US Carb tri-fuel kit for Honda eu2000i

Is your tri-fuel setup a modified carb or does it have an adapter between the carb and the air filter?

I have the modfied carb setup. Did it myself using the instructions from the Yahoo eu2000i group. AFAIK it's identical to the Central Marine Diesel conversion, using the same regulator.

Also, when on propane, does the generator work fine in fuel saving mode where it idles down with a smaller load when the power needs are less?

Mostly yes. When I adjust the mixture to optimize for maximum power, it idles roughly. It runs at the proper idle speed but is running rich. If I lean the mixture for smooth idle, it won't develop maximum power. I've read a few reports in the past that said this works perfectly. I'm wondering if this could be caused by my 3,500 foot altitude?

Thank you for performing this test and sharing the results. These results are encouraging.

Is your tri-fuel setup a modified carb or does it have an adapter between the carb and the air filter?


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Also, when on propane, does the generator work fine in fuel saving mode where it idles down with a smaller load when the power needs are less?

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I did a gasoline vs. propane load test on my tri-fuel eu2000i this morning. With a small load (400 watt oil filled heater) performance was the same. With a medium load (400 watt heater plus hair dryer on low, 1375 watts) performance was the same. With a heavy load differences appeared. Switching the hair dryer to high, on gasoline, the voltage was 114.7, watts 1890, and amps 16.2 (kill-a-watt readings). On propane, the initial performance was the same but after a couple of minutes it tapered off to a sustained 111.4 volts, 1755 watts, 15.65 amps. There are so many variables involved that all I'd conclude is that the maximum power output is degraded "a little bit" with propane. I wouldn't take this as a blanket statement, rather as a single data point, and it of course applies only to the eu2000i.

Working against the eu2000i today is that I'm at 3,500 feet. In its favor, it was a cool 60 degrees. I know from prior experience that if it was 90 the generator would not have powered the heavy load on gasoline. Just one of the many variables.

Damdifino wrote:
...has anyone ordered a tri-fuel kit, and which kit did you order?

I have the tri-fuel kit from Central Maine Diesel. My EU2000i runs perfectly on propane, natural gas, and gasoline.

Folks will tell you that your generator's engine will make less power on propane than on gasoline (it is true LPG has a lower energy density). However I have never noticed any difference in my generators electrical performance when switching fuel types. I am still able to operate my convection/microwave (my highest wattage appliance) on propane, even at altitudes as high as 6000'.

Cheers,
-Mark

Kit:
http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-Fuel-Kit.asp?page=Honda_EU2000i_Tri_Fuel_Kit
Attachment:
http://www.generatorsales.com/honda-generators.asp

video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpknaAPTQ9U
http://www.yourepeat.com/watch/?v=MNaGW5SOPas

I have experience with a champion open frame 3500/4000 watt generator.

There are 2 approaches to the conversion. One is a carb modification. The other is an adapter between the the carb and the air filter.

With both approaches, I had about a 30 percent power loss (21 amps vs 29 amps - or somewhere in that range) with natural gas (propane may be somewhat better). I also lost some motor surge capability - could start a gas drier with gasoline but not natural gas.

For what it's worth a Champion 2000i cannot start that drier on gasoline either.


With the adapter, I could not get it to run right with gasoline. I had to remove the adapter or else it had no power. Changing from the adapter to the modified carb approach fixed that problem.

US Carb claims no power loss between gasoline and propane/natural gas but I have still been unable to get the open frame generator to perform the same as with gasoline. There's a chance the problem is on my end with the natural gas supply, but given that I've tapped the gas line within a few feet of the meter and no other gas appliances are running when testing I doubt it.


I guess it's possible that the Honda will be different, but if it's not you need to consider whether you'll be happy with closer to 1,100 vs the 1,600 you get with gasoline.

Kit:
http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-Fuel-Kit.asp?page=Honda_EU2000i_Tri_Fuel_Kit

Attachment:
http://www.generatorsales.com/honda-generators.asp

video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpknaAPTQ9U

http://www.yourepeat.com/watch/?v=MNaGW5SOPas

Sorry about the links not being hot.

Moved from technology corner

Just an FYI:
LP use results in major reductions in horsepower / output
LP use will suck a lot more fuel than gasoline use
That's why I didn't spend the money for a kit
Good Luck, Mike