We purchased a pre-owned and refurbished Honda eu200i generator at Fleet Farm over two years ago for $729 as a risk management strategy for maintaining extremely expensive insulin in the refrigerator during prolonged power outages, running the sump pump if necessary, and maintaining the upright freezer filled with food. We haven't used it once since we bought it, so it's past time to figure out how to use and maintain it, and possibly use it for the occasional boondocking foray. Most RV air conditioners exceed the capability of many portable generators, but since our 2021 T@B has an Elwell Air8 AC (starting current 15 amps, operating current 9 amps; power consumption 900 watts), this model will work.
The gas tank capacity is 0.95 gallon, and it will run 3.4 hours at stated load, and 8 hours at 1/4 load.
The manual is 75 pages, which is fairly overwhelming.
At 47 pounds, it's not easy to maneuver around. Safety guidelines dictate it shouldn't be used within 20-25 feet of any inhabited area. We've heard a number of stories of generator theft, so I did buy a heavy chain and lock to use with it (yes- bolt cutters could get through the chain in seconds, but it will prevent a carry-off from someone not equipped with bolt cutters).
The specs are 2000 starting watts (16.7 amps) and 1600 running watts of power, producing 13.3 amps. A single 0.95-gallon tank will run up to 8.1 hours. You have to make sure that you're using the right kind of extension cord- one that is rated for the load, in this case up to 2,000 watts.Key appliance requirements:
- Wayne sump pump WSS30V- 120V, 10 running amps=1,200 watts (this is the primary pump, not the battery-powered secondary pump which runs on the 12V battery)
- Microwave-1000 watts
- LG fridge- 5.2 amps, 115V= 598 watts
- Capresso coffee maker- 1000 watts
- White Westinghouse freezer- 5 amps, 115 v= 575 watts
- Estimates for laptops= 20-75 watts
- Estimates for cell phone charging= 10 watts
Steps for starting:
- Add fuel- regular unleaded with octane 86 or higher, 10% or less ethanol is acceptable
- Check oil level by unscrewing the maintenance cover- it should be at upper limit of oil fill neck. Use SAE-10W30
- Turn choke on (also known as closing it) by moving it towards the red arrow (if restarting a warm engine, leave choke open)
- Open fuel vent
- Make sure ecothrottle switch is off
- Turn engine switch on
- Pull starter grip to start
- Open choke
- Run 2-3 minutes before connecting any appliances
- Turn ecothrottle switch on if warranted (minimizes generator production to match what is being drawn) unless high electrical loads are being used simultaneously or powering appliances with sudden and high start up loads
- Disconnect/turn off any appliances before turning off generator
- Remove excess gasoline with a siphon for storage (remove the fuel filter before siphoning). Close fuel vent
Maintenance starts on page 36 of the manual
A few helpful videos:
Basic maintenance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFf4wMQMJbk
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