What generator? Looking for longer time between gas fills more than more power

[Timmer]

Generator - bigger unit or gas tank solution?

Hello all,

As far as our Grand Design and warm weather camping, we are weekend campers and usually stay at state parks where there is power. On the rare occasion we don't have power, we either go without, or have a Honda 2200 that meets our needs. I love the Honda. It starts VERY easily and is super quiet. Two years ago a friend was selling a camper style fish house that needed some TLC and was a great deal. I bought it thinking we might fish a bit but my real intent was to fix it up and sell it. However, we found that we really enjoy the winter camping and fishing with the family. We enjoyed it so much that we sold the fish house and ordered a custom built one that is supposed to be delivered in about a month. With the fish house, we use power far more frequently than warm weather camping. We are running fishing electronics most of the day, the family charges our various devices, because we are inside we watch more TV/movies, and I have a CPAP. On our new fish house we will also run an electric fireplace at various times to pull the moisture out of the air from propane heat. The Honda 2200 isn't cutting it because we have to fill it multiple times per day. Going into the winter season I'm looking for a solution. Any recommendations? I've not experienced any issues with my current unit not producing enough power, although the fireplace will be a new addition. My real goal is to extend time between gas fill ups. Is there a way to expand the gas tank? Do I bite the bullet and buy a bigger generator? I am seeing some generator fuel extender tanks out there but I'm not familiar with how they work.

 

[Soundsailor]

Take a look at a generator auxiliary fuel tank kit. There are quite a few that support the Hondas (like this one https://www.amazon.com/HND1-2CS-EU1000i-EU2000i-Generator-Systems/dp/B09WYM75ND, whole system under $200)

 

[Najataagihe]

Why not use an auxiliary fuel tank kit?


$135 on Amazon:

www.amazon.com/superbobi-Extended-Fuel-Honda-Generator-Your/dp/B078XF251Y


Some joker on ebay is selling one for $80.



Just a thought...

 

[Timmer]

Thanks, it looks like an extender might be the ticket. I have what might be a stupid question. How does the gas make it to the generator? I assume it's a suction/siphoning effect?

 

[Riverbug]

x3 on the auxiliary tank option. Yes, it siphons from the tank. As long as your Honda works for you, no sense buying a new generator just to get more fuel capacity.

 

[jsm180]

My 2 honda 2000's will run 18 hrs on one 6 gal outboard tank.

 

[Riverbug]

My 2 honda 2000's will run 18 hrs on one 6 gal outboard tank.

Is that really all? My 2000i runs nearly 12 hours on it's own full tank alone. Of course, about half that time it's running at low throttle in eco mode.

 

[jsm180]

Is that really all? My 2000i runs nearly 12 hours on it's own full tank alone. Of course, about half that time it's running at low throttle in eco mode.

That's both running full speed on one tank, I don't chance eco mode when running the air conditioner.

 

[JPS350]

Here's my setup. I modified the caps on my Honda generators and can run 1 or both generators off a 3 gal. boat tank.

 

[Riverbug]

That's both running full speed on one tank, I don't chance eco mode when running the air conditioner.

Yep, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[traveldawg]

I agree with everyone else that suggested an extended run tank arrangement.

I made one myself many, many years ago for my 2 Hondas before these kits were available. I drilled holes in my Honda fuel caps and attached some steel brake line so it went into the tanks and used a gas hose arrangement to a Y adapter and a 10" piece of steel brake line just dipped into a 2 gallon gas container and it worked. I had to seal the Honda fuel caps and prefill the Honda tanks but they siphoned gas perfectly.

Of course I had to buy 2 new Honda fuel caps for when I didn't use that arrangement.

For the $86 set-up available on Amazon I'd probably just do that now.

 

[JPS350]

Of course I had to buy 2 new Honda fuel caps for when I didn't use that arrangement.

For the $86 set-up available on Amazon I'd probably just do that now.

I also modified the caps on my Hondas (see my pic a couple of posts back). I used non closing quick connects, so there is just a stub of a fuel line attached to the caps. The Briggs and Stratton fuel tank petcock attached to the caps functions just like the cap vent did that it replaced. So if you don't have the extended run tank on, you just open the B&S valve as you would the original vent valve. Then close it during transport. No need to buy extra caps.

 

[JPS350]

FWIW, anyone looking to do the extended run tank mod on a honda generator, heres a link to a couple of videos I used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDkL593Wbt0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBuzY8uXDG4

A couple of things I'd add to the above. For the older generators you can do the mod like the first video, for the newer ones (2200i) you need to add the pipe nipple like in the 2nd video due to the fact that it's recessed more.

