Honda generator for charging batteries

[Pizzazz]

Some clarifications may help. The popular Honda generators (2KW) provide 1,800W continuous which happens to be the max rated power for the typical outlets. So, they will run pretty much every household appliance easily including small scale water heaters. If used for charging exclusively, 1,800W could give you up to 130A charging current provided you have a similarly rated charge (few people have a charger like this and it is not necessary most of the time). Still an inverter generator is efficient at any speed, so you will have extra capacity and lower noise levels most of the time.

The alternative is to size your generator to your charger max current. In my case, this is 70A max charge current and a 700W inverter generator ($220 on Amazon). If I need to run loads larger than 700W, the smart inverter takes the additional current off the batteries.

Thus, the choice is, if you do not have much space and already have an inverter generator, then get a 700W generator. If you have the space, go for the Honda 2000i.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by GordMay

This Yamaha 3KW - EF3000iSEB inverter / generator appears to have a 30A Twistlock receptacle (NEMA L5-30), to me, but it could be a 15 or 20 (same configuration, but smaller)

This the same gennie I have at home and it is indeed a 30 amp, twist lock but the gennie is way to large to carry as a portable on the boat, at least on my boat.

The smaller Yamahas for whatever reason use a 30 amp RV plug instead of the twist lock.

like this

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Pizzazz

Some clarifications may help. The popular Honda generators (2KW) provide 1,800W continuous which happens to be the max rated power for the typical outlets.

Slight elaboration. The old model EU2000i is rated 2 kW but only 1600 W continuous. The new version EU2200i is rated 2.2 kW but 1800 W continuous.