honda generator

I also scored a 12v harness for my Honda generator on ebay for $10.
 
Westie said:
11.5.5.2 Grounded Neutral - A grounded neutral system is required. The neutral for AC power sources shall be grounded only at the following points:

11.5.5.2.3 The generator neutral shall be grounded at the generator.

11.5.5.6.1 Transfer of Power - The transfer of power to a circuit from one source to another shall be madeby a means that opens all current-carrying conductors, including neutrals, before closing the alternatesource circuit, to maintain isolation of power sources.
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This makes everything I have determined make more sense, although I am having trouble finding in the schematics where neutral is tied to ground on a Kohler generator...I likely missed it. My goal has been to be factual to solve this for good wrt to the electrical considerations, either from a safety or from a regulation standpoint. MM doesn't seem to like what I consider to be new information presented (that is an attempt at a humorous little dig MM, no offense!), but it was intended to be relevant and cause intelligent discussion, which it seemed to accomplish.

Regarding portable generators not tying neutral to ground, this could be the smoking gun Turtle has been needing.

Can anyone with a portable generator and the schematics confirm this?
 
bajturner said:
Regarding portable generators not tying neutral to ground, this could be the smoking gun Turtle has been needing.

Can anyone with a portable generator and the schematics confirm this?
Click to expand...

My portable genrator (Yamaha 1000W) says right beside the AC outlet "neutral floating" and I just confirmed this with a meter.
 
bajturner said:
. MM doesn't seem to like what I consider to be new information presented (that is an attempt at a humorous little dig MM, no offense!), but it was intended to be relevant and cause intelligent discussion, which it seemed to accomplish.
Click to expand...

No offense taken nor given. As said by others a keyboard is a inadequate medium to express oneself and debate. I have always believed the best is born from the forge of spirited debate and analysis. So in that spirit weigh in on these points. MM

1. Is there a portable generator Coast Guard approved?
a. With a proper fuel system?
b. With a proper exhaust system?
c. With a proper ignition protected electrical system?

2. I agree there appears to be no out and out prohibition on their use. If there was many work and industrial on water uses on work barges would not be allowed.

3. We are discussing recreation uses in proximity of others with children and other untrained people near.

4. There is a difference between marine and portable generators. See sub points in #1. If there is no difference the folks that bought a marine unit got ripped off.

5. Why do the manufactures not promote their use on a boat?
 
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unfortunately I don't have a meter here.
 
From my Honda EU2000i manual on page 17:

"Honda portable generators have a system ground that connects generator frame components to the ground terminals in the AC output receptacles. The system ground is not connected to the AC neutral wire. If the generator is tested by a receptacle tester, it will not show the same ground circuit condition as for a home receptacle."
 
MonacoMike said:
No offense taken nor given. As said by others a keyboard is a inadequate medium to express oneself and debate. I have always believed the best is born from the forge of spirited debate and analysis. So in that spirit weigh in on these points. MM

1. Is there a portable generator Coast Guard approved?
a. With a proper fuel system?
b. With a proper exhaust system?
c. With a proper ignition protected electrical system?

2. I agree there appears to be no out and out prohibition on their use. If there was many work and industrial on water uses on work barges would not be allowed.

3. We are discussing recreation uses in proximity of others with children and other untrained people near.

4. There is a difference between marine and portable generators. See sub points in #1. If there is no difference the folks that bought a marine unit got ripped off.

5. Why do the manufactures not promote there use on a boat?
Click to expand...
While all marketing materials are not loaded with marine use references they are there.Click on the video called recreational generators.http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/videogallery/
 
Woody said:
While all marketing materials are not loaded with marine use references they are there.Click on the video called recreational generators.http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/videogallery/
Click to expand...

Woody,
You are correct!! I like how they say " Great for tail-gating, camping, RVing and more". When they make the "and more" statement they show a couple loading the generator onto a boat!! So without openly stating it, they certainly are inferring that it is good for boat use too!
 
Great... so some 25 year old marketing chick doing some literature copy now determines if it is safe on a boat...
 
If my memory serves me right, Honda used to market their units for marine/boating use. I bet somebody got smart and pulled all the marketing, but missed the video???
 
Woody said:
While all marketing materials are not loaded with marine use references they are there.Click on the video called recreational generators.http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/videogallery/
Click to expand...

tdschafer said:
Woody,
You are correct!! I like how they say " Great for tail-gating, camping, RVing and more". When they make the "and more" statement they show a couple loading the generator onto a boat!! So without openly stating it, they certainly are inferring that it is good for boat use too!
Click to expand...

They must not want it in writing. Any comments on the other points? MM
 
MonacoMike said:
They must not want it in writing. Any comments on the other points? MM
Click to expand...

Ok I'll bite.
Why does it need to be ignition protected? there are many items on your boat that are not ignition protected and you use them all the time. The regulations state it has to be ignition protected if it is in an enclosed space where there is gasoline (or other flamable mixtures) present, ie the bilge. Most use theirs on the swim platform, which is hardly an enclosed space.

What is a proper exhaust system? Is a proper exhaust like the one Kohlor used on their generators in the late 80's early 90 made out of black iron that rusted out? How many of you with built in generators actually check the condition of the exhaust tubes on a regular basis to ensure they are not leaking into the bilge?

http://my.boatus.com/consumer/Kohler.asp
 
Turtlesboat said:
From my Honda EU2000i manual on page 17:

"Honda portable generators have a system ground that connects generator frame components to the ground terminals in the AC output receptacles. The system ground is not connected to the AC neutral wire. If the generator is tested by a receptacle tester, it will not show the same ground circuit condition as for a home receptacle."
Click to expand...
That's because of the "inverter technology". In other applications or generators, to get UL approval the neutral and ground must be bonded at the power source...which would be a generator...as I understand it. The same applies for our inverters for rv's. There is a neutral/ground bonding relay that gets energized when inverting and opens when transferring gen or shore power, which is why folks have to be careful of what inverter or gen they connect the boat to....again...as I understand it.
 
:grin:I've used my honda EU2000 on my previous 250DA for years with no problems and now use it on my 280. However, I did use the foam camper tape around the cabin door(indentify open gaps w/boat on a sunny day) and more importantly I have 3 batt. powered O2 detectors, and the factory one makes four. I put them in different areas through out the cabin.
 
tdschafer said:
I was wondering why a guy would wish for green balls.........sounds unsettling to say the least!
Click to expand...

I am making the assumption that he was talking about the green ball rating system that died a very public death a while back. Otherwise, Woody needs to get to the Doctor as quickly as possible. Any appendage that turns green (except fasttoy turning green with envy) need immediate treatment.
 
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