Welcome to our Generac IQ2000 Review. We’ve written this guide to help you determine if this is the best inverter generator for you. There are many factors that you need to consider when deciding on which generator to buy, which is why we give you the facts, allowing you to make an informed decision.
Beyond our review of the Generac iQ2000, we also compare it to two other excellent inverter generators — the Honda EU2200i and the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT. Which one is right for you?
Each of these models offers a slightly different set of features to give you some contrast when making your decision. Also, budget is often a major driving force when consumers make a decision, — although, a lot of people don’t like to admit to the fact they have a limited budget. We always try to review a range of products at different price points because not everyone can afford Honda generators.
Table of Contents...
Intro | Generac iQ2000 vs Other Generator Brands
Amidst all the popularity surrounding Honda and Yamaha inverter generators, people often tend to forget the models from less ubiquitous brands such as Champion or Westinghouse. They tend to misinterpret the lower price tags on these cheaper generators as a sign of poor build quality, which doesn’t hold true when you look at the consumer reviews and manufacturer specifications. Because Honda and Yamaha have been hogging the spotlight for so long, newer brands have had to come up with incredibly innovative strategies in order to compete. These strategies include more aggressive pricing, introduction of new technologies, and clever marketing.
Yamaha, One of the Top Brands | Yamaha EF2000iSv2
But the real question is, can you trust a generator that isn’t Honda or Yamaha to provide backup power when you need it the most? You most certainly can, if you do the research before making a purchase. Now, we are not advising you to walk into the nearest department store and purchase a cheap Chinese knockoff generator that could potentially break down within a matter of weeks. Generac, Champion, Briggs & Stratton, Westinghouse, etc. are all very reliable brands based in the USA and even though they outsource some of the manufacturing, products are built to predetermined standards of quality and tested rigorously to make sure that they work as intended.
Today we are going to talk about one of the most underrated 2000-watt inverter generators on the market- the Generac IQ2000. It will do most of the stuff that a 3000-watt inverter is rated for, except for powering your 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner. If you need a camping generator that is super portable, extremely quiet, and produces pure sine wave power, the Generac IQ2000 presents incredible value for money. And you don’t have to worry about stuff breaking down, since the IQ2000 is backed by a 3 year residential/ commercial warranty that also covers the engine. When you think about it, 2000 watts is just enough to run essential appliances in your home like the lights, sump pumps (up to 1/3 hp), TV, phone charger, a space heater, etc.
VIDEO | Generac iQ2000 (6866) — Watch This!
Apart from discussing what the Generac iQ2000 can power, we shall also take a look at its portability and fuel efficiency. And then, we’re going to compare the noise levels of the Honda EU2200i and Generac IQ2000. Generac claims that their 2000-watt inverter is quieter than an equivalent Honda model based on 3rd party testing (Read Test Results), but how significant are the noise differences between the two, and will it make any practical difference in which one you purchase for the campsite? Besides, the Honda 2000 watt inverter that Generac compared with their IQ2000 for noise levels was the older EU2000i, since then Honda has updated the EU2000 platform with the EU2200i which is also be reviewed in this article.
We will also review an extremely reliable camping/ home backup generator — the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT, which costs nearly half as much as the Honda EU2200i but delivers just as much power at a similar level of quality (< 3 % THD). Which 2000-watt generator should you purchase? A lot of that comes down to your needs and personal preferences. If you want quality and reliability to the main factors in determining your purchase, you can’t go wrong with a Honda EU2200i. But if your pockets aren’t deep enough for the Honda and you still want something that will last for the better half of a decade if maintained properly, both the Generac and Westinghouse options are quite enticing.
Generac iQ2000 Review (6866)
Excellent inverter generator that is both affordable and reliable. Overall, a very good purchase.
Features:
- Run-Time Display : Shows you how much run time you have left (at current load) before it’s time to refuel, making it EASY to plan your outdoor adventure (or work)!
