Honda2000 in an Onan compartment

This is a very interesting topic, at least for me. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30064133/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
I wanted this guy to finish this project, but as you can see it just kind of ended.
This isn't exactly what you were asking but this as close as Ive seen

There is good reason why making generator design for working in the open, to work in closed compartment seldom has good ending.
Once you figure out cooling and fuel feed, you have to make sure you will not kill yourself with fumes when running it.
I've been carrying my Honda 3000 on front hitch for 4 seasons and it worked as a charm.
Helped with weight distribution as well.
The generator compartment is very good for gas cans and BBQ, once you build low floor in it.

northshore wrote:
This is a very interesting topic, at least for me. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30064133/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
I wanted this guy to finish this project, but as you can see it just kind of ended.
This isn't exactly what you were asking but this as close as Ive seen

Thanks NS. I did read that post. Was interesting. I wouldn't be looking to mod the gen though as I'd like to take it out for other uses.

Kayteg1 wrote:
There is good reason why making generator design for working in the open, to work in closed compartment seldom has good ending.
Once you figure out cooling and fuel feed, you have to make sure you will not kill yourself with fumes when running it.
I've been carrying my Honda 3000 on front hitch for 4 seasons and it worked as a charm.
Helped with weight distribution as well.
The generator compartment is very good for gas cans and BBQ, once you build low floor in it.

Yes, I had thought of those things. Refueling would be done by just pulling the unit out, fill the tank and put back in. For the exhaust, I would have thought the cabinet would be required to be sealed completely . The exhaust was a question. I assumed the Onan would have the exhaust pipe routed out of the cabinet, perhaps under the box or out, facing rearward. I figured with the Honda having such a small pipe, an extension may be added to get the exhaust out of the cabinet. However,I don't know if that would cause problems for the unit. Perhaps extra pipe on the exhaust, if too long would cause too much pressure and make the Honda malfunction. But I know little with regards to engines, so that would be part of the question of if this would work.
As for fresh air intake, again part of the question would be, if an exhaust extension is viable, would there be enough air coming in through the grill on the cabinet door. The ones I've seen, with the built in Onan's, have about a third of the door with expanded mesh on them. If this wasn't going to provide enough air flow perhaps a full mesh second door insert could be made or the door just left open.

I should have included the desire not to mod the generator in my post.

The prime concern for me is, with the two TC brands/models I mentioned, that the Honda 2000 just fit in the cabinet, through the door. Running it in there would more or less just be a bonus. But if easily done, why not. Part of the reason was also noise suppression to be as courteous to fellow campers. My alternative, if in cabinet wasn't possible is to make a sort of box lined with sound dampening material. Open top and short legs at the bottom to raise the sides for air flow. Something that folds flat and is light weight. 1/8th inch plywood and egg crate foam kinda thing.

Currently, with my old 96 Okanagan 105W, the cabinet on the back, passenger wing fits my Honda. JUST barely, if I tip the unit sideways just so. And I'll tell ya, trying to pry the info out of the dealer as to which side it's OK to tip one of those things was like asking for a map to Atlantis.....

You are comparing Onan exhaust to Honda planed exhaust,but you are missing the fact that Honda running on gasoline has exhaust gases badly poisoning, while I have never heard about any camper dying due to propane engine fumes.

I have no problem using my Honda 2000i in a compartment. The compartment was designed for use with a generator. It is sealed from the rest of the camper. There is a side door which must be latched open when in use. The rear door has a screen and can be closed even in use.

I did need to cut a piece of plywood and put on some edges to serve as a tray. I pull the generator partly out of the compartment for starting or adding fuel.

I looked at the Northern Light website, and there's a picture of a Honda generator in the generator compartment with the exhaust pointing out of the compartment. Looks like it's hooked to a propane line in the compartment.

https://northern-lite.com/10-2excd-se-dry/

srschang wrote:
I looked at the Northern Light website, and there's a picture of a Honda generator in the generator compartment with the exhaust pointing out of the compartment. Looks like it's hooked to a propane line in the compartment.

https://northern-lite.com/10-2excd-se-dry/

This one? I will not comment on gas tanks next to furnace exhaust.



The hose could be anything. Propane conversion kits come with huge diaphragm and I don't see it, so it is probably just a hose in the compartment. Doesn't look like generator could be started in this position anyway.
In my years of RVing I heard enough about deaths due owners hacking, or neglecting generator use, so would I be doing gasoline generator in camper compartment, it would have to have Venturi exhaust over the roof.
I will not ask you to try and report back as that might not apply after the try.

There's lots of good information about using the Honda in a compartment in the Owner's Manual.
You might want to read it sometime:
http://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/pe/pdf/manuals/31Z07610.pdf

Kayteg1 wrote:
You are comparing Onan exhaust to Honda planed exhaust,but you are missing the fact that Honda running on gasoline has exhaust gases badly poisoning, while I have never heard about any camper dying due to propane engine fumes.

That fact hasn't been lost on me. Just wondering if it's been done successfully and how it was achieved. I do make the assumption that the cabinet is sealed since folks using campers are so concerned with carbon monoxide poisoning. Certainly a lot of concern regarding propane heaters, real or imagined. So I'd think the cab's are sealed. But don't know for sure, hence the question.