Help re Gennie...please....

Submitted: Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:08

ThreadID: 73909 Views:4365 Replies:4 FollowUps:5

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Generator Power

The generator, which was discovered by Michael Faraday, is an ingenious device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Member - Oldbaz. NSW.

My rep as a minimalist camper /traveller has taken a hit this week, as I couldnt
resist a brand new Honda EU 20Ii for $1800 at my favourite supermarket store..
eBay, & as I had to go to Sydney yesterday, collection from Mittagong was a
breeze. Not thinking I would own a gennie, I have ignored the advice that appears
from the learned on this forum re such things, & would now appreciate input on
operation, maintenance, storage & any general tips you may offer. I am aware
of the warnings re direct battery charging, even though the manual advises this
is ok, so will carry a charger. We are just about over staying in caravan parks
& much prefer bush camping. After studying the dual battery & solar thing I
concluded a gennie was the way to go, not perfect, but a reliable power source
at any time under all conditions.
Your comment & advice will be most welcome......oldbaz.

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Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:26

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:26

Hi Baz,
My advice is buy the biggest quality 3-Stage battery charger you can afford.

25Amp is good, 35Amp is better and 50 or 60Amps is fantastic.

Why do I say this?

Couple of reasons,
One of the biggest killers of small engines is running them unloaded. A 10Amp battery charger is a non-existant load to your EU20i so you run the risk of glazing bores.

Second reason, a 50Amp battery charger will top up a couple of 100AHr batteries pretty quickly. This reduces the run hours on your generator and optimises your fuel usage. You are running the machine and paying for the fuel anyway so get the most out of each drop I say.

I use a 35Amp 3-Stage charger on my EU10i and it works darn fine. I ususally put no more than 1 litre of petrol in it at a time then run it till it empties the tank. (Once the tank is empty in my opinion it's also ready for storage or packing)

Most times the charger has reached float voltage on my 2 x 100AHr AGM's before the gennie runs out of fuel using the above plan.

Geoff

Geoff,

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AnswerID: 392143

Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:48

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:48

G'day Geoff, sounds like good advice. I would only need to charge my starting battery N70zz. ( Only downside to running an auto)
in an emergency, & dont intend carrying other deep cycle or dual batteries. Will
run 3way fridge as required, lighting, shower pump,cooking gear, fan etc as needed. Your tip
re fuel quantity is a good one, as I prefer to carry gennie dry & in the vehicle for
security & wear & tear reasons. Thanks for your help......oldbaz.

FollowupID: 660070

Reply By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:28

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:28

oldbaz,
The only thing I know about gennies, is to remember to be careful when fueling. Remember what happened to those people over in WA?
Read here

Cheers

Brian

AnswerID: 392145

Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:54

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:54

G'day Brian, what a disaster. Will certainly heed your advice re fuelling.
lesson appears to be....let it cool, & dont refuel close to your rig.....oldbaz.

FollowupID: 660071

Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 10:16

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 10:16

Brian that was in the NT.

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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 17:35

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 17:35

oldbaz,

There is another thread on it somewhere, a sort of follow up thread, apparently the fuel vapour came in contact with the pilot light on his 3 way fridge from memory (Am happy to be corrected if I have remembered this wrong.)

John,
Yep, you're right! :-))
If I had of read the page that I posted the link to a bit more thoroughly I might have actually seen that, LOL.... I don't know why I thought it was WA, but anyway, thanks for that mate.

Have a good day!

Cheers

Brian

FollowupID: 660105

Reply By: Member - John F (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:39

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:39

Baz, I also bought one about 12 months ago, but have had only a few occasions to use it as yet. I had gleaned bits of info from here and elsewhere, and have noted a few points, but will stand corrected by any real gurus...

1. Read the manual. As it says, drain the fuel if not used for extended periods (does not define extended, as I recall).

2. Try to avoid running at idle for long periods.

3. Use the correct oil (single cylinder 4 strokes do not use multigrade ).

4. An hour meter (eg Tiny Tach) is a useful maintenance tool.

I also use a fuel stabiliser sold by the Honda dealer, at about 2ml/litre.

Hondas and Yammies are great machines.

Regards, John

AnswerID: 392147

Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:56

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 09:56

Thank you, John, all noted......oldbaz.

FollowupID: 660072

Reply By: Fred G NSW - Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 14:18

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 at 14:18

Best accessory you'll ever buy Barry. Only last Monday night, a tree fell onto power lines just up the hill and blew a transformer. Power off from 8pm until 2am. Cranked up the EU20 on back veranda, hooked up a few lights with leads, fridge, and TV no problems. Neighbours were all in darkness. Handy at home as well as on the road in camp.
I get mine out the shed every 3 weeks, and plug into the caravan, and let it run for half an hour, powering the caravan fridge and freezer and a few lights, so it can run under load regularly, as recommended, econo switch OFF.

Got a bargain there mate.

Fred.

AnswerID: 392183