- Intuitive indicator lights let you know when you’re low on fuel or oil, and alerts you when there is a danger of overloading or overheating.
- PowerDial : The start, run, and stop functions have been combined into one, easy-to-use dial, eliminating the search for controls you need to use.
- PowerBar shows you the percentage of available wattage you are currently using, and how much is still available.
- Running-time : 7.7 hours at 25% load
- Parallel Operation : Allows you to use two iQ2000s (with the parallel kit accessory), for the extra power you need to run appliances such as a dish washer or air conditioner.
- 3 Modes : Economy, Standard, and Turbo modes allow you to minimize noise for less demanding loads (Economy), use full power when it’s needed (Turbo), or find a middle ground (Standard).
- Low oil shutdown safeguards engine from damage
- Weight : 46.2 lbs.
✓ View or download the MANUAL or the SPEC SHEET for the Generac iQ2000.
Overview
Like we said earlier, this is one of the most underrated 2000-watt inverter generators currently being sold. What makes it so good? First of all, you have the value prospective- for slightly more than half the price of a Honda EU2200i or Yamaha EF2000iSv2, you are getting comparable performance in terms of wattage. Secondly, the IQ2000 is equipped with some really neat convenience features that make it the easiest to operate inverter generator on the market in our opinion.
The controls are extremely simple yet highly intuitive, while the digital readouts let you monitor load and runtime from a distance even in low light conditions. Start, stop, and run functions have been combined into one giant dial that is conveniently located at the side of the generator, right beneath the recoil starter. And you have status lights which notify you whenever oil levels are low or there is a danger of overloading/ overheating.
And the third reason we love this generator so much is its quiet operation — the Generac IQ2000 is one of the quietest portable generators on the market. In fact, it is quieter than even some 1000- watt inverter models from competing brands. But what makes it so quiet? And why should you care? Well, first let us talk about exactly how quiet the IQ2000 is. The sound testing confirms to ISO 9614 standards and was done by Intertek – an independent testing/ research lab which compared the Generac IQ2000 to the Honda EU2000i. Based on their study which consisted of 6 generator samples, 3 each for the Honda and Generac respectively, the IQ2000 was on average 1 dB quieter than the EU2000i at 50 percent load.
Double your Power! Connect two iQ2000’s with the Generac Parallel Kit
Note : This is not fully representative of the noise differences you will notice in the real world, especially because the study only compared these two models at 50 percent load. In real life, there are plenty of appliances which will draw close to 100 percent of the maximum rated power of these generators. For instance, if you power a 1500 watt space heater with your IQ2000 it will draw close to maximum power and can cause the generator to be louder than a Honda EU2000i that is running the exact same load. And sound levels will tend to vary depending on the distance from which you measure them, as well as ambient noises.
Watch the video below to understand how the noise level of the Generac iQ2000 compares to the Honda EU2000i (now the EU2200i) — which is clearly louder when you are standing right on top of the generator but from a distance it is actually a few decibels quieter compared to the Honda.
VIDEO | Noise Levels : Generac iQ2000 vs Honda EU2000i
Either way, both of these generators are extremely quiet, and you should not be able to notice any real difference in noise levels with your bare ears during daily usage. This is more of a testament to the innovation of Generac since Honda inverter generators, like the EU2200i are engineered to perfection and are widely regarded as the quietest generators on the market and it is truly amazing that Generac is able to offer a product which is just as quiet for nearly half the price.
Now, let’s talk about why noise levels matter. If you’re purchasing a 2000 watt inverter generator, it is highly likely that you are a camper or outdoorsy-person. In which case, you will be spending a lot of time each year in national parks and campgrounds. Now it is common knowledge that places such as national parks and campgrounds have restrictions on noise levels, and they usually don’t let you run generators after sunset or early in the morning. But noise levels may vary from park to park so make sure you check the official regulations before visiting.
For example, the Madison campground at Yellowstone National Park states :
“Where permitted, generators may only be operated from 8 am to 8 pm (60 dB limit). Generators are not permitted at Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, or Tower Fall.”
