feeling stupid

A note on home backup use - usually the smaller generators (below 6000 watts) only supply 120 volts, not 120/240.  So to use one with a house usually an electrician must pull circuits out of your service panel and put them into a subpanel with a transfer switch, which will then run from the generator.  You won't be able to run an electric water heater, well pump, electric stove since they need 120/240 or just 240 and they need more amperage than a small generator can provide.  The electrician must also make sure no multi-wire branch circuits are moved to the subpanel (or if they must, both sides must be combined onto one breaker).

 

You will most likely need to pair 2 of the Honda 2000's to run an A/C.  Some have managed to do it with one, but not reliably.  Don't let the "inverter" in inverter-generator confuse you (it is unfortunate they decided to use that terminology for the newer gensets even though it is correct).  It is built-in to the generator and isn't something you can use separately.  You would need a separate inverter to run/charge smaller AC appliances directly from the battery.

Most campgrounds have rules about when you can run a generator, except for dispersed camping areas in the west.  Don't plan on sleeping with A/C overnight, or letting Grandma sit inside in A/C all day.  When we were at Yellowstone last summer I think they allowed generators for 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the evening.  

If you will run one to charge a battery, do it for 30-60 minutes every other day - not every day!  Due to how lead acid batteries charge you'll get more charge for your buck (and more silence) that way.  If you will only be charging the battery and maybe your laptop and cell phones, you can get by with a 1000 watt genset but I recommend 2000 watts.  One reason is heat and altitude.  You lose 3.5% of your power for every 1000 feet above sea level, and 1% for every 10 F above 60 F.  So if you are in Yellowstone over 8000 feet and it is 80 degrees outside, you've already lost 30% of your engine power and therefore your electrical output.