Urgent!! Generator Question

[SteveSueMac]

Post 18 mentioned that - I failed to in my earlier response because I the dealer I bought mine from included it with the connection kit. I assumed that was just part of the package!

[WindyJim]

Originally Posted by fotoman1527

I am also considering buying a Honda 2000i generator, but because I use an SUV as a tow vehicle and don't want to carry gasoline cans on or within it, I am contemplating the purchase of that generator converted to propane only usage. I wonder if anyone has done that and can post a user report so the questioner can consider that option, as well.

I added a tri-fuel conversion from US Carburetion to my 2800 watt Yamaha Inverter generator, so that it can run on natural gas, propane or gasoline. It is hard to start on anything but gasoline, so I start it on gasoline, let it warm up, then cut off the gasoline and open the natural gas or propane supply line. The air adjustment is different for natural gas than for propane, so I've just used a permanent marker (label tape would do) to note the air settings required for Natural gas and for propane.

The 2800 watt Yamaha is a bit heavier than the 2000 watt Hondas (68 pounds dry, vs 46+ pounds dry), but is large enough to run the air conditioning or microwave (not both at the same time).

I'm going to Yosemite later this month, and they sell propane in the valley, but not gasoline. Propane tanks must not be expired or they won't fill them in Yosemite. The expiration date on my 2004 Airstream's propane tanks was Dec, 2014, so I had to purchase/replace one of my 7 gal propane tanks so I can use it for possibly running the generator in Yosemite, and refilling with propane, if necessary. US Carb says it needs several refill cycles on the propane tank before the generator will run well off of propane. My new propane tank only has two refills, so we will see how well it runs the generator.

I converted all of my lights to LEDs on the Airstream and have solar, so dry camping without the generator works well unless I want Air conditioning or need the microwave. I also replaced my two size 24 batteries with two 6-volt golf cart batteries. This extended my battery life by about 2 1/2 to 3 times longer. (The capacity of each size 24 battery was about 70-80 amp-hours, whereas each Trojan 6-volt battery is about 225 amp-hours)

[ROBERT CROSS]

........."US Carb says it needs several refill cycles on the propane tank before the generator will run well off of propane."

All the new tanks I've bought have come purged from the manufacturer.
I installed a new valve on one of the AS tanks this Spring and had it purged and filled at Camping World. Ck at the fill station to see if they have the ability to purge the tank.

I also start on gasoline & switch over, but it's only to keep things clean & free in the petrol system and make sure it runs good if needed. If I purge all the air from the LPG lines it usually starts on the 3rd,4th pull. At altitude it is easier to start on gas & switch over.

Bob

[switz]

I have this 25 foot 30 amp Furrion power cord with twist lock connectors on both ends (male and female). Cost on the Furrion web site is around $71 with shipping included and no sales tax. It will connect directly from the trailer to the power outlet on the Honda 2000 companion or work as a first link as an extension cord to the standard Furrion power cords with a twist lock for the trailer connection and three pin connector on the other.

30 AMP 125v HEAVY DUTY MARINE CORDSET - 25FT TITANIUM - FURRION.

[JimGaskill]

Be aware if you use an after market propane conversion kit on a new Honda gen it will void your warranty.


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[J. Morgan]

Unless the kit is removed before any warranty service...

[AStreamNerds]

I finally posted a review video of the Honda 2000's on our youtube site. They are very quiet compared to the cheaper "construction" type. When you hear me talking over the generators I did not raise my voice over the level I was using before they started up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LTVljoCD7Q

[leedav]

Originally Posted by JimGaskill

Be aware if you use an after market propane conversion kit on a new Honda gen it will void your warranty.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

3 year warranty on converted unit from Genconnex

[Kalidas]

Wanted to say a huge thank you for all the incredible information from everyone!
Just love airforums....

[fotoman1527]

Thanks jack46. I'm vacillating between the two 2000's versus the lone 3000 myself, and your insight is instructive.

[Jack46]

Fotoman. I other consideration we went through in moving from the 3000i to the 2000i. At the time our TV was a Suburban. Since we needed to carry the generator in that vehicle, I could not find a container large enough to fully enclose the 3000i. We did have luck with two plastic storage tubs (that we further sealed stripped the tops) that were large enough for the smaller gensets. Of course, we now use a pickup as our TV, so that issue became moot.

[AStreamNerds]

fotoman - with the 2000's you will be able to use just one when you are camping where you know you will not need the AC. They are also much lighter and easier to move around. As an added benefit you can use one around the house/property when you need for projects. The 3000 was just to heavy to deal with unless you are planning to keep it full time in the TV or something like that.

[fotoman1527]

After receiving much-appreciated insights from forum members, I bought a single honda 2000i gas generator, foregoing the propane option.

The generator is fantastic: it starts with one pull, uses gas economically, is easy to carry, and is not noisy.

I was worried about carrying gas for it in my tow vehicle, but discovered the answer is two 2-gallon gas tanks that fit with my electrical amd hose boxes in the storage area under the bed. You could also opt for one or two one -gallon tanks if you don't have room for a two-gallon tank.

I wanted to store the gen in a rubber box in the tow vehicle and went to store after store looking for the rubbernaid action packer 24 another writer on this forum said worked for him. Lowes and HD do not sell this item singly, but you can get one at REI.

However, my experience is that the Honda 2000 does not fit in that product. I bought it and returned it immediately.

I have mine sitting on a piece of cardboard in the tow vehicle with a good sam cover on it. after much effort, I was unsuccessful in finding a heavy duty tote that fit the Honda snugly, but in the end it didn't matter.

i don't regret this purchase in any way, and have the option to get another one if we decide we need ac and aren't staying at a site with electric, which would be my first choice in that situation.

[Grateful2]

Got 2 -2000 Yamaha units from Costco and purchased the splinter to go to the 30 amp no power! What am I doing wrong?

[TG Twinkie]

Did you follow the instructions on paralleling?
Each of the four wires you connect (2 to each generator) must be connected correctly.
Did you check to see if the circuit breaker(s) are tripped on each genset?
I don't have the book handy but I believe they cannot be in ECO mode.

[switz]

Check for power output with each unit separately. Then connect with the proper polarity on the wires. That means that the wire in the left socket on generator A should go to the left socket on generator B. Note that "left" in my example could be "top" on a Yamaha.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Grateful2

Got 2 -2000 Yamaha units from Costco and purchased the splinter to go to the 30 amp no power! What am I doing wrong?

Yamaha generators from Costco? Or are they the SmarterTools generators with a Yamaha engine?

[Grateful2]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Yamaha generators from Costco? Or are they the SmarterTools generators with a Yamaha engine?

Costco

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Grateful2

Costco

Yes, the Costco part was clear. My question was whether it's actually a pair of Yamaha EF2000is generators, or a pair of the SmarterTools generators that use Yamaha engines. If you were able to buy EF2000is generators from Costco I'd like to order some!

[Grateful2]

They were bought before they changed to the generac orange ones maybe on line.