Honda Inverter Generator

[Paul and Judy]

The Honda 2000i comes in two versions, a standard version with 2-20A 3 prong receptacles and the version with one 20A 3 prong receptacle and one 30A twist lock called the companion.

The manual for the 30A companion model states: " to obtain more than 1600watts from the 30A twist lock receptacle, you must have another 2000i standard generator or another generator with the 30A twist lock connected in parallel.

My question is - what is the advantage of the 30A twist lock vs 2-20A standard 3 prong receptacles on a boat other than for convenience in connection. you can get the adaptor plug from 30A twist to standard receptacle and just plug it in.

It is misleading to think you are getting 30A out of the companion unit as a stand alone generator.

the difference in cost for the 30A unit is $100.00 and I see no advantage for us sailors to go that route.

Any comments or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Paul Cyre

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The pigtail adapter to connect to the marine twist-lock connection is widely available. I suspect if you're ever out of the water and want to plug into shore power on the hard, you will find it essential. 1600 watts is 1600 w regardless of what plug the H comes configured with.

 

[Paul and Judy]

Don
I understand 1600 is 1600 but what about 20 amps vs 30 amps. It seems to me you willl need two units to get the 30Amps from the twist lock version. I am trying to decide which unit is more practable for the boat.

 

[Benny17441]

It is just as misleading as stating that it has dual 20 Amp receptacles as a single generator does not put out 20 amps. Nitpicking?

As far as practicallity it depends on your needs. The 15A-30A adapter is about 12" long which could be extended with the use of an extension cord for generator placement. On the other hand with the 30A receptacle you are likely to use a 50' power cord once again dependent on placement. I guess if you would need to use the generator on land having the two 20A outlets would provide more options. An extension cord if needed would be lighter and easier to rout than the 50' power cord.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Paul/Judy
As Benny said, advertising one as 30 amps is misleading. The only difference between the two is the plug configuration. Get the cheaper one and a pigtail which, as I said, will come in handy.

 

[Paul and Judy]

Benny
Are you saying that each 20 plug cannot handle 20 amps each? Please elaborate in your comment.

 

[geehaw]

Well I think what he means is : You have 2-20 amp outlets some might think you can get 40 amps out of it. But if 1600 watts is all that is there your only going to get around 13 amp output.

 

[Benny17441]

I'm just saying that the statement that having a 30A receptacle is just as mileading as the statement of having twin 20A receptacles due to the fact that the generator output is just around 13A. Honda is just providing more connection options, you may use 15A,20A, 30A plugs with a proper gauge wire.

 

[geehaw]

And to add so this is not any more miss leading then 1- 20 amp 1- 30 amp outlet. The 30 amp might be there because lot of RV's use that plug and don't have to worry about adapters or cord becoming on plugged. A generator is all I have to charge my batteries. I was coming back from a weekend out was charging my batteries with it but the cord had vibrated out and didn't know it. So my batteries were still dead low when I got back to shore. I can see the benefits of the twist lock plug. Greg

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Exaggeration for effect - you can use a 200 amp rated plug on this generator but all you'll get is it's rated output.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Benny's close. The issue is NOT misleading, because all they are saying is that the generators have certain receptacles or plugs. That's all. If you read the specs on the units, it's pretty clear.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4861.0.html

It includes a link to an earlier discussion about this topic on this board.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4861.0.html

 

[Calif. Ted]

I got the companion model just for convenience, either one is only gonna supply 13.7 amps at 1600 watts, or 1 15/20 amp circuit.

 

[KD3PC]

the companion model is designed to use the mating cable so that you can parallel two 2000's to get higher capacity....that is all the companion does for you...so UNLESS you plan on running two H-2000 at the same time....

BTW, you can usually get them a bit cheaper at Mayberry's Hardware....and even more off with a ham radio call.

They ARE quiet and reliable

 

[Benny17441]

The pig tail adapter with the 15A plug has a locking screw which prevents it from accidentally becoming unplugged. As far as weather proofing the locking 30A plug does not offer any additional protection. I have ran the generator with the pigtail under heavy rain downpours and it has never skipped a beat (that is Honda).

 

[Maine Sail]

Benny
Are you saying that each 20 plug cannot handle 20 amps each? Please elaborate in your comment.

The "receptacle" could handle 20A each as they are 20A rated outlets just as the 30A outlet is a 30A "rated" outlet. The Generator however can only ever pump out about 1600W continuous which is 13.3A of total output, or less. At max output you'll see about 16.7A +/- but you can't run it there for very long......

 

[Paul and Judy]

Great discussion, thanks for the information. I will be going with the 20Amp model as I already have the pigtail.

Any thoughts on mounting and storing. What are you all doing with the unit when sailing?

I have a Hunter 33.5 and was thinking of mounting it on one of the aft wet lockers, they each have a large flat area.

 

[timvg]

We store ours (the one with 2 standard receptacles) in one of our aft cockpit lockers. We usually bring it up to the bow of the boat when running it. Quieter in the cockpit and keeps the exaust out of the way.

 

[Benny17441]

Paul, put a pad under the generator as the black rubber feet will leave hard to get out marks.

 

[Rick D]

Ditto Benny...

Paul, put a pad under the generator as the black rubber feet will leave hard to get out marks.

It will leave marks. I have non-skid patches I put under the pads.

 

[sailcruiser]

I happened to look at these the other day and eBay had some decent deals on new units too. I'm not sure how it compares to Mayberry"s though since I couldn't see a price there. SC