I have heard that the handle of the EU2000i is hollow and fairly easy
to cut.  So, I was wondering what others have done to secure their
generators.

I am considering the purchase of a Lock/Alarm that is basically an
plastic encased cable that sounds an alarm when it is cut.  However,
if I run this cable through the handle, someone could just cut the
handle without cutting the cable.  To address this, I've thought about
replacing a couple of the screws on the front of the housing with
eye-bolts.  I could then run the cable through these eye-bolts.  The
cable would have to be routed so that it would be difficult to turn
the eye-bolts enough to remove them.  Are there any issues with this?

Any other ideas?

I'd like to be able to put the generators either near the camper or in
the truck.  So, a box may not be so easy to move.

If you have a neat link to a web page related to a project for/with
the EU2000i, be sure to put it in the "Links" area listed on the left
hand navigation bar on the Honda_EU2000_Generators main page at Yahoo
Groups.

My Honda 2000 E is humming all around the block here in Ft Myers
keeping everybody going.
Dave D.

I carry an EU2000 on my boat. But I set it on the back deck when I
use it. While my boat has twin 350 GM engines with a real engine
compartment, I don't think I would like to trust the generator
running in there, air cooled, water cooled or whatever. Even though
my engine room is forced air ventilated, I would really be concerned
about the CO finding its way into the cabin.
Just my opinion.
Dave D.

Not sure I'll be able to answer your question.  I am pretty sure the
EU2000i is forced air cooled, in that a fan forces the air through the
plastic casing to cool the engine.  To water cool it, that system
would probably need modification as well.


--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, bilbo <bilbo4334@y...>
wrote:
> i saw one of my fellow boaters this weekend.  he has a new EU2000.
the generator powered his electrical needs as well as the AC on his
boat.  he tied it to the swim platform on the boat.  i got to
thinking;  could this generator be water cooled and place in the
engine compartment of my boat.  anyone know of any ways to water cool
the generator or water jackets commerciallly available?  i saw some of
the pictures on the group site.  it seems several of you have put the
generator in some confined spaces and enclosurers.  any cooling problems?

I went by Home Depot yesterday evening and picked up a pair of Medium
size Ruff Hauz dog houses. They fit perfectly between the wheel wells.
I made some bases to fit in them and hold the generators in place. I
even drilled holes in the bottom section to improve circulation (I
guess I'm committed to this project now!). I drilled large holes for
the cables and locking rope. I did run the units for a while. The bed
of the truck did get a little warmer than when I just used a wood
pallet. I think the increased temperature is because the exhaust is
bouncing off the lid of the house and deflecting down to the floor.
That would also explain the roof getting a little warm. I think I have
the units too far back in the dog house. I plan to move them closer to
the opening so the exhaust can't get trapped in the house. I am
thinking about adding a 12V blower fan to each house. I don't see why
the generators couldn't power them.

Hopefully I'll have time to work all this out before we leave on a
trip later today. I think I'm really going to have to watch the
temperatures for a while. Initially, I'll probably just run them with
the tops off until I have time to play with them more.

I put some photos in the photo album - Tundracamper / Ruff Hauz

I'd appreciate any feedback anyone may have.
Thanks!

--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, Don Bowen
<don.bowen@e...> wrote:
> At 7/13/2004, you wrote:
>
> >Could you see any of the pics?perhap's i did not get them in the
> >right place.I am still trying to learn,not as up on things as you
> >boy's,sorry
>
> The extended tank looks simple enough.  Did you install the barb
fittings
> on the fuel caps and what about the normal tank vent system?
>
> Don Bowen
> Awl Knotted Up Woodworking
> Valley Center, CA             http://www.braingarage.com

I bonded the 1/4 barbs in the cap's with jb weld.The fuel veny's from
the aux tank filler cap.The od of 1/4 barb's are almost a perfect fit
in the cap's.

Russell

Could you see any of the pics?perhap's i did not get them in the
right place.I am still trying to learn,not as up on things as you
boy's,sorry

Could you see any of the pics?perhap's i did not get them in the
right place.I am still trying to learn,not as up on things as you
boy's,sorry

--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, Don Bowen
<don.bowen@e...> wrote:
> At 7/13/2004, you wrote:
> >Someone see if you can open my album on this site ,eu2000 aux fuel
> >tank.Tell me if i did this right,album that is.
>
> I opened the album but it is empty.
>
> Don Bowen
> Awl Knotted Up Woodworking
> Valley Center, CA             http://www.braingarage.com

Could you see any of the pics?perhap's i did not get them in the
right place.I am still trying to learn,not as up on things as you
boy's,sorry

Russell

Someone see if you can open my album on this site ,eu2000 aux fuel
tank.Tell me if i did this right,album that is.

