What has your experience been using a Honda portable generator on deck for recarging batteries, microwave and hot water heater. What model, any caveats. Thank you
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Mark Honda 2000
Is a great generator for the boat. When I take extended trips, I bring it along. Wife and I make a point of staying out of marina's so we try to save the house bank. It could run the heat but for some reason won't run the A/C. I place mine on the port lazerette(sp) and hook directy into the ac line 1. There is a lot of information in the archives, do a search in year 2004 for Honda 2000. Jim S/V Java
Is a great generator for the boat. When I take extended trips, I bring it along. Wife and I make a point of staying out of marina's so we try to save the house bank. It could run the heat but for some reason won't run the A/C. I place mine on the port lazerette(sp) and hook directy into the ac line 1. There is a lot of information in the archives, do a search in year 2004 for Honda 2000. Jim S/V Java
Still Working on it...
For charging batteries using a EU1000i (rated at 900W continuous) recommend using a switching type battery charger like the Xantrex Truecharge 40+ and not one with a large coil like a Heart. Heart does have a control panel where the charge rate can be reduced but it has to be reduced to the lowest setting which is something in the range of 5 to 15 Amps or so which isn't worth it. Go with a switching charger for battery charging. Microwave - the generator doesn't get along with the microwave either. If you have an electronic microwave then the power setting can be reduced. Hot water heater - recommend the 2000W model. You might be able to use the EU1000 while running it through the 40+ if you have an inverter. Otherwise the EU1000i is a really nice unit, small size, light weight, and easily portable. If you use it right one can make use of it's portability factor. hope this helps.
For charging batteries using a EU1000i (rated at 900W continuous) recommend using a switching type battery charger like the Xantrex Truecharge 40+ and not one with a large coil like a Heart. Heart does have a control panel where the charge rate can be reduced but it has to be reduced to the lowest setting which is something in the range of 5 to 15 Amps or so which isn't worth it. Go with a switching charger for battery charging. Microwave - the generator doesn't get along with the microwave either. If you have an electronic microwave then the power setting can be reduced. Hot water heater - recommend the 2000W model. You might be able to use the EU1000 while running it through the 40+ if you have an inverter. Otherwise the EU1000i is a really nice unit, small size, light weight, and easily portable. If you use it right one can make use of it's portability factor. hope this helps.
Longevity?
I am not sure how my Honda 2000 will hold up. We are in fresh water and so far no signs of corrosion. I sewed up a sunbrella cover for when it is stowed on deck in front of the mast. Mine runs my 12K Mermaid A/C-Heat with no problem. Maybe because I also have a 2000W inverter. I cannot use the microwave while the A/C is running. Without the A/C running all other appliances can be on including both fridges, one 110V and one 12V. I have a shorepower connection in the anchor locker and use it there. When it is running all hatches and forward portlights are CLOSED. I have considered modifying it with an exhaust hose over the side of the boat. It's a nice compromise when you either do not have the bread or the space for a real diesel generator. Or in my case, neither.
I am not sure how my Honda 2000 will hold up. We are in fresh water and so far no signs of corrosion. I sewed up a sunbrella cover for when it is stowed on deck in front of the mast. Mine runs my 12K Mermaid A/C-Heat with no problem. Maybe because I also have a 2000W inverter. I cannot use the microwave while the A/C is running. Without the A/C running all other appliances can be on including both fridges, one 110V and one 12V. I have a shorepower connection in the anchor locker and use it there. When it is running all hatches and forward portlights are CLOSED. I have considered modifying it with an exhaust hose over the side of the boat. It's a nice compromise when you either do not have the bread or the space for a real diesel generator. Or in my case, neither.
