What is the largest tool you have managed to run stand-alone from your Honda eu2000i generator? Has anyone managed a chop saw, and if so what brand/model?
We are debating between the Honda eu2000i and the Yamaha EF2400i which packs more punch, but is larger and heavier. This would be our tool power source for the build.
Not having experienced either of the generators you mentioned I would looked into the particulars of each. What is the amps that you will be drawing with the tools and what is the output of the generators you are considering. Once you get that established I would then go to the warranty of each and then the price comparison. I had a troy built (B&S engine) rated at 5500 watts. I tried using a larger compressor (5HP) portable and the start up amps were too large. I could deplete the air tank some to get it started but once it reached the max shut off it was fine. Then when it called to come back on by the pressure switch it kept tripping the breaker. Actually useless.
Are you going to use the generator after construction? If you are going to use it in that manner you might want to consider a more permanent one now. I recently installed a Generac "Eco-Gen" 6 KW propane. After using portables for the last 7 years it was a pleasant relief. It is as quiet as the Honda's and is warranteed for 3 years in a "Off Grid" situation. In fact it is the only one manufactured by them that has a warranty for Off Grid. I should have set this up earlier in my build and used it for construction as well. d*
(https://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/redoverfarm/hightop/100_1582-1.jpg)
The Honda eu200i is great. We've been running a Hitachi C10FSH (http://www.hitachipowertools.com/index/main-navigation/tools.aspx?d=11,53&p=193) compound miter saw (12A) and Milwaukee circular saw (http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/saws-corded/corded-circular-saws/tilt-lok-and-153;-7-1-4-inch-circular-saw-with-case/6390-21) (15A) just fine. Haven't tried a compressor yet.
-Karl
p.s. Can't say enough good about the Hitachi either. Solid, simple, price was right, just works.
Be aware that generators, like any device with a naturally aspirated internal combustion engine loses up to approximately 3% of it's power output for every 1000 feet elevation above sea level. That will depend on the individual generator. If the engine power is very close to the edge of being just powerful enough to provide the rated electrical power at sea level, then the electrical output of the generator will start to fall immediately as altitude increases. If the engine is oversized some, then the generator can continue to produce full electrical power to some higher elevation.
I have never seen a manufacturer get into that discussion. But I do know for a fact that our Yamaha 2800i does not produce the same usable electrical power at 8800 feet where our cabin is, compared to what it can run at home at 5500 feet. It had a notably more difficult time starting the RV roof top A/C at 8800 feet and higher. It would do it but preferred to be left to run with the power saver feature turned off.
Also keep in mind the rated (continuous) output is 1600 watts, 2000 is the maximum. A numbers game all the generator mfg play.
Cool, this bookmark still works:
http://www.gillettegenerators.com/sizing/sizing03.html
I have an inverter gen set also. One note: not all motors are created equal - even though they may be the same size. We could not get the generator to run a HF saw of the same amp draw as a Rigid, which worked great. If I remember, it was 8 amps continuous, but that was a long while back. The important point is that some motors draw more at startup than others, even they they are the same size.
Hpinson - I have have run any big big items only my mitersaw w/ laser (small one). Have used mine a tone with the circular saw and the sawzaw. You'll love it! Those honda's are quiet and light to carry compared to those generators you see at lowes etc. Take a gander on ebay, there is a guy selling them for a nice discount shipped. every place around here wanted at or near retail for it.
Redoverfarm - are you actually using that for an off grid application? If so what are you setup with?
Quote from: beckhamk on September 25, 2011, 05:36:27 PM
Hpinson - I have have run any big big items only my mitersaw w/ laser (small one). Have used mine a tone with the circular saw and the sawzaw. You'll love it! Those honda's are quiet and light to carry compared to those generators you see at lowes etc. Take a gander on ebay, there is a guy selling them for a nice discount shipped. every place around here wanted at or near retail for it.
Redoverfarm - are you actually using that for an off grid application? If so what are you setup with?
