Very small generator - am I thinking right?

[Scott & Heather]

Btw, I've run Mobil 1 extended performance in both Hondas since day 1. Will remove heads and clean carbon next summer. But FYI, Honda replacement engine for my units is $250. Cheap.


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[luvrbus]

Scott,will 1 Honda 2000 run your roof top I cannot make mine run a roof top it says 2000w surge and 1600w continuous and it has 2-20amp plugs.I wouldn't remove the head just take a spray bottle with water and spray about a pint through it running and the carbon is gone then they look like new on the inside.I did that on my 6.5 Onan for years I never removed the heads and we even had real gasoline then    

[thomasinnv]

Cliff he has 3000 hondas. My 2000 will not run my roof ac. My 3000 struggles to start it, not even close with the 2000.

[luvrbus]

Cliff he has 3000 hondas. My 2000 will not run my roof ac. My 3000 struggles to start it, not even close with the 2000.

We have a 2800w Onan Mircolite in the camper van it starts and runs the Carrier roof top fine once the Ac is up and running you can even use the microwave but it loads it up lol.Why did Honda put 2-20 amp plugs on the 2000 ?

[thomasinnv]

Cliff i have no idea because it even says right next to the plug on mine "maximum 13.8 amps". Maybe because of the surge capacity? When i fire up the swamp cooler in the house it will pull 25 amps for about a second or two. Been a good little generator. My 3000 will start the ac just fine on a cold start but if the ac has been running previously then i have to let it cool down for at least 5 minutes or it wont start. Head pressure probably has a lot to do with it.

[luvrbus]

Cliff he has 3000 hondas. My 2000 will not run my roof ac. My 3000 struggles to start it, not even close with the 2000.

Thanks I thought he had 2000w,the price of 2 -3000w Hondas would go a long way on a low hr used 7.5 or 8kw diesel generator

[thomasinnv]

I am wanting take out my gas burner and replace it with a diesel this winter but having a hard time finding a package unit that will fit in the ac compartment. Most boxed units i am finding to be 24 inches or deeper and thats about 1/2 inch or so too much. Might have to look at modifying the compartment or the door.

[luvrbus]

I'll check when I go to Phoenix the guy is trying to shut down his business AZ RV Salvage we bought 2 -10kw low hr Kohler not in the shroud box I paid him 6 grand for both they were both from Tiffin's mounted up front on slides.
With the 45 ft bus you are going to need a 15kw I always had a 12.5kw for 3 roof tops lol I tried a 10kw for about a week and the boss was not happy in a hot bus   

[thomasinnv]

I have run all 3 roof airs on my 7.5 but that doesn't leave much power for anything else. 2 will usually keep it comfy until it gets over 100 then 3 keeps it nice. I was thinking i might be able to shoehorn a powertech in there but a good used set would be good and save some bucks.

[Hcklbery]

Scott,will 1 Honda 2000 run your roof top I cannot make mine run a roof top it says 2000w surge and 1600w continuous and it has 2-20amp plugs.I wouldn't remove the head just take a spray bottle with water and spray about a pint through it running and the carbon is gone then they look like new on the inside.I did that on my 6.5 Onan for years I never removed the heads and we even had real gasoline then   

There's a few things you need to consider.
All these generators are rated at maximum output not normal output.
So the 2000 Honda is actually around 1800 with a maximum of 2000 which is not recommended for sustained use.
Secondly the Honda's are designed to be connected together to double the overall range of output.
So two 2000 Gensets would in real life application be a sustainable output of 3600 Watts but fuel consumption would be prohibitive if that output range is you desired normal usage.

Last is once your normal range of output is determined than the gen selected should rate that output at 1/4 of it's peak sustainable range, This reduces wear and allows the gen to meet your normal range of needed output at it's maximum fuel efficiency range of operation and coast along at 1/4 of it's ability.

This then is the factor that determines the need to buy the next larger genset that it be able to meet your expected normal range of output at it's 1/4 of it's sustainable peak output.

The Logic of thought is first determine your desired normal sustained output level then work backward from there to determine the best genset for your needs.
I.E.
Say your sustained usage is 300 to 400 watts or apprx 1/4 of a Honda 2000 which in reality has a sustainable top range of about 1800 Watts.
Since with the Honda the best fuel consumption is below the half mark of it's top range which is around 400 Watts than it best fits a normal usage demand of around that 400 Watt range.

If this is your normal usage range but with a larger need periodically than two Honda gensets 2000 Watts may be the best approach.

They can be hooked together to double your output and you can alternate their usage during normal range 1/4 output to give one a rest thus doubling your hours of usage before major engine overhaul is required.

You also have a backup should one break down and if at purchase you get the 2yr maintenance plan you can alternate them so you always have one running while the other is being maintained.

This platform design only is sensible if you expect a very low range of wattage need of around 200 to 400.
Otherwise the need to always change the oil and the other high maintenance that comes with these smaller engines is just to demanding for the benefit they give, which is very appealing at 20 hrs for 1gallon of gas at 300-400 watts even if you do have to change their oil every 50 hrs and no electric start unless you purchase the kit that converts it to an electric start.

https://youtu.be/baz52drnnmg

Trust me, unless the range of output is low than the Honda 3000 is best and they also can be connected together to double their Wattage and they are electric start, which may not sound important now but believe that electric start is real handy.

I went through a few years of living like this, tweaking it and researching etc.

Hope this helps.

[Hcklbery]

Yours will run 20 hours on a gallon? Mine will only run 10 and thats consistent with what the manual says. Whats your secret?

I ran it at 1/4 or 200 to 400 Watts for the recommended duration for engine breakin time than changed the oil to Castrol Full Syntec and continued using it at 1/4 it's rated max output and stayed with the castrol syntec which has a friction reducing component.
This oil reduces the friction so fuel consumption goes up and the engine will remain undamaged if it should run low on oil or overheat etc and change the spark as recommended.
I used it to charge my batteries and use my electronic devices, TV, Computer, WIFI Bridge, etc.
I'd park a quarter mile or so from a hotel and get free wifi and watch movies or the news on my flat screen all connected through the computer.
This demand was then apprx 400 watts and a range of gen output that made the gen run at near idle when charging the batts and at idle when not.

[Scott & Heather]

I can easily run my roof air on one generator. With both gennies running I can run both roof airs and then some


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[dtcerrato]

Our primary power is an Onan 6.5 kw. It consumes a little over a gal/hr on most our needs.
Our secondary power is a Power Source 800 watt that cost us new on ebay - $288.
It runs our 40 amp charger easily which fully charges 2 separate battery banks (+ & - grnd.) on less than a 1/2 gal.
We use it a lot more than the Onan in Alaska where there is no need for air conditioning any time of year!