Honda 2200 Generator Conversion

Planning a 6 week trip next year and wanted the convenience of having a generator along, just in case we need to recharge battery or run air conditioner while boon docking. Not wanting to carry gasoline converted our Honda generator to propane. Process was pretty straightforward. Tested and works great..

 

Have you done any run testing? those are quiet aren't they? I bought one for the same purpose last year....Its worth a few bucks night just to get some sleep...and 90 degrees with 90% humidity is a pretty sure way to ensure you don't get any.

 

Do you have the ability to do natural gas, too? Which kit you get? A while back, I was looking at a kit that would allow me to do both propane and natural gas (along with regular gasoline). I didn't pull the trigger on it at the time, but given our energy situation here in California, I'm liking the idea of maximizing my options.

 

Congrats on a great project! It’s one that I’ve wondered about, because getting gasoline out of the generator in favor of propane would be a huge difference in transporting a generator.

Please do post on your experience with it!

 

The EU2200i operates at 48 to 57 dBA, which is less noise than a normal conversation. I did test it and actually you can’t hear it over air conditioner.
I explored the natural gas route also, if memory serves me correctly, the natural gas route would require a different needle size in the generator carburetor. Really like the propane conversion, very easy to start and the exhaust is much cleaner..

 

My yamaha 2800 has a propane converstion --- I've used it a couple times, but was never really happy with it. These conversions meter a stead flow of gas, they aren't like the gasoline side where there is a volumetric difference based on airflow and throttle position. So, if you get it running right under a certain load any changes will leave it running 'rich' or 'lean' --- it's just fiddly.

 

Have never tested the run time in a 20# tank, but from what I have read the average is around 15 hrs on regular mode and longer if ran on eco mode..

 

Inspired by this thread, I spent a little bit of time today doing research on what I'd need to get a generator that could charge my EV if we were camping somewhere without electricity, then realized it's way too much work and I'll camp where there is somewhere to charge nearby.

 

Following this thread. I really like the propane conversion.

 

They can --- it is just not even remotely economical. 15amp will get you 4 miles for an hour of charge....might take a while

this estimate based on a Chevy Bolt thread i was following

But you COULD do it.....

 

Sweeney, you said the propane conversion on your Yamaha is kind of "fiddly". What specifically does that mean? Will the generator sputter? will it not stay running?

 

The setup I have likes to have a predictable load --- if you go from 1amp to 15 amps back to down to 5 --- it just is never mixed right... No change in fuel flow rate

 

Doing ruff in my head math on gasoline vs propane the issue comes down to "storage space where".

If you must have 3-4 days of AC due extreme heat and say, bad heart, then:

Add dual Viking composite 222# propane tank on the CI, (there is room with some mods required...)
plus carry genny converted to propane on rear bumper hitch of CI.

Or just haul a 5gal jerrycan on tow vehicle exterior and bag the lil blue yamaha genny and haul it in the tv trunk.

Or just drive north and up until it gets cooler...

 

Rotopax has a good system for carrying fuel. You can mount a plate on a cargo basket. Pricey though.

 

I carry the gas in the tank of the gnerator, and an empty 5 gallon with an "extend a stay" kit....

When I get there, I fill the 5 gallon. The "extended run" sucks from the 5 galllon tank effectivly making the 2 tanks 1 big tank. End of the stay, if I have gas left, I just dump it in the tank of the car carrying a generator with some gas in the tank, and an emtpy gas tank....

not a perfecdt solution --- but it checks most of the boxes nicely.

 

Effective!
Here is a benchmark type reference I found:
Propane Consumption Rate - Motorsnorkel by US Carburetion