Honda EU2000i generators

[Workshop]

Recently purchased a Honda EU2000i Companion generator. Intent is to later purchase the EU2000i and use them in parallel if needed. The Companion was purchased first because it cost more, so the higher cost of the 2 is out of the way, and it had the 30a twist lock receptacle which allows me to hook up using the generator cable already on my unit, in the generaor compartment.

Questions are....

Progressive EMS H50__I have to turn it off as it goes into overvoltage condition and states the input is 131v. This isn't a problem and just turn it off and have power to the unit. Is this normal for others also?

Noticed that running the unit on ECO-Throttle will provide power/amps to run the converter, refrig and entertainment systems on the unit. If the micro is turned on...it has a voltage dip and speeds up to run the micro until complete. Know the manual says to turn the switch off to run high power items. Where are others 'normally' leaving the switch setting...or does it depend?

Who is running the 2000i in parallel and do you have any problems running the 13,500w air conditioners on your unit?

...Or have other power concerns using this setup.....know others have mentioned using these generators in parallel....intent is to have enough power when needed by running two...and use just one if the Air Cond isn't needed and run on gas as needed to keep power draw low.

Thanks for the input...

workhorse

[Still Working "NOT"]

Workhorse,

I been running a Honda 2000 for years. I bought one at a time and built my own parallel cable to ty them together. I usually just run one on Eco since we are just using TV. Ref., charging batteries. I have never used a surge protector or such. Using one 2000 this way I get about 8 hours out of a gallon of gas.

I have yet to run them parallel since I haven't needed to do that to run the air onditioner. I'm just prepared when it happens. From what I have read when I started to put this together, your should be able to run your air on just one 2000 but nothing else. Same for Microwave. I would have the 2000 running at full thottle to run either one. I would not run a 15,000 BTU air on just one Honda.

Since you have one of the newer Honda's, buy the parrallel kit the only cost $45.00 or so and ty your second one when you get it. You can't build one like I have for that price.

I also got my second one from Speedway Sales. Ordered on Monday and had it by Friday. There are others that sale for the same price also.

Hope this helps.

[KU9L]

Our Eu2000i always seemed to hold no load voltage of 125 volts and around 110-115 volts under full load. I used it with a skill saw while constructing our outbuildings and also to run the battery charger of our Trace 2412 inverter. I could program the batter charger to draw the precise load needed to run the generator at full load. We didn't have an AC unit to try at the time, it would surely soft start my skill saw during the voltage dip at startup. We unfortunately sold the generator with our off-grid strawbale house.

Dave

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workshop Recently purchased a Honda EU2000i Companion generator. Intent is to later purchase the EU2000i and use them in parallel if needed. The Companion was purchased first because it cost more, so the higher cost of the 2 is out of the way, and it had the 30a twist lock receptacle which allows me to hook up using the generator cable already on my unit, in the generaor compartment. Questions are.... Progressive EMS H50__I have to turn it off as it goes into overvoltage condition and states the input is 131v. This isn't a problem and just turn it off and have power to the unit. Is this normal for others also? Noticed that running the unit on ECO-Throttle will provide power/amps to run the converter, refrig and entertainment systems on the unit. If the micro is turned on...it has a voltage dip and speeds up to run the micro until complete. Know the manual says to turn the switch off to run high power items. Where are others 'normally' leaving the switch setting...or does it depend? Who is running the 2000i in parallel and do you have any problems running the 13,500w air conditioners on your unit? ...Or have other power concerns using this setup.....know others have mentioned using these generators in parallel....intent is to have enough power when needed by running two...and use just one if the Air Cond isn't needed and run on gas as needed to keep power draw low. Thanks for the input... workhorse

work,
I'm no genny guy......but have a basic question regarding the high voltage issue on your first question. You state you by pass the surge protector and it runs the coach. What is your voltage inside the coach with the SP bypassed? Still 131V? Just curious and may help someone help you on the answer......back to waxing the Journey.....rockin'

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still Working "NOT" Workhorse, I been running a Honda 2000 for years. I bought one at a time and built my own parallel cable to ty them together. I usually just run one on Eco since we are just using TV. Ref., charging batteries. I have never used a surge protector or such. Using one 2000 this way I get about 8 hours out of a gallon of gas. I have yet to run them parallel since I haven't needed to do that to run the air onditioner. I'm just prepared when it happens. From what I have read when I started to put this together, your should be able to run your air on just one 2000 but nothing else. Same for Microwave. I would have the 2000 running at full thottle to run either one. I would not run a 15,000 BTU air on just one Honda. Since you have one of the newer Honda's, buy the parrallel kit the only cost $45.00 or so and ty your second one when you get it. You can't build one like I have for that price. I also got my second one from Speedway Sales. Ordered on Monday and had it by Friday. There are others that sale for the same price also. Hope this helps.

