Honda EU1000i vs EU2200i fuel consumption

[SycloneDriver]

I did a little testing with my generators today. I ran each out of fuel and then added 10oz of fuel. I then timed each generator running approximately a 700 watt load. I used a space heater set on low with a fan blowing on it. This amount of load represents about 60 amps of 12v DC charging. That's more charging load than many of us have but it was the best load that I had handy.

The EU2000i ran for 30 minuets and 3 seconds. *correction EU2200i*
The EU1000i ran for 46 minuets and 7 seconds.

If you had a 60 amp charger and you were in bulk mode you could put 30Ahr back in to your bank with 10oz of fuel using the larger generator.
Using the smaller generator you could return 46Ahr.

Obviously the smaller unit won't run AC, water heater or other large loads, but it should run a battery charger much more efficiently than a larger unit.

I hope someone finds this data useful.

 

[LeeandRick]

Were both generators in ECO mode? Did the heater cycle on and off? If one had AGM batteries and a higher amp charger what would be the difference when the EU1000 could not keep up or running on the edge? Which one was running at a higher RPM causing more wear and earlier replacement? I completely agree that if one can match the exact load to the proper size one might benefit in fuel mileage. Thanks for the test.

 

[SycloneDriver]

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Were both generators in ECO mode? Did the heater cycle on and off? If one had AGM batteries and a higher amp charger what would be the difference when the EU1000 could not keep up or running on the edge? Which one was running at a higher RPM causing more wear and earlier replacement? I completely agree that if one can match the exact load to the proper size one might benefit in fuel mileage. Thanks for the test.

Both were in ECO mode.

The heater did not cycle.

If a generator cannot keep up it will shutdown or trip the output breaker. The Honda will probably shutdown.

I didn't put a tach on them, it never occurred to me. I would assume the smaller one was turning considerably more RPMs. It sounded like it but I wasn't paying much attention to it.

I hope to cruise someday and I know fuel consumption can be an issue, that's why I did this test. I wanted real world numbers.

 

[LeeandRick]

@SycloneDriver Have you looked into a 12v/24v generator and the possible efficiency increase by not converting to 120v then back to 12v/24v? I had one 20 years ago for my RV. The only problem it was cheap and made a lot of noise. I've saw one from Australia that had 3 stage charging a few years back.

 

[SycloneDriver]

@SycloneDriver Have you looked into a 12v/24v generator and the possible efficiency increase by not converting to 120v then back to 12v/24v? I had one 20 years ago for my RV. The only problem it was cheap and made a lot of noise. I've saw one from Australia that had 3 stage charging a few years back.

I have looked into a DC generator, but only a little. I did not find anything that really interested me, but that was years ago.

 

[Ron20324]

I did a little testing with my generators today. I ran each out of fuel and then added 10oz of fuel. I then timed each generator running approximately a 700 watt load. I used a space heater set on low with a fan blowing on it. This amount of load represents about 60 amps of 12v DC charging. That's more charging load than many of us have but it was the best load that I had handy.

The EU2000i ran for 30 minuets and 3 seconds.
The EU1000i ran for 46 minuets and 7 seconds.

If you had a 60 amp charger and you were in bulk mode you could put 30Ahr back in to your bank with 10oz of fuel using the larger generator.
Using the smaller generator you could return 46Ahr.

Obviously the smaller unit won't run AC, water heater or other large loads, but it should run a battery charger much more efficiently than a larger unit.

I hope someone finds this data useful.

Your thread title says Honda 2200, but I think we figured you mant 2000?

 

[kloudie1]

The new model is 2200:
Honda EU2200i Model Info | Super Quiet 2200 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

The 2200 will also run power HD tools (grinder, heavy duty sander, shop vac, etc). Or, in my case my Yamaha 2000 inverter generator can run the 40A battery charger AND the hot water heater, while being more economical and quieter than running the main engine (a 59hp diesel).
PS - since I installed enough solar power to exceed our DC power budget I no longer bring the Yamaha generator. Greener, and noiseless. When possible we use a solar shower when we don’t have hot water from the engine. Otherwise, I might (reluctantly) run the engine to heat water.

 

[smokey73]

@SycloneDriver Have you looked into a 12v/24v generator and the possible efficiency increase by not converting to 120v then back to 12v/24v? I had one 20 years ago for my RV. The only problem it was cheap and made a lot of noise. I've saw one from Australia that had 3 stage charging a few years back.

