Honda EU2000i

newsailor123 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003

As far as generators to run A/C at mooring,
has anyone used a Honda EU200i ? Less than 50 lbs. seems it would be good on swim platform.

mcain · #2 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003

Yeah. I''ve got a Honda eu2000i. Quiet, not too heavy, will run a medium sized (12K) air conditioner, if it is a newer, efficient model. Output is about 15 amps at 120V. Easiest way to connect it is to use a 15A to 30A (if you have a 30A connector on the boat) adapter, like a Marinco one. Then use it like shore power and charge batteries, etc. I like the feature that allows the gen set to spin down if there is not a big power requirement, which is possible because of its electronic inverter built in that maintains 60 hz and 120V, rather than other sets that need a constant 3600 rpm to maintain 60 hz.
It also has a small direct 12V output, probably designed to charge a small battery, but the wattage output of the 120V system is higher.
I haven''t used it long enough to judge corrosion in a salt environment. Others may have a comment on that.
Not bad for $860.

fly452 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003

Thanks for the reply,The 200i is looking much better than a noisy $8000. genset.

obiec · #4 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003

I just bought one, it dose run my AC and it will also run my hot water heater. I built a nice cover for it out of some sunbrella fabrick and it ataches nicley on my deck, durring good wheather.

tsenator · #5 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003

obiec, what size and type of AC unit do you have?

mcain · #6 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003

I got the 2000 because I just had to draw the line somewhere on boat stuff, and a diesel gen set was over the line. The internal gen set is bad enough to buy, but the installation is a pain and it takes a lot of room, weighs a lot, noisy, would kill access to the main engine, etc. I could buy a lot of 2000''s for the cost of an internal gen set.
I run my Mermaid 12k A/C with an oversized water pump just fine with the Honda 2000. Though I don''t intend to do it often. And I installed 3 separate CO detectors in the boat to make sure no exhaust gets into the boat.
I would strongly recommend the CO detectors whenever a gen set is running for whatever reason--there have been strange cases of exhaust being backwinded into portlights, hatches, vents, etc, and killing people. The "station wagon effect".

obiec · #7 (**permalink**) 11-27-2003

My ac is just one of the portable hatch types, It cools the berth very nicly and helps on the rest of the cabin. about the CO problem. it is verry seriouse. We lost a couple from our dock last year. It was hot and thay took a nap on anchore. The problem was thay only had one CO detector and a fan was blowing acrost it, I guess thay will not give acurate redings whith wind blowing on them.