Basically, when people talk about quiet generators, they are talking about inverter generators. Yes, they cost more money, but they have many advantages over conventional gas generators such as the obvious, they are very quiet and won’t drive you crazy if you’re running it for hours and also they produce clean energy, enabling you to power sensitive electronics.
By using a quiet inverter portable generator when camping, you will preserve the tranquility of the campground and ensure a better experience not just for yourself, but your fellow campers who will otherwise be very annoyed by the noise of a commercial- grade open frame generator. Not to mention, you also save yourself from incurring some hefty fines.
Another reason why you might want a quieter generator is for tailgating, especially for sporting events. You want to listen to the cheering of the crowd and enjoy the game commentary, but a noisy generator can ruin the whole experience. Note that both the Honda EU2000i and Generac IQ2000 operate well below 60 dBA under load, which makes them suitable for camping and tailgating. The study conducted by Intertek states higher noise levels around the 70-dBA mark but note that these noise readings were taken just 0.5 meters (1.64 feet) away from the generators.
VIDEO | Hands-on with the Generac iQ2000 — Noise Level
Typically, people operate their portable generators 20 feet away (or more) from the trailer/ campsite. And noise levels fall off exponentially with increase in distance from the source, known as the Doppler Effect.
Now that we know the Generac IQ2000 is extremely quiet, let’s look at its portability and fuel efficiency. First let’s talk portability- this consists of two aspects. You have the weight and dimensions, then we must also consider the handle design. Is this generator capable of being transported by just one person? Is it heavier than the competition? Fortunately, the Generac IQ2000 scores very well both in terms of weight as well as handle position and design. The dry weight for this generator is just 46.2 pounds or 20.9 kilograms. In comparison, the Yamaha EF2000iS weighs 43.87 pounds or 19.9 kg. And the Honda EU2200i weighs 46.5 pounds. So, we can say with certainty that the IQ2000 is one of the lightest 2000W inverter generators on the market, which is a testament to the clever engineering that went into designing this model.
It is lighter than both the Champion 73536i and WEN 56200i (which weigh 48.5 and 48 pounds respectively). The only 2000-watt generator that is noticeably lighter than the Generac IQ2000 or Honda EU2200i is the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT at 43 pounds. In terms of dimensions, the IQ2000 measures 20” x 12.6” x 16.9” (L x W x H). You can easily store one of these in the trunk of a mid-sized sedan, and the bed of a truck will accommodate two IQ2000’s so you can run them in parallel for up to 4000 surge watts and 3200 running watts.
We know it is light when compared to similarly rated generators from competing brands, but 46 pounds is still a significant amount of weight. It is not something you can hold in your hands and forget, especially if you are a senior citizen or female operator. It doesn’t matter how light a generator is, if the handle design is bad. But the IQ2000 provides no reason for you to worry, since it is equipped with an ergonomic portability handle which is designed so that a single person can conveniently carry the Generac IQ2000.
The positioning of the handle is located right above the heaviest section of the generator, i.e. the engine. If it were right in the middle, you would feel more pressure on your wrist since the generator would want to swing backwards since that is where most of its weight lies. In fact, it seems like a copy of the design from the Honda EU2000 platform. Not a bad choice of generator platform to copy, since the EU2000i has long been considered as the gold standard of 2000 watt portable inverter generators.
Fuel efficiency is supposed to be one of the strengths for any inverter generator, since they are equipped with much more advanced alternators and smaller engines compared to their open- frame counterparts. So how does the Generac IQ2000 do in terms of gasoline consumption? For most campers and travelers, this generator will provide plenty of runtime if you are powering a couple of small appliances like a laptop and some portable fans or lights. But if you have hooked up a space heater or portable air conditioner to this generator, it will not run much longer than 4 or 5 hours.
