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I received my brand new Honda EU20i a couple of days back and only today that I managed to test it. I have no previous experience with generators so I'd be grateful to hear from those who can advice or comment.
The generator was modified to also run on propane gas. After putting in the motor oil that came with it, I first tried running it on gas. With a couple of pulls, the generator started but it ran roughly with frequent coughing, strong vibrations and fluctuating revs. After around 15 minutes, the gennie started running smoothly so I switched the eco mode on and connected a 1200W hair dryer. When I switched the hair dryer on, the gennie started running roughly again and on several quick moments, the dryer stopped working with the AC output indicator turning off and back on again. I let it run on non-eco mode without load for another 15 minutes and when I switched the hair dryer on again, everything seemed ok except that the fan's speed fluctuated a little.
Uncertain if the gas system was working properly, I tried running the gennie on petrol for the first time. I put 2L of petrol in the tank and successfully started the engine. The engine didn't run smoothly and it was much worse than when I started running it on gas. The coughing was more frequent and stronger and the engine speed fluctuated more badly. Again without load and on non-eco mode, I let it run for few minutes. After more than half an hour, there was only little improvement and the gennie continued to run roughly. I decided connecting the hair dryer on and after around 5 seconds of switching it on, the engine stopped running. I restarted the gennie and although it managed to power the dryer without stopping, it continued to run roughly and the dryer's fan speed fluctuated more obviously than when running on gas. This was all after running the generator on petrol for more than an hour.
What I want to know is:
-Are these normal Honda EU20i running in or teething problems?
-If so, how long after should I expect the generator to run smoothly and normally.
-Is there anything I should do or not do with the generator during its first few running hours to prolong its service life?
Sorry to hear you are experiencing problems with your new Honda genny and it does sound like it may have a fault!
We used to have a gas converted Honda EU20i but recently sold it due to having a Gasperini generator fitted onto our new MH. We had a similar problem once with our Honda but our problem developed after approx 3 years of regular use!
I read your post out to my hubby and his advice is to first and foremost contact the company who sold you the Honda, as your generator should definitely NOT be running the way you describe! A Honda generator shouldn't need running in and should run smoothly straight from it's box (after filling with oil of course!)
As I say, we encountered a similar problem with ours and hubby says if your problem is the same, then it could be due to either dirt in the carburetta or a leak in the air supply to the carburetta: ie a faulty or incorrectly fitted inlet gasket. We eventually took our generator to a authorised Honda dealer who specialises in servicing and repairing Honda equipment and when it was returned it ran like new!
Please be advised that when your Honda generator is converted to work on gas also, we were told that this then invalidates the Honda 5 year warranty and any repairs needed will have to be paid for out of your own pocket! We only discovered this fact when our generator developed it's fault but thankfully, getting the carburetta cleaned was not an expensive affair!
Once you have spoken to the company you purchased your Honda from and had your problem resolved satisfactorily, here's are some useful tips for operating a Honda EU20i generator:
When running on petrol start engine with the choke on, after a few seconds turn the choke off and the engine SHOULD run as smooth as silk.
When starting on gas do NOT use the choke but press in the button on the regulator for 2 or 3 seconds and then start the engine, the engine SHOULD then run smoothly straight away.
When the generator is connected to your motorhome via your hook up, always have the generator set on Eco mode and you will find your generator speed will vary according to the input power of the particular appliance you are using at the time.
The fast speed setting on the generator should only be used for directly charging a battery.
Always run your genny for a minute or two to warm the engine first, then switch off before connecting it to the motorhome, once connected then restart.
Good luck and I hope you get your problem resolved quickly as a Honda generator SHOULD give you many years of reliable service!
Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your Honda geny.
All that I can offer is that I have a similar Honda on petrol only and it has always run very smooth.
I don't think that yours is running as it should. Maybe dirt in the fuel/carb or something to do with the gas conversion.
______________________________________________________________ Tramping the Dream
Grath
I tried running the generator again this evening but no change. I will get in touch with my supplier tomorrow and hopefully solve the problem. I don't really want to try to repair the generator myself in case they ask me to do this or that over the phone. I hope getting this sorted won't be a headache.
Did you open the bleed screw on the petrol cap, and you haven't been running it with the choke on have you?.
Honda generators are usually very reliable, mine hasn't put a foot wrong in 3 years.
Just athought.
______________________________________________________________ A man goes into a bookshop and says, ´Have you got that new book for men with really small willies?´
The assistant says, ´I don´t think it´s in yet.´
´Yes, that´s the one!´ Says the man.
Did you open the bleed screw on the petrol cap, and you haven't been running it with the choke on have you?.
Honda generators are usually very reliable, mine hasn't put a foot wrong in 3 years.
Just athought.
Hi ray,
No, the choke was off when it was running. I also tried putting the choke on while the generator was running just to see if it makes a difference and it stopped running. I agree with you that Honda generators are ususally very reliable and that is why I bought one without hesitation. Its unfortunate though that I had this problem but still adamant of owning one. The unit is now on the way back to where I bought it from.
Did you resolve this? sounds like a restricted air intake.
when i returned the unit, the dealer said there was nothing wrong with it. i had doubts with this claim but i was willing to give it a try again. however, they asked me to pay for the postage to have it delivered to my address. i already paid the postage to return the generator so i was not happy as it would have meant paying another £40. i ended up renting a generator of same specs but did not have the problem i encountered with the one i bought online. still planning of buying one but will get it from a shop rather than online to make sure i see the unit running in good order under its rated load.
Location: Bideford - a good place to test juddering Fiats and electric bikes.
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merit wrote:
I received my brand new Honda EU20i a couple of days back and only today that I managed to test it. I have no previous experience with generators so I'd be grateful to hear from those who can advice or comment.
The generator was modified to also run on propane gas. After putting in the motor oil that came with it, I first tried running it on gas. With a couple of pulls, the generator started but it ran roughly with frequent coughing, strong vibrations and fluctuating revs. After around 15 minutes, the gennie started running smoothly so I switched the eco mode on and connected a 1200W hair dryer. When I switched the hair dryer on, the gennie started running roughly again and on several quick moments, the dryer stopped working with the AC output indicator turning off and back on again. I let it run on non-eco mode without load for another 15 minutes and when I switched the hair dryer on again, everything seemed ok except that the fan's speed fluctuated a little.
Uncertain if the gas system was working properly, I tried running the gennie on petrol for the first time. I put 2L of petrol in the tank and successfully started the engine. The engine didn't run smoothly and it was much worse than when I started running it on gas. The coughing was more frequent and stronger and the engine speed fluctuated more badly. Again without load and on non-eco mode, I let it run for few minutes. After more than half an hour, there was only little improvement and the gennie continued to run roughly. I decided connecting the hair dryer on and after around 5 seconds of switching it on, the engine stopped running. I restarted the gennie and although it managed to power the dryer without stopping, it continued to run roughly and the dryer's fan speed fluctuated more obviously than when running on gas. This was all after running the generator on petrol for more than an hour.
What I want to know is:
-Are these normal Honda EU20i running in or teething problems?
-If so, how long after should I expect the generator to run smoothly and normally.
-Is there anything I should do or not do with the generator during its first few running hours to prolong its service life?
Please help!
many thanks,
---gene
What do you usually do with things that don't work
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