Tundracamper

I looked at those boxes from wal-mart you had in your album,I like
the idea,I think that is the way we are going to go.

Russell

Came home,drained fuel bowl,blew off the plug,fired them
up,everything ok.Running as i write on aux tank for the first time.

Russell

Someone see if you can open my album on this site ,eu2000 aux fuel
tank.Tell me if i did this right,album that is.

Russell[peaeye]

I CALLED WISESALES THIS MORNING AND THEY TOLD ME TO OPEN UP A SCREW TO
  CLEAN OUT THE CARBURETOR BOWL,OR IT COULD BE THAT THE GEN GOT TURNRD
UPSIDE DOWN IN SHIPMENT ,AND THE PLUG MIGHT BE FOULED. WILL TRY BOTH
THIS EVENING.tHEY SAID IT CANT BE MUCH WROUNG ,JUST GEN TRYING TO
CLEAN ITSELF OUT.
    i AM OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS IS THE CASE.

Russell

Does anyone have any pictures of enclosures or shelters they are
using?  I'm going back to Home Depot today to look at a Ruff Hauz dog
house.  It will hold one unit and I think I can add some vent holes to
improve circulation.  The opening is big enough to expose the entire
grill on the end of the generator.  If that doesn't look like it will
work, I guess I'll have to make something out of plywood.  At least
that option would have plenty of circulation.

Any ideas?

--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, "peaeye111"
<nighthawk@n...> wrote:
> I think it is runnin to rich,as it will have a little hickup every
> now and then.Is there a simple adjusting screw i can get to without
> messing with my warranty.

Unfortunately I'm not going to be much help.  This seems like a good
reason, among others, to splurge for the $35 service manual at
helms.com.  Geez, like I haven't spent enough already.

I noticed this evening that i got whiff of gas,killed the units,and
noticed a small amount of gas dripping from on of the two clear hoses
feeding out the bottom of 1 of  the units.This is on the side you add
oil.The gas was coming from the two hoses tht come together ,not the
single one that is visible when unit is closed up.
I think it is runnin to rich,as it will have a little hickup every
now and then.Is there a simple adjusting screw i can get to without
messing with my warranty.I just hope is is not serious,as momma has
been verrrry understanding sofar with this toy.

Please tell me i am not going to have to ship this thing back to
where i bought it,to get it fixed,oops there i go thinking the worst
that could happen.The other one runs fine.

anyway's  HELP

Russell

--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, "peaeye111"
<nighthawk@n...> wrote:

> Where is everyone going to carry thier 2000's?I can't decide between
> the rack on the back of the trailer,or in the bed of the pickup.
>
> Peaeye 111

I'm working on that right now.  I currently have a small pallet that I
made to sit in the truck bed at the front.  The pallet is made so that
it keeps the units back from the front wall of the bed.  I also added
hooks and bungee cords to keep the units and extra fuel tank secured.
  The whole thing is locked to the bed with a large cable and lock.  I
am now trying to figure out how to add a cover.  Once I get that done,
it's on to the aux tank.

Where is everyone going to carry thier 2000's?I can't decide between
the rack on the back of the trailer,or in the bed of the pickup.

I bought our's from wisesale's in ill for 885.00 and free
shipping.Got them last friday,ran them for about 5 hour's total,
hooked up to ac on fth wheel.I am putting finishing touches on an aux
tank.
Where is everyone going to carry thier 2000's?I can't decide between
the rack on the back of the trailer,or in the bed of the pickup.

Peaeye 111

You can buy a fairly expensive box that has a real nice mounting
bracket and a circuit breaker/switch for around $240 from
Mayberry's.  It's a Gen-Tran.  Or, if you want to make one yourself,
I've heard you can get the parts for around $50. 

Out of all the articles and picture links that describe the process
of building a parallel box, I personally think this one is the best...

http://www.engr.udayton.edu/staff/lriggins/Honda/

--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, Don Bowen
<don.bowen@e...> wrote:
> So, who has the bext prices and is there a schematic for the load
balancing
> or combining box?
>
Don:

Welcome!  I'm not sure about the best price.  I know Mayberry's sells
them for $899 including shipping.  You have to call to get the price
as they no longer advertise on the internet.  I have heard of a few
other places that sell for a little less.  But, I don't recall their
names.

As far as the parallel box is concerned, you simply get a 30A RV plug
and connect two sets of leads from the generators to the RV plug in
parallel.  The best, and safest, option is to use the banana plugs.
There is also a ground lead that goes to each generator.

You can buy a fairly expensive box that has a real nice mounting
bracket and a circuit breaker/switch for around $240 from
Mayberry's.  It's a Gen-Tran.  Or, if you want to make one yourself,
I've heard you can get the parts for around $50.

