EU2000 Honda generator troubleshooting

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Comments

  • RedFrog
    RedFrog Registered Users Posts: 2
    This happens without any load!
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Make sure the eco mode is off when starting - that can cause problems sometimes.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Failing that, it might be worth having a look inside to see if there are any loose wires, maybe a short ahead of the circuit breaker?
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Try using the generator in plain mode, not eco mode ?    What is the load you are trying to power ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,728 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Probably the oil level is too low?
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    I think I remember that somebody had an oil sensor fail too...

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2018 #98
    My sense is also that it is related to the ECO mode. Do you turn to  ECO OFF  for  a minute or more before shutting the machine OFF?....  HONDA recommends it in the manual...It helps to 'flush' out the fuel channels
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • cow_rancher
    cow_rancher Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭✭
    BB. said:
    I think I remember that somebody had an oil sensor fail too...

    -Bill
    Oil sensors do fail, I had a combination 4KW Gen and Lincoln Welder that I trouble shot for many months, even replaced the carburetor, turned out to be the oil sensor, it had plenty of oil, and in doing searches it turns out that is a common failure for that engine (B&S).

    Rancher 
  • DanS26
    DanS26 Solar Expert Posts: 264 ✭✭✭
    DanS26 said:
    I wonder how many thousands of these Japanese designed engines are in the landfills right now because of these hidden fuel filters.  
    I don't blame the engineering involved with these small Japanese designed engines......I blame the ethanol mandate.

    DO NOT USE gasoline with ethanol added in whatever amount in your small engines.

    If your engine cannot maintain proper RPM or surges then it could cause the problems your seeing.
    23.16kW Kyocera panels; 2 Fronius 7.5kW inverters; Nyle hot water; Steffes ETS; Great Lakes RO; Generac 10kW w/ATS, TED Pro System monitoring
  • genkiller
    genkiller Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
    Loved the EU 2000 until the newest Thai built gen I bought. 
    Let us skip the obvious carb/jet fuel issues. Seems this is a problem for most that don’t care or pay attention.
    i have owned my eldest Japan built for 15 years. Absolutely no real issues with well over 3000 hours on it. 
    My current generator dies after 5-10 minutes. It runs smooth, and absolutely wonderful until then
    i have ruled out the low oil switch, I have an open circuit before and directly after. Don’t even question the fuel cap!
    The generator has a small load on when it dies. 
    Generator will not start again till cold.
    starts absolutely beautiful too. But dies once warm or reaches 5-10 minutes. 
    What the hell am I missing? No overload light, no low oil lite. Ponder on this one!
  • DanS26
    DanS26 Solar Expert Posts: 264 ✭✭✭
    Have you removed the in line fuel filter?  See post #74 on how to do this.

    The symptoms you have mentioned....starts fine but then after about 5 minutes it starts to surge and finally dies can be caused by a partially blocked in line fuel filter.
    23.16kW Kyocera panels; 2 Fronius 7.5kW inverters; Nyle hot water; Steffes ETS; Great Lakes RO; Generac 10kW w/ATS, TED Pro System monitoring
  • genkiller
    genkiller Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited December 2018 #103
    Ruled out all fuel issues, in-line filter clean, This is strictly any slightest load draw on generator. Without load on generator, runs indefinitely.
  • DanS26
    DanS26 Solar Expert Posts: 264 ✭✭✭
    I had the exact same issue...engine would run indefinitely without load...then die upon load.  Remove the in line filter even if it appears clean.
    23.16kW Kyocera panels; 2 Fronius 7.5kW inverters; Nyle hot water; Steffes ETS; Great Lakes RO; Generac 10kW w/ATS, TED Pro System monitoring
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Fuel pump failure or leaking pressure hose to pump (uses crankcase pressure to run pump?)?

    https://www.amazon.com/Honda-GENUINE-EB2000-Engines-ASSEMBLY/dp/B008RRFTHW

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    When it won't start, does it have spark?   Will it start (briefly) with starting fluid?

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    Up here in Canada they advertise that Honda now has "Cold Climate Technology"  Is yours one of these?  It has something to do with preventing a build up of ice in the air intake tubing...??

    Cold Climate Technology. Available on all models, Honda Cold Climate Technology™ is specifically designed for cold Canadian climates. The exclusive breather heater system helps prevent generator shutdown in freezing conditions, so you don't get left out in the cold.
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mine runs fine in the cold once it starts, but doesn't start in the cold.  If it's much under freezing, choked or not, it won't even sputter.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • genkiller
    genkiller Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
    So an update on 2 different subjects. 
    1rst: won’t run under load for more than 5 minutes. 
    I thought it to be an electrical fault causing the shut down. After repetitive attaching a spark checker, I found it would only run and stay running while it was attached. Found that the dust cover on the ignition lead was keeping it from full contact or intermittent. I removed the dust cover.
    2nd. The obvious surge issue many people are having. 
    Yes, a dirty carb and subsequent fuel issues can cause this. 
    However, I have multiple eu2000, some made in Japan, and some in Thailand. . I have found, that all my old carb stuff do not surge in the slightest , while the new ones from Thailand do. There is no excuse for multiple new ones to surge right off the shelf. In any combination, new carb on 15 year old gen surges, old card on new gen does not. 
    This is a manufacturing problem.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2018 #110
    genkiller said:
    So an update on 2 different subjects. 
    1rst: won’t run under load for more than 5 minutes. 
    I thought it to be an electrical fault causing the shut down. After repetitive attaching a spark checker, I found it would only run and stay running while it was attached. Found that the dust cover on the ignition lead was keeping it from full contact or intermittent. I removed the dust cover.
    2nd. The obvious surge issue many people are having. 
    Yes, a dirty carb and subsequent fuel issues can cause this. 
    However, I have multiple eu2000, some made in Japan, and some in Thailand. . I have found, that all my old carb stuff do not surge in the slightest , while the new ones from Thailand do. There is no excuse for multiple new ones to surge right off the shelf. In any combination, new carb on 15 year old gen surges, old card on new gen does not. 
    This is a manufacturing problem.
    The fuel requirements may be an issue as the content of ethanol in Thailand is 20% or possibly higher, whereas it's commonly10% in many  countries /states. A friend here in Thailand recently aquired an EU 2000i due to frequent power outages, it runs without problems, possibly  fuel metering is different to compensate for higher ethanol content, the ones exported from Thailand may be equipped to comply with local fuel, thus not with destination fuel, just a thought.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • genkiller
    genkiller Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
    That is a thought for sure. I see hundreds of people commenting about surge and having to run with choke on half. My new carbs from Thailand do just that. My sons generator did the same, he went with a larger jet. ( believe there are 2 only offered) but still it surges. I’m going to go a bit further and question Honda directly. Unfortunately because of the recent issues ( having no problems in 15 or more years with Japan mfr. ) I probably will never buy another eu2000. Sad! May do the jump to the 3000. But scared to.
  • genkiller
    genkiller Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭✭
    After further thought on fuel. My son uses only race fuel in his. So I’m having doubts on the ethanol thought.
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    I know this sounds simplistic, but have you re & re all GROUNDing points on that unit...  A  couple of mechanic friends have said to me when inquiring about a problem on one of my older vehicles..."Did you verify all grounding points?  when it is intermittent you have to start there.!."  Most of the times they were right and it was 'right there!'..... good hunting
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 2018 #114
    Manufacturers tend to adjust for very lean to reduce emissions.  If a little choke fixes it, then so will the right jet replacement (assuming it's not a cleaning problem).

    My understanding is that if you use pure gasoline, it will run 3-5% richer than a E15 blend.

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development