We have a Hunter 320. We recently moved the boat to the back of a home in a canal and had a problem that the GFCI circuit kept tripping at the power pedestal. An electrician diagnosed the problem as an incompatibility with the existing FGCI breaker and the inboard battery charger. The breaker was replaced with a non-FGCI and the problem went away. A month ago we were at anchor running a Honda 2000EU to power the Air conditioner and battery charger to run refrigerator. The AC ran all night but at morning the batteries were dead. While at the dock the battery charger works fine. We used to run a Honda 3000 and never had this problem. Is the the Honda 2000 not enough for the battery charger or could there be something wrong with the charger in light of our previous problem.
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Battery charger
I have a Honda EU2000 for AC power away from the dock. It will not run the air conditioner (12k BTU) and the 30 amp 3 stage battery charger at the same time. This is true if the charger is in the fast charge mode where the charger is charging at maximum load. If the AC is already running and I turn the battery charger on, the generator handles the additional load at first. The generator does not trip off, but from the sound of the motor it’s running at full rpm. Within a few minutes however, the generator voltage drops to below 100 volts. The compressor starts to make stranger noises. I presume this can’t be good for the compressor. I have a Pro-Mariner charger that will function at a variety of voltages. I believe all the way down to 90 volts. What might be happening in your case is that the voltage is dropping below the rating input voltage of your charger and it’s not functioning.
I have a Honda EU2000 for AC power away from the dock. It will not run the air conditioner (12k BTU) and the 30 amp 3 stage battery charger at the same time. This is true if the charger is in the fast charge mode where the charger is charging at maximum load. If the AC is already running and I turn the battery charger on, the generator handles the additional load at first. The generator does not trip off, but from the sound of the motor it’s running at full rpm. Within a few minutes however, the generator voltage drops to below 100 volts. The compressor starts to make stranger noises. I presume this can’t be good for the compressor. I have a Pro-Mariner charger that will function at a variety of voltages. I believe all the way down to 90 volts. What might be happening in your case is that the voltage is dropping below the rating input voltage of your charger and it’s not functioning.
EU2000 limits
I wouldn't try to run an AC over about 8,000-9,000 btu with the EU2000. It can be done, but the cost will be earlier generator and compressor replacement. When the motor in the compressor is fed with low voltage, it starts and turns slower. The slower turning motor draws more current, and the higher current generates more heat. The additional heat causes the insulation on the motor (and generator) windings to break down faster and have a shorter life. We use two EU2000's paralleled for our Airstream, which has a 13,500 btu AC, as well as a 60A converter/charger. http://www.engr.udayton.edu/staff/lriggins/Honda I've had this setup loaded up to near 4,000 watts with space heaters and a hair drayer, but didn't measure the output voltage at that time. I can carry both and lift them one at a time into the 4x4 truck bed. Can't do that with the EU3000. Hundreds of RVer's use paralleled Hondas. Before anyone complains that you can't parallel two generators because of frequency and phase problems, the EU inverter Hondas are designed to do this. The inverter of the 2nd one started phase-locks with the output of the first.
I wouldn't try to run an AC over about 8,000-9,000 btu with the EU2000. It can be done, but the cost will be earlier generator and compressor replacement. When the motor in the compressor is fed with low voltage, it starts and turns slower. The slower turning motor draws more current, and the higher current generates more heat. The additional heat causes the insulation on the motor (and generator) windings to break down faster and have a shorter life. We use two EU2000's paralleled for our Airstream, which has a 13,500 btu AC, as well as a 60A converter/charger. http://www.engr.udayton.edu/staff/lriggins/Honda I've had this setup loaded up to near 4,000 watts with space heaters and a hair drayer, but didn't measure the output voltage at that time. I can carry both and lift them one at a time into the 4x4 truck bed. Can't do that with the EU3000. Hundreds of RVer's use paralleled Hondas. Before anyone complains that you can't parallel two generators because of frequency and phase problems, the EU inverter Hondas are designed to do this. The inverter of the 2nd one started phase-locks with the output of the first.
Very cool information
Moe, thanks for some very informative information on the Honda generators. Excellent pictures and explanation of how it works and how to do it. This is the stuff that makes the HOW site the best out there!!!
Moe, thanks for some very informative information on the Honda generators. Excellent pictures and explanation of how it works and how to do it. This is the stuff that makes the HOW site the best out there!!!
Honda Generator and CO
I am interested what protection you have for Carbon Monoxide. I would like to use a Honda gnerator when offshore, but I am afraid of the CO.
I am interested what protection you have for Carbon Monoxide. I would like to use a Honda gnerator when offshore, but I am afraid of the CO.
battery charger
first run your generator without the air on and turn on the charger and see if it works on its on.
first run your generator without the air on and turn on the charger and see if it works on its on.
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