Yamaha EF2200is Generator VS Honda EU2200i - Best Portable Generator? 

That is funny! I always forget Yamaha makes all that stuff. But I suppose Honda does have a Jet so maybe they win!

Yamaha also makes a nice line of Golf clubs.

Rebel Lucy And stereo equipment, and power washers, and snow blowers, and, and...

Hahahahahaha!

Or a car

@Phil Perri Where at I want to get one of these new Yamahas just to have it?

This place beats amazon www.yamahagenerators.com/Yamaha-EF2200iS-p/ef2200is.htm

Never Enough Rally

@NORTHWOODSPREPPER1 Should be all set now, thanks

I own both and let me say this both are very similar in noise level you can't really tell the difference

Nope. 70db is 10x as loud as 60db.

@@Upliftyourbrothers Where did you read that it's 10 times louder? This link (www.noisehelp.com/decibel-scale.html ) shows 70db is twice the "Perceived Loudness" of 60db. A Purdue University page (www.chem.purdue.edu/chemsafety/Training/PPETrain/dblevels.htm ) reports 60db is "Half as loud as 70db".

In sound 6db is a conceivable major loudness change, so an 8db difference would be a lot. Also the Yamaha has a smaller engine, so it has to rev higher to produce the same horsepower as the Honda. We are more sensitive to certain frequencies. The faster running engine could sound louder as well.

Mark Barrentine logarithmic scale is 10x from 60 to 70db. Every 3db sounds power doubles.

What is the common problem?

@@cle569A lack of quality control, usually manufacture defective parts.

Oic. Thx

Seems like such a simple idea too, surprised no one else ever had it sooner.

@@kevingray8616 From personal experience I have found running engines dry always results in a small amount left in the bowl. It's better than nothing but if you ever pull of f a bowl you will see it and this can turn to varnish. I would still reccomend using the bowl drain screw in the EU2200i, it's the only way to get all the fuel out.

I've noticed gasoline with ethanol absorbs a considerable amount of moisture which condenses and being water settles at the bottom of the tank and usually migrates into the carburetor bowl..

That’s why you always use non ethanol gas in small engines and when storing long term add seafoam or sta bil. Don’t even need a carb drain but it’s a cool idea

Funny!

Wow, thank you! That is such a nice compliment

@@SilverCymbal You are very welcome.

GXR engines are virtually indestrucible.

Actually running until the engine quits doesn't drain that last little bit of gas in the float bowl. Leave it like that for long periods without Stabil and you have a cheese factory. Draining is the only way to get the carb completely dry for long term storage

However the 80cc engine uses less fuel, especially in eco mode.

OMG I remember that same thing. That was insane, craigslist sellers getting $900 for 10 year old generacs. It was crazy! You always have to be ready for stuff like this, you never know.

Thank you for the VERY nice comment I really appreciate it. I love both generators and I a not a fan of the timing belt of the Hondas at all. Yamaha stepped up their game a lot with this one.

How many years or hours did you have on the Honda to replace the rimming belt?

Is Honda a interference engine like their cars mostly causing engine damage piston hitting valves if the timming belt breaks?

But the following were "left out". read this and then tell me which generator is better: 1) The Honda 2200 has a switch setting that cuts off the gas and allows the generator to continue running to burn the gas out of the carb whereas on the Yamaha you physically have to drain the gas and then re-pour it into the tank. A minor difference I agree but in the Honda you don't have to remove a cover, catch the gas in a container and then re-pour it into the gas tank like you do in the Yamaha. 2) The Honda makes a "companion" model (looks a lot like the one you show) that you link with parallel cables to the standard (non companion) model and that companion model does have a 30 amp plug. What this means is that you can just buy the Honda companion model (and use it just like the Honda 2200 you tested) and then it's also RV-ready just like the Yamaha as both have 30 amp plugs. The caveat is that neither the Honda nor the Yamaha generator can produce 30 amps by itself. Both the Honda and the Yamaha are limited to ballpark 1,800 watts or 15 amps. All that the 30 amp plug ensures is that when you draw 15 amps sustained from the 30 amp plug, that the breaker for the 30 amp plug won't blow (it might blow the generator breaker but not the plug breaker) whereas if you draw 15 amps continuous from a 15 amp socket it might blow it. 3) Go to both manufacturers webpages and you find that the Honda is rated at 48 dB(A) at 25% load and 57 dB(A) at 100% load and the Yamaha is rated at 57 dB and 65 dB. basically, the Honda makes the same amount of noise at 100% load that the Yamaha makes at 25% load. Takeaway: the Honda is FAR QUIETER than the Yamaha 4) Also, readers should know that the Honda uses a whopping 121cc commercial grade engine while the Yamaha uses a much smaller 80cc engine. So what do you want in an engine: a much smaller engine (Yamaha) "running" to produce power or a 50% LARGER Honda engine "loafing" to produce that same power? Takeaway: The Honda is a 50% LARGER engine and it doesn't operate as near to it's top end as does the Yamaha engine. This translates into longer life for the Honda engine. In fact, I have a 14 year old Honda 2000 model that "purrs" and will last decades..... 5) And finally (as was mentioned but bears repeating and emphasizing) the Honda is far lighter and has much smaller dimensions than the Yamaha does. So....one wonders how Honda is able to use a 50% larger engine than does Yamaha and yet put it in a lighter and much smaller package????? Answer: better engineering.

