For the first time I might be doing a picnic in the park where their no power.
What generator would you guys suggest have used?
For the first time I might be doing a picnic in the park where their no power.
What generator would you guys suggest have used?
Honda or Yamaha inverter type generator, eg Honda EU2200i, EU3000i.. they also make a 6000 and even a 7000W model eg EU7000i but you won't need that for a picnic. Yamaha has their EF series inverter generators eg EF2200isOriginally Posted by Carloscda
Typical DJ system with two powered 12 inch tops and two powered 15/18 inch subs will run fine on a 2000W model if you don't crank it super loud, and you can carry it in one hand.
Inverter generators are recommended, they are usually quieter than non inverter types and produce a cleaner more electronics friendly power. The size generator you need will depends on the equipment used and how hard you are pushing it, modern powered speakers are very electrically efficient while old school gear can be a real power hog, so post up an equipment list and we can make some specific suggestions. I'd also suggest you rent and not buy a generator too if at all possible, often the worst thing you can do with a generator is not use it regularly.
How much gear, and how long?
Portable battery packs are VERY capable these days, might be an option depending on your load, and duration.
You definitely want to make sure its an "inverter" type generator. You also need to make sure its a quiet generator, specifically because you don't want the generator too far away. The more cord you run the more voltage you'll loose.
Honda paved the way for inverter & quiet generators. Harbor Freight has copied the Honda and has an excellent generator for a lot less cost. Harbor Freight has the Predator brand generators. To be clear, Harbor Freight carries both the old style which are not as quiet & are not inverter generators, as well as the new quiet inverter type. Make sure you get the inverter generator.
Unless you have a need for a generator otherwise, like others have mentioned, I'd just rent. Personally, I own 2 Predator generators. I use them for many things around my rural home & acreage.
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Thanks for the reply's!
It's my Church picnic, probably be 4-5hrs.
Should've added I'll be using...
DDJ 1000
Yamaha DXR12
Electro-Voice EKX18SP
Renting one would be a good option. I thought about just buying one just to have for emergencies.
Home Depot will rent you a Honda EU2000i for $59/day
Just check online to make sure they have them in stock (in the rental dept), call them to verify. I do that with any rental place when I'm depending on something for a gig.
So a 2000 watt will comfortably push my system for about 5hrs or do I need to get a little overhead to be safe?
I was looking at..
PREDATOR 3500 Watt SUPER QUIET Inverter Generator $930
Champion Power Equipment 4650-Watt Recoil Start Gasoline Powered RV Ready Inverter Generator $930
RYOBI 2,300-Watt Recoil Start Bluetooth Super Quiet Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator $700
Honda 2200-Watt Remote Stop/Recoil Start Bluetooth Super Quiet Gasoline Powered Inverter Generator $1200
The Champion & Ryobi gets higher ratings than the Honda?!
Honda is the gold standard for this type of portable generator, and one thing you get from them that you don't get from most of the others is that a Honda generator has a Honda engine in it.. and a Honda certified repair place can get parts for it and repair it. So, you're investing in something that.. if it breaks.. you will be able to repair it.
Same with Yamaha.
The rest of them are mostly Chinese made private label, and that doesn't mean they're all bad, but it does mean that you don't know what generator is really inside, it could be anything.. hard to say if they are even the same from one year to the next, or if it'll even be possible to get them fixed if they break down the road.
Ryobi is Home Depot house brand.. not a real brand.. and Ryobi stuff is ok, I have their power tools.. and because I don't use my power tools heavily, I just need them for ****** use.. so they have been fine. No complaints. But I'm not sure I would buy their generator.. which is 5 times more expensive than all my Ryobi tools combined....
Harbor Freight is a crapshoot in general but I hear their Predator generators are good, but really, you will probably never be able to get it repaired if it needs parts.
Champion who knows.. they make lawnmowers so maybe they use their own engines in the generators maybe they don't.. I'd look into it. But you have to ask yourself how they're selling a 4650 watt generator for a lower price per watt than pretty much everyone else including the most cheap-ass chinese brands.
Check the db ratings on all these to see how loud they are, you'll be sorry if you end up with a loud one.
Personally in your shoes I would consider Yamaha which is a little cheaper than Honda but just as good, my friends use one to throw parties, they've had it for years and it's been great.
On your list I would consider the Predator and the Ryobi.. I'd have to look harder at the specs. But for me I personally would rather spend a couple hundred extra on a Yamaha.. just for the repair factor.
Thanks for the detailed info!
I looked into HD to rent what you recommended, only 2 HD's in my area have them and each store only have 1 to rent.
My thing with that is if it goes out I just can't run and get another one so I might as well buy one to be on the safe side.
Here's the specs for that Ryboi
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2-...2VNM/313551452
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