New Honda 3000 Generator Lighter, More Economical

When campfire conversation makes its way to the subject of generators, it seems there's almost a universal lauding of those little red Honda generators. Indeed, they are quiet, dependable, and when you size them right for your needs, powerful. Now Honda says they have a new 3,000 watt generator that improves on weight and fuel economy.

The new genny on the block is Honda's EU3000i Handi, coming out this summer. 3000i sounds a lot like the current 3,000 watt Honda machine, the EU3000is. There is a bit of a difference: Primarily it's a matter of moving the thing in and out of the bed of your pickup truck or basement storage area. The current model scales in at 134 pounds dry, while the new kid comes in like a fly-weight at 78 pounds.

Where, one asks, did all the fat go? Well, for some, there's the fly-in-the-ointment of the fly-weight "Handi." If it isn't handy for you to have to yank a cord to start your generator, the Handi may not be the generator of choice--the new machine is a recoil start machine, while the older 3000is bears electric start. But if you can live with pull ropes, the Handy is a bit less of a fuel glutton: 7.7 hours on a little over a gallon and a half of gas versus 7.2 hours on nearly thee and a half gallons for the older model--both running at 1/4 of the rated 3,000 watt capacity.

In electrical output, both have dual 20 amp standard 3-prong outlets, plus one 30-amp twist lock receptacle. The older model does have a better DC rated output of 12 amps at 12 volts, while the newer Handy is only rated at 8 amps in the DC output. The Handi is a bit louder, noising up the neighborhood at 65 dB, while the more senior machine produces only 58 dB. But in light of the fact that human conversation hits 60dB, its doubtful that the difference will make or break a sale.

From the looks of things, the big difference between these two characters is fuel economy, weight, and electric startability. With the option of buying an after-market "remote start" system, the older Honda 3000 is pretty attractive. But weight is a biggy. For this writer, the thought of trying to stuff 40% more weight up on the pickup bed from a ground level starting point says I'd rather be back hustling cans on garbage day.

The suggested retail of the new critter is right at $2,200, but how that will work out in terms of a "street price" remains to be seen. Honda offers a standard three year warranty, both for residential and commercial use.

photo courtesy Honda Power Equipment

Get the Stink Out with "What Odor?"

We're typically suspicious of any product that capitalizes on the "As Seen on TV" tag. And so with some trepidation we checked out a jug of a new deodorizing product called "What Odor?" But as any RVer can testify, it seems like if a funny smell can go anywhere, it will surely make its way into your RV.

One nasty spot is the plastic waste basket. Be it in the kitchen, the bathroom, or anywhere else, these guys have memory for smell that rivals the recall capacity of a pachyderm. We'd tried the usual kitchen spray products to no avail, but when the new "What Odor" arrived, we gave it a shot. And that's all it took. One shot.

OK, how about something really tough? The "What Odor" folks suggest it works on the worst of smells--skunk--but we weren't willing to go out and try tracking down Peppi LePue or any of his kin for a field test. What to do? A few weeks went by and the phone call came in: RVing friends of ours had been away from the rig for a few days, the refrigerator in their fifth wheel had "conked" and they were left with the smell of decomposing food enough to run them out of their home.

They'd tried everything in the "standard remedy" file, from baking soda to coffee grounds, charcoal briquettes, and other odd nostrums. Nothing seemed to be cutting it. We handed over our bottle of "What Odor" and asked for a checkback. Unlike the waste basket, one shot didn't do it. However, after three whacks at it, one shot per day, the report his wafted into us that, "It's about 80% better. Where can we get more?"

If "What Odor" can do something like this, on as bad a smell as decomp, there must be something to it. the company says the product doesn't "mask" the odor, but rather, eliminates it. We can't argue the point, it seems to do what it says. You can't run out and by this at the corner RV store, however. Check out the web site at whatodor.com. What will you pay? The big specialroonee is a two-fer deal. Buy one 16 ounce spray bottle and the outfit will toss in another 16 ouncer. You know what's next: But wait there's more! They'll also toss in two free 6 ounce travel bottles! With shipping and handling fees, you're out about $30.

RV With Your iPod--and Skip the Tangled Charge Cord

In these days of personal muzak, it seems everybody--and perhaps an incredible number of their dogs--is sporting an iPod, or an iPhone. Like a lot of personal electronic devices, the iFamily does have a bit of a drawback: They need frequent charging. In your RV on the road, the handiest way to get juice into your iPod is via a 12-volt "accessory socket." We used to call it a cigarette lighter sockets, but I guess we're more enlightened now, if you'll pardon the pun.

The problem is the wire that runs from the iPod to the accessory socket. Like most charge cords, they just seemed factory designed to get tangled up--particularly when not in use. You can stick it away in the glove box, and sure enough, when you go to fish out a stick of chewing gum, or the traffic cop is waiting for you to produce your registration, that blessed cord is all wrapped up around everything, preventing the release of that important item you seek.

Enter reCOIL, the handy dandy iPod charger that plugs into your ciggy socket--and when not charging your iPod or iPhone--the charge cord conveniently retracts into the charger. No more tangles. Certified "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" the new charge genius has a suggested retail price of $29.99. Check our the manufacturer's website at www.scosche.com.

