I used my new generator this weekend for the first time and have a couple of questions. First,I am using the EU2000 via the shore power cord with an adaptor from the round 30 amp to a standard 110 plug going in the face of the generator. First I am getting a reverse polarity light on my 110 panel and a ground fault on my Prosafe galvanic isolator monitor. So I tried reversing it by using an extention cord without a ground prong and reversing the plug- no change. I have called Honda tech service- in a nutshell they don't understand the boats systems. Called Promariner and they say the generator is apparently not grounded properly and said the galvanic isolators should be bypassed when off shore power, by using the sliding switch on the 110 panel from shore power to generator. I told them it was a portable not built in generator and was using the shore power cord to connect it. Then they said to disable? the isolators when using the generator but be careful as it is not grounded properly. Now how do those of you that use the EU generators connect and use them, seems like I am missing something simple here. Possibly just a ground wire off the face of the unit to ships ground?? Let me know from those of you that actually use one, not interested in possible ideas, but real life applications. Thanks a bunch- Mike
Using Honda EU2000 generator questions-
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I have experienced this myself with another make of generator. In my case it was because the neutral from the generator was not grounded. ie. The mains output of the generator was 'floating'. No real danger but it set off the boat's alarm circuits. I solved it by connecting the neutral (White) to ground (Green) AT THE GENERATOR. In your case you might like to make up a short lead only for connecting the generator. You could either use a Marinco plug to the boat's receptacle - V expensive - or just a foot of lead with the male connector to match the generator on one end and a female connector to match your shore power lead on the other. Inside one of these connectors add a link between neutral (white) and ground or earth (green). Remember to mark this lead GENERATOR ONLY as using it elsewhere could trip the marina's shore power RCCB. Though this would not be dangerous it would be a nuisance to you and others.
I have experienced this myself with another make of generator. In my case it was because the neutral from the generator was not grounded. ie. The mains output of the generator was 'floating'. No real danger but it set off the boat's alarm circuits. I solved it by connecting the neutral (White) to ground (Green) AT THE GENERATOR. In your case you might like to make up a short lead only for connecting the generator. You could either use a Marinco plug to the boat's receptacle - V expensive - or just a foot of lead with the male connector to match the generator on one end and a female connector to match your shore power lead on the other. Inside one of these connectors add a link between neutral (white) and ground or earth (green). Remember to mark this lead GENERATOR ONLY as using it elsewhere could trip the marina's shore power RCCB. Though this would not be dangerous it would be a nuisance to you and others.
Some other discussions
Mike, I don't think this will answer your question, but it does indicate you are not alone: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2921.0 To read the last post's referenced link to the C36 'site, you'll have to join their MB, easy to do and worthwhile to answer your question.
Mike, I don't think this will answer your question, but it does indicate you are not alone: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2921.0 To read the last post's referenced link to the C36 'site, you'll have to join their MB, easy to do and worthwhile to answer your question.
Also use Honda EU2000
Mike, I also use the EU2000 on our Catalina 320, year 2000. We have used it for a couple of years. When we go offshore I bring along our shore power cord and the three prong adapter that we have attached as our dock uses a standard three prong plug. We have never had any problems such as yours. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. lpauto@earthlink.net Good Luck - Larry
Mike, I also use the EU2000 on our Catalina 320, year 2000. We have used it for a couple of years. When we go offshore I bring along our shore power cord and the three prong adapter that we have attached as our dock uses a standard three prong plug. We have never had any problems such as yours. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. lpauto@earthlink.net Good Luck - Larry
I would not try grounding the common
from the EU2000! The EU 2000 is a DC generator that uses a built in inverter to change it to 120V AC. That is why it can run at varying RPM's and still put out 60 cycles per second. Many inverters need the common to be isolated from ground or they will be damaged. I use an EU1000 with the shore power cord but I do not have an isolater. No problems.
from the EU2000! The EU 2000 is a DC generator that uses a built in inverter to change it to 120V AC. That is why it can run at varying RPM's and still put out 60 cycles per second. Many inverters need the common to be isolated from ground or they will be damaged. I use an EU1000 with the shore power cord but I do not have an isolater. No problems.
Do you have a galvanic osolator -Larry
Larry does your 320 have galvanic isolators? Wonder if I should make a power cord that connects to the generator breaker on the panel to bypass the galv isol and boat monitor for them, then throw the breaker from shore power to generator when I use it. I have a 2003 Hunter 356.
Larry does your 320 have galvanic isolators? Wonder if I should make a power cord that connects to the generator breaker on the panel to bypass the galv isol and boat monitor for them, then throw the breaker from shore power to generator when I use it. I have a 2003 Hunter 356.