Yes it is "Off Grid". The generator is used to run the cabin as well as charge the 48 volt battery bank via 4400 watt Magnum inverter. In addition I have a Automatic Generator Start feature which works in conjunction with a Battery Monitor. In principle I preset the draw down volts of the battery bank. Once the battery bank is depleted to that point the Battery Monitor signals the AGS and inturn starts the generator. Once the battery bank is charged back up the Battery Monitor again signals the AGS which turns off the generator. It is still in the testing stage as it has only been operational for about 2-3 weeks but has worked great so far. I have only allowed it to deplete from 52 volts to 46 volts. I intend to have a deeper draw in the furture and monitor it's effectiveness. I may at some point incorporate some solar to assist but to start off this is a bare bones approach.
There are some draw backs to this system. One being the design of the Generac power systems requires power to feed the battery of the generator charging system( not the battery bank ). This is usually done via power company in the standby mode. But being w/o power I had to run power from my battery bank to feed the charger of the generator. It could also be done with an inexpensive solar panel. As explained to me a regular standby generator will not hold up to the rigors of operation needed for an off grid application and thus the warranty for those are void. But this generator is designed and made for continuous run required thus a 3yr warranty in the "off Grid application. When you are forced between $55K for regular power you start looking for alternatives. This was about he most reasonable approach that I could come up with for the time being. I will post later if is does not preform well so others can decide. Off the top of my head I think I have about $8K in this system.
Don-- what is the largest tool you have pratically run with your Yamaha 2800i at your 8800 foot elevation? We are at 7800'.
I just learned that the Honda eu200i can be ganged, and that Honda and Yamaha also have 3K invertor units. The Yamaha 2400i seems a sweet spot, but Don's reply about performance at elevation concerns me.
Oh, and where is all that smoke coming from up your way Don? We don't see any media coverage, but my eye says theres a fire somewhere near Ponderosa. :-[ :-[
The 2800i is rated 2500 watts (20.8 amps) with 2800 watts surge/intermittent
I have seen it put out a full 20 amps (according to the inverter/charger meter) at 8800 feet, but it was working very hard. It still produced 119 volts at that rate, but like I said it was working hard. Cutting back the maximum amps to the charger to 17 makes a noticeable difference and it is "happier sounding" at 15 amps. I've never had a problem with it powering my miter saw or the skilsaw.
Smoke: I believe it's a prescribed burn on San Juan Mesa. I know that was being planned two weeks ago. North of Ponderosa and south of our property. FR 269 runs over SJ mesa; west of FR10.
Glad to hear that is a controlled burn. I hope it stays that way. The comments here are very helpful. Thanks!
I found the Bosch Model #3915 10" compound sliding miter saw, with a short extention cord, is a good match for this generator. I believe the newer model is the Bosch 4405. The 12 Amp Hitachi FSB and FSH, which have soft start, might be even better.
The genie lugs a little on load but does not seem to go into overload. I'm not running in economy mode when running the saw.
PS. I've had the eu2000i for about six months now. Love it. Operating at about 7800 feet. There is a high altitude jet adjustment, but so far I have not done that. One thing to mention is that gas without ethonol is recommended to preserve internal gaskets. It runs ethanol gas fine, but make sure to run it dry or stablize the gas if stored for any lenght of time.
Quiet!!!
Have now had my Honda 2000's for over 4 years (one with 800 hours+ without any issues). Have run 15A circular saws, older B&D table saw, 110 Miller welder, small window AC in the summer, water pump for the well, espresso machine, etc. and those are just with a single gen. These little machines do a lot more than you'd ever think they could. The aftermarket parts and youtube maintenance videos make them even more cost effective. I actually have the "gang" set which allows one to be down for maintenance if necessary, and more than enough power to go nuts if necessary.
Last fall I upgraded from 2 1000's to 2 2000's. Except for the annoying habit they have of occasionally chewing their own pull cords off, they are reliable performers.
I've not run them in tandem. Did that to the 1000s and fried the eco mode on one. When I get an On/off switch in those tandem cables I may try again. In the mean time I keep a Generac 5500 around for heavy stuff.
I just change the oil every 240 hours. It's worth it.
Ethanol free gas, which is what the manual recommends.
http://pure-gas.org/
I built my whole house on a 2000i . Just take the generator to the Home store and test the tools in the parking lot. Buy tools with 1 hour chargers. There was one large compressor that I could not start and I just used a smaller one. The Yamaha is nice also and just as quiet. The sound level made a big impression on people who had never "not heard" a generator.
I wish I could remember the HP sizes, that is probably what you wanted to know. d*