Honda generator: 2000i or 2000i companion

[chriscowles]

Hello all. I'm planning to buy an inverter generator and have decided on a Honda 2000i. There's a local authorized service dealer here in Gainesville and their price is cheaper than I can buy elsewhere, including online. (There's not a Yamaha dealer within a reasonable distance.)

I hoped to buy it today so I can take it camping this weekend to play with it. Unfortunately for that plan, they have only a companion in stock. From what I see the companion lacks a DC connection but includes a 30A plug which, when used alone, supplies only the same as the standard plug. The difference is I'd need the 30A/20A adapter.

I've read elsewhere that the 8A DC output on the standard generator isn't great for deep-cycle battery charging, and that I'm better off plugging my Schumaker charger into the AC outlet and letting it handle the charge cycle. If true, what do I lose by not having the DC source on the companion generator?

In short, I'd really like to buy a generator today but only a companion is immediately available. I have no expectation of ever buying a second generator to operate as a pair. I'm buying it as a recharging system, not to operate my microwave or A/C.

If I buy the companion generator today to I have it in my hands, will I regret not having bought the standard version?

A possible justification for owning only a companion is that, if ever in a group camping situation, someone else is more likely to own a standard generator than a companion, and my companion could be used to make a pair. But that's an unlikely scenario.

Thanks

[bob caldwell]

Just looked at mine for a refresher, the companian has both a 30 amp and a 20amp plug-in

[chriscowles]

I bought the companion and don't have the regular version. I've never needed 12v DC power away from my trailer and don't anticipate ever needing it. I can get that from the trailer itself, with generator attached, should the occasion arise.

I haven't gotten my 13.5K BTU A/C working with it yet, and maybe won't, but I'm satisfied with the purchase. It's sufficient to run my refrigerator at home during a power failure, and to recharge the batteries on my trailer when I dry camp.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[hammick]

Get the companion. If you decide in the future that you want more power you can get the more readily available standard model. I've never needed to run anything DC off my generator. IMHO generators are for AC power. You have plenty of DC at your trailer.

[chriscowles]

I did. BTW, I paid the standard model price for it. $1000 at a local dealer that's also an authorized service center.

[rana]

Ya did good. The 12v is kind of a "waste of space" in my opinion. It's nice to have a backup 12v supply in the event of an emergency, but it serves no practical purpose in the 'day to day'. After all.. you've got house batteries.. a TV battery, and an alternator already ;-)

Guaranteedy you won't regret ponying up for the Honda. (I own Yamaha's myself, but just about the same difference.) 1k isn't a steal, but you would have to be patient to find a better deal. Well played!

[chriscowles]

I leaned toward Yamaha because of minor conveniences (fuel shutoff valve, fuel gauge) but bought Honda because there's no Yamaha service within reasonable driving distance. The local Honda dealer is an authorized service center. I think any difference in price would be small enough to not matter.

[bob caldwell]

Why not plug trailer power cord into gen, and let the converter do it's job? I haven't had any deep/cycle battery problems ever.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Why not plug trailer power cord into gen, and let the converter do it's job? I haven't had any deep/cycle battery problems ever.

I'm thinking I should be able to do that. But some threads on this forum suggest that on-board convertors aren't quite up to completely topping off true deep-cycle batteries. What kind of battery/batteries do you have, and what methods have you used to measure the depth of discharge and charge?

I'm leaning towards a pair of group 27 deep-cycle (not dual-purpose) 12V batteries. While that's less efficient than 2 6v batteries of similar physical size, it allows me to use 1 as stand-alone if the other should fail.

My first step may be 1 group 24 marine battery to supplement the one that came with the trailer. If I go that route I'll replace that pair with 2 G27 deep cycles when I accrue the necessary funds.

In addition to dry camping, I plan to use the same batteries in my home as a backup source for CPAP. Both my wife and I would need it and the arrangement of my bedroom makes extension cords, or putting a pair of 6V batteries next to each other, impractical. It works better for me to have 1 12v battery on each side of the bed.