From Larry with the 320
I think your question was directed toward me about the galvanic isolators. No we do not. I don't know if this is important but I start the generator with my AC on my electrical panel turned off. I let the generator run for about 30 seconds to warm up and switch the generator off of economy mode before turning on the boat's AC. Good Luck
I think your question was directed toward me about the galvanic isolators. No we do not. I don't know if this is important but I start the generator with my AC on my electrical panel turned off. I let the generator run for about 30 seconds to warm up and switch the generator off of economy mode before turning on the boat's AC. Good Luck
The generator manual addresses this issue
... Check the manual. In it there is a mention of the reverse polarity issue
... Check the manual. In it there is a mention of the reverse polarity issue
Eu2000 issue, Jeff Bacon
Jeff, can you copy and paste the reverse polarity issue you spoke about for us, I have my manual and read it front to back with no mention of reverse polarity. The only thing they say is quote " Honda portable generators have a system ground that connects generator frame components to the ground terminals in the AC output receptacles. The system ground is not connected to the AC neutral wire. If the generator is tested by a receptacle tester, it will not show the same ground circuit condition as a home receptacle." end quote. Thanks a bunch- Mike
Jeff, can you copy and paste the reverse polarity issue you spoke about for us, I have my manual and read it front to back with no mention of reverse polarity. The only thing they say is quote " Honda portable generators have a system ground that connects generator frame components to the ground terminals in the AC output receptacles. The system ground is not connected to the AC neutral wire. If the generator is tested by a receptacle tester, it will not show the same ground circuit condition as a home receptacle." end quote. Thanks a bunch- Mike
The EU2000 is a portable that should be treated
as an inverter and not as a generator. It will be fine when used to run individual small appliances but is not designed to operate an entire system with a grounded neutral. That is, if your ships neutral and ground are bonded at the panel then you need to install a 2 KVA isolation transformer between the panel and the EU2000. Connect the generator output to the primary and the ground to the panel ground. Connect the secondary to the panel. If The ships neutral and ground are not bonded at the panel then you can bond one leg of the secondary to the ground and that one leg will become the neutral to the panel. The other leg is then the hot leg which will be fed to the breakers at the panel. Be aware that you have a 2KVA limit on power available. Ed
as an inverter and not as a generator. It will be fine when used to run individual small appliances but is not designed to operate an entire system with a grounded neutral. That is, if your ships neutral and ground are bonded at the panel then you need to install a 2 KVA isolation transformer between the panel and the EU2000. Connect the generator output to the primary and the ground to the panel ground. Connect the secondary to the panel. If The ships neutral and ground are not bonded at the panel then you can bond one leg of the secondary to the ground and that one leg will become the neutral to the panel. The other leg is then the hot leg which will be fed to the breakers at the panel. Be aware that you have a 2KVA limit on power available. Ed
Grounding the Neutral
It is unsafe to allow the neutral to float. Who knows how high it will float to? No generator intended for domestic or on board use could pass the relevant safety regulations UNLESS it can have its neutral grounded. My Freedom 1000 inverter automatically grounds its neutral and only releases this connection when shore power is applied to system when the shore power limits the voltage the neutral can rise to.
It is unsafe to allow the neutral to float. Who knows how high it will float to? No generator intended for domestic or on board use could pass the relevant safety regulations UNLESS it can have its neutral grounded. My Freedom 1000 inverter automatically grounds its neutral and only releases this connection when shore power is applied to system when the shore power limits the voltage the neutral can rise to.
Donalex, On the commercial grid neutral is
physically connected to earth. With a protable power generator neutral is brought back to the frame of the unit. No effort is made to make a physical and electrical connection to earth therefore neutral floats.. I would not use an AC supply on a boat without a ground fault circuit interrupter. These devises moniter the current in the hot wire and the neutral and if there is a difference exceeding 5 milliamperes it opens the circuit.
physically connected to earth. With a protable power generator neutral is brought back to the frame of the unit. No effort is made to make a physical and electrical connection to earth therefore neutral floats.. I would not use an AC supply on a boat without a ground fault circuit interrupter. These devises moniter the current in the hot wire and the neutral and if there is a difference exceeding 5 milliamperes it opens the circuit.
You should read the owners manual
You ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE A GROUND. I'll bet that there is a ground post on the generator that is intended to be attached to a wire that is intended to be attached to a big long copper rod that is intended to be buried in the earth. This is how the ground is established in the first place!!! On a boat you have to improvise. The keel bolts are a good choice for a ground in salt water. In fresh water you really don't have a good choice.
You ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE A GROUND. I'll bet that there is a ground post on the generator that is intended to be attached to a wire that is intended to be attached to a big long copper rod that is intended to be buried in the earth. This is how the ground is established in the first place!!! On a boat you have to improvise. The keel bolts are a good choice for a ground in salt water. In fresh water you really don't have a good choice.
Same Question....
Same Generator, same issue. Reverse polarity lights glow on A and B bus, but only dimly. I gather from reading the Catalina link that everything is OK, but am still a little nervous. Generator seems to run everything great - including A/C, so Id really love to use it with confidence. So what's the verdict? Andrew
Same Generator, same issue. Reverse polarity lights glow on A and B bus, but only dimly. I gather from reading the Catalina link that everything is OK, but am still a little nervous. Generator seems to run everything great - including A/C, so Id really love to use it with confidence. So what's the verdict? Andrew
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