Honda 2kw works
We have been cruising in the Caribbean for a year. We use a Honda 2000 and it works great. It sips fuel, is quiet, doesn't need two cycle oil, and generates good electrcity. We use the 110 to plug into our shore power outlet and charge the batteries using our heart invertor charger. We have met a few with the 1000 and though it works it is underpowered and actually uses more fuel. Gasloine gensets like to under a smaller load than diesels. We have loaned ours out so that some cruisers could use power tools. The 1000 was not able to run all. For a few hundred more i believe the 2000 would work more effectively.
We have been cruising in the Caribbean for a year. We use a Honda 2000 and it works great. It sips fuel, is quiet, doesn't need two cycle oil, and generates good electrcity. We use the 110 to plug into our shore power outlet and charge the batteries using our heart invertor charger. We have met a few with the 1000 and though it works it is underpowered and actually uses more fuel. Gasloine gensets like to under a smaller load than diesels. We have loaned ours out so that some cruisers could use power tools. The 1000 was not able to run all. For a few hundred more i believe the 2000 would work more effectively.
Ditto EU 2000
I use mine primarily to charge the battery bank but also for the water heater. I have a Heart 2500 inverter/charger and I set it to 20 amp incoming power so as not to overload the generator. The thing is quiet and lightweight and fuel efficient. I was going to put in a genset, but for the amunt of time I use it, will stick with the EU 2000. the Heart rep suggested the 2000 since it is a lot more effficient with the Heart charger I have since the 2000 will permit a while lot more amps to the batteries. Rick D.
I use mine primarily to charge the battery bank but also for the water heater. I have a Heart 2500 inverter/charger and I set it to 20 amp incoming power so as not to overload the generator. The thing is quiet and lightweight and fuel efficient. I was going to put in a genset, but for the amunt of time I use it, will stick with the EU 2000. the Heart rep suggested the 2000 since it is a lot more effficient with the Heart charger I have since the 2000 will permit a while lot more amps to the batteries. Rick D.
High marks for the EU2000
We use the EU2000 to charge our batteries and also hot water. I run it from the foredeck to prevent noxious fumes from runing our day. It's quite and economical. You must set the power share so as not to overload. Our's is set at 15 amps. Once you have it, "you won't leave home without it." John Richard s/v Jack's Place
We use the EU2000 to charge our batteries and also hot water. I run it from the foredeck to prevent noxious fumes from runing our day. It's quite and economical. You must set the power share so as not to overload. Our's is set at 15 amps. Once you have it, "you won't leave home without it." John Richard s/v Jack's Place
love it!
We use a Honda EU2000 on our Legend 37 to run the air conditioner and charge batteries. Works great. Much cheaper than a built in generator and useful for other things, like runing the fridge when hurricanes wander through our area of Florida. Have used ours for 3 years, one cruise to Bahamas and several to the Keys.
We use a Honda EU2000 on our Legend 37 to run the air conditioner and charge batteries. Works great. Much cheaper than a built in generator and useful for other things, like runing the fridge when hurricanes wander through our area of Florida. Have used ours for 3 years, one cruise to Bahamas and several to the Keys.
Any Caveat? People die of gas genarators ...
When I had work done on my inboard diesel generator on my Hunter 340, I got to talk about exhaust fumes with the marine electrician. He told me that in South Florida every year several people die of exhaust fumes from gas generators used on boats. The fumes enter the boat interior and overcome people during their sleep. They never wake up again.
When I had work done on my inboard diesel generator on my Hunter 340, I got to talk about exhaust fumes with the marine electrician. He told me that in South Florida every year several people die of exhaust fumes from gas generators used on boats. The fumes enter the boat interior and overcome people during their sleep. They never wake up again.
Two blowers or one?
Do you have twin blowers or one? At least one reply says it won't run the A/C, others say it will. I have two blowers, one compressor. Not sure if its 12k or 16k BTU. I cannot find a good place to install a diesel generator, except in the aft settee locker. A Panda should just make it, if I can spare $9k+. I had a diesel generator buddy tell the horror stories about deadly fumes, even with diesels. I assume a carbon monoxide detector or two would help. Think so?
