Honda 2000i Generator

Typically while growing our emergency preparedness we evolve to more appropriate equipment or better quality equipment or better storage methods.

The other week I decided that it was time to look at a new generator that's better suited for my back-up emergency power, especially for long black-out periods.

The new generator will be affordable, runs on gasoline, is fuel efficient and has just enough power to run (one at a time) what I feel are important appliances such as:

• Refrigeration
• Be able to run it 8 hrs a day for a week to keep the frozen food frozen until we eat all of it.

• 9500 btu garage window a/c
• Should we get overheated from outdoor storm repair work we can cool down for a few hours and avoid a heat stroke.

• 1600 watt microwave.
• Need it for cooking.

• Air compressor
• 1.5hp Craftsman seems like the bike tires always need air. A bicycle may be the only transportation if in a long term grid-down situation.

• Water well pump (110v)
• Need water to live.

The generator I chose?

It's the HONDA 2000i because of its brand recognition, reliability, fuel efficiency, light weight, produces a true sine wave current, it's low dB and 3 year warranty.

Needed to do a fuel consumption test of the HONDA 2000i:

To know how many gallons of gas to store I need to confirm what the fuel consumption actually is with different loads. Max rated continuous load for the Honda 2000i is 1600 watts continuous and up to 2000 watts for 30 minutes. This test will target four wattage loads:

• 1600 watts full load
• 800 watts 1/2 load
• 400 watts 1/4 load
• 200 watts 1/8 load

Eco-Boost was 'on' for all testing. However, in a separate test below it was surprising how much slower the engine runs and still maintains proper voltage/wattage to run the load with the Eco-Boost on.

The test protocol:

• The run time was verified by using exactly 8 ounces (1 cup) of gas for each wattage load and logging the time it took to use up the 1 cup of fuel.
• A kitchen timer was used for the timer.
• The generator was not moved between testing.
• The very first cup of gas was run until the generator ran out of gas and quit running. This cup was also the new engine break-in run.
• After that break-in procedure another 1 cup of gas was poured into the tank. The engine was started and the appliances were immediately plugged in and the timer started. The time was noted when the engine ran out of gas. This was repeated for all wattage loads.

Fuel Consumption Actual Test Results:

1599 watt load = 13:30 min on 8 ounces = 3.6 hours run time per 1 gallon of gas.

801 watt load = 23:08 min on 8 ounces = 6.1 hours run time per 1 gallon of gas.

434 watt load = 29:54 min on 8 ounces = 8.0 hours run time per 1 gallon of gas.

221 watt load = 37:30 min on 8 ounces = 10.0 hours run time per 1 gallon of gas.

Miscellaneous:

The Honda also runs anyone of these appliances without issue:

1,633 watt micro-wave

876 watt 1.5 hp Craftsman, 125psi, 3 gallon, air compressor

819 watt load 9,500btu window A/C unit

760 watt George Foreman Grill

500 watt Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

355 watt 25 amp 12volt auto battery charge

300 watt Rice Cooker

122 watt kitchen refrigerator

120 watt 48 inch TV

 22 watt 18 inch TV

Outside temperature of generator enclosure:

84f ambient air in my garage and the case temperature was 88f except at the rear grill where the exhaust exits. There is was a small hot spot/area of 129f at the bottom of the grill. The rest of the grill was 88f-97f.

Does Eco-Boost Really Work???

Testing Eco-Boost comparison on and off using 8 oz of fuel:

• @434 watt load
• Eco-Boost off 23:00
• Eco-Boost on 30:00
• 7 more minutes or 30% additional run time on 8 oz of fuel.

• @221 watt load
• Eco-Boost off 25:00
• Eco-Boost on 37:30
• 12:30 more minutes or 50% additional run time on 8 oz of fuel.

Conclusion:

During a grid-down I will pick and choose what appliances I will need to use. Most likely I'll be using a battery charger, a TV, Refrigerator if there is still food in it, micro-wave, a couple CFL's for interior lighting and probably the computers if we have DSL working. 

Overall actual average running the Honda for 8 hours a day including my refrigerator and small freezer will burn just 1 gallon of gas. This consumption was verified during our last hurricane when the grid was down.

So to make the math easy that's about 1 gallon a day to live a fairly normal life or 30  gallons per month. In contrast, my Onan burns 1/2 gallon an hour with the same watt load or 4.0 gallons a day or 120 gallons a month!!!

I think the Honda was a good move for my preparedness lifestyle. I normally have 25 gallons of gas in stock and another 27 in the van's tank. Altogether I may be able to last 2 months of generator running 8 hours a day :-)

The actual watts being used during the generator fuel testing.