Larry,

Could you give some detail regarding the new Honda generator sets, one
of which that I understand you have. I believe they are DC generators
driving an inverter.

Maybe some comments regarding purchase costs, operating, etc.

I'm thinking of trying one but they seem pretty scarce over here and
I'd hate to order one only to discover that they aren't what I
imagined.

I am presently rebuilding a power boat and will eventually need
auxiliary power and the choice is between a permanently mounted diesel
unit and (maybe) the Honda.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
Could you give some detail regarding the new Honda generator sets, one
of which that I understand you have. I believe they are DC generators
driving an inverter.

If you're talking about the EU2000i, I've had one for two seasons. They
also make a 1000 and 3000, but the 2000 is a good compromise of weight
and power.

They indeed have an inverter, which means the motor is variable speed.
At low load (or idle) it is very quiet and fuel efficient. I was,
however, disappointed in the noise level when run a full power. From 20
yards behind my boat, (cramped mooring field distance) it is much loader
than my Yanmar 2GM's, which means there are places I can't use it daily
without being anti-social. On the other hand, when the door on my cat
is closed and the genset exhaust pointed aft over the stern, it is
inaudible down below, so I can use it freely in more isolated anchorages.

The other disappointment is that it has trouble running my 100 Amp
battery charger. I would have thought 2 kW was enough, but it
frequently trips its breaker. I can limit the power use by the charger
so it runs happily charging at about 75 Amps - not bad, but it means an
extra 20 minutes or so to get the batteries up to the 80% point. Other
owners with similar chargers have reported getting 84 Amps, so I think
there's some variance, or perhaps ambient temp effects. Its also
possible to couple two of them for double power, so some owners carry
two. (Most of my sister ships have 10 hp outboards instead of diesels
so a genset is generally desired for cruising, and this is the one they
prefer.)

Maintenance is minimal, and it always starts on the first or second
pull. The 2kW model is small and light enough to fit in a cockpit
locker and be pulled out when needed. Although I used it a number of
times this summer I don't put on a lot of hours so I expect to get many
trouble free years of service. Its also handy at the house for fall and
winter storms that can pull down power lines, or as a portable power
source. Although it isn't everything I had hoped for, I'm still quite
happy with it.

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:55:03 -0500, jeff wrote:

Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
Could you give some detail regarding the new Honda generator sets, one
of which that I understand you have. I believe they are DC generators
driving an inverter.

If you're talking about the EU2000i, I've had one for two seasons. They
also make a 1000 and 3000, but the 2000 is a good compromise of weight
and power.

They indeed have an inverter, which means the motor is variable speed.
At low load (or idle) it is very quiet and fuel efficient. I was,
however, disappointed in the noise level when run a full power. From 20
yards behind my boat, (cramped mooring field distance) it is much loader
than my Yanmar 2GM's, which means there are places I can't use it daily
without being anti-social. On the other hand, when the door on my cat
is closed and the genset exhaust pointed aft over the stern, it is
inaudible down below, so I can use it freely in more isolated anchorages.

The other disappointment is that it has trouble running my 100 Amp
battery charger. I would have thought 2 kW was enough, but it
frequently trips its breaker. I can limit the power use by the charger
so it runs happily charging at about 75 Amps - not bad, but it means an
extra 20 minutes or so to get the batteries up to the 80% point. Other
owners with similar chargers have reported getting 84 Amps, so I think
there's some variance, or perhaps ambient temp effects. Its also
possible to couple two of them for double power, so some owners carry
two. (Most of my sister ships have 10 hp outboards instead of diesels
so a genset is generally desired for cruising, and this is the one they
prefer.)

Maintenance is minimal, and it always starts on the first or second
pull. The 2kW model is small and light enough to fit in a cockpit
locker and be pulled out when needed. Although I used it a number of
times this summer I don't put on a lot of hours so I expect to get many
trouble free years of service. Its also handy at the house for fall and
winter storms that can pull down power lines, or as a portable power
source. Although it isn't everything I had hoped for, I'm still quite
happy with it.



Thanks for the info. I had heard that the Hondas were a bit loud at
high power and had thought to rebuild the exhaust system to
incorporate a larger exhaust pipe and more muffling so, hopefully, it
would run quieter although only rarely do I anchor in crowded
anchorages.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
...

Thanks for the info. I had heard that the Hondas were a bit loud at
high power and had thought to rebuild the exhaust system to
incorporate a larger exhaust pipe and more muffling so, hopefully, it
would run quieter although only rarely do I anchor in crowded
anchorages.




What's the matter, Pop? Takes you too long to untie all those dock lines and
unplug the shore power cords and disconnect the water hoses and telephone
and cable TV? Not to mention getting all the laundry off the lifelines and
stowing all the junk that's lying all over every shelf and counter in the
accommodation? And scraping all the barnacles off the propeller and getting
the windlass working so you can get underway so you CAN anchor?

Wilbur Hubbard

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:43:08 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:


"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
.. .

Thanks for the info. I had heard that the Hondas were a bit loud at
high power and had thought to rebuild the exhaust system to
incorporate a larger exhaust pipe and more muffling so, hopefully, it
would run quieter although only rarely do I anchor in crowded
anchorages.




