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Honda "EU" Series: Still need to consider fuel/power?

P

(PeteCresswell)

Jan 1, 1970
0
From other threads, I gather that with most generators using one whose capacity
exceeds the load by any significant amount will result in much more gasoline
used per hour of output.

But the Hondas seem to have an automatic throttle feature that cuts back the
power when the load is less.

My kneejerk reaction, if faced with a supposed requirement of 2kw is to get a
3kw generator just on general principles - and the feeling that I probably don't
have as good a handle on the requirements as I think I do.

So, bottom line: will using an EU3000 when the load really is only 2000 consume
significantly more fuel than using an EU2000?
 
V

Vaughn Simon

Jan 1, 1970
0
(PeteCresswell) said:
From other threads, I gather that with most generators using one whose
capacity
exceeds the load by any significant amount will result in much more gasoline
used per hour of output.

But the Hondas seem to have an automatic throttle feature that cuts back the
power when the load is less.

My kneejerk reaction, if faced with a supposed requirement of 2kw is to get a
3kw generator just on general principles - and the feeling that I probably
don't
have as good a handle on the requirements as I think I do.

So, bottom line: will using an EU3000 when the load really is only 2000
consume
significantly more fuel than using an EU2000?

Actually, an EU 2000 is not good for 2000 watts continuously (only rated for
1600 VA continuous ). You did not pick an extreme enough example to properly
illustrate the point. The more common example is a 6 KW genny that is running a
refrigerator and a couple light bulbs for a total load of something under 1 KW.
That 6KW genny with (probably) a B&S engine will drink up to 1 gallon an hour,
while the EU2000 would run that load for several hours on that same gallon of
gas. I have a 4 KW Natural gas fueled Onan connected to my house through a
transfer panel. If the only load is my 'fridge, it is much cheaper to drag out
my EU2000 for the job.

By the way, rather than buying the EU3000, consider 2 EU2000s. That gives
you the option of tailoring your capacity to the load.; running two of them in
parallel for large loads, or just one for smaller loads.

Vaughn
 
S

steamer

Jan 1, 1970
0
(PeteCresswell) said:
But the Hondas seem to have an automatic throttle feature that cuts back the
power when the load is less.
--Yeah; neat idea when they work; had a 5 hour blackout the other
day and I could *not* get my 2kw model to run at anything other than top
speed. Used up a whole tank of gas in half the time it would have, had this
feature been working correctly. Harrumph!
 
B

Bughunter

Jan 1, 1970
0
(PeteCresswell) said:
From other threads, I gather that with most generators using one whose
capacity
exceeds the load by any significant amount will result in much more
gasoline
used per hour of output.

But the Hondas seem to have an automatic throttle feature that cuts back
the
power when the load is less.

My kneejerk reaction, if faced with a supposed requirement of 2kw is to
get a
3kw generator just on general principles - and the feeling that I probably
don't
have as good a handle on the requirements as I think I do.

So, bottom line: will using an EU3000 when the load really is only 2000
consume
significantly more fuel than using an EU2000?

I have an EU3000, and have watched my neighbor use a rental EU2000 a couple
of times. Other than that, I don't claim any special expertise.

I'd guess that the EU3000 would use just about the same fuel as the EU2000,
given the same sized load.

The EU3000 would have a better capacity to handle short surges like motor
starting.

Your 2000w continuous load, if it is accurate, is just a bit too much for
the EU2000. It would be a very good match for the EU3000. The EU3000 is
rated at 23 amps (~2600w) continuous load. I typically throttle back my load
to about 20 amps, because the engine seems to run smoother at that load. ( I
can reduce that load only because it is for an inverter/ battery charger is
programmable)

There is a significant difference in portability between the EU2000 and
EU3000. The EU2000 is a one handed carry, where the EU3000, especially if it
is full of gas, is at about the limit of what I can lift onto a pickup
trucks tailgate, and I'm a pretty big guy. The EU3000 is relatively easy to
move with two people, with one person on each handle.

Somebody recommended connecting two EU2000's. They would give you better
one-man portability, and even some redundancy, but I'm not sure that you can
run a single load that is higher than the rating of a single generator.
(where would you plug it in?) I think you have can only run a combined load
that exceeds the capacity of a single generator. I may be wrong. The
specifications should give you some clues. You should check with your Honda
dealer to make sure before you invest in two synchronized EU2000's.

I have had this discussion with a neighbor who was considering using two
EU2000's to run a well pump. We never got to a definitive answer, but then
again we didn't do much research.

My main point is that I don't think you would use a significant amount more
fuel with the Eu3000 than the Eu2000 for the same load. You might even use
less with an EU3000 than with two synchronized EU2000's.

Electric start on the EU3000 is not that big of an advantage. It is as easy
to pull start as the EU2000. Either usually starts on the first pull. The
starting battery on my EU3000 has worn out, and I have not felt compelled to
replace it because it is so easy to pull start.

my $.02
 
Bughunter said:
Somebody recommended connecting two EU2000's. They would give you better
one-man portability, and even some redundancy, but I'm not sure that you can
run a single load that is higher than the rating of a single generator.

