Honda Generator to power laptop, monitor, printer and Ext HD?

jbrowning · 06-24-2010, 04:24 PM

Hello everyone, has anyone tried to power a Laptop (Toshiba Satellite L305-S5877), 19" Dell Monitor, Epson 1400 Printer and WD External Hard drive using a Honda Generator? I am shooting a track day at a local race course and the folks putting it on was asking if I had the ability to print out photos of the day while I was there. Now normally I do that from home the day after I get home. But what they asked me kind of got my mind going. There is no power to where I would be at. So the only other thing I could figure was a generator and I thought Honda because I have heard how quiet they are. I don't have a trailer so this would be done under a large 10x10 canopy on folding tables more than likely.

Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Has anyone did this?

Thank you
Jim Browning

rhodopsin · 06-24-2010, 04:43 PM

No problem, even EU1000i has power to spare for that load.

250 Watts Laptop (estimated)
15 Watts Printer
300 Watts monitor
5 Watts external drive
===
520 Watts

Wheatfield · 06-24-2010, 06:19 PM

I've run laptops off of two different generators, neither as sophisticated as Hondas with no problems.

jbrowning · 06-24-2010, 06:23 PM

Thanks rhodopsin and Wheatfield. The only reason I mentioned Honda is because of how quiet they are. Is there another generator out there that is quiet also?

Thanks
Jim

Wheatfield · 06-24-2010, 09:44 PM

My understanding is that Honda is pretty much the best there is for gas powered equipment. I have a small Coleman (Briggs & Stratton) and a large 5500 watt power plant, also powered by a B&S engine.
Neither is especially quiet, the 12hp engine on the big generator is quite loud (it's a job site generator first and foremost, so I forgive it the noise).

justinr · 06-25-2010, 01:02 AM

The power consumption of laptops and printers etc is pretty minimal so any small generator will run them, what is the problem is the spikes in the power output of the generator which can blow some laptop transformers, especially Mac's. Make sure the generator you use is moderated (I think that's the word) and don't be tempted to use a rough and ready old bit of kit out of a builders yard.

**Ahab** · 06-25-2010, 07:55 AM

Yes, the Honda will do what you need. Yamaha also makes a comparable model. I have the 2000i and never had aproblem.

birdoprey · 06-25-2010, 10:00 AM

To smooth out the power from the generator I would get a UPS and plug that into the generator and plug all your equipment into the UPS. Something like this would work.
AVR900U - AVR Series Line-Interactive UPS System - Affordable line-interactive protection for PCs and workstations

jbrowning · 06-25-2010, 11:27 AM

Thanks everybody. I have rented a Honda EU2000I for the weekend. What else would you suggest me get? I have heavy duty extension cords at home (in brand new shape). So do I still need to get something to run between the generator/inverter and laptop and other equipement?

Thank you
Jim

Ira · 06-25-2010, 11:29 AM

You want the Honda eu inverter series because of quiet and safety with sensitive electronic equipment.

They're worth every penny, which is why we shell out more pennies for them.

Florida guy here. Plus hurricanes. Plus experience with generators.

Ira · 06-25-2010, 11:34 AM

Another thing:

Did you know that your car is the best generator you can own?

Just buy an inexpensive 12v to 110v inverter and run it off your car battery.

That equipment hardly pulls any amps at all!

Just start the car every 30 minutes or so for a minute or two to keep your battery charged.

Ira · 06-25-2010, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by jbrowning

Thanks everybody. I have rented a Honda EU2000I for the weekend. What else would you suggest me get? I have heavy duty extension cords at home (in brand new shape). So I still need to get something to run between the generator/inverter and laptop and other equipement?

Thank you
Jim

The 2000 has 110v. You don't need an inverter.

rhodopsin · 06-25-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by jbrowning

Thanks everybody. I have rented a Honda EU2000I for the weekend. What else would you suggest me get? I have heavy duty extension cords at home (in brand new shape). So do I still need to get something to run between the generator/inverter and laptop and other equipement?

Thank you
Jim

A power strip. Generator, extension cord, power strip.

The Honda EU2000i power is from an internal inverter; power is very clean and well regulated, of excellent quality for all electronics; I live in the wilderness, and cannot hear any hum from any of my high-end stereo equipment even at '10', for example.

About the inverter/car suggestion, car batteries get ruined quickly by inverters because of the way a car battery is designed, for high current short burst. In low current, long burst batteries, i.e. Deep-cycle, the metal plates are thicker and they corrode away much slower than a car battery plate will when used with inverter. Likewise, a Deep-Cycle battery cannot supply as much power in a short burst as a car battery, because the plate surface area is much lower. There are compromise designs for dual use; lifetime is compromised as well.

mtroute · 06-25-2010, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

I live in the wilderness, and cannot hear any hum from any of my high-end stereo equipment even at '10', for example.

What about at "11"

graphicgr8s · 06-25-2010, 12:42 PM

If it were my equipment I'd plug a UPS into that generator then put the electronics into the UPS. Most UPS's will clean up the power and if the generator stalls you don't lose anything.