I'll use my Honda genny and my Schumaker battery to recharge the batteries under those circumstances. I'll also keep them on a battery tender on the back porch when not in use.

[elind]

I was going to buy one or the other Hondas 2000 before my winter trip. I knew I wanted the both of them sometime. In the end I bought the both of them with the parallel wiring kit, covers, two 50' & one 100' twelve gauge cords, free shipping and no taxes all for $2,100. I saved $400 by buying the combo all at once. Now I can do almost everything I want except 2 ACs at once.

[bob caldwell]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I'm thinking I should be able to do that. But some threads on this forum suggest that on-board convertors aren't quite up to completely topping off true deep-cycle batteries. What kind of battery/batteries do you have, and what methods have you used to measure the depth of discharge and charge?

I'm leaning towards a pair of group 27 deep-cycle (not dual-purpose) 12V batteries. While that's less efficient than 2 6v batteries of similar physical size, it allows me to use 1 as stand-alone if the other should fail.

My first step may be 1 group 24 marine battery to supplement the one that came with the trailer. If I go that route I'll replace that pair with 2 G27 deep cycles when I accrue the necessary funds.

In addition to dry camping, I plan to use the same batteries in my home as a backup source for CPAP. Both my wife and I would need it and the arrangement of my bedroom makes extension cords, or putting a pair of 6V batteries next to each other, impractical. It works better for me to have 1 12v battery on each side of the bed.

I'll use my Honda genny and my Schumaker battery to recharge the batteries under those circumstances. I'll also keep them on a battery tender on the back porch when not in use.

I'd be real leary of (unless there sealed batt.) inside due to over time the fumes ( gases) raise heck with linen. In the befoe dirt days, we used to put batteries in the trunks of our cars to help with traction...worked okay,but upholstry didn't care much for it. I really don't as such have a gauge on my stuff, I just go with the flow or what it tells me it needs.

[Flybob]

As mentioned above, the 12V supply is of little value. You will get a faster and better charge plugging you RV into the AC side of the generator and letting the convertor do the charging. Go for the companion.

[rana]

Originally Posted by Flybob

As mentioned above, the 12V supply is of little value. You will get a faster and better charge plugging you RV into the AC side of the generator and letting the convertor do the charging.

X2. You're talking about "Good", "better", and "best". As crappy as a stock converter might be, you're still going to get a better charge on with that over your genny.

Not to say that they are completely worthless. If you need a jump start or say... want to lug it down near the lake to pump up some inflatables for the kids it can come in really handy, but personally, I've never used the 12v side of mine.

[bob caldwell]

What did you do to disable the 12 volt side of convertor?

[rana]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

What did you do to disable the 12 volt side of convertor?

You don't necessarily "disable" it so much as just don't use it.

[bob caldwell]

I'm not aware of my Honda having a 12 volt side. NOT wanting to create ill feelings, I think it only produces 120 volt , other wise, the battery couldn't charge.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

I'd be real leary of (unless there sealed batt.) inside due to over time the fumes ( gases) raise heck with linen.

I'm not concerned. They'll be on the back porch most of the time, and in the bedroom only if power fails.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

I'm not aware of my Honda having a 12 volt side. NOT wanting to create ill feelings, I think it only produces 120 volt , other wise, the battery couldn't charge.

As seen in the pictures below, the standard model EU2000i (and possibly the 1000 and 3000) definitely has a 12V connection. It's below the 20A receptacles. The companion model does not have 12V. Instead, it has 1-20A receptacle and 1-30A twist-lock receptacle.

The 30A receptacle on the companion produces 30A only when run in tandem with another 2000i, either standard or companion. Running solo, both outlets on the companion are live but, like the standard model, are limited to a combined output of 13.3A sustained and 16.7A peak. Kits are available to allow linking 2 standard models together to produce 30A.

Standard model:


Companion model:

[bob caldwell]

Sorry to differ.....but the 12Volt is only for charging if you've purchased their cables ( special connectors) I just went out to check mine.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Sorry to differ.....but the 12Volt is only for charging if you've purchased their cables ( special connectors) I just went out to check mine.

That doesn't change the fact that it does have 12 volt output.