The 80cc, 4 cycle engine in the IQ2000 is smaller than the 98 cc GXR100 engine of the EU2000i but it is also equipped with a more advanced alternator design which lets this generator perform at a similar level to the EU2000i despite featuring a smaller engine. After all, the EU2000i is one of the oldest 2000- watt inverter generators on the market and there are plenty of newer inverter models out there with more advanced electronic circuitry. Generac states that the IQ2000 will run for 5.7 hours on 50 percent load (800 watts continuous).
It is difficult to find any official source on how long the iQ2000 will run at 100 percent load, but I recently saw a video of a man charging his Tesla car with a IQ2000 and it is drawing 12 amps of current. The maximum amount of current that the iQ2000 can supply is 13.3 amps. The Tesla is drawing 12 amps which is around 90 percent load (1440 watts being drawn). You can calculate the maximum amount of power this generator can supply continuously as follows — 13.3A (current) x 120V (voltage) = 1596W (power) which is the rated wattage of the IQ2000, 2000 watts is its surge wattage. When he goes to check the fuel meter, it shows 8 bars out of 12 which translates to 66.6 percent fuel in the tank. The runtime being displayed is 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Doing the math, if the tank was 100 percent full the runtime displayed would be 3 hours and 52 minutes. Which means on a full tank at 90 percent load, the runtime would be 3 hours and 52 minutes. It is not at all bad, considering the size of the fuel tank in this generator- a mere 1.06 gallons. One mistake that a lot of people make when calculating the fuel efficiency of a generator is dividing the quarter load runtime by 4 or dividing the half load runtime by 2 in order to get the runtime at 100 percent load. That is incorrect since the engine responds differently at various load levels and fuel consumption doesn’t scale linearly with changes in rpm or load.
Most generator manufacturers don’t even specify the runtime at rated (100 percent) load, they just go with runtime at 25 or 50 percent load to make the numbers look bigger. Of course, you wouldn’t run the generator at 100 percent all the time either since that is damaging to the engine and digital circuitry.
All things considered, the Generac IQ2000 is an excellent generator for the money. It is extremely quiet, highly portable, and very fuel efficient compared to other inverter generators of similar power rating from competing brands. And it costs half as much as a Honda EU2200i, while also being covered by a 3- year residential AND commercial warranty on the whole generator including its engine. Generac isn’t an obscure brand, they have become quite popular recently and you are sure to find a couple of their registered service centers in most cities. The build quality is also quite good, the engine and alternator have been designed completely in-house, Generac didn’t just take some parts off the shelves and put them together with their badge stuck on top of it.
And finally, let us not forget the extremely intuitive digital fuel meter and runtime display. More and more inverters these days are being equipped with digital readouts so that you can accurately know the amount of time left on your generator before it goes dry. And automatic low-oil shutdown is also included so that the engine doesn’t get damaged if you make the mistake of forgetting to refill the oil in a timely manner.
We love the power meter which lets us know the amount of load currently being put on the generator. In fact, that digital display is how we were able to estimate the runtime of this generator at 90 percent load from that YouTube video of a man charging his Tesla car. The green and orange backlighting makes a tremendous amount of difference, many of the generators with digital readouts simply use basic black and white LCD’s like the ones found in calculators. The backlighting makes these displays easier to read from a distance, especially in low light conditions.
Honda EU2200i *Recalled
Whisper-quiet inverter generator. Best in class professional-grade generator : Ultra-reliable, clean energy, quiet and enough power for all of your light-duty power needs.
Note : There has been an official recall from Honda on March 20, 2019 of the the following models :
- Recalled : Honda EU2200i, EU2200i Companion, EU2200i Camo, EB2200i — View PDF of the problem and additional details, such as the units affected.
Currently, this generator is unavailable. We’ll update the links once it’s available again.
Learn more by reading our article specifically focused on the Honda EU2200i recall.
This review was written before the recall, so, for now, I would ignore the Honda EU2200i until the problem is fixed.