06-24-2010, 04:24 PM	#1
jbrowning Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 996	Honda Generator to power laptop, monitor, printer and Ext HD? Hello everyone, has anyone tried to power a Laptop (Toshiba Satellite L305-S5877), 19" Dell Monitor, Epson 1400 Printer and WD External Hard drive using a Honda Generator? I am shooting a track day at a local race course and the folks putting it on was asking if I had the ability to print out photos of the day while I was there. Now normally I do that from home the day after I get home. But what they asked me kind of got my mind going. There is no power to where I would be at. So the only other thing I could figure was a generator and I thought Honda because I have heard how quiet they are. I don't have a trailer so this would be done under a large 10x10 canopy on folding tables more than likely. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Has anyone did this? Thank you Jim Browning

06-25-2010, 11:27 AM	#9
jbrowning Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 996 Original Poster	Thanks everybody. I have rented a Honda EU2000I for the weekend. What else would you suggest me get? I have heavy duty extension cords at home (in brand new shape). So do I still need to get something to run between the generator/inverter and laptop and other equipement? Thank you Jim Last edited by jbrowning; 06-25-2010 at 11:35 AM.

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06-24-2010, 04:43 PM	#2
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	No problem, even EU1000i has power to spare for that load. 250 Watts Laptop (estimated) 15 Watts Printer 300 Watts monitor 5 Watts external drive === 520 Watts

06-24-2010, 06:19 PM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	I've run laptops off of two different generators, neither as sophisticated as Hondas with no problems.

06-24-2010, 06:23 PM	#4
jbrowning Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 996 Original Poster	Thanks rhodopsin and Wheatfield. The only reason I mentioned Honda is because of how quiet they are. Is there another generator out there that is quiet also? Thanks Jim

06-24-2010, 09:44 PM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	My understanding is that Honda is pretty much the best there is for gas powered equipment. I have a small Coleman (Briggs & Stratton) and a large 5500 watt power plant, also powered by a B&S engine. Neither is especially quiet, the 12hp engine on the big generator is quite loud (it's a job site generator first and foremost, so I forgive it the noise).

06-25-2010, 01:02 AM	#6
justinr Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tipperary Photos: Gallery Posts: 394	The power consumption of laptops and printers etc is pretty minimal so any small generator will run them, what is the problem is the spikes in the power output of the generator which can blow some laptop transformers, especially Mac's. Make sure the generator you use is moderated (I think that's the word) and don't be tempted to use a rough and ready old bit of kit out of a builders yard.

06-25-2010, 07:55 AM	#7
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Yes, the Honda will do what you need. Yamaha also makes a comparable model. I have the 2000i and never had aproblem.

06-25-2010, 10:00 AM	#8
birdoprey Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ATL Posts: 38	To smooth out the power from the generator I would get a UPS and plug that into the generator and plug all your equipment into the UPS. Something like this would work. AVR900U - AVR Series Line-Interactive UPS System - Affordable line-interactive protection for PCs and workstations

06-25-2010, 11:29 AM	#10
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	You want the Honda eu inverter series because of quiet and safety with sensitive electronic equipment. They're worth every penny, which is why we shell out more pennies for them. Florida guy here. Plus hurricanes. Plus experience with generators.

06-25-2010, 11:34 AM	#11
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Another thing: Did you know that your car is the best generator you can own? Just buy an inexpensive 12v to 110v inverter and run it off your car battery. That equipment hardly pulls any amps at all! Just start the car every 30 minutes or so for a minute or two to keep your battery charged.

06-25-2010, 11:35 AM	#12
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by jbrowning Thanks everybody. I have rented a Honda EU2000I for the weekend. What else would you suggest me get? I have heavy duty extension cords at home (in brand new shape). So I still need to get something to run between the generator/inverter and laptop and other equipement? Thank you Jim The 2000 has 110v. You don't need an inverter.

06-25-2010, 12:22 PM	#13
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by jbrowning Thanks everybody. I have rented a Honda EU2000I for the weekend. What else would you suggest me get? I have heavy duty extension cords at home (in brand new shape). So do I still need to get something to run between the generator/inverter and laptop and other equipement? Thank you Jim A power strip. Generator, extension cord, power strip. The Honda EU2000i power is from an internal inverter; power is very clean and well regulated, of excellent quality for all electronics; I live in the wilderness, and cannot hear any hum from any of my high-end stereo equipment even at '10', for example. About the inverter/car suggestion, car batteries get ruined quickly by inverters because of the way a car battery is designed, for high current short burst. In low current, long burst batteries, i.e. Deep-cycle, the metal plates are thicker and they corrode away much slower than a car battery plate will when used with inverter. Likewise, a Deep-Cycle battery cannot supply as much power in a short burst as a car battery, because the plate surface area is much lower. There are compromise designs for dual use; lifetime is compromised as well.

06-25-2010, 12:38 PM	#14
mtroute Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 533	Originally posted by rhodopsin I live in the wilderness, and cannot hear any hum from any of my high-end stereo equipment even at '10', for example. What about at "11"

06-25-2010, 12:42 PM	#15
graphicgr8s Guest	If it were my equipment I'd plug a UPS into that generator then put the electronics into the UPS. Most UPS's will clean up the power and if the generator stalls you don't lose anything.