I am.
(where would you plug it in?)

Some sort of junction box.
I have had this discussion with a neighbor who was considering using two
EU2000's to run a well pump...

A lot of them are 240 V. Perhaps we can sychronize 2 EU2000s out of phase
with a small transformer between them to make 240...

Nick
 
V

Vaughn Simon

Jan 1, 1970
0
sparky said:
And you can pull start the EU 2000's with one for each hand. The 3000
will electric start....

Hey Vaughn, How much racket does the 4kw Onan make compared with the
eu2000?

Mine is in a factory-made steel outside enclosure. It makes enough noise
that I would not want it pad-mounted directly outside my living room window. It
makes a Harley-Davidson exhaust rumble plus a good bit of fan noise. I ended
up putting mine 20 feet away from the house surrounded by a tight/heavy wooden
fence with a ducted air inlet. Now I can hear a reasuring low rumble inside the
house and I doubt if my neighbors hear anything.
I need a genny about that size that will run propane to replace my
eu-2000. Any thoughts ?

There is a company out there that sells factory-blessed tri-fueled versions
of the Yamaha generator line, or you can buy kits to convert a wide variety of
generators to propane.

Vaughn
 
V

Vaughn Simon

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bughunter said:
Somebody recommended connecting two EU2000's. They would give you better
one-man portability, and even some redundancy, but I'm not sure that you can
run a single load that is higher than the rating of a single generator. (where
would you plug it in?) I think you have can only run a combined load that
exceeds the capacity of a single generator. I may be wrong. The specifications
should give you some clues.

I have never tried it, but page 22 of the manual says that max power in
parallel operation is 4.0 KVA, 3.2 KVA continuous. You plug in to the parallel
kit.

Vaughn
 
B

Bughunter

Jan 1, 1970
0
Vaughn Simon said:
I have never tried it, but page 22 of the manual says that max power
in parallel operation is 4.0 KVA, 3.2 KVA continuous. You plug in to the
parallel kit.

Vaughn

Cool. I would not mind having an EU2000 because of it's portability, even
though I already have an EU3000. They are nice to carry around to run things
like circular saws. I wonder if I the same synchronizing cable would allow
you to connect an EU3000 and an EU2000?
 
D

Derek Broughton

Jan 1, 1970
0
I am.


Some sort of junction box.


A lot of them are 240 V. Perhaps we can sychronize 2 EU2000s out of phase
with a small transformer between them to make 240...

You shouldn't even need any special equipment. The EU2000s are supposed to
be able to do this as stock.
 
B

Bughunter

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bughunter said:
Cool. I would not mind having an EU2000 because of it's portability, even
though I already have an EU3000. They are nice to carry around to run
things like circular saws. I wonder if I the same synchronizing cable
would allow you to connect an EU3000 and an EU2000?

I just took a look at the owners manuals at the Honda web site.

They have two paralleling kits for the EU2000 / EU1000. One has a separate
nema 30 amp connector so you can combine loads to a single receptacle.. The
other kit just synchronizes the two, but you only have the existing 20a
outlets to use. So, for one large load, you would choose the first kit with
the additional nema 30a connector.

The paralleling kit for the EU3000 is limited by the output of the existing
receptacles. You cannot not parallel a EU3000 with a EU2000. It says they
have to be the same type generator.
 
D

Derek Broughton

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ulysses said:
Sounds like a bad Eco-throttle switch. That is a weakness on the eu2000s.
So that brings me to a question I've been wondering about.

I usually use my EU2000 to charge my battery bank through my Outback FX. If
I switch it to economy mode, the revs do drop - so which mode is more
efficient? Top speed is probably more efficient if the Outback can use all
the power, but I would expect that if the Outback used all the power, the
eco-throttle setting wouldn't make a difference to the revs.
 
V

Vaughn Simon

Jan 1, 1970
0
sparky said:
The company Vaughn is US carbeuration who is allowef to modify the
Yamaha 3KW gasoline geeny for LP and NG. with warranty.
They are in my experience not anyone I would do business with. The
gasoline Yamaha is very quiet and similar to the EU 3000 in quality. I
keep hoping someone will tell me otherwise about US Carbeuration !

I remember seeing you (or someone here) comment about them in the past.
Don't be afraid to be more specific if you have had a bad experience with them.

I have never done business with them myself, but I have sent two friends
there for propane conversion kits and they both came away satisfied. Dumb luck?

Vaughn
 
J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
You should be able to convert your EU2000 to propane, as I just
converted my EU3000 to run on natural gas. You may have to
add the regulators outboard of the case like I did, as there is not
much extra room inside the case.
 
S

steamer

Jan 1, 1970
0
--Interesting idea! What sort of "mileage" do you get out of, say, a
5 gallon tank?
 
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