Honda generators

[ONAWAY]

Hi,
I had a plan to purchase a Honda portable generator EU10i and use it to charge my onboard batteries, run the TV etc when at anchor by plugging in to the normal 240v supply socket. Having discussed this previously at a number of boat shows this seemed a viable thing to do. However this year at EXCEL the Honda people told me that I may have difficulty.

I own a 1999 Bavaria. Can anyone offer advice ?

Regards,

Nick.

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[ongolo]

Hi onaway,

I have a 1.7KW honda generator which I use to drive power tools or my lathe on the boat. I dont know which the type or size EU10i is, but what I know of Honda generators is this.

Some of the generators have Italian genertors which have two diodes on the rotor. Using the genny with a thyristor controller to regulate the speed, the diodes sometimes get blown. That is not too serious and easily repaired.

Most Honda generator engines (the standard price ones) have a simple pushrod engine that never gives problems.

Then to lower the price, Honda changed to an OHC which is (not as the M.Cycle engines chain driven) belt driven and for some reason the belts jump or slip and the timing is out and a valve bends.

However, Honda has a policy, that not all models are available in every country.

regards ongolo


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[HenryB]

Hi Nick,

I have a small Honda generator and battery chargers refuse to work on its output. I have tried 3 different chargers, all without success. I assume that it is something to do with the wave form but that is just a guess.

The generator happily powers my computer, electric drill, mains lights etc. but not a battery charger.

I suggest that you try one before buying.

Regards,

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[grimmy]

Hi

I don't know whether this will be of any help but I have used my Honda generator
for TV etc without any problems. I have not tried to use it for battery charging as
I have never found it necessary. However, the genny has a pair of 12v terminals
which the handbook says should be used for battery charging and that they should
be connected directly to the battery. Mines a few years old now, I think the model
is Ex500 but I'm not sure.

Regards Grimmy

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[SteveA]

I have an EU10i and find it works fine on 240v to supply our needs of battery charger, TV, power tools, etc but the 12v outlet is exactly that, 12v, so no good for charging batteries on its own.

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[grimmy]

Hi Steve

Perhaps you're right, I have not measured the voltage output on the 12v terminals,
as the handbook states that they can be used for charging I rather assumed that
the 12v indication was nominal and that the actual output would be something in
excess of this.

regards grimmy

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[SteveA]

Grimmy,

I had hope to use the Genny for charging; tried it and it didn't work because of the voltage.

Steve.

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[paul]

I've used a Honda EU 10i for four years with my Moody. I plug it straight into the shorepower connection and use it to run my batter charger, TV, Dehumdifier and even a portable electric iron. It powers my 25amp battery charger and dehumidifier at the same time with no problem. I can't understand why anyone thinks this would be a problem unless your battery charger as a lot more than say 40 amps

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