Honda EU2000i Generator - using with Airstream

[rgwatkin]

I do not see a "search this" in the search box. Where is it located?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by rgwatkin

I do not see a "search this" in the search box. Where is it located?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by rgwatkin

I do not see a "search this" in the search box. Where is it located?

If you're using a browser on a computer, there's a blue menu bar in the upper portion of each page. "Search" is the 8th item in that list in the current layout, and when you click it a list drop down with "Search Forums", "Tag Search", etc. including a "Google Search" field.

If you're using a phone or tablet things are different.

[rgwatkin]

Ah...I was on the upper bar. Never realized it was there. Thanks. I did some looking at Google and am surprised that it is as organized as it is. Just to try it I typed in "Airstream Tire Failures" and found some very interesting threads. Thanks again all!

[kscherzi]

So there. Read a thread about generators and instead learn how to use the search function.

Since new Airstreams come with 15k btu AC units are the two Hondas still a solution?

[Silver.Sanctuary]

Originally Posted by DHart

Wow... lots of informative comments here, guys. Thank you, all.

I have one EU2000i at present. So, from what I'm reading, I am considering getting a second unit.

Is the EU2000i "Companion" model the best one to get as a second unit?

Any reason a "Companion" model might be less suitable be used on its own, than the regular EU2000i?

I have both Honda generators (original and companion). When using only one, I tend to use the companion since it has the 30 amp adapter I can plug in and then use my 30 Amp to trailer cable.

I have a 2004 Safari. One Honda 2000 will not run my AC which is supposed to be 13.5KW. I do not have (nor want) a microwave so I don't know if one would run it. I do know that one generator runs my Kuerig single cup coffee maker at 1250 watts and my toaster at 750 Watts (I don't try them at the same time).

There is a pretty good explanation on AltEStore.com regarding what needs what (although it is focused on solar, it still is informative even if you are not interested in solar).

I bought the two for the AC in the southwest (summer - daytime) and now am reluctant to use it since although very quiet, they still interfere with the sounds of nature. I will probably add some solar and then use what makes sense for the charger setting. Some National Parks and National Forest Campgrounds have time restrictions (and apparently some even deny the use of generators entirely).

My original Parallax converter was only single stage, so charging the house batteries (two Interstate Deep Cycle) was a challenge. With the minimal current from the battery charging circuit on one of the Honda's (direct dc plug) I fount that to be really time consuming and unsatisfactory. After reading many threads here, I replaced the Parallax converter with a Progressive Dynamics 4645 converter with a 3 stage charger. Now whether plugged into shore power or running the generator, I recharge much faster and can keep up day to day with heating fans, etc. I am sure solar would allow me to do this as well, so I have a Trimetric Meter and a Morningstar Tristar Solar Charge controller to add this spring, for at least "top-off" solar to the batteries.

I changed out the light bulbs for M4 Product LEDs and find I don't need a lot of electricity most of the time. I have enough space in the truck (back seat up and 6.5 foot Tundra bed with Leer tonneau cover that I can take the generators and everything else I need so space and weight are not a problem. Not everybody can say that... especially if traveling with family, so sometimes loads can dominate and you might find yourself leaving one generator back and not using the other.

A lot depends on camping style and family preferences, but it is nice to have options. I would rather run the generator than freeze because my furnace fan didn't have enough power. If you do get a second generator, you will find that under load they do not run all night. Some are put out by needing to get up to refill the one gallon tanks, but I use a 6 gallon tank with special generator tank caps that allow me to feed both from a metal 6 gallon tank that came years ago with and Evinrude 9.9 HP outboard... so I can go for days with partial use (noon to 3 PM for charging) without refilling the tanks. When I stop the generators the tanks are full (they have fuel pumps in each that draw from the 6 gallon tank). I don't even get gas on my fingers anymore.

You will find that people have developed lots of stuff to make like easier... part of the fun is discovering what they are!

[DHart]

Dan... thanks for your lengthy remarks. The 6 gal. gas can for the Hondas sounds like a great idea. And, the Companion it will be for my second Honda EU2000i.

