Frequently Asked Questions
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Generators
Generator Use
Honda’s EU Series Generators can run at a variety of speeds, so when you’ve been operating an EU Series Generator on Eco-Throttle at low RPM’s for some time, make sure you turn the Eco-Throttle off and run the unit at maximum load for a period.
- What size generator do I need for my application?
- What generator should I buy for my application?
- How do I plan to use my generator?
- How quiet does my generator need to be?
- Is electric start required?
- Do I require easy transport?
- How much power do I need?
- Can I use my Honda generator for my house?
- How should I break in my EU10 generator?
- What can I run off the 12 Volt DC receptacle on my EU series generator?
- Is the 12 Volt DC side of my EU series generator regulated?
- Can I run my portable fridge off the 12 Volt DC on my EU series generator?
What size generator do I need for my application?
Depending on how you will use your generator, there are different categories to meet your needs. This can include recreation, home standby and construction. Honda also offers Inverter Generators. Inverter generators are smaller and lighter as power is created electronically and not through a conventional alternator. Inverter power offers the cleanest power output, ideal for sensitive electronic devices.
It is not recommended to connect your Honda generator to your household power supply, unless done by a qualified electrician. If you are using a generator for home standby, for example, if you want to run your refrigerator, you’ll need at least 2,500 watts or more. And if you want to use a transfer switch so that power can go directly into your home, you’ll want a generator with at least 3,000 watts. (Click here for more information on transfer switches from the Honda US website).
You’ll also need to consider the maximum and rated power of the generator. This is important depending on what items you want to run off your generator. Items such as toaster, lamps, and coffee makers are resistive, or constant loads and their total load can be calculated at amps x 1. Items such as saws and drills are reactive loads and while the running load may be small, the starting load should be calculated at running amps x 3. Remember, after the initial start, less power is required for actual operation.
Always remember that simple power management will allow a smaller generator to do a big job. Very seldom are all tools or appliances operating simultaneously. When calculating power requirements, consider the starting requirements are only for the initial start and then additional tools may be operated.
Remember Ohm’s Law from High School Physics?
Watts = Volts x Amps
Amps = Watts/Volts
So if you have two of the numbers (e.g. volts, amps) then you can find out the other (e.g. watts). This can help you to determine the rated power that you’ll need from your generator.
Average Wattage Requirement Guide (Amps X Volts = Watts)
| Household | Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximage Running Wattage Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Coffee Maker |
600 |
600 |
Dishwasher |
540 |
216 |
Electric Fry Pan |
1500 |
1500 |
ElectricRange |
2100 |
2100 |
Microwave Oven 650 watts |
1000 |
1000 |
Refrigerator or Freezer – Energy Star |
1200 |
132-192 |
Automatic Washer |
1200 |
1200 |
Clothes Dryer |
6750 |
5400 |
Furnace Fan, gas or fuel oil |
||
1/8 Horsepower |
500 |
300 |
1/6 Horsepower |
750 |
500 |
1/4 Horsepower |
1000 |
600 |
1/3 Horsepower |
1400 |
700 |
1/2 Horsepower |
2350 |
875 |
Incandescent Lights |
as indicated on bulb |
as indicated on bulb |
Radio |
50 to 200 |
50 to 200 |
Sump Pump |
||
1/3 Horsepower |
1300 |
800 |
1/2 Horsepower |
2150 |
1050 |
Television - Color |
300 |
300 |
Air Conditioner |
2200 |
1500 |
| Contractor | Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximage Running Wattage Requirements |
Air Compressor |
4500 |
1600 |
Bench Grinder |
2500 |
1400 |
Hand Drill |
900 |
600 |
High-pressure Washer |
3600 |
1200 |
Circular Saw, Heavy Duty |
2300 |
1400 |
Electric Chain Saw |
1100 |
1100 |
Table Saw |
4500 |
1800 |
3/8 inch 4 amps |
600 |
440 |
1/2 inch 5.4 amps |
900 |
600 |
| Industrial Motors | Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximage Running Wattage Requirements |
Split Phase |
||
1/4 Horsepower |
1700 |
400 |
1/2 Horsepower |
2600 |
600 |
1/3 Horsepower |
975 |
450 |
1 Horsepower |
2300 |
1000 |
Capacitor Start Capacitor Run |
||
1 1/2 Horsepower |
4200 |
1600 |
Fan Duty |
||
1/4 Horsepower |
1200 |
650 |
| Farm Equipment | Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximage Running Wattage Requirements |
