Went out to the NPS store today and found this little guy. Funny thing is I have been looking into buying a small generator for a few weeks now.
Been browsing the local classifieds and there's been some good deals but there all huge 5000+ watt 180 pound beasts that aren't practical for camping. Saw the little 900 watt harbor freight 2 stroke gen for $90 and almost bought one. That gen alone would do almost everything I would need but found the reviews to be pretty terrible and people say there screamers. Looked into the Honda gens but holy hell there expensive. IIRC there 2000 watt inverter gen is $1000...
So I'm browsing nps and stumble accross this Ryobi digital inverter gen. Incase anyone didn't know, the inverter type gens produce super clean power just like your house outlets. Good for sensitive electronics like computers, tvs and charging phones and things like that as well as everything inbetween.
Looked up reviews on the ryobi and for every 1 negative review i found, there were 15 positive reviews..good enough for me. Home depot sells this for $599...i picked it up brand new unopened for $359! I saw the price and said HELL YEA!
Got it home and fired it up. WOW it is silent. It has an auto idle mode you can turn on so if there is no/little load it idles down and is super quiet. You can stand right next to it and have a normal volume conversation with someone no problem. Turn the auto idle mode off and it goes to normal operating rpm with is barely louder than idle (good for stating high load items such as heaters).
Threw some power tools on various other appliances on it and it doesn't even sweat. 1500 watt heat gun, bench grinder, 3 gallon portable air compressor, working lights...This gen powers them no problem. Threw an 1800 watt space heater on it and it works it a little bit but runs it pretty easy. Under full load it obviously makes a little more noise but still VERY tolerable. Tried my upright "bigger" air compressor and it couldn't quite start the compressor. Just tripped the breaker. This beat also has a 12 volt DC 7.5 amp plug on it for "charging batteries" but any 12 volt appliance will run off of it.
I am super happy with this generator and plan to put it to good use out at the sand dunes and out camping. Weighs 50 pounds...manageable but doubt you will pack it up the side of a mountain...if your considering an inverter gen like this then i would deffinately suggest the ryobi. For the price compared to the hondas...you cant go wrong! Here's some pics!
Compared to a 5 gallon bucket...
Also has a pull out handle and wheels for easy hauling!
Been browsing the local classifieds and there's been some good deals but there all huge 5000+ watt 180 pound beasts that aren't practical for camping. Saw the little 900 watt harbor freight 2 stroke gen for $90 and almost bought one. That gen alone would do almost everything I would need but found the reviews to be pretty terrible and people say there screamers. Looked into the Honda gens but holy hell there expensive. IIRC there 2000 watt inverter gen is $1000...
So I'm browsing nps and stumble accross this Ryobi digital inverter gen. Incase anyone didn't know, the inverter type gens produce super clean power just like your house outlets. Good for sensitive electronics like computers, tvs and charging phones and things like that as well as everything inbetween.
Looked up reviews on the ryobi and for every 1 negative review i found, there were 15 positive reviews..good enough for me. Home depot sells this for $599...i picked it up brand new unopened for $359! I saw the price and said HELL YEA!
Got it home and fired it up. WOW it is silent. It has an auto idle mode you can turn on so if there is no/little load it idles down and is super quiet. You can stand right next to it and have a normal volume conversation with someone no problem. Turn the auto idle mode off and it goes to normal operating rpm with is barely louder than idle (good for stating high load items such as heaters).
Threw some power tools on various other appliances on it and it doesn't even sweat. 1500 watt heat gun, bench grinder, 3 gallon portable air compressor, working lights...This gen powers them no problem. Threw an 1800 watt space heater on it and it works it a little bit but runs it pretty easy. Under full load it obviously makes a little more noise but still VERY tolerable. Tried my upright "bigger" air compressor and it couldn't quite start the compressor. Just tripped the breaker. This beat also has a 12 volt DC 7.5 amp plug on it for "charging batteries" but any 12 volt appliance will run off of it.
I am super happy with this generator and plan to put it to good use out at the sand dunes and out camping. Weighs 50 pounds...manageable but doubt you will pack it up the side of a mountain...if your considering an inverter gen like this then i would deffinately suggest the ryobi. For the price compared to the hondas...you cant go wrong! Here's some pics!
Compared to a 5 gallon bucket...
Also has a pull out handle and wheels for easy hauling!