I see you everywhere. Love your videos BTW lol

Aftermarket kits are plentiful. I have one on a Yamaha 2800. I haven't ran on gasoline probably 15 years.

I will gladly trade all those Yamaha features for a Honda because you buy a generator for two reasons: 1) You want a quiet generator and according to both manufacturers websites the Honda has the same decibel reading at 100% load as the Yamaha has at 25% load...... Honda is much quieter........ 2) You want it to last. The Honda has a massive 121cc commercial grade engine in it which is 50% LARGER than is the 80cc engine in the Yamaha. The Honda engine "loafs" to produce power while the Yamaha runs at closer to it's top end. A bigger engine equals less stress and less stress equals greater life expectancy...... 3) So....how does Honda achieve both of the above AND put it into a lighter and a much smaller package than the Yamaha? Better engineering!!!!!

It needs to be improved to be as light weight as the Honda, to be as small as the Honda, to be as quiet as the Honda and to have a 50% increase in engine size to match the Hondas engine size (80cc for Yamaha vs 121 cc engine on the Honda).

Thank you so much I really appreciate it

What Chinese brands are you referring to?

Glad it was helpful, I have heard a lot of people want that outlet. I have a friend who does the same thing and just runs 6 hours a day to extend how long he can go. Thanks for the nice comment and for watching,

To power a full size RV and AC I would recommend the Honda 2200 companion set. It includes the 30amp plug and has enough power to handle everything. My Yamaha 2400 could not start my RV ac unit. The pair is perfect for a full size RV. Having 2 x is easier to carry and store also.

@@rebellucy5610 The Honda companion set is a good choice for powering a full size RV. However, Yamaha also offers a companion set for its EF2200is generators. So, I think the Honda and Yamaha are even on that score.

Honda makes what they call the 2200 companion generator. It looks like the 2200 but has a 30 amp RV plug. Please note that neither the Honda nor the Yamaha can put out more than 15 amps from this 30amp plug on a continuous basis unless two generators are operating in parallel mode, in which case two generators combined can provide 30 amps.

Thank you I really appreciate it

Go ethanol free with a splash of sea foam for long term storage, and you’ll never need to worry about draining carbs. Also make it a habit to pull your gen out every 2-3 months and exercise it. Especially on inverter output units.

I have a Generac XP8000 for use as emergency back up for my house. I store it with a full tank of gas with stabil added and cut the fuel supply to the carb to turn the generator off. I've done this for approximately 5 years with no problems. I also run it for around 20 minutes every few months to keep it exercised.

I am still amazed that it seems impossible to have a silent generator exhaust but maybe someday I guess.

Definitely agree with you with everything you said!

Indian price? Please...

My old Honda EX1000 had a drain screw on the bottom of the float bowl on the carb.

@dkd da No they need to put a TV in the bedroom.

The Honda has a setting that stops the fuel flow and allows the generator to run for a bit to burn the fuel out of the carb.....and there's no need to catch the fuel in a cup and pour it back into tank like you have to with the Yamaha...

Awesome, thank you!

they prob got a good deal on the 20 amp outlets, hence they used them.

That's great to hear. Yamaha has a really loyal following. They have some nice products and offer features Honda's have left out. Either machine is really very good but the Yamaha has some great stuff. Great info and thank you for sharing this!