Electric Fence, 25 miles |
250 |
250 |
Milk Cooler |
1800 |
1100 |
Milker (vacuum pump), |
2300 |
1000 |
Portable Heater (kerosene, diesel fuel) |
||
50,000 BTU |
600 |
400 |
90,000 BTU |
725 |
500 |
150,000 BTU |
1000 |
625 |
Battery Charger |
||
15 amp |
380 |
380 |
60 amp with 250-amp boost |
1500/5750 |
1500/5750 |
100 amp with 300-amp boost |
2400/7800 |
2400/7800 |
Electric Welder |
||
200 amp AC |
9000 |
9000 |
230 amp AC, at 100 amp |
7800 |
7800 |
| Air Compressors | Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximage Running Wattage Requirements |
1/2 Horsepower |
1600 |
975 |
1 Horsepower |
4500 |
1600 |
| Computers | Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximage Running Wattage Requirements |
Desktop |
600 to 800 |
600 to 800 |
Laptop |
200 to 250 |
200 to 250 |
Monitor (CRT) |
200 to 250 |
200 to 250 |
Fax |
600 to 800 |
600 to 800 |
Printer |
400 to 600 |
400 to 600 |
What generator should I buy for my application?
Before choosing the best generator for the job, there following are suggestions of things to consider.
How do I plan to use my generator?
Generators are used to perform a wide variety of tasks, and Honda offers a variety of models to suit almost all potential users. Honda generators provide a high quality power source that is reliable and convenient.
- Camping/Recreation/Boating
- Home Standby
- Construction/Rental
How quiet does my generator need to be?
Honda generators are known for quiet operation. Honda has engineered exceptionally quiet portable models, but offers less costly options that may serve your application at a lower cost. While a camping application may require a super quiet EU series choice, home standby and construction applications would be satisfied with a deluxe or industrial series model, and some applications will allow for the Economy series that do not have the additional features required to provide quiet operation.
Is electric start required?
Honda engines are renowned for the ease of starting, even when only equipped with a manual recoil starter. Honda offers many models with the convenience of electric start for applications that may require remote start or where the ease of electric start is preferred.
Do I require easy transport?
While all Honda Generators are portable by definition, many models include standard wheel kits for easy movement of the generator from storage to the work site. Consider the options when selecting the right model for your application.
How much power do I need?
Generators produce AC voltage, very similar to the voltage available in your home, however while your electric utility company produces sufficient power for all your electric powered devices, a portable generator is limited in power output directly relational to the engine horsepower. The amount of power that a generator can produce is rated in watts. Rated power is generally 90% of maximum power as certain components lose efficiency as they are heated from use.
To determine wattage requirements you should determine which devices need to be powered simultaneously and what the starting requirement of the device is. A Wattage Calculator is provided to assist you. Remember that with simple "Power Management" techniques, a small generator can provide adequate power for home or recreational applications.
“MAXIMUM” and “RATED” power
A generator should never be operated at its MAXIMUM power output for more than 30 minutes.
RATED power, or the power that a generator can produce for long periods of time, is a more reliable measure of generator power. Typically the RATED power is 90% of the MAXIMUM power.
Can I use my Honda generator for my house?
It is not recommended to connect your Honda generator to your household power supply. In the wrong circumstances, power can be fed back into the power grid harming someone doing repairs to the power grid. Honda generators are general purpose generators and not for use as primary power in place of the power utility or for use in life support systems.
How should I break in my EU10 generator?
Do not use the eco-throttle for the first few tanks of fuel and keep at least a 60% load on the unit until broken in.
What can I run off the 12 Volt DC receptacle on my EU series generator?
The 12 Volt receptacle is an emergency battery charger for automotive batteries only, it is not regulated.
Is the 12 Volt DC side of my EU series generator regulated?
No
Can I run my portable fridge off the 12 Volt DC on my EU series generator?
Yes, but the 12V leads should be hooked up to a battery first, then the battery should power your fridge. Or you can run your fridge off the 240V outlet.