We highly recommend the new 2200W Yamaha EF2200iS — a 2200 watt inverter generator released in 2019. This is an excellent generator that is on par with the now recalled (and unavailable) Honda EU2200i.
Features Overview :
- EU2200i delivers 10% more power than the EU2000i – enabling you to power more of what you need, in the same lightweight, compact package. Whether it’s an extra refrigerator at home, a larger saw on your construction site, a larger TV at your tailgate party, the EU2200i gives you the power to get more done.
- The EU2200i can operate a wide variety of appliances, such as : Microwave, refrigerators, hair dryer, small AC units, and much more. Designed for portable use at home, camping, on the jobsite, or much more.
- Honda EU2200i operates at 48 to 57 dBA : Less noise than a normal conversation. Great for camping (won’t disturb your neighbors), supplemental RV power and any other activity that requires quiet operation.
- Powered by the Honda GXR120 Commercial Series engine. Exceptionally quiet, smooth, fuel-efficient performance in a small, lightweight package. At 121cc, the GXR120 is at the top of its class. Originally developed for heavy duty construction equipment. Durable and reliable.
- Double your power by running two in parallel : Connect it to the Honda EU2000ic Companion generator for additional power. Optional cable sold separately. Get up to 4400 watts of power.
- Note : The companion generator has a 30A outlet, making it the perfect setup for your travel trailer or RV. The companion generator model is : Honda EU2200ic (“c” for companion).
- Eco-Throttle System : Runs 3.2 to 8.1 hours on a single tank, depending on the load. This makes it the ideal choice for overnight power, or long-time applications.
- Inverter technology : Stable, clean power. Produces power that is as reliable (and cleaner) as the power you get from your outlets at home.
- Automatic mechanical decompressor system significantly reduces the amount of force needed to start the engine.
- Less than 47 pounds.
- Large oil filler opening, longer spout, and larger oil drain gutter make for easier and cleaner oil changes.
- 12v – 8.3A unregulated DC output : Use when charging 12-volt automotive type batteries. (Requires an optional charging cord.)
- Oil Alert : Protects the generator by shutting the engine off when low oil is detected.
- 3 year residential and commercial warranty
✓ View or download the MANUAL and the PARALLEL KIT GUIDELINES for the Honda EU2200i.
Overview
The EU2000i was getting old and even though it is still an amazing inverter generator, several newer brands have caught up or even surpassed it with newer and cheaper technology. It is a true workhorse of the generator world, and from its simplistic design you get the legendary Honda reliability. The newer generators have digital readouts and fancy control panels but those can be just another point of failure a couple of years down the line and replacing all those electronics surely won’t be cheap. Honda engines are well known to be the best in terms of quality and fuel efficiency, which is why they proudly display the runtime of each generator at rated (100 percent) load whereas other manufacturers simply state ¼ load or 50 percent load runtimes to look better.
Honda also pioneered the art of silencing generators with their fully enclosed body design and advanced mufflers. They set up sub-frames and compartments within the body of their inverter generators to reduce vibrations and attenuate noise before it gets outside, some of the models even feature sound absorbing foam padding between the polycarbonate layers of the shell that covers the generator frame.
People often ask why Honda charges more even though their generators are rated for the same amount of power as other models from newer brands that cost half or even a third as much. You are paying for more than just the value of the raw materials used to construct a Honda generator, you are paying for the innovation and quality as well as peace of mind that you get whenever you purchase a Honda. When you maintain a Honda generator properly, it will easily last a decade or more.
Some generators require you to yank on the starter cord harder and harder with each passing year, sometimes you can pull the cord a dozen times and the generator still won’t start. But a Honda will come to life with just one or two pulls of the cord, consistently over its lifespan. Eventually, even a Honda generator will need to be replaced but the overall quality is best in class but some brands, like Yamaha are equally as good.