Yamaha really did their homework on that unit. 2 thumbs up. I nixed the idea when size and especially weight entered the picture. If it was going to be a mostly stationary unit it would be awesome, but with arthritis in the spine those extra pound make themselves known. I've had a Honda EU2200i for some years and love it but I'm open minded to other options.

@@LuvBorderCollies How did they do their homework, it's a copy of the EF2400IS which has been around for years. 2200 is just worse since it has less power.

But comparing the new yamaha to the Honda 2200i shows this: 1) The Honda is much lighter than the Yamaha 2) The Honda has much smaller dimensions than the Yamaha 3) The Honda is much quieter than the Yamaha 4) The Honda has a massive 121cc commercial grade engine vs the puny 80cc Yamaha engine 5) The Honda comes in a "2200 companion model" which is the same as the basic 2200 model but the companion generator has a 30 amp plug just like the Yamaha. If you don't intend to parallel two generators together you can just buy the Honda companion model with its 30 amp plug and use it like that. 6) The Honda has a switch setting to stop the fuel flow but allows the engine to run to empty the carb. The engine stops automatically when the carb is empty. In the Yamaha you have to: 1) remove a side panel, 2) push a button to drain the fuel 3) capture the carb fuel in a container which you then 4) have to dump into the gas tank and then 5) replace the side panel. In a Honda all you do is move the selector switch to the "fuel off" position....... 1 step to empty the Hondas carb vs 5 steps to empty the Yamaha carb....... Honda wins....sorry about that....

the only flaw is the small fuel tank

My yamaha 2000 watt full tank of gas lasts 13 hours compared to my bros honda 2000 watt generator and mine starts up faster in the cold alaskan weather while his run 4 hours full tank

@@qapsukalek It depends on load. My Honda works ~10 hours during blackouts. Do you and your bro have the same loads when comparing working time?

I love my Honda have owned it for 6 years and it still purrs like new. On average I put about 300 hrs a year on it. There were two years I put 500+/yr on it while building my house and garage. ran circular saws, table saws etc with no problem. With any equipment Maintenance is key, so I make sure I change the oil as recommended.

Wrong answers..... The Yamaha does not hold over a gallon more gasoline than does the Honda. The Yamaha holds 1.24 gas and the Honda holds 0.95 gallon. That means the Yamaha holds 0.29 gallons more gas than the Honda. 0.29 gallons gas weighs about 1.8 pounds and the Yamaha weighs a lot more than 1.8 pounds more than the Honda. This means that the majority of the greater weight of the Yamaha is not due to the increased gas capability but rather, the yamaha is just not as well designed as is the Honda. Ask yourself this: how can the Honda put a massive 121cc commercial grade engine in their generator while Yamaha uses a smaller 80cc engine and yet the Honda weighs far less??? And don't tell me it's because of the slightly greater gas capability of the Yamaha.......

Thank you, yes I had both contests and more coming. Each had 3 winners, so 6 in all. Their comments are all replied to in the video and in the pinned comment.

Cool👍 I'll have to make sure I sign up for the next one.😀

Nope only Honda has an actual fuel pump. All other small inverter generators are gravity fed fuel systems.

That "smart step" on the Yamaha requires 5 steps to do: 1) open side panel, 2) push drain button, 3) capture carb fuel in a container, 4) empty fuel back into fuel tank and 5) replace the side panel..... Honda does this in 1 step: 1) turn selector switch to "stop fuel" position which allows the generator to continue running and burning the fuel in the carb. The unit shuts down automatically after the fuel is gone.

@@joeblow3374 Ah yes, and wait 3 minutes for it to fully burn out of the carb... Just admit, the Yamaha has the smarter feature. Don’t be foolish.

@@Anonymouso283 The Honda 2200i has a carb bowl drain capability AND you also have the option of shutting off the gas and letting it run until empty.......Yamaha only has the one method...... And I really like these "Yamaha smarter features": 1) Yamaha is 16% heavier than the Honda (both manufacturers give weights and Yamaha is 16% heavier) 2) The Yamaha is twice as loud as the Honda (again, both manufacturers give noise figures and Yamaha is twice as loud). 3) Yamaha is larger dimensionally 4) Yamaha motor is a 33% SMALLER displacement engine than the Honda........ (Yamaha is 79cc and Honda is 121cc) AND the Honda is a true commercial grade engine..........

