On Sat, 10 Feb 2007 23:10:07 -0800, "Jet Red"
wrote:

Looking for a reliable ~2kW portable quiet generator for boating use. Has
anyone used or have a Kipor? I know they are less expensive than the honda
equivalents. Are they as reliable as advertised? thx

I have the Kipor KGE2600Ti. It's the 2600 watt version, a little more
powerful than the 2000 watt ones from both Honda and Kipor, but it
still looks like the 2000 watt version. Just about the same footprint
only a little taller and about 10lbs heavier.

It supplys great, clean power that can even get my A/C started. Also
runs a 3.5hp air compressor AND a 3/4hp drill press at the same time.
And it's clean enough power to run a sensitive LCD TV without
problems.

Has the eco switch so that a gallon tank of fuel lasts 10-12 hours
under low load, maybe even up to 15 with no load but then what's the
point of running it. Maybe only 4 hours on full load, which makes it
actually more efficient than the Honda because it's putting out more
power for the same amount of fuel use.

It's very quiet. Can't even hear it at all more than about 30 feet
away. I've had no problems but I just bought it a few months ago and
only have about 60 hours on it so I can't speak for reliability. Just
about the only think I don't like is that it's messy to change the
oil. Also, you can't parallel it like the Hondas. But it puts out
about 1.5 times the continuous power of the EU2000i so there's less
need to run 2 in parallel.

But, I don't use it on a boat. And I'd be very careful about using
any gas generator that's not properly built in on a boat.

Steve