Honda EU2000, run time and theft

[DaveK98]

All,



I'm thinking of getting 2 honda 2000's and using them together to run my 15k btu ac for my 5th wheel.



1. Run time seems to be very short. Anyone do any mods to make them hold more fuel? I don't want to have to stumble out of my rv at 4am and refill them with gas.



2. Any way to lock them up when they are outside your rig running? Just something for honest people I know that chains/locks can be cut if someone really wants it.



3. Best / Cheapest place to get them?



Any other advice would be great.



Dave

 

[Big Mike]

All very good questions.



as far as run time goes, I typically get around 6 hours. not a problem for me. Security, I just chain and lock them... like you said, if they want them, they are going to get them. And the cheapest place to get them is Mayberry's in Port Murray, NJ. Tell them you saw them at the Atlantic City RV show and they will charge 899 each and give you free shipping.



good luck,



Mike

 

[RJOL]

... Any way to lock them up when they are outside your rig running? Just something for honest people I know that chains/locks can be cut if someone really wants it. Best / Cheapest place to get them?

Dave... If someone wants them bad enough, they will get them. I just went to my local hardward store, bought a piece of heavy duty chain, and a good combo lock. I put the chain through the generator handle (if it has one), and then around my 5th wheel front landing gear. I do the same for bikes. If I'm leaving for the day, I put it inside my truck, or trailer. Have fun...

 

[terrywerm]

Just a side question here, but has anyone ever successfully fed the same circuit with two generators? There could be a problem with that if the two are not in sync in relation to the phase of the 60 cycle alternating current that is produced. I have seen what happens to the big municipal generators when one gets thrown online without it being in sync with the rest of the generators on the grid, and it's not pretty.



On those large generators (10,000 HP or so) there is a coupling shaft between the engine and the generator itself. This shaft is about 16 or 18 inches in diameter and has a spot where it tapers down to about 12" or so. This thin spot is a designed weak point which is designed to twist off in the event of mechanical overload. I've seen one of these after it happened and it is simply amazing that something would have enough power to twist off a shaft of that size. Makes a guy feel pretty insignificant!



The operators of generators of that size have gauges available to them that allow them to get the unit in sync with the rest of the power grid before they put the unit on line. Once it is in sync and is on line, it stays there.



Anyway, knowing that this problem exists on those large systems, I am just wondering if it also exists on a smaller system. Any thoughts?

 

[RustyJC]

The Hondas are DC generators that use inverters to convert the DC to AC output. Part of the cable that connects the generators has interconnecting wiring to phase synchronize the inverter outputs - much easier than synchronizing 2 or more AC generators with the grid!!!



Rusty

 

[daytripper63]

Yes Honda has a pigtail kit that you can twin 2 EU2000 and get 4000 watts and they work great and when you dont need to run a/c you only use 1 EU2000 my neighbor has this set up now for almost 2 years and no problems

 

[MABurns]

I have been able to get 5-8 hours of run time out of them depending on how hot it is and how many times the AC unit kicks on. When the AC is not on they idle down and will run quite a while.



I have mine in a mounted box. See my readers rigs photos.



Theft is always a concern, but as many have already said you are only keeping the honest people honest.

 

[DaveK98]

MABurns,



I like your idea of the truck box to keep them in. Do you keep the lid closed when running them and use the vents you made on the side for exhaust? Why didn't you buy honda's adaptor to put the 2 together? Is the one you got better,cheaper?



Anyone know how many hours the eu2000's will go before you have to do maintenance?



ALSO, My 5th wheel has a 15k btu a/c. Do you think that 2 eu2000's will run it ok?

 

[MABurns]

To be on the safe side I run them with the lid open. I have considered putting a fan drawing fresh air in (like a fantastic fan) on the back side of the box so that it can be run with the lid closed. Big benifit of that would be that it would be quieter.



I can not hear them inside the trailer when running, but I can "feel" them because of vibration.



That adapter was a little cheaper than the Honda part but not necessarily better. Wire guage is the same all around.

 

[MABurns]

I also have a friend who has a similar set up (he stole the idea from me of course) and he has a 6 gallon marine style tank that he draws fuel out of between the two generators.



Needless to say he can go over 24 hours of run time. He modified the fuel caps.

 

[DaveK98]

Hey, check out the link below, anyone though of converting over to natural gas / propane?



http://propane-generators.com/eu2000i_kits.htm

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have converted several engines over to propane. We were VERY pleased with the performance.



The carbs were easy to adjust too. Propane, like diesel, burns hot if the mixture is rich. You just adjust the carb (at load) to the point where the HP falls off and thats it.



The oil stays clean forever and the engines dont get dirty on the inside and last much longer.



Propane stores for a long time and doesnt spill

 

[drtrox]

This is something I came across (not mine) for extended run time...



http://members.cox.net/ccandies/Hondas.htm

 

[RankRam]

This is something I came across (not mine) for extended run time...



http://members.cox.net/ccandies/Hondas.htm

Thanks for the post!



I put this link in my favorites, I need to do this with my Honda's.

 

[DaveK98]

Do the honda's have a fuel pump? What's causing the fuel to be pulled from the 5 gallon tank? I guess they pull a vacume and the pulls the fuel. I like this idea. I've seen where someone put a metal fuel tank in the front compartment of their 5ver. I think I would just replace most of the rubber fuel line with something more solid... ...

 

[opiefire]

drtrox,

I read the the article on the post you gave. Very interesting on how easy the guy makes it seem to hook up the 2000's to a long time supply of gasoline! The only question I have is the writer said that he bought two new gas caps to drill out and put bulk head fittings in. I wondered if the new caps were honda caps or some after market caps? Where would you get bulk head fittings like that? Great article though, thanks.

 

[drtrox]

dmbarker, they were Honda caps, I bought an extra cap when I bought my 2000, just didn't do the deed yet. I do personally know someone that did it and it worked great. You might try a google search, but I dont see why you would need a bulkhead fitting. Just drill and tap the cap, screw in a shutoff valve and put a tubing adapter on the other side of the valve. Don't even need to switch caps to transport if the generator is secured.

 

[opiefire]

drtrox,

Thanks for the info. If I need anymore help I'll be sure to give you a PM! Thanks again drtrox.