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Honda EU2200I Generator observations

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12000
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 12:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Honda EU2200I Generator observations
Posted By: dannyw2002
Subject: Honda EU2200I Generator observations
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2018 at 9:15pm
Fairly new owner of an RPOD 190, love it so far.  Planning to do a fair amount of dry camping in CA.  Have been reading a lot about generators and finally decided to buy the Honda 2200.  Thought process was that it would likely not run our AC, but would be great for everything else.  If the AC became a big issue, could always add the companion.  Finally had a chance to try the generator today.  Based on some advice on the forums, I disconnected my battery and tried the AC, and to my surprise it fired right up.  Even added some lights and the TV and everything ran fine.  Not sure if it would have worked with the battery connected.  Will test further....

Overall, the generator is very light and quiet.  Will report back further after I have a chance to use it more.



Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2018 at 9:30pm
I guess it has the same effect for the air con, but you don't need to disconnect the battery.  You can flip off the converter.  The difference is that everything that runs on 12v will still work (until the battery runs down).  The fridge won't work in any mode without 12 volts to run it's control board. I don't know how your lights worked either with the battery disconnected.

Maybe I'm wrong though.  Maybe disconnecting the battery doesn't stop the converter from deliverying 12v to everything else.  I guess you could be effectively cutting off the battery charging part of the converter which might be it's biggest draw.

TT


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2010 176
FJ Cruiser


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2018 at 11:43pm
If the battery'ies are charged, then the converter load should be negligible. I wouldn't worry about that part of it unless you have been drawing hard on the battery/ies. Also, if you are boondocking, one of the main reasons to be running a genny would be to top up the battery/ies.


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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2018 at 8:38am
By disconnecting just the battery, the converter will still output 12VDC for the R-Pod because the generator is making 120VAC. 

If you leave the battery connected to the converter charger, and 120VAC is supplied to the R-Pod, the converter charging system will produce 12VDC for the R-Pod systems and try to send a charge to the battery (about 7 amps if I recall) until the charging system decides that your battery is in fact charged, then it will stop trying to charge. The problem with this is that starting the AC fan and compressor motor is up near 2000 watts (16 amps at 120VAC) or so. Throw the extra 7 amps on there and now the generator is trying to supply 23 amps, that's 2760 watts all at once. Not gonna happen with the small EU2000i and likely not the EU2200i either. This is why the battery should be disconnected. I say try to turn AC on with the battery connected and see what happens, does it trip overload or not?? It would be good to know.

 I tried several times to get my Pod AC to work with my EU2000i, but if the battery was connected the generator would simply trip the overload breaker. After turning my battery disconnect to OFF, there were no problems starting and running the AC all alone. The EU2000i did run the AC by itself.

Yes, refrigerator still worked. BUT the furnace did NOT work with 120VAC only!! It requires a battery!! The furnace control board in my 177 hated the 12 volt output of the charger/converter without a battery holding a steady DC output. That took some time to figure out, but my furnace wouldn't work even plugged into shore power without the battery also connected. Odd as hell and an annoyance. The conclusion was that the furnace board needs a DC battery supply or it no worky.

Fortunately, you really won't need the furnace at the same time you're trying to run AC!! Win win.


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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2018 at 10:52am
The 55 amp converter will consume about 5.5 amps, not 7 amps. That is only if it is in bulk charge mode (battery significantly depleted). Once the battery has completed bulk charge (which doesn't take very long), it will drop to less than half of that when it goes into absorption mode.  That should be in the neighborhood of 2.5 amps. The absorption amps will continue to drop until the converter deems the battery "full", at which point it will drop to float mode, and the amperage draw will be the same as if the battery were disconnected.

What you might want to do is charge up your battery for a little bit to get it past the high amperage mode, and then turn on your AC. That way, you get the best of both worlds; a full battery and a cool R-pod. You just have to wait an hour or so for the battery to catch up.


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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2018 at 3:56pm
My simple driveway tests have shown the 2K genset will run the AC, with either of these conditions met. Disconnect the battery or disable the Convertor CB. I don't disagree with theory, I'm talking about practicality. Absolutely agree a fully charged battery is right way to go, and that is where I ran my practical tests. I lean toward a battery disconnect to run the AC for a short period you just have to realize the convertor is supplying the 12V required. The BLUF is I have not been able to reliably run the AC with a 2K genset with both battery connected (fully charged) and the Convertor CB on. GlueGuy, have you done that?

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."


Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2018 at 6:11pm
One sure cure for this is to get a genset that can handke the load.  I have ramps that allow me to roll it into the back of my truck.   I can run it all night if necessary and permitted. and I can run everything in the pod with no worries.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2018 at 6:21pm
No argument there. But not the right answer for the post or everyday users. Can't argue with your solution. Many of us are looking to do the minimum and carry the least, but you are right.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."


Posted By: VancleVector
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2018 at 2:41am
How is it going? I have already made the decision to go with my honda generator. Primary purpose will be battery charging and intermittent 30A power is required. I am really a generator newbie and I notice that it has two models. The difference between them is the 30A plug which needs more $100.

The question that I am wandering for http://https://www.dieselgeneratortech.com/generator-sets/What-Should-Be-Considered-When-Purchasing-Diesel-Generator-Set.html - purchasing generator is that whether the $100 is worthy. Also, there might be other accesseries that I need to hook up and get the system running.



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Never too late to learn


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2018 at 11:07am
The MicroAir Easy Start allows me to run the AC with the Generac iX2000 reliably if the battery is charged. If the converter is trying ot charge the battery, it may still be too much for the iX2000. Switching it off temporarily until the R-Pod has cooled down helps or letting the battery charge first helps.

The EU2000, even if it has a 30A plug will not put out 30A. It is still a 20A peak and 16A running generator. Only if you connect two of them can you get the full power from the 30A outlet. Better still if you can handle the weight is the Predator 3500 from Harbor Freight. It has 3000A running and 3500A starting capability with 57 dB rating (25% load at 23 feet). I have stood next to a couple of them running and they are indeed very quiet. The ratings on the HF web site are overall very good.

One thing is that if you do get a generator and you have a circuit analyzer, it will complain about an open ground. You should make a bonding plug which will tie the neutral and ground together. One is easy to make. Get a heavy duty 15A plug at your hardware store. Open the shell and then take a piece of wire and connect the silver (neutral) terminal to the ground terminal. Do not connect the gold/brass (hot) terminal or that will make a direct short. Close the shell and if desired, seal off the opening with a bit of silicone sealant. Then you can plug this into one of the 15A outlets. The reason is that power poles have the ground and neutral tied at the breaker box. Since the Generator does not have this, you will need to provide this bonding. That is what the plug does.


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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 3:54pm
If your setup is on the edge - maybe it works when the outside temps are lower but not when they are higher (which increases the pressure, making the A/C harder to start) - one thing to try is full synthetic oil in the genset. 


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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual



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