What's the matter, Pop? Takes you too long to untie all those dock lines and
unplug the shore power cords and disconnect the water hoses and telephone
and cable TV? Not to mention getting all the laundry off the lifelines and
stowing all the junk that's lying all over every shelf and counter in the
accommodation? And scraping all the barnacles off the propeller and getting
the windlass working so you can get underway so you CAN anchor?

Wilbur Hubbard


Good Lord willie, what are you waffling on about now?

It is always been apparent that you suffered from delusions of
grandeur (you seemed to believe that others were interested in your
comments) but now your reading comprehensive seems to be sliding
downhill like a toboggan. Sad to say but the next phase will have you
stumbling down the road drooling and mumbling and fumbling through
garbage cans. People will cross the streets to avoid you and
ultimately the boys in the white coats will sweep you up like garbage
and spirit you away to the big house on the hill with the rubber
rooms.

Farewell poor Wilbur, we loathed him well,

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:55:03 -0500, jeff wrote:

They indeed have an inverter, which means the motor is variable speed.
At low load (or idle) it is very quiet and fuel efficient. I was,
however, disappointed in the noise level when run a full power. From 20
yards behind my boat, (cramped mooring field distance) it is much loader
than my Yanmar 2GM's, which means there are places I can't use it daily
without being anti-social.

I've been moored near a couple of "on deck" Hondas and they are way
too loud. You could generate at least 2KW of AC by putting a high
output alternator on each Yanmar and feeding an inverter through
battery combiners.

Here's what I'm using:

http://www.fleetsource.com/product_p/110-555jho.htm

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|51495|606044&id=605590

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|51495|985|316473&id=88467

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:13:51 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:55:03 -0500, jeff wrote:

They indeed have an inverter, which means the motor is variable speed.
At low load (or idle) it is very quiet and fuel efficient. I was,
however, disappointed in the noise level when run a full power. From 20
yards behind my boat, (cramped mooring field distance) it is much loader
than my Yanmar 2GM's, which means there are places I can't use it daily
without being anti-social.

I've been moored near a couple of "on deck" Hondas and they are way
too loud. You could generate at least 2KW of AC by putting a high
output alternator on each Yanmar and feeding an inverter through
battery combiners.

Here's what I'm using:

http://www.fleetsource.com/product_p/110-555jho.htm

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|51495|606044&id=605590

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|51495|985|316473&id=88467

I really don't want to sit at anchor with both main engines roaring
away. They would really be out to get me then :-)

The choice is between a smallish permanently installed diesel gen set
and the Honda with the honda being, perhaps, the simpler solution. On
the other hand I have room for the diesel set in the engine room.....
Decisions, decisions.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:55:23 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

I really don't want to sit at anchor with both main engines roaring
away. They would really be out to get me then :-)

Yes, if you have big engines that is not the way to go at anchor. It
works very well underway however to minimize generator run time.

On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:15:08 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:55:23 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

I really don't want to sit at anchor with both main engines roaring
away. They would really be out to get me then :-)

Yes, if you have big engines that is not the way to go at anchor. It
works very well underway however to minimize generator run time.

Well, of course the main engines charge the battery while under way,
and usually it is comfortable to sleep at anchor without air
conditioning but there are nights when it rains or the mosquitos are
out, that it is nice to close the boat up and turn on the air con.
Then I want A.C.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

On Nov 20, 2:13 am, Bruce in Bangkok wrote:
Larry,

Could you give some detail regarding the new Honda generator sets, one
of which that I understand you have. I believe they are DC generators
driving an inverter.

Maybe some comments regarding purchase costs, operating, etc.

I'm thinking of trying one but they seem pretty scarce over here and
I'd hate to order one only to discover that they aren't what I
imagined.

I am presently rebuilding a power boat and will eventually need
auxiliary power and the choice is between a permanently mounted diesel
unit and (maybe) the Honda.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

With the exception of Wilbur, whose post didn't make sense to me, all
the points made are valid. I'm a summer liveaboard, on a mooring, in
New England. My genset and thruster operate hydraulically off the
main. And, I have 400 watts (peak) of Siemens solar panels mounted on
the wheelhouse to charge batteries which runs my reefer. All is well
except for the days lacking enough sun. Instead of running the main
to charge my Rolls Surrette batteries with a 190 amp alternator, I
chose the Honda 2KW unit to run up on roof for those occasions. My 80
amp charger makes the Honda work hard and loud. Thankfully, it quiets
down after the initial bulk charge. I also use it for running other
appliances like coffee maker, nuker, toaster oven. One neat
capability is that a pair of them can run in parallel with a
proprietary jumper cable, thus providing 4KW.

I've owned mine for 3 years, run it often, and have yet to replace the
plug. I also use synthetic oil, though oil changes are a bit
cumbersome. On vacation, used daily, I consumed less than 5 gal./
week. All things being equal, for about $1K USD, I think the Honda
offers a great value proposition. Even if it doesn't work out for
your application, it's a great backup unit. The only people who
don't like them are those who have to listen to them when they're
working hard.

Regards,
Capt. John