Forum Discussion

sierradiesel's avatar
sierradiesel
Explorer
Oct 29, 2016

Honda 2000 mod to run in it's storage compartment?

I just bought a Northern Lite 811 with a storage compartment for a honda 2000 genset. I see there is a vent on the bottom of the compartment. I am sure that it's not designed for the generator to be operated while in the compartment, but I am wondering if anybody has modified the compartments on their camper so that you can run it? For example a large vent in the the compartment door and or exhaust rerouting? Please post pics if you've got something like this....It would be great to be able to run the genes when at a place where it's likely to get stolen like a wall mart parking lot for example;)

:W
Truck Campers
  • RickW's avatar
    RickW
    Explorer III
    Nov 04, 2016
    towpro wrote:
    i have been building / experimenting with a "noise box" for my Honda 2000.

    ......

    So I started a box design to enclose the generator in a sound proof box to use inside the trailer. First I looked at how the generator cools itself. It sucks air in from the side vents, than blows it out the exhaust side of generator. my box is well vented on both ends, but in order to separate the inlet cold air from the outlet hot air I have cut foam that seals along sides of generator in my "box"

    .....


    FWIW, In my brief experiments to build a sound box, the partition between intake/cooling and exhaust goes right in front of the exhaust panel. The exhaust pipe should exit the box separately from the engine cooling air flow.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Nov 01, 2016
    Also, in a manufacturing setting there are processes that must be followed and standards that must be met before the camper is allowed to leave the floor. Not so much with end-user modifications. Skill and understanding of the technical issues varies widely from person to person.

    Can it be done? Certainly, but you're going to have to figure it out for yourself. The options vary from a duct tape and baling wire solution to something that would rival the best professional installation. But, the wrong duct tape and baling wire solution could easily destroy an expensive generator at best, asphyxiate the occupants of the camper, or burn the camper to the ground at worst. Nobody here wants any of that on their conscience, and neither does Honda.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Nov 01, 2016
    The Onan has forced air cooling and is designed to run inside an enclosure, while the Honda is not. Modifying the Honda to run in an enclosure is possible, but you cannot just put one in a box and not expect heat issues.
  • hunterj's avatar
    hunterj
    Explorer
    Nov 01, 2016
    Why do folks have a problem running a modifying honda to run in a generator compartment, but are ok with a onan running in the same compartment? As long as you vent the exhaust the same as the Onan your good to go. I did the same mod as msiminoff, on my Arctic Fox 1150 and no problems in 5 years.
  • sierradiesel's avatar
    sierradiesel
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2016
    msiminoff wrote:
    I've been running mine inside a compartment since 2007...
    Here are a couple posts with photos and info about my installation;

    Installation

    Additional noise reduction mods.

    It goes without saying, but if you choose to mount any generator inside any part of your truck camper, you must be absolutely certain that a) NO exhaust gasses can enter the camper, and b) there is sufficient airflow to ensure proper cooling of the generator.

    Cheers,
    -Mark




    Mark...Now we're Talkin! that is a great mod.thanks for sharing....the thread was a good read too...I'm surprised that no one brought up the fact that companies are just covering their butts liability wise , when discouraging a mod or running a genes in an enclosure, which of course is done all over the world, one just has to be intelligent about it! thanks again for that, super helpful!
  • sierradiesel's avatar
    sierradiesel
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2016
    towpro wrote:
    i have been building / experimenting with a "noise box" for my Honda 2000.

    I have been trying to run my honda inside my enclosed 7x14 box trailer (with nobody inside trailer of course). My thoughts was that it would be quieter inside the trailer, plus the security of being behind a locked door.

    I have an RV electrical box on front of trailer with cord running inside to plug into generator.

    I have the exhaust extension, with tail pipe that I turn down and pass through the floor of my box trailer. the actual sound from the exhaust note is very quiet.

    Using a sound meter on my phone (better then just guessing with my ear) the noise measured 20' from trailer is just as loud with generator running inside trailer vrs generator running outside trailer sitting on ground.

    first I started trying to isolate the vibration from generator that is conducted into plywood floor of Trailer. running some wood to stiffen the floor under the generator , than sit the generator on top of a rubber mat used for exercise helped a good bit, but still feel the vibration inside the camper through the trailer hitch (trailer stays hooked up during overnight stops where i need this generator).