VIDEO | Learn More About the Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator
All these qualities are embodied within the brand- new update to the famous EU2000 platform- the EU2200i. A larger engine allows this generator to put out 11.1 percent more power compared to its predecessor, the EU2000i. And the starting wattage has been boosted from 2000 to 2200 watts (increase of 9 percent) which comes in handy when you want to start up something like an air compressor or sump pump. Interestingly enough, even though Honda went from the GX100 to the GXR120 engine (20 percent more displacement), the overall weight of the generator didn’t change much at all.
The EU2000i weighs 45.6 lb. dry while the EU2200i weighs 46.5 lb. dry. That is a marginal weight gain of just 1.9 percent for a 11.1 percent increase in continuous power rating. How did they do it? Well, the EU2200i features a new alternator design along with improved electronics which allow it to deliver more power with amazing stability. There are no sudden fluctuations in voltage or current as you add or subtract loads from the system, which means this is the perfect generator for powering sensitive electronics like computers, smart TVs or phones. And like all other modern inverter generators, it produces pure sine wave power with total harmonic distortion (THD) under 3% which means it is on par with, or even better than the 120V AC power supplied by your utility company.
Parallel Combo Kit | Honda EU2200i + EU2200ic Companion
Perhaps the most surprising improvement Honda made was the noise suppression. It is equipped with a bigger engine, makes more power, but runs quieter than the EU2000i. Generac tried so hard to come up with a generator that bests the EU2000i in noise levels, and they made such a big deal about it in their marketing. But Honda wasn’t going to take that lying down — it released an updated EU2000i with even better noise suppression which officially makes this the quietest 2000W inverter generator on the market. Maybe even the quietest inverter generator overall, at just 57 dB on full load, which is quite impressive actually — 57 dB at 100 percent load! And just 48 dBA at quarter load. For reference, the EU2200i is quieter than a refrigerator at 25 percent load. And at full load from 27 feet away, it is quieter than an air conditioner or a normal conversation.
The EU2200i is equipped with a gas tank that is smaller than the one in the Generac IQ2000, at just 0.95 gallons. But it still boasts impressive runtimes — 3.2 hrs. at rated load and 8.1 hrs. at quarter load. All this while generating more power and running quieter than the Generac IQ2000. It still doesn’t have any fancy digital displays, but you get one feature on the EU2200i that is absent from the IQ2000- a 12V DC outlet. This is super important if you are a fan of long-range road trips, since it allows you to recharge the car battery or do a jump-start if the car breaks down in the middle of your journey. Since this is rated for 1800W, you can draw up to 15 amps of current from its 120V receptacles. Any RV air conditioner that is designed to run with 15 amps of current should function just fine with the EU2200i. It can handle overhead AC units up to 10,000 BTU.
Westinghouse WH2200iXLT
Versatile inverter generator — for extra power, you can run it in parallel with the same model but also compatible with the iGen1200, Westinghouse iGen2200, and iGen2500. Purchase the parallel cord separately : Westinghouse 26004.
Features:
- 1800 Rated Watts / 2200 Peak Watts at Less Than 3% THD
- Weighs Only 43 Lbs.
- Quiet : 52 dB Noise Output
- Up to 13 Hours of Run Time on a 1.3 Gallon Gas Tank – Features “Efficiency Mode” for
- Parallel Ready – Combine Your WH2200iXLT with Another WH2200iXLT to Increase Available Wattage and Amperage (Requires Westinghouse Parallel Cord) — Compatible with the iGen1200, iGen2200, and iGen2500
- Three Year Warranty and Free Lifetime Technical Support
- Safe for Sensitive Electronics
- EPA, CSA, CARB Compliant (Legal for Sale in California)
- Outlets : 2x 120VAC Power Outlets and 1x 12V DC Power Outlet
- High Efficiency Run Mode
- Automatic Low Oil Shutdown
Overview
It boasts power figures similar to that of the Honda EU2200i — 2200 starting watts and 1800 running watts. There are no defining features that makes this Westinghouse generator stand out from the rest. No fancy digital display like the Generac iQ2000, nor does it run as quietly as the EU2200i. But this generator is still one of the most popular 2000W inverters on the market for a reason. Think of it as a jack of all trades — it isn’t the quietest 2000 watt generator but is still very quiet, it isn’t the most feature packed model but is still relatively easy to use.
