Lowering the voltage of a Honda 2000i inverter generator

After chasing my tail with a Magnum inverter problem, I have traced it to an over voltage from the Honda Eu1000i genny. The Magnum requires 120 vac +-5%, or a max of 125 vac. My Eu1000i puts out 127 volts on eco throttle, about the same revved up. As a result, the Magnum won’t charge.
I have been able to “trick” it by adding 50’ of cord and loading the genny a bit, which drops the voltage to ~125...just borderline. the question is, does anyone know a way to change the VR of a inverter genny to drop the voltage just a bit?
All help appreciated.
Tony
I have been able to “trick” it by adding 50’ of cord and loading the genny a bit, which drops the voltage to ~125...just borderline. the question is, does anyone know a way to change the VR of a inverter genny to drop the voltage just a bit?
All help appreciated.
Tony
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I did google it...and there is no info that I can find.
I tried it with a 300 watt steam iron load, direct into the genny (actually via an power strip, with the line to the inverter on the same strip) and that didn’t work. I tried it with a 150 incandescent flood light, and that didn’t do it.
Mike’s solution of a 50’ #14 cord works just fine, if inelegant.
I have been reading the voltage with a Kill-a-watt, and just for kicks I used my better meter. With the proper meter, it is reading somewhat north of 128 vac unloaded.
As I said, the Magnum book (spec) says 120 vac+- 5%. That would make a ceiling of 126. Running the genny, charging through the Magnum (powered though the extension cord, measuring the voltage at the outlet in the building where the motor load is, the voltage is ~125.
I’m trying to figure out a way if I can “trick” the Magnum, since once any load is applied, including a real charge current the Magnum meets spec. Problem is, I think the Magnum measures the voltage at start up, and rejects it for the charger, while freezing passing it through to the load.
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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
Magnum (as far as I know) doesn’t have a way to adjust the AC input voltage. It seems to play fine with low AC voltage and will pass through nearly any voltage through the transfer switch, but is pretty picky running the charger.
I built a variac to power my emergency heat tape from my inverter. I used a hairdryer as a load. I’m guessing a single light bulb might do the trick. I will try tomorrow.
I know what you say about “leaving the mountain”...I hadn’t been out of the bush for nearly a month until yesterday. I had to go to town for a few things...including groceries. Thanks for the help.
T
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The diodes is a good idea if we can't find a tweek.
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https://www.lcmagnetics.com/transformers/auto-transformer/multi-tap-auto-transformer-5-5-kva-pn-18571/
208/220/230/240 VAC taps... roughly 5% voltage taps.
A bunch of buck boost transformers (from $250-$500+)
https://catalog.larsonelectronics.com/bestsellers/208v-To-240v-Transformer
You can call around--But I fear that the suggestion of Jonr's to use a few diodes in series (voltage drop) plus insulated heat sink, and a second string of diodes reversed (to drop both + and - AC Sine wave voltage) is going to be the cheap/easy answer.
I don't see why to get a transformer that is 50% of the cost (and weight) of your eu2000i.
The other is to call both Honda (to see if this is out of range for 120 VAC--can they repair/adjust) and Midnite (why they accept such a narrow range--something like 105 to 132 volts is "normal" for a wide range of 120 VAC voltages).
And there is just going around and measuring the voltage of various eu2000i gensets and see if you can find one that is closer to your needs.
Or just continue with the extension cord.
-Bill
Given the reality, cheap and simple is the only answer, and in this case the cord might be it. I will try my existing variac with a small load and see what that does. If I go the diode route I’ll get someone to sketch a diagram for me.
tony
https://temcoindustrial.com/product-guides/transformers/buck-boost-transformer-selection-guide
-Bill
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
Whether this would "play nicely" with motors/inductive loads, I am not sure.
Chopping the wave forms would be if the dioes were put between the hot and neutral lines (l.e., when Vpk exceeds +/- 150 VAC or something)... This would not work well (lots of heat, high voltage diodes, etc.
-Bill
Seems like a Honda issue to me. Warranty?
I did this a couple months ago. Going from memory - could have a small detail off. Like number of screws.
With inverter-gensets, the motor generates "wild AC" (variable 3 phase voltage and frequency... Usually converted to DC then "inverted" to 120 VAC 60 Hz).
-Bill
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
Maybe the AVR is integrated and non-adjustable on that model like Mike said? I couldn't find a separate replacement AVR part for the 2000i, which suggests integrated to me.
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
thanks folks, the extension cord works just fine, if inelegant. Hopefully Honda can provide an answer, but I’m not hopefull.
Tony
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Nano, Not really a horrible idea, jut not very elegant. The genny sits in a little lean to shed, and plugs into the “powerhouse” which holds the batteries, inverter, (other older generators) various switch gear, and finally the main line out to the rest of the island. The rest of the island is three small buildings occupied seasonally (very occasionally) and the total load on that line is never more than ~150 watts, so a long cord isn’t going to hurt anything. My one big load in this is an 8 amp (120 vac) wringer washing machine, If not for that the Eu 1000i would do all the work. For guests, who use those buildings, the simplicity of having only one genny is the idea.
My house is separate, on it’s own battery/PV/genny system.
Tony
I wonder why the Honda is so high on voltage. Perhaps a purposeful design decision to meet the watts spec at a slightly lower amps?
I am available for custom hardware/firmware development
Perhaps, the original voltages allowed for the 115/230 VAC where 230 VAC is common in Europe... And originally was ~220 VAC 50 Hz nominal, and perhaps is going to 230-240 VAC 50 Hz nominal now?
And there are the parts of Japan that are 100 VAC nominal (both 50 or 60 Hz, depending on West or Eastern Japan).
Here is an interesting quick set of posts:
https://www.quora.com/Is-the-power-system-in-the-US-technically-110-115-or-120VAC-How-about-220-or-is-it-240-or-235VAC
The standardization of 120 VAC +/- 5% did not happen in the USA until 1984... Long ago, it was 110 VAC nominal (and assumed closer to 100 VAC in the home). And around 1968 that the NEC made 115 VAC the spec.
And Honda is mfg. gensets for different countries and over time... But 128 VAC -- Sounds out of any "normal" spec. for North America.
-Bill
I did get a response on the 2000i and it was,
"I just read the shop manual. The voltage is set from the inverter and there is no adjustment."
So in my opinion there is a star value component set by the production line and since it is not in the shop manual you will need to do this externally or get rid of the magnum. Sorry.
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I agree, now that we have chased our tail ad nausium, that indeed it is a Magnum issue. I’m not willing to get rid of it as it came to me free, and performs well on every other function. The extension cord allows it to work as I need it to. Trying to get “Tech support” from Magnum is useless, but until I get a very boring day, whenI’m willing to stay on hold ad infinitum, and try to climb the tier of tech support, I will probably just live with it.
Thanks all. (The batteries are being EQed with the Magnum and the 2000i as we speak).
Tony