Out of all the articles and picture links that describe the process
of building a parallel box, I personally think this one is the best...

http://www.engr.udayton.edu/staff/lriggins/Honda/

I just joined the list after doing some research on generators.  I plan to
go full time by this fall and have several thigns to pick up.  I had
decided on the Yamaha ef3000iesb but saw a note about hooking two Honda
eu2000 together.  That idea appeals to me because the almost $2000 price of
the larger Hondas and Yamahas was a barrier.  With so many other things
needed that is a bite.  I like the idea of two Hondas because I can buy one
now when the power is not needed to run the AC then next summer pick up
another.  Or is the Honda does not work out then I can pop for the more
expensive unit and still have a tote along.

So, who has the bext prices and is there a schematic for the load balancing
or combining box?

Don Bowen
Awl Knotted Up Woodworking
Valley Center, CA             http://www.braingarage.com

We have a home in Texas (The Woodlands) that is pretty close to sea
level.  There, it will start it by simply turning on the AC but at
about 2000 feet (our place in California) it won't QUITE do it so I
developed the "fan off" compressor start procedure.

Hope that helps,

Steve

--- In Honda_EU2000_Generators@yahoogroups.com, "tundracamper"
<tundracamper@y...> wrote:
> --- hotstock99 wrote:
> > For those interested, I took the thermostat off the wall and found
> > that the yellow wire is compressor control.  I put a microswitch in
> > this line so I have control over the compressor.
>
> That's certainly an interesting approach. Have you tried starting it
> with the fan running also?  It sounds like you had problems with that
> before and now use this approach to get it going.

--- hotstock99 wrote:
> For those interested, I took the thermostat off the wall and found
> that the yellow wire is compressor control.  I put a microswitch in
> this line so I have control over the compressor.

That's certainly an interesting approach. Have you tried starting it
with the fan running also?  It sounds like you had problems with that
before and now use this approach to get it going.

I have a single EU2000 and was very pleased to find that it will run
one of the two 13.5K Colemans on my MH.  I have found that it will
work great at sea level and will run it at 2000 feet if I start the
compressor first and then the low fan and then switch it to high fan.
  I have checked the current draw and once running, the AC unit is
pulling just over 9 amps... well within the capability of the EU2000.
  Interestingly, as the day wears on and the temperatures go up
outside, the current draw of the AC goes up as well but I have used it
with 90+ degree temps outside and it is fine as long as you start the
compressor first.  I DO make sure I have everything else turned off
that runs off 115VAC.  Pay particular attention to the converter
(charging batteries) and the refrigerator.  I put the refer on gas
while using the generator this way.

For those interested, I took the thermostat off the wall and found
that the yellow wire is compressor control.  I put a microswitch in
this line so I have control over the compressor.  To start the AC, I
shut off the ECO mode (so the generator is at full RPM) and then turn
off the microswitch so that the compressor will not start.  Then I
center the FAN switch between HI and LOW so that the fan is off.  The
I flip on the compressor switch and listen for the compressor to come
up to speed.  The generator is obviously loaded and the compressor is
at full speed.  I let it run for probably 30 seconds to chill the
system and then flip the fan switch to LOW and then to HI.  The
generator is quite happy with this routine and in fact, if I turn ON
the ECO switch, the generator actually slows a bit, indicating that it
is not a full load.

I have run it this way for up to 12 hours in a day and it never
overloads and the voltage at the AC never goes lower than 121 VAC.
Not bad for a 46 pound generator!

Thought you might be interested in how I use my EU2000.

Steve

Hello,
    I as well just purchased 2 of the EU2000 gen. I built one of the
boxes that combines the two units as one of the posts had indicated
but haven't had a chance to try it out yet, maybe today. Construction
of the box was straight forward as indicated in the post on RV net.
The parts were purchased at Home Depot and the cords at
Walmart(cheaper). I had the shrink tubing from prev. projects.
     I purchased the two units from Mayberry's and they were $899 each
with shipping included.
                         Tim

I recently purchased a pair of Honda EU2000i generators for use with
my travel trailer RV.  I was trying to collect information on how
others have used their generators over on the RV.net forums.  While
the units are widely used, there are lots of good ideas for improving
the ways in which they are used.  Examples include parallel boxes,
auxilliary tanks, and enclosures.  I noticed that the posts were all
over the place and that it was hard to determine which posts were
related directly to the generators and which ones merely mentioned
the units in passing.  So, I decided to create this group in hopes
that it would be a central gathering place for information on the
EU2000i - as well as those with experience using the units.  I'm
hoping that through this group, I can learn more about how these
units can be most effectively used.  I'd also like to learn more
about how the paralleling features operate - hopefully that will come
with time.