and it turns out U can actually run 2 of them together like the Hondas. So for the price of 1 Honda EU2000 U can get 2 CPEs.

[Maddog5150]

I'm thinking of getting a generator but I think it would be worth it to buy a diesel one.
In California, standard gas only has a life span of a few months now with all the feel good tree hugging additives in it. Diesel will still keep for longer. Also someone around here said you could make bio diesel. I dont know if its the same for generators but at work, the diesel pick up we have will idle for a week before we need to fuel it up, the other pick ups we need to fuel up every other day.
Also, if you are in a very unhealthy smoggy area, you can run it on air jk but look up "runaway diesel". Rigs in certain parts of the world wont turn off because of the pollutants in the air and they will keep running. Kind of cool, just burn it all out

[1Fastrider]

I got the same one from Sam's. Haven't used it a lot but I ran it next to a Honda EU and it was close enough that I don't feel bad about saving $500 on it. I've only used it to run tire warmers at the track but being able to daisy chain another one down the road was another big selling point.

[akjunkie]

Well, I took the plunge and bought me a New Honda EU2000i from wisesales.com

They quoted $900 shipped but when i called in my order they charged me another $15 for insurance. So $915 total.

I see used EU2000s on Craiglist and Ebay for the same price. Should get it in 3 days.

After researching the CPE and other RV.net , youtube and other forums. I decided against the CPE. 1 to many negative reviews.

[ar15robert]

Well, I took the plunge and bought me a New Honda EU2000i from wisesales.com

They quoted $900 shipped but when i called in my order they charged me another $15 for insurance. So $915 total.

I see used EU2000s on Craiglist and Ebay for the same price. Should get it in 3 days.

After researching the CPE and other RV.net , youtube and other forums. I decided against the CPE. 1 to many negative reviews.

IMO you do pay more for hondas upfront but in the long run you do save.Only downside on the 2000s is the power switch they seem to fail easily but a 5 dollar toggle switch will fix that if the original fails.

I had the champion 3500/4500surge watt it lasted about 2 years before it finally failed.it was showing signs of fading after 1.5 years.I ended up buying a 3000 honda since i have gone thru 2 other 3000 watt gens in 3 years at 300 each.
The honda is alot quieter,uses less fuel,and been a good generator even has a higher surge rating than the champion had even though they claim only 3000watts

[tgriffin]

I have a decent sized honda generator, but honestly I use the 4k watt power inverter I had installed behind the seat in my truck far more frequently. Its run everything I have thrown at it including a decent sized sump pump, heat gun, electric chainsaw, etc. I put in an all weather outlet under the bedrail and it works great,