A-ipower SC2300i from Costco

According to the web, older models required the use of a flat bladed screwdriver to gently pry along the top. The manual for your generator does not mention this however nor can I find any mention after 20 minutes of searching the web.

-TC

• Thanks for the info and thanks for spending some time on this.  I couldn't find anything either except a video that shows the guy pulling the panel down with his hands.  No way I could do that as it is way too tight.  I thought about using a screw driver but I wanted to wait until I had feedback from others.

I watched the video also and encourage you to keep trying and use a pry tool to assist if necessary.

I have the older model and after the screws (no knob on mine) are out I have to pull aggressively like the person in the video to release the plastic tabs that snap the cover into place.

Thank you!

If you can't get it off...Costco has a great return policy.

I had a ss BBQ and all the pop rivets rusted and it started to fall apart.  Took it back and asked when I got it.  I said a couple of years ago...they looked and looked...manager joined in the computer search.   Found it.  Sir you got this 4 years ago...no problem...BTW they have a new model out and the defects have been resolved.  Had this BBQ probably 5 or 6 years now.    Great return policy!👍

Flatblade

i have the same genny and it has served me well (and fits in the dedicated spot in our 1685)

Thanks for the reply.  Unfortunately I will return this to Costco as soon as I return from my trip.  The generator starts up easily and runs smoothly until it gets a load, any load, including one that is only 400 W at which point the breaker trips.  The generator still runs but it doesn't supply any power.  I borrowed a gen to make sure it wasn't something in the camper tripping the breaker and it is not.  I bought the gen to charge batteries when needed but also to run a 900 W microwave which it can't do.

Make sure the hot water heater and refrigerator are set to LP or Gas only. Auto on the fridge itself draws about 600 watts and the hot water heater about 1200. The microwave is 1300 watts…Battery charging and DC can be as high 900 Watts.

Thanks but we are dry camping running both frig and hot water heater on gas.  Our microwave is small, 900 W

We had a 2k gen made by Smarter Tools which, like yours, utilized the Yamaha 79cc motor and it proved to be vastly underpowered, especially at altitude. Wound up having to get a second one and paralleling them together which was a PITA having to care for two gens instead of one. When Honda released the EU2200i with it's powerful 121cc motor, I jumped on it and sold the two Yamaha knock offs. Haven't had any issue running anything ever since, even above 6,000'.

thanks so much for the reply, now I know why everyone loves their EU2200i Hondas!  I do a lot of camping at 8000' do you think it could hand 1200 W at that altitude?

@R&V Spiker posted:

We had a 2k gen made by Smarter Tools which, like yours, utilized the Yamaha 79cc motor and it proved to be vastly underpowered, especially at altitude. Wound up having to get a second one and paralleling them together which was a PITA having to care for two gens instead of one. When Honda released the EU2200i with it's powerful 121cc motor, I jumped on it and sold the two Yamaha knock offs. Haven't had any issue running anything ever since, even above 6,000'.

There is a reason Honda’s are the best. Even with the 2000 they had a 100cc motor. The 79cc motors most generators in that power range is not enough. The Honda can put out its rated power without stress and last a long time doing it. Quality costs money.

My e2000i for the first time failed to run the ac (I pulled all other breakers) at 8900 ft while in Greer, Az. And, you probably asking why would you run the ac that high…. I was Just curious. I do not have a soft start.

@Azgal posted:

thanks so much for the reply, now I know why everyone loves their EU2200i Hondas!  I do a lot of camping at 8000' do you think it could hand 1200 W at that altitude?

Simple answer...yep!

Longer answer is...if most of your camping is above 5,000', Honda highly recommends getting a carburetor jet made for altitude. Otherwise the gen will run on the rich side (air/fuel mixture). The only problem with re-jetting the carburetor is that if run at low altitude with a high altitude jet, it will run lean which can cause problems.

Before giving up on the Costco gen, see if it can be re-jetted for high altitude. It's unlikely but that little boost in power might be all that's necessary. Or, if you're able to...maybe take it back for a refund. Costco is extremely lenient.

If you are going to buy a Honda gen, you might want to consider their newest portable.

It isn’t much larger or heavier but much more powerful

Honda EU3200i.