Dual Honda 2000's Run Time

[BillandCarole]

Hi Everyone
We finally had to bite the bullet and add a 2nd Honda 2000i to power the AC. In the non-Eco mode it gobbled fuel, running dry in less than 3 hours. In Eco mode it ran longer and quieter but still not all late afternoon/evening. I have now tied it in to our 6 gal aux-tank, letting the tank feed both generators. When we dry camped before, the single 6 gal tank would power us all week. With the 2nd generator running, we are not sure how it will work when both are operating. The main "consumer" is our 13,500 btu AC. What kind of run times can we expect with the AC running?
Thanks
Bill and Carole

[xaugievike]

longest I've ever gone running AC is around 28-30 hours on my 6 gallon extended run tank with honda twins already full. there was still gas in the extended tank, but not much.

[pitch]

That is why I have dual 2000's. 3000 is too heavy, not to bad at 30 years old, over fifty it becomes something to think about.

[Atlee]

I've never been able to run my 13500 BTU AC with only one Honda 2000.

One 3000 will probably be a little quieter than twin Honda 2000's.

However, I wouldn't have wanted to move that heavy 3000 around. I can move 2 Honda 2000's, I can't move a Honda 3000.

MO Rookie wrote:
I have considered purchasing a generator will the Honda 2000 start and run 13500 ac if everything else is off or on propane if not would the Honda 3000 be noticeable quitter than running two 2000

[Atlee]

But OP is running his AC. One EU2000i will struggle mightily to run an AC. I've never been able to reliably run a 13500btu AC with only one 2000 Honda.

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Assuming power draw remains the same, I THINK that running two gens on eco will consume as much fuel as running just one in normal mode. Or possibly even more, since there's some loss of efficiency during the conversion of gasoline to ac power, and you now have to deal with that loss across two units instead of just one.

[MO_Rookie]

I have considered purchasing a generator will the Honda 2000 start and run 13500 ac if everything else is off or on propane if not would the Honda 3000 be noticeable quitter than running two 2000

[golf_bears]

I have two 2000s with an extended 6gal tank as you do. When I run the 15,000 BTU AC (not on ECO mode) and the extended 6 gal tank is connected, I get about 36 hours of continuous run time.

You're running a 13,500 BTU AC, not on ECO mode so you should get the same as I do. The difference between my 15,000 and your 13,500 AC won't make a difference because we're both running at full throttle.

[westend]

BillandCarole wrote:
Our Honda's in parallel cycle up and down in Eco, depending on the load. When off Eco, they run flat out and are very NOISY, even for Honda's. What we are really trying to avoid is draining all three tanks. Taking the generator covers off is a HUGE hassle, and requires the 5th wheel be off the truck in order to lift the cases off. We often
boondock for the night when were moving, not disconnecting. Running out of fuel then would be dammed inconvenient. It is difficult enough refilling the aux tank when connected. Which raises a question. If I refill the aux tank with the generator tanks empty, what do I have to do to get the generator(s) to restart. I read in other RV.Net posts of people installing outboard motor (bulbs) primers to restart the Honda's. Is this what it takes? I am also considering carrying a 5 gallon fuel can to refuel. This will require a funnel with a hose. ugh.

The 4.3 hours per gallon is, I feel, a "generous" estimate. I would be delighted with 30 hours of run time. In a weeks time with the single gen running we still had the gallon in the gen plus a couple in the aux tank. I never tracked the actual hours we ran, although it was no more than necessary to keep the rig batteries fully charged.

I will also comment, when one ran out of fuel, with the AC on, it "stopped" the 2nd generator which still had fuel. Both had to be restarted.
Thanks for all the help
Bill

About the fuel disbursement: I have a contractor generator (not used for camping) that has a removable plastic tank. There is a quick coupler on the fuel line. I would imagine having two of these styles of tanks would ease the worries of fuel filling and get rid of a funnel.
If outboard marine tanks can be used, that would also eliminate a lot of struggle. I don't know if these small generators can use a pressurized tank or if venting the outboard tank is necessary. If venting, closing the cap and using the bulb for starting and then opening the cap could be done.

[pitch]

At less than 1k altitude, my 2 Hondas run my 13500 AC in ECO with out a problem. They will cycle up when the compressor kicks on but soon idle back.

[Sillybugs2]

milo wrote:
Ya know what? ..Best way to find out how long would be to fill both gens and hook up your extended run tank and fire those puppies up, turn on the AC and let em run and actually see how long you get. Then you will know for sure, no guesstimates from the audience. Do it in your driveway.

Some of the best advice I've read here lately.

As a fellow honda owner I'd feel bad for your neighbors running any gen, quieter or not, that long. We run ours Eco mode to charge batteries and laptop for our evening movie. We mountain or beach camp though and don't use ac.

[milo]

Ya know what? ..Best way to find out how long would be to fill both gens and hook up your extended run tank and fire those puppies up, turn on the AC and let em run and actually see how long you get. Then you will know for sure, no guesstimates from the audience. Do it in your driveway.

[BillandCarole]

Our Honda's in parallel cycle up and down in Eco, depending on the load. When off Eco, they run flat out and are very NOISY, even for Honda's. What we are really trying to avoid is draining all three tanks. Taking the generator covers off is a HUGE hassle, and requires the 5th wheel be off the truck in order to lift the cases off. We often
boondock for the night when were moving, not disconnecting. Running out of fuel then would be dammed inconvenient. It is difficult enough refilling the aux tank when connected. Which raises a question. If I refill the aux tank with the generator tanks empty, what do I have to do to get the generator(s) to restart. I read in other RV.Net posts of people installing outboard motor (bulbs) primers to restart the Honda's. Is this what it takes? I am also considering carrying a 5 gallon fuel can to refuel. This will require a funnel with a hose. ugh.

The 4.3 hours per gallon is, I feel, a "generous" estimate. I would be delighted with 30 hours of run time. In a weeks time with the single gen running we still had the gallon in the gen plus a couple in the aux tank. I never tracked the actual hours we ran, although it was no more than necessary to keep the rig batteries fully charged.

I will also comment, when one ran out of fuel, with the AC on, it "stopped" the 2nd generator which still had fuel. Both had to be restarted.
Thanks for all the help
Bill

[Francesca_Knowl]

Let's put it this way:

The BEST you can expect from a running EU2000 is 9.6 hours from a gallon of gas. Source
Running two gens at once consumes twice the fuel, so best case will be 4.3 hours per gallon.

[GordonThree]

I have the Yamaha instead of Honda, and when they're parallel they run full bore. The 13,500 AC will not start on eco. My 5 gallon Evinrude tank drains fast running both generators, last dry camp I achieved about 12 hours before the tank was nearly empty... I stopped before it started sucking air. EDIT: I should add, when I'm running my generators, they are working hard - running the 125 amp charger on my inverter, as well as the AC unit and dehumidifier.

It's kind of sad how inefficient these little generators are - the 6 horse power motor produces 4.4 kW of energy at peak output, but mechanical and electronic losses from converting that twist into A/C power yields only 1.6 kW of peak electrical output (discounting surge)... 1.6 / 4.4 is only 36% efficient - just sad.

[BillandCarole]

Hi Everyone
I guess I wasn't clear enough in my original post. I have connected BOTH generators to a 6 gallon auxiliary tank. What will our run time be now? The tanks and generators both set in the bed of the truck underneath the front of the 5th wheel. This reduces access (security) but keeps them somewhat out of the sun.
Thanks
Bill