Honda Generators

Anyone use a Honda generator. I have the Companion model with the 30amp outlet. I tried it and had the reverse polarity light come on. I've done quite a bit of searching online and this isn't an issue. Wondered if anyone has used it on an IP? Thanks

We use the same unit without issues. Search here and IPHomeport and I think you will find discussions by others with your experience.

We borrowed a Honda 2000 to run Christmas lights (mast, forestay, backstays, lifelines) for about 3 hours and it was great. No problems, but can't remember if we ran direct from the generator or through boats' ac...anyway, now I want one too!

rlwestlake,
Did you run your generator through boat AC system (through the shore power outlet)? Did your reverse polarity light/alarm come on?

We run a shore power cable to the shore power 30 amp connection in the cockpit and flip on shore power as if on the dock. Our primary use is to make hot water on a lay day, but also use it for a cabin heater in the shoulder seasons. No reverse polarity issues. Great power source that comes to the house during layup. Last use at the house was Hurricane Sandy, but I run it from time to time to keep it healthy (important preventive maintenance).

drljjj wrote: Anyone use a Honda generator. I have the Companion model with the 30amp outlet. I tried it and had the reverse polarity light come on. I've done quite a bit of searching online and this isn't an issue. Wondered if anyone has used it on an IP? Thanks

I have a honda 2000 which so far has only serve to run a blender. I have not yet needed to run it to charge batteries. I have read that you cannot run an air-conditioner with a single Honda 2000. I think that is probably accurate. You would need to string two generators together. In retrospect (I upgraded my Engine alternator) probably do not need the generator. Unless of course your need for a blender is significantly high. I can get by on Jack Daniels and Coke

We have used Honda EU 2000i generators extensively. On our 350 it was our principle source of charging. We were so dependent on it the second season I bought another to carry as a spare.

We have also used them on the IP 40. We now only carry one and last year used it less than 20 hrs because we now have 470 watts of solar and two water heating panels which provide all our electricity, fresh water and hot water.

Okay - to the point - yes on both the 350 and 40 the reverse polarity light comes on - weakly. Basically I think it is because the ground is floating. I researched it some, but never tried to correct it. We just used a plug converter and came in thru the 30 Amp plug.

We got about 4000 hrs from the first Honda and then it cracked an oil ring. I had changed the oil at 100hrs IAW the book, Mobil One, but never took it apart to de-carbon it as recommended. We bought a third unit then, an EU 2000i companion, We very occasionally ran them together and ran both the 16k and 9k btu air conditioning units. Works. I always worried about carbon monoxide poisioning so we never used them very much at night. We basically charged battiers, made hot water electrically, and made fresh water. They are also great to warm the boat with a small electric heater. Also they will run an electric blanket to warm the bed before you jump in - - all good.

Our primary unit lives on the deck in a big pelican box. The backup, when we carried it was stored dry and carried below. Note, if you turn them over they will leak fuel. Not good in the boat.

I built an aux-fuel tank. With 6gal of fuel it is really a poor man's gen set. Really the math is terrific - for $1800 you can have two, that would be 100% genset spares. They weigh 50 lbs each. At 4000 hrs they go overboard. Can't do that with your $5,000+ gen set.

George
S/V Delicia

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I have two Honda's on my 38, I put them in the dinghy as no matter where I put them on the deck or in the cockpit, I would get sometimes about 10PPM of CO in the salon, not a whole lot, well withing safe limits, but CO poisining is cumulative, so I don't want any of it.
I use my dinghy outboard fuel tank as the fuel tank for the Honda's so they can run all night, being in the dinghy, you can't hear them in the boat, It takes two to run either the 16K Ac or both the 16K and the 5K AC, but one can run the 5K and charge batteries.
I don't get the reverse polarity light, however as someone else pointed out there is a grounding issue with any portable generator.