HONDA EU1000I generator to run Strobe equipment.

[pixjohn]

I am thinking of buying a HONDA EU1000I Generator to run Strobe equipment. I am looking for location power to run Dynalite strobes. I am looking to see if I can run 2 1000 power packs or just 1 2000 power pack. Anyone use the EU1000 unit?

I have shot with the EU2000I model running a digital setup but want something smaller then the EU2000i model

[degrub]

i've not worked with either, but look at the sum of the max current draw for recharge of the strobe units. Compare that to the continuous current the generator is capable of. If equal to or less, then you should be ok. If close, there is a little headroom (current surge) that the generator can usually provide, but it wears out the equipment a little faster.
It sounds like the 2000 was adequate. Why change ? a smaller unit shouldn't be much quieter.

[Justin Berman]

I used a Honda EU1000i to run a Profoto Acute 2400. For me the key was just that I had to set it to slower recycling. It worked really well honestly.

[michaelnotar]

would reccomend 2000 running watts per pack regardless plus atleast 10% if not 20% room on the genny. smaller loads main longer run times. i usually dont find anything smaller than a 4500 watt genny worth while. and put each pack on a separate circuit on the genny too.

[pixjohn]

I am looking for something lighter weight like Eu1000 to hand carry for a project. It will need to be carried 1/2 to 1 mile at a time. The 2000 is not as easy to hand carry.

[HarperPhotos]

Hello,

I have a HONDA EU1000I generator which I have been using for over 10 years with my Bowens 3k Estime generators. It will work the Estime on full power but it is working very hard. I found that if I drop the Estime power down by 2/3 stop it works better and doesn’t labour as much.
I also have a Kipor IG2600 watt petrol generator which will run 2 Bowens 3k Estime’s and full power all day long without any problems.

Cheers

Simon

[UlfKrentz]

Hi pixjohn,

it depends on your load. For a rough calculation divide your Ws by recycle time plus add enough headroom (+30%). Don´t forget to add the modelling lights if you plan to use them. Strobe equipment is not an easy load for gennys, if you stress them too much you take the rirk of damaging either the genny or your strobe. The EU2000i is very good, with a special cable you can connect two of them and get a versatile 4000W power station. The EU1000i might work but will probably run at or beyond its capacity.

Cheers, Ulf

[NicholasR]

While I have no strobe experience with the 1000 or the 2000, i've spent a lot of time out in the desert with both the gennys.   For inconsistent high draw from them (in my case small ac units, stereo amplifiers, etc), I highly recommend the 2000 over the 1000.   The 1000 is the best in class, but it's just a bit small.

[jmyerz]

I've got the Yamaha version powering my dynalite 1000w pack and my MacBook pro, been working a long time like this without fail. For me, it is way more effective than a battery kit. If I need all 1000w from my packs I'll put one gen with one pack.

J