Do you have twin blowers or one? At least one reply says it won't run the A/C, others say it will. I have two blowers, one compressor. Not sure if its 12k or 16k BTU. I cannot find a good place to install a diesel generator, except in the aft settee locker. A Panda should just make it, if I can spare $9k+. I had a diesel generator buddy tell the horror stories about deadly fumes, even with diesels. I assume a carbon monoxide detector or two would help. Think so?
I must of lucked out
I must have lucked out I was dealing on my boat and hunter had a Panda which come ordered and did not pickup. My dealer and Hunter built the Panda into the aft startboard locker and it has run with out any issues for four years. I still do not sleep on the boat in the summer time with the Panda running the AC. I will get Carbon MonOxide sensors first. Good Luck and keep fin pointing down
I must have lucked out I was dealing on my boat and hunter had a Panda which come ordered and did not pickup. My dealer and Hunter built the Panda into the aft startboard locker and it has run with out any issues for four years. I still do not sleep on the boat in the summer time with the Panda running the AC. I will get Carbon MonOxide sensors first. Good Luck and keep fin pointing down
Practical Sailor
The latest issue of Practical Sailor (March 2005, Vol 31, # 5&6) has an article rating a number of portable gas generators for use on-board.
The latest issue of Practical Sailor (March 2005, Vol 31, # 5&6) has an article rating a number of portable gas generators for use on-board.
Interesting....
Looks like the Yamaha was their pick. For those of us who do not have a subscription, will someone explain why they chose it?
Looks like the Yamaha was their pick. For those of us who do not have a subscription, will someone explain why they chose it?
Not Much Reason Really
It was a close call. The Yamaha priced out about $40 less and had a 'better' sine wave. Actually, they said the Hondas were great machines and recommended the 2000 for those with larger power requirements (or desire). They also liked the Briggs and Stratton (formerly Troy-Built) which is, however, noiser, much heavier and electrically a bit dirtier. It seems to me though that a bit much is made over how clean the sine wave is et al. My inverter is a modified sine wave and no where near as clean as these VST generators put out, and it runs the TV's and the rest of the AC stuff just fine. I purchased a Honda 2000, but did so for the extra recharge amps I could use, based on the charger/inverter rep's recommendation. Rick D.
It was a close call. The Yamaha priced out about $40 less and had a 'better' sine wave. Actually, they said the Hondas were great machines and recommended the 2000 for those with larger power requirements (or desire). They also liked the Briggs and Stratton (formerly Troy-Built) which is, however, noiser, much heavier and electrically a bit dirtier. It seems to me though that a bit much is made over how clean the sine wave is et al. My inverter is a modified sine wave and no where near as clean as these VST generators put out, and it runs the TV's and the rest of the AC stuff just fine. I purchased a Honda 2000, but did so for the extra recharge amps I could use, based on the charger/inverter rep's recommendation. Rick D.
I just purchased a honda eu1000
on ebay for 625.00 delivered. I also saw the yamaha on ebay for the same price delivered. I looked at both of them and went with the honda because it is a little quieter than the yamaha and starts easier. It runs my 30 amp battery charger just fine. I don't have any problem with noise or interferance from it. It is an excellent unit.
on ebay for 625.00 delivered. I also saw the yamaha on ebay for the same price delivered. I looked at both of them and went with the honda because it is a little quieter than the yamaha and starts easier. It runs my 30 amp battery charger just fine. I don't have any problem with noise or interferance from it. It is an excellent unit.
Reudi - What Battery Charger do you have?
Reudi - just wondering, what make/model battery charger do you have? Sounds like it might be an electronic switching type. Also, while I'm asking questions, what are you using for batteries? You're right about starting - the 1000 takes a really light pull to get it going.
Reudi - just wondering, what make/model battery charger do you have? Sounds like it might be an electronic switching type. Also, while I'm asking questions, what are you using for batteries? You're right about starting - the 1000 takes a really light pull to get it going.
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