"Funky Colored Flames" a Flame-Out

We see a lot of--shall we say--"interesting" products as RVers. In the end, it's kind of reminiscent of a Clint Eastwood movie. You know the one, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Some time back we were asked to evaluate a new product called Funky Colored Flames. The press release had this to say, "This new innovative product creates a brilliant display of blue, green, and purple. It can be used in indoor/outdoor wood fireplaces, bonfires, campfires and backyard fire pits." When our sample arrived, we tucked it away on the shelf waiting for "just the right moment" to try this "innovative product" out.

Last night, a crowd gathered around our fire. This just had to be the time! Without saying a word, we tossed one of the unopened packets in the fire (as the instructions told us) and waited. Sure enough, we could vaguely see some green and purple flames--sort of. Another packet was tossed in with similar results. No one else around the fire said anything about the flames, until we finally had to ask, "Hey, what color are those flames?" And after squinting for a half minute or so, one of our test subjects ventured that perhaps he was seeing a little bit of blue.

Later, as our test fire flames came down in height, we tossed the third and final packet in. We got a bit more of a show here, but really it was nothing like that represented by the photos provided on the Camping World website touting this product. At over $5.00 a box of three, our feelings--and those of our ersatz focus group were you'd be better off buying a bag of marshmallows.

Still, if you have a gaggle of three-year olds, you can find Funky Colored Flames at Camping World, Target, and Walmart.

photo courtesy Camping World

How Much Does it Weigh? Balanzza Tells All

In some areas it's not uncommon to run across a propane seller who fills, not by volume, but by weight. The LP tank is scaled empty, then again when full, and the purchaser buys propane by the pound (or kilo, depending on your whereabouts). Some wonder if they can trust the scale. Or perhaps you're not sure how much LP you've left in your bottle, but have no way to weigh (Oy vey!).

With the appropriate equipment you can put to work on those thorny gas weight questions, or to ensure your luggage is within airline carrier weight limitations. But wait there's more! How about "the big one" that didn't get away? Your buddy's fish-stories can finally be put to rest, and all these other scaly issues too, with the help of the Balanzza digital luggage scale.

This handy device is in itself, lightweight--a great thing in these fuel conservative days--but isn't a lightweight when it comes to accurate reporting. Not much bigger than the palm of your hand, the Balanzza is easy to use. Simply slip the handy nylon strap through the propane tank yoke, snap the locking clasp, pick up the scale and tank. When you hear the beep, the weights displayed in either pounds or kilograms. A handy tare weight function also allows display of the actual contents weight without the need of mental calculations.

Powered by two AAA batteries, the Balanzza retails for $24.95, and can be purchased online at balanzza.com or locally in many Target stores. The device weighs up to 100 pounds or 44 kilos.

Coil n’Wrap brings RVers the “InstaHanger”

RVers are appreciative of new and innovative products that make RVing more enjoyable. Long time RVers Ken and Judy Wilton are always on the lookout for these products for RVers to enjoy. Perhaps you’ve met them at one of the many RV shows across the country where they demonstrate and sell RV products under their company name “Coil n’ Wrap.”

Now they’ve done it again, bringing RVers another great product called the “InstaHanger”. Whether it’s hanging up ironing or hanging up laundry fresh out of the dryer the InstaHanger will save you time and effort.The great thing about this device is that it folds-up when you’re finished using it.The InstaHanger is 18” by 3” and the metal hanging rod is 12” long when extended. When folded the device is approximately 1 ¾” thick.It comes in the “Country Classic” wooden model or the white plastic model. The InstaHanger is easy to install and holds up to 50 pounds when firmly attached to the wall with the provided screws. If you don’t want to screw it into the wall you can use the supplied high temperature hook & loop as an alternative installation.If you are a part-time RVer you may also want a few of these for your house. One for the laundry room and one in the bedroom. They come in handy when you need to air dry a shirt or a blouse or when you're sorting out clothing while packing for a trip.

You’re sure to find many uses for this new product. You can purchase this and other fine products at their website by clicking here: Coil n’ Wrap. You can also check their website to see when they will be at an RV show near you. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Solar Pulse Keeps Your Occasional Car Ready to Go

We keep a "round town car" at one end of our frequently traveled trail, and it may go months without use. Last time we needed the beasty, a turn of the ignition key brought a grunt--the battery was on sabbatical from lack of charge.

We've found the answer to that issue: Pulse Tech Products' Solar Pulse. It's a handy little solar powered system that not only keeps your standby vehicle battery charged, it also keeps it in shape with a system that keeps the battery plates cleaned up, knocking down the buildup of lead sulfate that can kill off an otherwise good battery.

We're using the 5 watt version; it's but about 9" square and a 1/4" thick, small but powerful for the application. Since we keep our car under a fabric cover, the question of where to mount the solar panel came up. We picked up a small wood pallet and mounted the solar panel to the pallet, aiming the solar panel south for maximum solar availability. The next question that arises: What do you do with the solar panel and the pallet when you want to drive? The system has a quick disconnect we hid behind the car grill. We simply unplug the panel from the car, and off we go.

Installation is straight forward and most any "handy with a wrench and screwdriver" person can do the install. A control module lives permanently under the car hood, and the whole install process took us only about 20 minutes.

Now when we leave the car alone for a few weeks or months, we don't worry about having to disconnect the battery for fear "parasitic" loads will slowly chew through our stored up power. Besides, disconnecting the battery is to shut off the juice to the onboard engine diagnostics computer--and any critical information stored therein could be lost with the disconnect of power over a long term.

Check out Solar Pulse on the pulsetech.net website.