[mefly2]

Give the new guy / op a break. What a welcome - it would scare me off ...

[larryglarson]

Yes the Honda companion is the one to get. Has usage gage and more.

[gypsydad]

The next question may be, gas, diesel, propane powered or all three? :-)

[DHart]

And the answer is ?

Will my EU2000i run in propane? I seem to remember seeing one running on propane in another thread.

[MaineStreamer]

Does anyone know whether a 6-gallon gasoline tank as discussed above is still available from some motor vendor?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by DHart

And the answer is ?

Will my EU2000i run in propane? I seem to remember seeing one running on propane in another thread.

They can be modified to run on propane (and at least some of the modification kits leave it as a "dual fuel" setup that can still run on gasoline). They don't run on propane without the extra modifications.

[gypsydad]

Seems I remember a thread about economy comparison of gas vs diesel vs propane. I don't have a gen. yet, but think I would like propane as I could use quick disconnect in our unit to hook up. Also, could bring sealed extra propane bottle. I just don't like carrying gas or diesel in back of my rig for long distances.... If anyone knows the answers, please chime in on economics of propane vs diesel vs gas and also efficiency of a generator on these....appreciate the experienced advice.

[lsbrodsky]

Somewhere I read that you need 1.4 gal of propane to get the BTU equivalent of 1 gal of gasoline. You would need to plug in current fuel prices to compare dollars. I never saw a comparison with diesel but I have never seen a small diesel powered generator. The decision is usually safety and convenience, not fuel cost.
Larry

[MaineStreamer]

Here are comparisons of propane and gasoline:
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fue...ison_chart.pdf

The Relative Efficiency of Gasoline, Natural Gas, and Propane Fuels For Back-Up Generators

Gasoline gallon equivalent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and here is info with photos about the Honda EU2000 conversion to run on propane:
https://www.propanecarbs.com/honda-e...onversion.html

and a youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVpTRfPS0Qw

There is a lot more info online.

[WindyJim]

Just a general comment about the battery charging. Most of the batteries have about an 80 Amp-Hr capacity. General charging recommendations are to charge at a rate not to exceed 10% of your battery Amp-Hr capacity. So, for an 80 Amp-Hr capacity you shouldn't exceed 8 Amps charging rate. So, if you've let your battery get 50% depleted, i.e. down 40 Amp-Hrs, it would take 5 hours at 8 amps to get it back fully charged. (You might notice on most generators that have a dedicated battery charging connection, it is normally rated about 8 amps.)
If you have two 80 amp-hr batteries in parallel, charging rate should be no more than 16 amps (so, even charging at 16 amps takes less than 200 watts of your generator).

I have a 2800 watt Yamaha inverter generator and the starting current for the air conditioner sometimes causes it to struggle a bit. If conditions are questionable, I will open my internal 115 volt breaker supplying the power center converter, then start the air conditioner, then reclose the breaker for the converter.
Even with the 2800 watt Yamaha I can't run both the air conditioner and the microwave at the same time.

[xrvr]

Need to buy new ac. Checked out a 9200 by coleman I think and it used way fewer amps, twelve or less. Anyone tried one of these? Would be marginal for my needs but appears it would run off a 2000 Honda. Peace jim

[lsbrodsky]

The issue for a generator is not so much the running amps but the starting amps. Induction motors require 3-5x the starting current where x is the running current. A small generator is not going to handle that unless you have one of those fancy hybrid inverters that picks up the excess current on the battery.

Larry

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by MaineStreamer

Here are comparisons of propane and gasoline:
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fue...ison_chart.pdf

The Relative Efficiency of Gasoline, Natural Gas, and Propane Fuels For Back-Up Generators

Gasoline gallon equivalent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and here is info with photos about the Honda EU2000 conversion to run on propane:
https://www.propanecarbs.com/honda-e...onversion.html

and a youtube video:

There is a lot more info online.

Thanks for that; if I understand the chart, Diesel is most efficient, at 113% of equivalent gallon of gas E10 regular, and propane is 73% efficient of a gallon gas. That would say, a diesel has best bang for buck since it is also cheaper now than gas also...dang! What to do....