Another question about generators

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Another question about generators

Postby Lynn Coleman » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:04 am

Okay, we're pretty settled on the Honda Eu2000i but I just read somewhere that they had to refill the tank after five hours of use. Is that true? We'll be running a window shacker ac unit and a small fridge at night.

Paul had a thought of running a fuel line from our trucks tank to the generator, is that doable? Are we asking for other problems if we do that?

What are your thoughts and experience, thanks.

Lynn
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Postby ARKPAT » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:17 am

Lynn
I'm not sure I would use the vehicle gas tank as a fuel storage for you generator. All sorts of problem I could see from that. You might look at an outboard motor boat tank and fittings. I'm not familar with that generator and how it extracts fuel from the tank. If its gravity flow no problem with the boat tank. Just be safe changing fuel flow over and not spill any gas or leak any gas around a hot generator or exhaust. Do not have the generator running either while changing fuel over less likly to have a fire or explosion. I'm sure someone more familar with how to do it may give you a better idea. Just be safe!



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Postby Ira » Thu Aug 30, 2007 5:14 am

Lynn, have you thought about getting the propane conversion kit for it? Don't know anything about capacity with that compared to gas, but somethng to think about.
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Postby emiller » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:10 am

We just purchased a propane forklift and it goes thru propane much quicker than our old gas powered forklift so I'm not sold on propane powered engines.
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Postby Trackstriper » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:41 am

Lynn,

I think you'll be fine with the generator as is. The fuel burn that you mentioned sounds like the owner was working the 2000i pretty hard. This generator is smart, and will automatically speed up or slow down according to the actual load being placed on it, and fuel consumption varies with the load. Honda's specs are readily available on the Internet and I'll break down what they mean for you (this should be close):

The 2000i is rated for a continuous output of 1600 watts, with a maximum output of 2000 watts for a short duration. At the rated load (1600watts) the unit will run for approximately 4 hours on a full tank of gas. The run time is approximately 15 hours at 1/4 load (400 watts).

With your smallish trailer, I assume (my wife Suzan always tells me don't assume) that your AC is a 5000 btu unit, which will draw about 550 watts when it is cooling at the max. You can check the power consumption on the manufacturer's placard on the side of the unit. Let's assume your small fridge draws about 150 watts. That would be a total draw of approximately 700 watts with both units working 100%. But, your AC compressor will be cycling on and off and the fridge will be doing the same, so the average power consumption will be something less...let's call it 500 watts just as a guess. If that's the case you should be able to run it for 12 hours or so without refueling...certainly long enough to sleep comfortably unless you're really hibernating.

Seems like someone on the forum had a picture of a gas cap converter that would allow for a remote tank to be used, though, if it did get to be a problem.

Both the AC and the refrigerator have compressor start up loads to take into account. I don't think you'll have a problem with this, but if both compressors want to kick in at the same time it might be a bit of a strain on the generator. You might want to leave the AC "off " and the refrigerator "on" while you start the generator. Then turn on the AC. This will stagger the start load. Once up and running I think the chances are slim that both units will cycle on at the same time. Perhaps someone on the forum has a 2000i, a window shaker, and a small fridge and can test this out for you.

BTW, Suzan is a finalist in this year's Genesis contest, romantic suspense. Hope you have a wonderful time on the book tour.

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Postby Sonetpro » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:40 am

I agree with Trackstriper. 5 hours means it was working at full load. We can run our tear with the AC (Petcool) 400 watts and the converter on and it runs about 12 hours on a tank.
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Postby emiller » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:20 am

Seams to me that 5 hours is along time for a generator to run, not that it can't. And unless you do premitive camping quite time you'll have to shut down your generator regardless of how quite its is.
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Postby madjack » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:33 am

Lynn...good answers above AND you can get an extended run tank setup for the gennie...it looks just like a 6gal outboard motor tank...probably better than running of the TV fuel tank.....
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Postby Lynn Coleman » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:55 am

Trackstriper wrote:Lynn,
BTW, Suzan is a finalist in this year's Genesis contest, romantic suspense. Hope you have a wonderful time on the book tour.
J.B.


First congrats to Suzan. Does that mean she'll be at the conference this fall? Unfortunately I won't be there. It's an odd feeling not being able to go to the conference of the organization I founded but that's going to happen from time to time.

Second, thanks for all the useful information J.B.

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Postby Lynn Coleman » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:57 am

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input. I'll be sharing it with hubby.

Lynn
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Postby sdtripper2 » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:19 pm

Lynn:

In case you decide not to go with propane and still want an extra Auxiliary
gas tank. I think the picture and link below will be of help to you in your quest.

Image
Here is a link on how to create and hook uP the Auxiliary gas tank to the Honda EU1000 or EU2000.

Note:
If it were me and I had to do this I would get another Honda EU 2000 cap
and modify it as opposed to messing uP the one that comes with the unit.
That way you have options.
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Postby Nobody » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:38 pm

Outstanding post Steve. Been thinkin' of doin' something like that. The link is great :thumbsup: :ok:
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Postby Arne » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:44 pm

Interesting.. that means the honda has to have a fuel pump in it.... otherwise, the fuel would not flow from the aux tank into the gen...
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Postby Sonetpro » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:33 pm

Wise Sales has them already made. $>

http://wisesales.com/DurationTanks.html
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Postby campadk » Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:36 pm

Hi Lynn,

I'd check into that a/c unit. The concensus from a lot of experienced generator owners is that the Honda 2000 is too small to run an a/c unit, and although you might be able to run it with the 2000, you could well burn out the compressor. Typically campers with a/c will run two 2000's in parallel... or a Honda 3000 ($$$$'s), but thats a lot of cost and weight to run a/c...

5 hours usage on a tank sounds about right. I might get 6 hours, but I have mine just to recharge the batteries. Reality using it for this purpose, the generator isn't doing much work after the initial charge. I'd wonder if you would even got 5 hours putting that kind of load on a generator...
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