Thanks Still...while trying the generator out, I found that I can run the refrig and general demands while in the Eco position. The generator will pick up the load and the microwave will not miss a beat if started/run from Eco but might be better to turn it off if I know I will be using the micro if needed several times.

Did like that they changed the hookup for parallel use and now have the plug on the Companion model and makes it simplier to hook up. Did buy the parallel cable set that came with the plug that changes from the twist 30a to the RV standard 30a plug. Bought it at Gander Mountain for $21.00, couldn't pass it up. As my allowance isn't getting any bigger...have to get what I can when allowed !!!

After reading your post, I did try the generator with the air conditioner...with the Eco off...it did start the AC and kept the voltage at 117v and both seemed to hold their own. Could tell the generator was trying to keep up but never got an overload light. Not something I would want to do long term. Knowing amp readings for my unit, the AC normally will run at 10-11 amps with a higher draw at start. Guess I need to have the DW turn the unit on while I check at startup someday. But will wait till I have two to run the AC.

Thanks for the info,

workhorse

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom work, I'm no genny guy......but have a basic question regarding the high voltage issue on your first question. You state you by pass the surge protector and it runs the coach. What is your voltage inside the coach with the SP bypassed? Still 131V?

Rockin' reading the panel that came with the Progressive EMS, it read 131v and gave an error code for over voltage when I ran the generator from the standard 50a plug for the unit with the adapter. It has a switch to bypass the EMS protection and allow voltage to the unit. At that point the readings goes blank.....the plug in meter at the kitchen outlet that is pluged in all the time read +125v. Noticed that it always reads lower than the EMS. One day when I have nothing to do, I need to check all this out with a meter in different locations.

This evening I did run the generator on the unit using the front connection that I modifided earlier. This uses a 30a twist connection and runs through the ATS. This is one reason I added the extra 'door' on the front compartment door.

Left all my meters at a job rather than bring everything home on friday...Will try an take a few readings later.


Here's a picture of the front compartment door.




thanks,

workhorse

[Bruce and Jenna]

I have two three year 2000EIs with the parallel box and cables. I cannot run my microwave convection oven on just one generator, even with the Eco mode off.

Like you, I must turn off my Progressive 50amp EMS to use the generator. I was told that the EMS will not allow an ungrounded source, but not to worry since the generator provides high quality pure sine wave power. I have never had a problem with my appliances using the generator only.

I always run in Eco mode unless I expect to use a high amp appliance. Then I just switch off the Eco mode to avoid the initial voltage drop until the generator kicked into high gear.

I'm not using my generators much of late. They don't run well after a shop in Tucson cleaned them out because gasoline dried up in them.

[Ray,IN]

Hi Bruce, I read about your genset issues with dried gas. I did that to one of my gensets a few years ago. I had the time, so I tried pouring an entire can of Gumout into the tank and let it sit for a week. I thought I had failed when I finally started the motor, it sputtered and bucked until it warmed up. After that it has ran fine to this day. That BTW was the very last time I shut off the gas tank to carb valve. Carb can't dry out when it has a constant gas supply. And I use Stabil in every gas can fill-up.

[Workshop]

Thanks all for the inputs!

workhorse

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN Hi Bruce, I read about your genset issues with dried gas. I did that to one of my gensets a few years ago. I had the time, so I tried pouring an entire can of Gumout into the tank and let it sit for a week. I thought I had failed when I finally started the motor, it sputtered and bucked until it warmed up. After that it has ran fine to this day. That BTW was the very last time I shut off the gas tank to carb valve. Carb can't dry out when it has a constant gas supply. And I use Stabil in every gas can fill-up.

Thanks Ray. I may try that next. I tried Seafoam before taking it to a shop. No luck

[Jim Woodman]

We have had the 2000 and the 2000 Companion for just a few weeks now. I can run everything (both TV's, microwave, etc) in our 2008 36TKE except A/C on just the Companion. To add A/C, we need both generators running.

[Bruce and Jenna]

I'm curious too about possible differences in output using different plugs.

Like I mentioned b4, I can't run my 1.5kw convection oven with just one 2000i, which is rated for 1.6kw. Haven't tried it in so long that I don't recall how I connected it. When I was boondocking a lot, I always left my parallel kit set up and would run one gen at a time.

Maybe I should try a 50-30 and 30-20 direct connection to just one gen using the dogbones.

Hope I ain't OT

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna I'm curious too about possible differences in output using different plugs. Like I mentioned b4, I can't run my 1.5kw convection oven with just one 2000i, which is rated for 1.6kw. Haven't tried it in so long that I don't recall how I connected it. When I was boondocking a lot, I always left my parallel kit set up and would run one gen at a time. Maybe I should try a 50-30 and 30-20 direct connection to just one gen using the dogbones. Hope I ain't OT

Never mind. I found the answer. Turn off the Converter breaker to stop charging the batteries. Then use microwave.

Priceless.