The tapping threads with a fine bolt mentioned in the videos is kind of a cobb job, but it likely works. The Briggs and Stratton fuel tank petcock used is 1/8 pipe thread,so the right way to do it is to use the proper size drill bit and a 1/8 pipe thread tap You can drill all the way through the caps and just tap it. Then use teflon pipe dope compound on all connections to make things air tight. If using a boat tank, like I did, get a good metal quick connect for the tank and not one of the cheap plastic ones (ask me how I know). You can pick up the metal one at Walmart (and the cheap non-functioning plastic ones on Amazon). You can do a set of quick connects up at the generator cap so you can just unclip the hoses when you want. These have to be the kind that don't seal closed when disconnected though, so the generator can vent when you're not using the extended run tank. For those who parallel generators at times, you can make up a plug for one of the lines that uses a quick connect so you can either run the 2 generators off the extended run tank or just 1 of them.

 

[Timmer]

Thanks again everyone. Yesterday I ordered a complete kit with 6 gallon tank off eBay. One thing I wasn't clear about was whether there is a difference in the gas cap between the Honda 2000 and 2200 series. On both Amazon and eBay there were a bunch of cap and hose kits or complete kits with tank for the 2000 series, but was only able to find a couple of listings on eBay for the 2200 series. The fact that under the details of the listings they didn't mention compatibility with the other model leads me to believe they may be different. I paid about $12 more for a 2200 kit. If they are interchangeable I could have saved a little money.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

Thanks again everyone. Yesterday I ordered a complete kit with 6 gallon tank off eBay. One thing I wasn't clear about was whether there is a difference in the gas cap between the Honda 2000 and 2200 series. On both Amazon and eBay there were a bunch of cap and hose kits or complete kits with tank for the 2000 series, but was only able to find a couple of listings on eBay for the 2200 series. The fact that under the details of the listings they didn't mention compatibility with the other model leads me to believe they may be different. I paid about $12 more for a 2200 kit. If they are interchangeable I could have saved a little money.

Going with the auxiliary fuel tank is a smart move. Hopefully you purchased a Mueller brand marine fuel tank as they are hands down the best small portable tanks in the industry. Also using stainless steel quick disconnects at both the gas cap and the fuel tank is helpful.
I use my Honda 2000 for dry camping 2 or 3 times each year. This past February while at the Daytona 500 I ran the generator for a total of 172 hrs over 10 days......
on 16 gallons of fuel!
Hard to see but here's my setup...

.

 

[GaryNK]

Timely post for me as I have an event in April that may have no RV sites with EL. It's a four night stay. The weather should be cool enough that AC will not be needed. My question is the connection between the generator and the Solitude. Would that be using the adapters and my 30amp cable or a heavy extension cord or would I Jerry Rig to the factory cables in the storage area intended for an after market generator.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

Timely post for me as I have an event in April that may have no RV sites with EL. It's a four night stay. The weather should be cool enough that AC will not be needed. My question is the connection between the generator and the Solitude. Would that be using the adapters and my 30amp cable or a heavy extension cord or would I Jerry Rig to the factory cables in the storage area intended for an after market generator.

I don't have the same RV but I didn't see the need for using the heavy 50 amp cord or any adapters. I only run a Honda 2000 generator so I purchased this replacement 50amp cord end and made my own 20' cord with #10AWG rubber cord and a 20Amp cord cap to match my generator receptacle. I plug it right into the exterior power port on the RV.

Kohree 50 AMP RV Power Cord Cover Twist Lock with Boot Inlet Locking Plug Protector Locking Shore Connector Replacement, 50A 125/250VAC https://a.co/d/cSlnGDS

 

[GaryNK]

I have male and female adapters to use 30 / 50. Now that I look at the Honda 2000 that looks to be a brainless connection. Simple enough and I think well have adequate power wo any additonal expense. Were good.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

I have male and female adapters to use 30 / 50. Now that I look at the Honda 2000 that looks to be a brainless connection. Simple enough and I think well have adequate power wo any additonal expense. Were good.

Good deal, just make sure to either have the main CB flipped off in your RV panel or as little load on it as possible whenever you plug into a running generator (or any AC power source) to avoid arcing and burning up the cord end. Or plug the easiest or cheapest to replace connection together last. Continued arcing from plugging a cord into a live power source with any load on the RV will cause a compromised connection and eventually lead to overheating and possibly a fire. Usually it will soon ruin a cord end.

 

[Soundsailor]

I don't have the same RV but I didn't see the need for using the heavy 50 amp cord or any adapters. I only run a Honda 2000 generator so I purchased this replacement 50amp cord end and made my own 20' cord with #10AWG rubber cord and a 20Amp cord cap to match my generator receptacle. I plug it right into the exterior power port on the RV.

Kohree 50 AMP RV Power Cord Cover Twist Lock with Boot Inlet Locking Plug Protector Locking Shore Connector Replacement, 50A 125/250VAC https://a.co/d/cSlnGDS

Same here, following Sparkie's example, I cut the end off of a heavy-duty extension cord and used the same receptacle. Works great for my 2,300-watt generator.