It doesn’t have a fancy digital readout that shows load percentage, runtime, remaining fuel, etc. but is equipped with a larger gas tank than both the IQ2000 and EU2200i which helps it run longer between refueling.
VIDEO | Westinghouse WH2200iXLT
One interesting feature of the WH2200iXLT is the layout of its controls — unlike the Honda and Generac which have the console located at the front of the generator, this Westinghouse model has the console in the side, right next to the starter cord and ON/ OFF dial. There is an eco-mode when you don’t have to use more than 25 percent of rated power, along with a breaker for the two 120V duplex outlets. Underneath the breaker, you get 3 notification lights — Low Oil, Overload, and Output Ready.
Personally, I like the status indicator LEDs and digital fuel gauge system on the Generac more but there are folks out there who prefer a more simplistic, analog console as opposed to a digital console. The choke is located on the left side of the starter rope, while the ON/ OFF is located to the right side allowing for easy access. Portability isn’t a concern thanks to the carry handle on the top, and dry weight is just 43 pounds which makes this Westinghouse model the lightest generator of the three models we reviewed today.
What Can You Run with A 2000 Watt Generator?
Often times we get queries from people who complain that their 2000-watt generator is unable to run the 700W refrigerator or ½ hp sump pump which is supposed to consume just 1050 watts. You see, there are two types of wattage- starting, and continuous. The starting or “surge” wattage is the amount of power that a generator can deliver for a short burst of time, usually around 5 to 10 seconds. This short burst of power comes in handy when you are starting an appliance which features a motor or compressor.
Refrigerators, air conditioners, pumps, etc. are all designed to draw twice or even thrice their running wattage right as they start. Once they start, the power consumption drops down significantly. But it is that initial burst of power that your generator is unable to supply, which is why it can’t start the 15000 BTU RV air conditioner or ½ hp battery-powered sump pump. Make sure you check the appliance for its maximum current draw or starting wattage before you purchase a generator with the intention of powering said appliance.
But this isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when purchasing a generator. You also have to consider the efficiency of the appliance. There are devices such as microwaves and space heaters which are rated for a certain number of watts, but you discover that your generator cannot power them even though it is supposedly rated for more watts than your appliance draws. And the confusing thing is that the appliance in question doesn’t even have a motor or compressor, so its surge watts is the exact same as the running watts, so, why does your generator fail to power it?
Well, just because your microwave is a 1000 watt model doesn’t mean that it draws 1000 watts from the wall. All it means is that the microwave generates 1000 watts of cooking power, if it is a 1000- watt space heater then it is rated to produce 1000 watts of heat. That’s it, it may actually be drawing 1500 watts from the socket depending on the efficiency of the device. If the 1000-watt microwave is 80 percent efficient, then at full load it will be drawing 1250 watts of power, so you can’t run it with a generator that is rated for 1000 watts.
Going back to the original question- what can you run with a 2000- watt generator? Well, quiet a lot of things. You can power a 7000 BTU RV air conditioner, and in some cases even a 2000W RV AC although you are really stretching the limits of your 2000 watt generator by trying to start a 10k BTU air conditioner. If the AC draws 15 amps or more of power, it might trigger the overload protection and trip the breakers. But people don’t buy a tiny 2000 watt inverter generator to power the AC in their trailer. Instead they use it to run portable fans, lights, coffee makers, laptops, etc. while camping or tailgating.
You can also use your 2000W generator to power equipment on a fishing boat. You can also power pumps from ⅛ hp up to ⅓ hp. It can also handle a ½” 5.4 amp hand drill, or a 14” 2hp electric chainsaw. On the farm, you can use your 2000- watt inverter to run the milk cooler or ½ hp air compressor.