honda generator question

P

patrick and linda

New member
Ok, i purchased a Honda eu 2000i in may 2007. Today I decided to put oil and gas in it for the first time. It started right away and runs like new because it is, just happens to be 6 years old. Here's the question. At idol speed it doesn't generate enough electricity to light a standard light bulb, I need to increase rpms for the light to come on. Is this normal?
 
Mine works well also. If I run something heavy on it in the ECO mode, it, the generator, will just idle up like it's suppose to do. But it will run lights just fine in it's ECO mode.
 
Small air cooled generators normally have 2 windings, which require it to run at 3600rpm to achieve 60hertz. Larger generators have 4 windings allowing them to produce 60hertz at 1800rpm.

Most electrical equipment requires 60hertz to operate properly. Generators with auto idle should ramp up when a load is applied. Does it ramp up and power a larger load normally? Is the bulb you are trying very low wattage?

Bill is referring to "field flashing" - this is done to re - energize the field. I started a thread on this titled "generator exercising and load testing". In my case though I had no power even at full rpm.

If you are only using it to power a few small bulbs - another option - if your generator has the 12v battery charging output is to use 12v bulbs. Using this does not trigger the auto idle so you can have light without running the gen. at full rpms.

Regards, Rob
 
patrick and linda":3u96tnvo said:
Ok, i purchased a Honda eu 2000i in may 2007. Today I decided to put oil and gas in it for the first time. It started right away and runs like new because it is, just happens to be 6 years old. Here's the question. At idol speed it doesn't generate enough electricity to light a standard light bulb, I need to increase rpms for the light to come on. Is this normal?
Click to expand...

The Honda 2000i is an invertor not a generator. I know I'm being picky. But it uses a coil in the motor to make 12 volts and then it inverts it to get 120 volts AC. It can do this at idle. The generator needs to turn 3600 rpm to get 60 cycles. I don't think field flashing will work on the invertor. I would just check the output with a volt meter. There is a circuit breaker right by the outlet see if that is tripped. You might have to take this one to a shop.
 
Actually the Honda EU 2000i is an alternator, which then powers an inverter. The engine RPM are low, and you can still power a light bulb.

I would put the Honda on non eco mode, and it should run right up to max RPM. This will be putting out about 16.7 amps @ 120 Volts max, but reality it is 13.3 amps at 1600 watts.

It may have been test run at the dealer, and there is fuel evaporated in the carb. The carb is easy to clean, and I would start there. If you have an air compressor, pull the carb. Put carb cleaner in all of the jets, clean the bowl and blow it out with compressed air. Then most likely you will be good to go. I have owned similar units for many years, with no loss of "magnetism".
 
Thanks doc! All good ideas. I need to spend more time this weekend checking out my new, 6 yr old Honda.I hope you are doing well and enjoying your retirement as I am now with mine.
 
We use a Honda 1000, which has been a great generator. It's a generator since it generates electrical power, which then goes through an inverter for a 120 VAC, 60 Hz output. I don't know if the first stage is DC or AC, but I suspect DC, since converting it to 60 Hz AC at various speeds in ECO mode would be a lot simpler.

That discussion aside, the one problem I've had with the generator is the servo sticking. The carburetor is servo controlled by the inverter, and the servo motor is bolted on top of the carb. A couple of years ago, I replaced the carb because I couldn't get it to run smoothly at low output in ECO mode. Worked well for a year then started surging again, so I sprayed the servo motor with silicone spray, which cured the problem.

I realize the your problem is low output, but I'll bet that's because the the servo motor is sticking utill it gets a large signal from the inverter, and then opens. BTW, you didn't say if it'll output power under a large load in ECO mode. I assume it does. So probably after 6 years the lubricant in the servo motor is coagulated. Try spraying silicone in there and see if it responds. Switch a 100 watt bulb on and off, that should shake things loose.

Cleaning the carb can be done without pulling the thing, at least on a 1000.

Those are great generators. The 1000 will run a 5000 BTU air conditioner with no trouble. Though, I'm not certain I'd be willing to go where I needed air conditioning in the boat.

Boris
 
Following up on Doctor Bob's comment on the carburetor. Do not (DO NOT) leave fuel in the generator for any period after use. Use stabil in the fuel as well. If you leave fuel in them, you'll get the opportunity to learn how to clean the carburetor.
 
While we are on the subject of Honda generators, I have a question. I have a Honda 2000i onboard, the generator is connected to the c dory electrical thru a 15 amp pig tale connected to my 30 amp boat service. We have a coleman airconditioner (13500 btu) on the cabin roof. My question is can the Honda 2000i power the airconditioner? I think Bob stated in reality the generator puts out 13.3 amp at 1600 watts. The airconditioner specs. state a 16 amp continues run current. Thanks in advance for your opinions.
 
Honda guy here....

When you start up the EU2000i, the green OUTPUT lamp should glow steady. Does not matter what which position you have the Eco-Throttle switch is in.

If the OUTPUT lamp is NOT on steady when the generator is running, check the position of the breaker. Try resetting it, and also restarting the generator. If the problem persists, you should have it inspected by a Honda dealer. You can find a dealer in your area by using this link:

Find A Honda Dealer

FYI, way back in 2002, there was a Service Bulletin issued by Honda for the EU2000i. Some units did not have power on one receptacle because a tab was incorrectly broken off at the factory. This was limited to serial numbers 100001-1026854. The serial number is on the back rear corner of the unit.

Finally, a standard 13,500 BTU A/C system requires in excess of 2,000 watts to typically start-up, and an Honda EU2000i will not have enough power to run such a system. You may connect a second EU2000i with a special parallel cable to provide a full 4,000 watts of power and this arrange will absolutely give enough power to run the A/C and plenty of other devices. It's a very popular configuration for RV and camping customers.

Hope this helps. If you guys have any other Honda questions, just ask.
 
Thanks Joe ....

I went to the Honda 2000 Yahoo group and read some of their threads.

We had been having a (minor but aggravating) problem with the Ol Alert light shutting down the gen, but ONLY in very cold temperatures. It would take 10-12 restarts, then ran fine (my guess was the motor finally got warm/lubed enough to run thereafter.

Anyway, evidently that issue is common and several have reported it. Seems the easiest 'fix is to run 5-30 Mobil One so I'll probably just switch-over from 10W-30 Mobile One. ...on the other hand, may be we just concentrate on being in WARM places! :-)

GREAT generator though ... in fact, I'm almost tempted to by a 1000W model (easier to lift, etc).

Best,
Casey&Mary
...in Juneau (and hopefully headed to Skagway on Sunday!)
 
Dont want to hijack this thread, but would also like to pose a question.

Where can I get a gas cap for the honda 2000 to connect it to a portable auxillary gas tank. So I can run the honda all night without refilling.

thanks
 
Ashley Lynn":1cunyk8v said:
Dont want to hijack this thread, but would also like to pose a question.

Where can I get a gas cap for the honda 2000 to connect it to a portable auxillary gas tank. So I can run the honda all night without refilling.

thanks
Click to expand...

If you go to that Honda 2000 site mentioned above, there are a number of threads and photographs of how to convert the standard cap over to auxiliary tank use.

There are also outfits that make a conversion cap you can buy, already made up. I believe they are discussed there, also.

There are also maximum height differences that apply between the auxiliary tank and the generator. The generator will only lift the fuel a short vertical distance.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Hi Pat, How do you like your new boat. Can you Trailer this one?? It is a beauty, still would like get up with you all some time. Glad you got the Honda going. Oh welcome to the Retirement Club. I took a early retirement & have not regreeted a day of it Jim & Sandy
 
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