This past weekend, we had up to 10 hours running time in my RV with our Honda 2000 on 'ECO' mode. It was running the lights, furnace fan, fridge, radio, and about 300 watts of other equipment (we run telescopes, cameras, and laptops).We were boondocking where generator sounds were not an issue since we had no neighbors.Rather than have to 'gas up' first thing in the morning or top off, I am considering an extender gas can. So of course I have questions.Given the photos of extender can products, is it true that the Honda siphons from the extender can? Is there a special cap for the Honda? Since I can run close to 10 hours on the gallon of fuel in the Honda, are there 2-3 gallon extenders? Are there preferred brands? Can I refuel the extender can while the Honda runs?

Check out Utube videos on the subject. Some do refill the "remote" tank while running. Logic is not spilling gas on a hot engine. It seems like the generator does suction the gas and a few make their own extended range gas cap out of spare generator gas caps.

I,m in ohio and the other night they showed a car at a red light poof up in flames .guy had couple gas cans in the back seat and lit a cig. fumes explode don,t take a chance.

midnightsadie wrote:I,m in ohio and the other night they showed a car at a red light poof up in flames .guy had couple gas cans in the back seat and lit a cig. fumes explode don,t take a chance.Key information here:lit cigarette cans in back seat:@

The Honda EU2000i has a small fuel pump and can suck the fuel out of an external tank. In order to do so you will need to modify your existing fuel cap or buy one already modified. The basic premise is you remove the vent from the center of the cap and replace it with a barbed fitting. Then put a fuel safe hose on the barbed fitting and run it over to your extended run tank. As far as refueling while the generator is on, well that's up to you with how you hook to the extended tank and possibly how far away the tank is from the generator.there are replacement caps available on Amazon. But the reviews aren't all that good. I like this youtube video as it shows how to use your existing cap and also includes all the parts in the description.Link

The extender kits usually use a standard outboard motor fuel tank. If you are concerned that the fuel line is too close to the running generator, simply disconnect and move away to fill it. If you do it quickly there will not be enough vacuum to shut it down. An alternative is to have two tanks and swap them out, they have quick disconnects.One thing to watch is the surface of the generator gas tank opening. Those stupid government gas cans that have the push to fill can nick the surface and allow an air leak that prevents the draw from the remote tank.

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BarneyS
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2019
All I ever did was start the generator with the aux tank hooked up and the generator fuel cap air shut off and aux tank air open. The generator would then run and eventually suck the gas from the other tank. It was not necessary to prefill the line from the aux tank to the generator. You could sit there and watch the gas inch along the clear fuel line I used. It would keep the Hondas' tank full all the time and when I shut it off the tank was full of gas ready to go again.
Barney
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Nov 26, 2019
What I used to do was:
1- start the 2 Honda's
2- hook up the parallel cable
3- hook up the extended run tank WITH the vent CLOSED on the tank
4- wait a minute or 3 and open the vent on the tank..

IN MY opinion it was easier for the Honda to PULL the fuel at first with the vent closed.. once the line was full and things were flowing it was a thing of beauty !
opnspaces
Navigator II
Nov 26, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
Trackrig wrote:
If the Honda 2000 is sitting in the truck bed and the external fuel tank is on the ground, is the Honda fuel pump capable of raising the fuel that far?

Bill

Don’t know the answer specifically, but considering the OEsetup is essentially gravity feed with a presumably very small vacuum diaphragm fuel pump, pulling 3-4’ vertical head does not seem too likely. Icbw.
But I bet you could plumb in a tee to a boat tank that sits at the same level that would work. Might have to valve off both intake lines for switching use ?

On that same thought, do you guys have to make sure to fill the remote hose with fuel when hooking up? Or is it good enough to just hook up the extended tank and the pump will start the flow? Assume the extended tank is sitting on the ground at the same level and about 2 feet away from the generator.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Nov 26, 2019
Lynnmor wrote:
The extender kits usually use a standard outboard motor fuel tank. If you are concerned that the fuel line is too close to the running generator, simply disconnect and move away to fill it. If you do it quickly there will not be enough vacuum to shut it down. An alternative is to have two tanks and swap them out, they have quick disconnects.

I've never had a remote tank, but it seems to me you don't even need to move quickly to refill one. Unhook the hose from the remote tank and carry it away from the running generator. You have at a minimum a few hours to refill the remote tank before the internal tank runs out. Once you fill the remote tank carry it back over and connect the hose again. The onboard pump will pull a vacuum and refill the onboard tank. Obviously the faster you refill and connect the tank the better,. But I'll bet it takes a good 10 minutes to even burn up the small bit of fuel that is sitting in the generator filler neck.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 26, 2019
However I can’t imagine sitting in the camper all day and night without going outside several times anyway. What’s it take to refuel a Honda 2000? 1 extra minute? So 2 minutes a day?
If a person is actually “living” day in day out off a Honda 2000 and reliant on it running 100% around the clock, there are bigger concerns than re fueling
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 26, 2019
Trackrig wrote:
If the Honda 2000 is sitting in the truck bed and the external fuel tank is on the ground, is the Honda fuel pump capable of raising the fuel that far?

Bill

Don’t know the answer specifically, but considering the OEsetup is essentially gravity feed with a presumably very small vacuum diaphragm fuel pump, pulling 3-4’ vertical head does not seem too likely. Icbw.
But I bet you could plumb in a tee to a boat tank that sits at the same level that would work. Might have to valve off both intake lines for switching use ?
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Nov 26, 2019
BarneyS wrote:
I used one of these systems for many years and it always worked great.
Barney

Hard to beat the BERG System,....
BarneyS
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2019
I used one of these systems for many years and it always worked great.
Barney
Trackrig
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2019
If the Honda 2000 is sitting in the truck bed and the external fuel tank is on the ground, is the Honda fuel pump capable of raising the fuel that far?

Bill
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Nov 25, 2019
ktmrfs wrote:
ford truck guy wrote:
It does have a fuel pump.. I purchased a set up from here - Amazon - Bergs Single system

BUT I purchased the dual feed system and still have that tucked away in my shed ..

Mine was a 5 gallon and was/IS awesome ! I also fueled mine up while the generator was running as the tank was a few feet from the generator..

I know a few folks who tried some of the amazon/ebay no name systems and they were not trouble free or easy to use. I have the dual unit Berg system and while more expensive IMHO it is worth the money. Very well designed, quick and easy to connect, and very good fuel cap for the honda.

That is what I stated I had in my shed.... I LOVE the system, although I do not use it anymore... It just collect dust...really love my onboard Onan...

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