Both of these mentioned Honda generators are actually "inverter generators". From the description of the specs in the product description. They both generate AC power, convert it to DC, and then back to 60hz AC. This is so they can use a sine wave generator to produce a more stable AC output that is needed with modern electronics.

 

[Hayden Watson]

Both of these mentioned Honda generators are actually "inverter generators". From the description of the specs in the product description. They both generate AC power, convert it to DC, and then back to 60hz AC. This is so they can use a sine wave generator to produce a more stable AC output that is needed with modern electronics.

I would love to figure out how to by-pass the invertor side to capture the DC and run it into a LFP bank.

 

[SycloneDriver]

EU1000i and definitely an EU2200i.

I've had 3 different brands of inverter generators. Honda, Generac and ETQ. The cheap units don't last and the parts are unavailable or they cost more than a new unit.

I would condider buying a Yamaha, I've had good luck with their PWC and bikes.

 

[SycloneDriver]

I would love to figure out how to by-pass the invertor side to capture the DC and run it into a LFP bank.

I've got a Generac for you. The inverter is bad and costs 200$ more then an new complete unit.

 

[dLj]

Nice work. I guess I'm surprised how little difference there was. I'd have guessed closer to half the fuel consumed. Good to know.

dj

 

[SycloneDriver]

Nice work. I guess I'm surprised how little difference there was. I'd have guessed closer to half the fuel consumed. Good to know.

dj

The fuel to supply the 700w load is the same. It's the fuel required to spin the engine/alternator, that's over twice as large, that uses more fuel. A smalller generator is more efficient with smaller loads.

I'm glad others find this interesting as well.

 

[kloudie1]

@SycloneDriver : I bought an early Generac iX 2000 back in '09 to get away from Honda's price.. After about 6 hours of run time, one of the big capacitors blew up .. Nice big blue flash! Even though it was out of warranty a couple of years, I called and spoke to their folks, sent pictures and they sent me a complete new generator even though I had asked only for a new inverter board. The new one has run 15 hours or so and is good but louder than the Honda.. yup, I bought a Honda while I was talking to them because I was sure that nothing would come of my conversations with Generac.. I am still happy with it.. Picture is of the problem on the inverter board

 

[Benny17441]

Seems the results were as anticipated as the larger engine will use more fuel. The measure of adequacy for a generator is to meet the needs of the user and not how fuel efficient it may be. I run a Honda EU2000i with a 3 1/2 gallon external fuel tank. I can run the A/C unit and battery charger with the ECO mode Off for about 12 hours if I needed to. I could not do it with the Honda EU1000i.

 

[SycloneDriver]

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Seems the results were as anticipated as the larger engine will use more fuel. The measure of adequacy for a generator is to meet the needs of the user and not how fuel efficient it may be. I run a Honda EU2000i with a 3 1/2 gallon external fuel tank. I can run the A/C unit and battery charger with the ECO mode Off for about 12 hours if I needed to. I could not do it with the Honda EU1000i.

Efficiency matters to me, and I suspect many others. When I retire I won't have endless amounts of cash to spend on fuel. Fuel storage takes up space too.

I agree that the larger unit is more useful than the smaller one. I was bored and thought others might find the data interesting.

I appreciate your input and the input of others.

 

[Hayden Watson]

If you have and plan to use AC away from the dock then the 2200 is what you need. If not, the 1000 will handle anything required.

 

[Ron20324]

I have a sailing friend who is in the professional lighting business and owns the 2000. SO, that's what I bought for boat use when I got my B323. He has used it more than I have! Mostly when a big storm is predicted or the SOS club had an entry in the Parade of Lghts. He is close to the Bay and gets the big-wind storms.

 

[SycloneDriver]

I messed around with my Honda generators yesterday. I was pumping out my hot tub at the time so I plugged the 1/3hp submersible pump and the dorm fridge into the EU1000i and it loaded it very little, not even to high idle. Then I took both the EU1000i and the EU2200i to my boat. I discharged the batteries for several hours and plugged in the 1000, I was surprised how much the 30 amp charger loaded it. It is a power factor corrected charger. I'm not sure it would run a 60 amp charger like I thought.

Then I tried the 2200 with the 16kBTU air conditioner. Would not start it. I would start the old 12k but not the 16k that I replaced it with.

Hope someone finds this useful or interesting.