small genne just for charging batteries

[luvrbus]

I bought Hondas since the 80's and never had 1 last over 4000 hrs but mine were always under a constant load and were serviced one a week.The 4000 hrs wasn't a problem since it was twice the hrs I was getting from the Briggs or other engines powered generators  

[eagle19952]

I have never felt the need for a "small genset to top off my house batteries".  I have a quiet 8kW 3 clyinder Isuzu diesel genset that we run every morning to heat water, make coffee, and run the microwave.  It tops off the batteries while we do this and uses little fuel.  Same thing at night.  The inverter takes care of our needs the rest of the time.  That is our camping mode.  

pretty much same here.

[sledhead]

I can see your point about the diesel genne mine is a 12.5 k power tech with a 3 cylinder isuzu in a hush box and I am sure it is good on fuel on say 1/4 load but it sure seams like over kill . for the 4 days we had no pole power I ran it two times a day for about 2 hrs and once a day for 3 hrs and 1/2  of the time it was just to charge the batteries . plus I have a decibel meter and outside at 15 ' away it is about 68 db so not that bad on sound but nothing like a honda . on my 7000 i honda inverter genne I have never had it that loud  maybe 60 db was the loudest at 15 ' and just thought it would be nice to have a small back up genne that would use way less gas and a 2000 watt genne at 50 lbs and a 2 gal. gas can it would not take up much space . we are in Florida right now the big thing is LOAD pick up trucks and LOAD bikes so a little piece and quiet is nice

Dave     

[Geoff]

I also enjoy a little "piece" once in a while, I hope it is quiet.

[DoubleEagle]

I bought Hondas since the 80's and never had 1 last over 4000 hrs but mine were always under a constant load and were serviced one a week.The 4000 hrs wasn't a problem since it was twice the hrs I was getting from the Briggs or other engines powered generators  

What gives out first on the Honda's, the engine or the generator head? It seems like on the diesel generators, it's the generator head that wears out first after about 8000 hrs. It still seems like a good diesel setup is more cost effective long term. Scott gets by on 6000 watts, but not everybody can do that. Having a small quiet generator might be a good idea as an emergency backup, but it has the problem of introducing another fuel into the coach. If only there were a small quiet diesel generator.

[Geoff]

Getting back to business, you can make a diesel genset quiet.  But it takes a super quiet soundbox, and more than one muffler to do it.  And the extra muffler creates back pressure, which makes a lot of carbon buildup. I don't mind the hum of my generator.  And I even enjoy the RPM increase from an added load.  It is quiet, and music to my ears.  I cannot say the same about gas generators.

[chessie4905]

Figure the math. A little Honda lasting about 3500 hours saves how much fuel and 3500 hours on the diesel generator? I'm sure it would pay for more than one Honda, plus it could be useful when batteries are dead, including generator, and other uses around the house of whatever. I wouldn't get one you couldn't easily carry. Or get one from Harbor Freight and every time extended warranty runs out, get another and sell used on Craigslist.Or with synthetic oil and good maintenance, maybe, just maybe they could last 3500 hours.
Who couldn't find a 1000 or 2000 watt small generator useful. Or 4-600 watt daisy chained......

[Geoff]

Does anyone know off the top of their head how many watts it takes to run a Webasto DBW 2010 with it's water pump?  That is the only reason I might want a small gasoline inverter generator instead of running my 8kW diesel genset.  The Webasto will run my four golf cart batteries down in 4-5 hours when I'm trying to sleep!  So will I need a 2,000 watt or a 3500 watt generator?

[belfert]

The Webasto DBW 2010 repair manuals says 60 watts for the unit and either 25 or 30 watts depending on the model of pump.  You should easily be able to use a 2,000 watt generator.

[luvrbus]

Can you use a auto start on those tiny generators it would be a PITA to get out of bed to start 1 every 3 hours to charge the batteries,of course if you left it running all night that would not be a problem

[richard5933]

Can you use a auto start on those tiny generators it would be a PITA to get out of bed to start 1 every 3 hours to charge the batteries,of course if you left it running all night that would not be a problem

I've seen a few videos online where people have converted the little gennies to remote start. Involves adding a choke pull-off, but seems to work okay. Worth looking into if you need it.

How large of a charger are you planning to use on the generator?

[Geoff]

I looked at the specs on the HF inverter generators.  The 3500 watt one weighs 100 lbs, the 2k 57lbs. and will only run 5.5 hours on a tank @ 50% load.  I would be running a 40 amp 3 stage charger.

I think I'll just program the Trace inverter/charger I have to auto-start the diesel genset at low DC voltage.  Easier than messing with an inverter charger.

[luvrbus]

Love the auto starts generators best thing since sliced bread 

[chessie4905]

They make a remote start kit for Honda eu3000is. Some outfits also make custom remote start kits for the EU 2000. Apparently comes with a starter among other items.

[luvrbus]

Big difference in a remote start and the auto start on generators I never saw a auto start on tiny generators is why I asked and was wondering if they made one