I am looking for a small generator for my handyman business. I see a Honda EU2000i generator and I wonder if it can power anything that can plug into (and operate on) a normal, 15A household circuit. The sales material for the EU2000i says: The EU2000i, lightweight generator produces 2000 watts/16.7 amps @ 120V of maximum power. These figures are pretty much what you would get out of a 15A household circuit, right? I've got an air compressor that works on a 15A circuit. Is there any reason to believe that it wouldn't work on the EU2000i generator as well? I can go look at the faceplate and I can try to figure out the start up draw of the compressor but can I just go be the rule of thumb that if it works on the house's 15A outlet, it will work on the EU2000i's outlet?

Startup surge is what you are looking for... with motors starting against a heavy load they can be quite high (for a slit second) as compared to running load.