@@joeblow3374 Buddy, you’re going off the railings. We were talking about the fucking carb drain feature. You’re just another typical Honda fanboy. That’s it. If you can’t admit that the Yamaha’s drain feature is the most effective, easiest way to drain the carb, then you’re just lying to yourself. Cmon.

Sounds like you’re just a sore loser lol. Honda is the pinnacle, you know it, everybody knows and you just can’t stand suck it up buttercup Honda’s are in a class by themselves.

It is pretty cool. I can picture this one painted in military green on the back of a Humvee.

I wonder if there's any steel in the handles. If there isn't, I wouldn't run a lock through them.

@@sunnyvalejedi I don't believe there is. Perhaps they will sell an accessory like Honda came out with that covers it in steel

The new girlfriend also has double handles, she was easy to pick up, and she really should be locked up. Also very noisy for the amount of out-put.

It needs those double handles because it's so heavy ........

Less gas

In all my internet day's I have never seen a bigger fan boy than you. It's seems like you can't except the fact that some people want to buy Yamaha generators. You've replied to so many people on this video.

@@mqe73M Because a lot of people on this site post bullshit that isn't true. I did notice that you are NOT claiming that any of my specs I used to compare the two generators was wrong! If I'm factually wrong then please let me know otherwise quit using millenial terminology like "internet fanboy".

@@joeblow3374 *internet fan girl that better.

@@mqe73M You must think people are stupid to read your post and not know you have a problem. I stated facts. if you disagree then please tell us but name calling won't win you any followers..........and if you don't believe me look at the numbers: my post has 38 "up votes" and zero "down votes". Your name calling post has one "down vote" and no "up votes"........

Thank you! 😀

Thank you

I have the Honda 2000 and it fits with a lot of clearance.

hmmm, smh

Dude, Yamaha and Honda are rivals in this category. I don’t understand your thought process...

Exactly. Almost every video or review compares the new best thing to the Honda. It's clearly most people's idea of the standard upon which to judge others. Not necessarily always the best, but the most well known and consistently among the best.

Trusted and tested for many years. Honda!

@@Skyclub12 but I will buy a yamaha anyway.

I appreciate that thank you.

I don't know what's with the lack of the hour meters, seems like an easy add. Maybe in the future.

The EU2200i also has a carb drain all you have to do is turn two hath turn screws on the side panel remove and it's right there. Not an issue takes 2 seconds

Move it away from you and use extension cord

What make/model? Where did you buy it? I live in Miami and shopping for a new generator. Saw the Generac 2200 that competes with this same class Yamaha and Honda and it's gotten great reviews for $600ish

It's not. His measurement is wrong.

@@hxhdfjifzirstc894 obviously you haven't spent much time around machinery...stick to the buttons on your keyboard, that's probably all the noise you can handle...sitzpinkler!

I’ve got these! No way my Honda is louder by a little and a different tone

@@dmiller9786 Then by all means, let's look at each manufacturers website for decibel readings: Hondas website says the Honda 2200 is 48 at 25% load and 57 at 100% load Yamahas website says their 2200 is 57 and 65 respectively So...Yamaha really is twice as loud as the Honda is....

Decibel X - Thank you

I really appreciate that. The Generac is an incredible value and at least 1/2 of both of these. I would enjoy it and the savings too!

That is the problem with this channel. His videos are so good we all rush to buy the products and then next year we get hit over the head with a new and improved version. Keeping up with the Jones's will lead to bankruptcy 😉

@@rebellucy5610 You are funny! I really try to bring you only what I think is the best products/value but sometimes like this they are so close that they each warrant their own video. You won't go wrong with either model here or the Generac video I showed either. Generac is a superb value and you save enough money to eat dinner out about 15 times if you get that one.

Hopefully you watched my review on that one. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CLqSPvvO_8U.html Honda stepped up their game finally with that model. I was very happy to see that!

@@SilverCymbal I actually bought it (and an EU2200iTAG) based in large part on your reviews. I knew absolutely nothing about generators and I found them very helpful. Thank you for your efforts.

I would agree with you, Yamaha in the old days went neck and neck with Honda. Then for a lot of years they really got weak. I picked this one because it looked really good and I would say this gives the impression that they are serious again, and this model was great. But we will see if they introduce other larger ones to compete.

