Honda Eu3000i vs Eu2000i

[Off Grid Mountain Man]

Hi all, boy this forum has so much great info, I have spent many hours reading the archives!

I am trying to figure out what generator to go with, for my future 800 - 1200 watt, 24 volt system.

Many friends have recommended the Honda, Eu2000i.

I was just told by a solar company I am getting a quote from that it's too small, and I need a Eu3000i. They the smaller one won't even run a skill saw, and would not be powerful enough to charge my system??? This is the exact opposite some friends of mine that use the 2000 told me.

I will be using the generator to power my tools for house building, and then only occasional charging of my batteries (not daily by any means)

Price is a HUGE concern of mine, and I know I can get a new 2000 for around $900, and it's about double that for the 3000. Plus the weight issue, 46, versus 134.

IF the 2000 could work for me, I sure would rather go with lighter, than cheaper, and use less gass. BUT I don't want to get something that won't work for me??

Any thoughts or opinions on these two generators much appreciated!

AC

[niel]

obviously you'll have a charger either built into an inverter or external that is to supplement your batteries. i don't know what the charger's capacity is that you have, but the 2000i will deliver just over 13amps at 120vac as it's rated 1600w. that is cutting it too close for many(but not all) saws and drills too, not forgetting that electrical motors have a high surge as well. if that 13a or so isn't enough ac power then you'll need to go with the 3000i.

[mike90045]

Adding to what Niel said, you "could" use the generator to charge, and use you BIG inverter to power it all.

[icarus]

I would look carefully at what the dealer you are dealing with is telling you.

I run a 20 amp charge on an eu1000 (~800 watt generator) at almost idle. (xantrex TC)

I have run a 40 amp charger on a 1800 watt Honda, (Not an eu however)(Xantrex tc40)

I have a neighbor who runs a 40 amp Iota on an eu 2000


I run my 13 amp worm drive skill saw on my 1800 watt honda. My conventional skill saw draws a few less amps.

I assume that perhaps he was suggesting that the 12vdc side of the generator wouldn't much charge your battery.


A good quality charger like a Xantrex Tc series or an Iota will run very efficiently on an Eu series

Icarus

[Off Grid Mountain Man]

Thanks for the replies!

I had a generator a few years ago, a $350 cheopo from Home Depot, I believe it was 1250, maybe 1650, I don't recall.

It would BARELY run skill saws and drills, and when cutting any thick boards, you would have to pull it out, let it rev up, then cut in swathes back and forth, letting it rev up each time. But it DID work. This led me to believe the 2000 would work ok. But again, as in this thread, some say the eu2000i does fine with tools, some say it won't. If I could remember for sure the exact wattage on my HD cheopo, I would be much more sure of myself.

When the dealer said the 2000 would not work for charging, perhaps he meant it simply wouldn't work as fast or as good? Or maybe he was implying charging while at the same time using it to run tools? Damned if I know, I'm still as confused as when I started this thread! yikes! Help me Mr. Wizard! ; )

AC

[BB.]

You can also parallel two euXXXXi units together (two eu1000i, two eu2000i; I don't think you can parallel two eu3000i together). So you can get two of them and run them in parallel for the occasional heavy loads.

I am a big stickler on fuel efficiency and really like the eu2000i because it is so fuel efficient on light loads...

For example, the eu3000i 2.8 kW at 1/4 load burns 2.4 gallons for 20 hours:

2.8 kW * 1/4 * 20 hours * 1/3.4 gallons = 4.1 kWhrs per gallon of fuel (at 700 watts or less).

The eu2000i 1.6 kW at full load, at 1/4 load burns 1.1 gallons for 15 hours:

1.6 kW * 1/4 * 15 hours * 1/1.1 gallons = 5.45 kWhrs per gallon of fuel (at 400 watts or less).

So--depending on what your minimum/average loads are--the smaller eu2000i is quite a bit more fuel efficient... You can get two eu2000i--run one 90% of the time, and fire up the second (parallel) for the occasional heavy loads--and you will have the second generator as a spare too.

If you are into conservation--1,600 watts should be enough for most of your day to day use.

However, if you will be using lots of power most of the time--then getting one larger generator is probably a better long term investment.

Lastly, if you have rare needs for heavy loads (and can stand the noise)--then getting a 4-5kW el cheapo (throw-a-way) may be worth it too when paired with a single eu2000i (use the cost savings to pay for fuel and a pair of noise canceling hearing protectors)...

-Bill

[niel]

ogmm,
bb might have the answer for you in getting 2 of them, be it another 2000i or another generator, if the one doesn't always cut it on your loads. at least the 2000i's are light weight.
too bad you aren't close to me as i'd sell you my 4kw generac. it is heavy though.

[icarus]

What I do is have a couple, (or in reality) several generators, each for a different use.


I use the eu-1000 to power the 20 amp battery charger.
The then use a 1800 watt Honda for general shop use, because it is wired into my shop bench. For big projects I use a 2800 mitusbishi.

I like Bill's idea of having a different generator for different uses. The eu is very quiet and very fuel efficient. The other two (Given a choice I would only have the Mitusbishi, but the Honda came free, and the Mitsu cost $50) Even these two several hours on a gallon. When I need to have power in the shop, I try to set it up so that I can plan my work around having the genny run part time.

Eu tend to be fairly expensive, but 1500-3000kw none eu types are a dime a dozen on Craigs list.


Tony

PS I also have a number of vintage generators, including a Lister SL2 5 kw diesel, a 1948 Onan 3kw, a 1929 Kohler 500wt DC autostart!, plus a bunch more,,,longs story. I still would like to get rid of the Sl2 but shipping would kill someone.

[Brock]

Along those same lines I would just get a EU2000i and if you have an issue get a second and parallel it or get a larger one later. I have heard the 2000i will run any single thing that has a standard 120vac plug. If you have an air compressor running and turn on a circular saw, well.....

For the size, ease of moving, and obvious fuel consumption reasons I think the 2000i is the way to go, again if it is too small you can always get a second one.

[westbranch]

ogmm, I am set up similarly to Tony, an eu1000, and a Mitsubishi powered 28/3500w 120v only..... Just for info, I can run my 15 a table saw and the 3500 doesn't even burp, even if the blade binds... but when the 10 a Makita compressor kicks in , man does it ever pull for a couple of seconds... I suggest before you buy (new) take your tools in to the dealer and check it out... under load...either they do or don't run...

HTH
Eric