    I experimented with handing the generator from roof with rubber straps, no difference.

    I think the sound waves generated by the mechanical noise from generator is causing the floor/sides of camper to oscillate at same frequency and now the trailer is acting like a giant speaker.

    So I started a box design to enclose the generator in a sound proof box to use inside the trailer. First I looked at how the generator cools itself. It sucks air in from the side vents, than blows it out the exhaust side of generator. my box is well vented on both ends, but in order to separate the inlet cold air from the outlet hot air I have cut foam that seals along sides of generator in my "box"

    I also have installed a (used) fantastic fan into the roof of my trailer (trailer has inlets in side of trailer) to suck the heat out of box trailer. if I continue development I plan to put a thermostat in the trailer to control this fan.

    But fall came and development stopped as the need for generator stopped.
    I also have my computerized home heating system setup so it can run off the Honda, if needed this winter I could bring the new box outside :).

    Now my new Arctic fox has a compartment I can carry generator in (no plans on running it in there). and I have a cable I lock generator to trailer with to stop honest people when its running. Not sure how I will proceed.
  • towpro's avatar
    towpro
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2016
    i have been building / experimenting with a "noise box" for my Honda 2000.

    I have been trying to run my honda inside my enclosed 7x14 box trailer (with nobody inside trailer of course). My thoughts was that it would be quieter inside the trailer, plus the security of being behind a locked door.

    I have an RV electrical box on front of trailer with cord running inside to plug into generator.

    I have the exhaust extension, with tail pipe that I turn down and pass through the floor of my box trailer. the actual sound from the exhaust note is very quiet.

    Using a sound meter on my phone (better then just guessing with my ear) the noise measured 20' from trailer is just as loud with generator running inside trailer vrs generator running outside trailer sitting on ground.

    first I started trying to isolate the vibration from generator that is conducted into plywood floor of Trailer. running some wood to stiffen the floor under the generator , than sit the generator on top of a rubber mat used for exercise helped a good bit, but still feel the vibration inside the camper through the trailer hitch (trailer stays hooked up during overnight stops where i need this generator).

    I experimented with handing the generator from roof with rubber straps, no difference.

    I think the sound waves generated by the mechanical noise from generator is causing the floor/sides of camper to oscillate at same frequency and now the trailer is acting like a giant speaker.

    So I started a box design to enclose the generator in a sound proof box to use inside the trailer. First I looked at how the generator cools itself. It sucks air in from the side vents, than blows it out the exhaust side of generator. my box is well vented on both ends, but in order to separate the inlet cold air from the outlet hot air I have cut foam that seals along sides of generator in my "box"

    I also have installed a (used) fantastic fan into the roof of my trailer (trailer has inlets in side of trailer) to suck the heat out of box trailer. if I continue development I plan to put a thermostat in the trailer to control this fan.

    But fall came and development stopped as the need for generator stopped.
    I also have my computerized home heating system setup so it can run off the Honda, if needed this winter I could bring the new box outside :).

    Now my new Arctic fox has a compartment I can carry generator in (no plans on running it in there). and I have a cable I lock generator to trailer with to stop honest people when its running. Not sure how I will proceed.
  • zb39's avatar
    zb39
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2016
    msiminoff wrote:
    I've been running mine inside a compartment since 2007...
    Here are a couple posts with photos and info about my installation;

    Installation

    Additional noise reduction mods.

    It goes without saying, but if you choose to mount any generator inside any part of your truck camper, you must be absolutely certain that a) NO exhaust gasses can enter the camper, and b) there is sufficient airflow to ensure proper cooling of the generator.

    Cheers,
    -Mark

    That is one sweet set up. Two thumbs way up!
  • msiminoff's avatar
    msiminoff
    Explorer II
    Oct 31, 2016
    I've been running mine inside a compartment since 2007...
    Here are a couple posts with photos and info about my installation;

    Installation

    Additional noise reduction mods.

    It goes without saying, but if you choose to mount any generator inside any part of your truck camper, you must be absolutely certain that a) NO exhaust gasses can enter the camper, and b) there is sufficient airflow to ensure proper cooling of the generator.

    Cheers,
    -Mark

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