Honestly the Gernac is a bargain for the price. You are getting the Yamaha features and specs for basically 1/2 the price. Yamaha and Honda are known for long life but the Generac also has great reviews. No wrong answer with any of them but saving some money can be big! amzn.to/2UEsWzs

@Grizzy Bear the average buyer dosnt know what that means

For running the rooftop air conditioners I've seen a good video where other generators would not run the rooftop RV air conditioners but the Honda 2200 woodrun most all of them. the Honda 2000 would run some of them. Of course the little 80cc engine will burn a lot less fuel but it won't run the rooftop air conditioners. the 98 cc Honda 2000 watt generator or the 121 CC Honda 2200 watt generator. The bigger the motor the more fuel it burns even in Echo mode. The Honda 2200 W is very expensive and for about $1,150 you can get the 30 amp RV plug honda 2000 and 2200 lightweight and smaller than the Yamahas. And the Generac 2200 had only about 14.1 amps Max. The Honda 2200 has 18.3 amps Max that's the difference between starting up rv air conditioners and other big things that have heavy startup. Most Yamahas like in this video will not compete with the Honda for starting up RV rooftop air conditioners. Even the Honda 2000 I think has like 16.7 amps. I have a 2200 watt Sportsman dual fuel on propane with a 80cc engine it will not touch the Honda 2000 and I've tried some tests trying to run a bigger window unit air conditioner it wouldn't turn it on. My little generator did run a digital 5050 btu window AC without an extension cord. I got to go back and do a test with it on the heavy duty 10 gauge extension cord for real life use. And my little generator dead run my full size close washer on long cycle high water level with clothes packed to the top all the way through on a 50-foot 10 gauge heavy duty extension cord and running a 2.6 amp 19 in Metal Blade fan ask the washer was running. And my little generator did run my full size refrigerator with the 2.6 amp 19 inch metal blade fan running the whole time and I kicked on the skill saw on and off which was pretty good. The refrigerator fan and skill saw test was on the 10 gauge 50 foot extension cord. But the true test would have been cut some real wood and it probably would have put it into overload especially if I would have put the blade in the wood fast. And all this sine wave pure wave stuff my old Generator and portable ran everything smartphones computer and even a two hundred amp Schumacher battery charger but it would rattle the valves running it. And it wasn't an inverter generator it is an old Coleman 1850 hand portable gasoline generator. It never blew up anyting unless I intentionally over throttled it for more power like I burned up a strobe light once I was going to throw away. My new 2200 watt Sportsman dual fuel on propane we'll run a 200-amp Schumacher battery charger. And of course it will run my skill saw, table saw, half inch drill, 19 inch fan, belt sander and more things but I'm usually only running the fan most all the time and one power tool at a time.

@@SilverCymbal the new Yamaha with a 30 amp plug if you could get the start-up amps that's what's needed to run the big RV rooftop air conditioners and other things that take a High amp load on Startup.

We bought 5 Generac 2000iQs at Costco and only 2 of them worked. Serious quality control issues. The two that worked had issues too, screws rattled loose...

Yes...Here are the Yamaha features people like best (NOT!!!) 1) The Yamaha is heavier than the Honda 2) The Yamaha is bigger than the Honda 3) The Yamaha makes more noise than the Honda 4) The Yamaha engine is 50% SMALLER than the Hondas massive 121 cc commercial grade engine Yeah... the Yamaha is bigger, heavier, noisier and has a smaller engine than the Honda.....

Both have 3-yr warranties.

Yes. Look up motor snorkel

IT's a great choice, I would also like the guage too, I think they don't do it for fear of it breaking later on but who knows for sure.

Just get the Honda companion. It has the 30 amp rv receptacle.

@@jamesbull2975 Sure this is what you want amzn.to/2AUzJw9 but the price is a little higher too

Honda makes the companion model with a 30 AMP plug but both the Yamaha and the Honda can only provide 15 AMPS from a single generator! And if you don't want to pay the $75 extra to get the Honda companion model, go to walmart and buy a $12 gender changer that goes from 30 AMP RV plug to a 20 AMP plug that plugs into the standard Honda. Then later when you want 30 AMPS you buy the companion model which has a 30 AMP built in recepticle will provide 30 AMPS with two generators in parallel.

Thank you, unfortunately none of the generators in this size and the US models provide 220 in this wattage.

I agree with that

@Perry Night "Yamaha - When you know how they're built ..."

Drop a plastic box over the Honda and leave it 2 inches ff the ground you can't hear it 20 feet away.

@@glenholmgren1218 OK...let's do "talk about how they're built": The Honda is lighter than the Yamaha The Honda is dimensionally smaller than the Yamaha The Honda is about twice as quiet as the Yamaha The Honda has a massive commercial grade 121cc engine vs the puny 79cc Yamaha engine So now that you know the Honda is better built, why would you want to buy the Yamaha???

That's great to hear. Glad its working well for you.

Get the 2nd unit tie together more power when needed..

This kid doesn't make the point that the Yamaha carries almost 34 more ounces of fuel then the Honda

The cooling vents on Yammy will cause more noise BUT make it run cooler and last longer

@@glenholmgren1218 Nice try but when the Honda 2200 came out one of the improvements was to add additional cooling vents. The Hondas engine is also MUCH LARGER (50% larger!) than the Yamaha engine and is therefore not stressed as much as the Yamaha engine that is forced to operate at higher RPM's. The Honda has a 121cc commercial grade engine vs the 80cc Yamaha engine. That's also why the Yamaha is a louder engine (because it revs higher)..... And finally ask yourself this: how can Honda put a massive 121cc engine in a smaller, lighter and quieter package ? Answer: better engineering....

@@glenholmgren1218 Nice try but the Honda also added those additional vent spaces.......and it's STILL quieter than the Yamaha.....

Thank you

You don’t have to drain the Honda,you turn the switch almost all the way off and it keeps running until all the fuel is used in the carb,the switch controls the fuel and ignition

can a Yamaha run a portable ac 8000 btu 1100 watt 9.5 amp

Have owned the Honda 2000i (no drain or fuel stop) for over a decade and never a problem. Key is to use fuel stabilizer........

You forgot to add that the Honda has a massive 121cc commercial grade engine that was originally made for construction site use whereas the Yamaha has a 79cc engine......... enough said......

Thank you, you can get them with some brands of differential oil. This is an alternative you can buy and remove the hose if you just want to use it like I did in many of my videos amzn.to/2G6JIRs

@@SilverCymbal, thanks for the link.

Buy a small engine funnel, works better

How much.i leaving in turks and caicos

They make some very nice generators.

Had my yamaha ef1000i for 15 years no problems. 12 hr run time. Overnight .6 gal

Thank you very much. I hope to try one of the Harbor freight generators soon also. The Yamaha and Honda are my favorites...in this price though. The Generac is still a total bargain for what you get at that price and for the quality it appears to be. But if you can afford the higher prices the Yamaha and Hondas are fantastic.

There older ones were awesome and this one is great. I hope they upgrade their other models and release a 7000 inverter, then they will gain some marketshare again but I like their stuff a lot

I have the ef2400is also, and my experience is the same. Starts on maybe second pull after being stored all winter, and first pull after that. I've done nothing at all to it except for oil changes. It runs the roof air on my RV. I don't know if these 2200s will do that.

@@marketparticipant1780 I think at this point mine hasn't been started in 5 years? With that storm south of Cuba I might be needing it here in a week.

stupid

Yes, the Yamaha features I like that are better than the Honda are as follows: 1) The Yamaha weighs more than the Honda 2) The Yamaha is louder than the Honda 3) The Yamaha is dimensionally bigger than the Honda 4) The Yamaha has a much smaller engine than the Honda Yeah....those are the features people really like about the yamaha (insert sarchasm)

Picture a 15 amp plug. The generator now surges upon startup to provide say, 2,200 watts. If the item you're trying to start maintains that request for power for too long a time, a 15 amp outlet (rated for 1,800 watts) could trip the outlets breaker even without tripping the entire generator. Now picture a 30 amp outlet: that same 2,200 watt or higher surge will not trip a 30 amp outlet (rated for 3,600 watt). It might trip the generator but with a 30 amp plug, the plug is no longer the weak link in the system when we're only talking about one generator being used.

Forgot to directly address your question: The Honda companion has a 30 amp RV type plug. You can use the companion generator stand-alone in which case you can only pull 15 amps continuous out of the plug because that's all the generator puts out. If you hook two Hondas together (the non-companion to the companion) you get 30 amps from this plug...... Now, one guy on this forum is telling people that you can't use the companion model without the cables but that's not correct. You can buy the companion and plug an RV cord into it but it will only give you 15 amps...the same as the non-companion model when used in stand-alone mode.