This Honda EU2000i review gives a short summary of its frustrations and benefits before answering many questions about its features and application.
Honda EU2000i: Summary
The Honda EU2000i inverter generator has a reliable 98cc Honda gasoline engine with a recoil starting system, but no electric starter.
Its noise levels are acceptable when running at its rated load of 1600 watts. It can provide 2000 watts of surge power and can run between the rated power and surge power for up to 30 minutes.
It has a built-in inverter which provides clean power for televisions, DVD players and computers.
One frustration that owners of the Honda EU2000i mention is that a bottle of genuine SAE 10W-30 Honda engine oil is not included with the generator. The generator is shipped without engine oil in its crankcase to prevent leaking. Just keep this in mind and buy a bottle of engine oil from a local store. You need about 13.5 ounces (0.40 liter) to fill up the crankcase to its maximum level.
The Honda EU2000i operates more quietly than most generators in the 2000-watt surge power range. This does not mean that it cannot be heard. It just means that its noise levels are tolerable.
The Honda EU2000i is definitely worth a serious consideration if you need a portable generator for boating, camping, fishing, hunting or tailgating.
Please note that the Honda EU2000i portable inverter generators have been replaced by the new Honda 2200-watt models with the CO-MINDER carbon monoxide detection system. You may read our Honda EU2200i review to learn more about the newer 2200-watt model.
How portable is the Honda EU2000i generator?
The generator has a dry weight of 46 pounds and a single carrying handle on top. One healthy person will be able to carry it around. It is therefore relatively portable for a 2000-watt inverter generator.
Can you charge a cell phone with the AC outlet?
Yes, you can plug the charger into an AC outlet and charge the cellphone, just like you do with a wall outlet at home.
Is the Honda EU2000i suitable for construction sites?
No, its running and surge wattage is too low to safely power skill saws, air compressors or other construction tools. You should at least move up to a 3000-watt, or even larger, Honda EB industrial generator.
Do you need to add engine oil before use?
Yes, you need to add engine oil. The generator does not ship with a crankcase full of oil. The oil might leak into the cylinder or out of the engine during transport. You can use 4-stroke automotive, SAE 10W-30 engine oil for general use. You can use a low viscosity oil, such as SAE 5W-30, where the ambient temperatures are cold so the oil does not become too thick in icy weather.
Make sure that the generator is standing on a level surface before you remove its maintenance cover. Remove the oil filler cap and add engine oil to the upper limit which is about 13.5 oz. Replace the oil filler cap and replace the maintenance cover.
Is the engine difficult to start without an electric starter?
The first time you put fuel into the tank and try to start it with the recoil starter might require an extra effort. This is because the fuel needs to be drawn through the fuel pump, fuel pipe and carburetor. After this initial priming, the engine will start with only one or two recoils from the recoil starter.
If you really desire an electric start button, then the Honda EU3000iS might be the smallest Honda inverter generator that has an electric starter.
Is it powerful enough to run an air conditioner?
This Honda 2000-watt generator is probably too small to run an RV air conditioner or power a travel trailer. You would need at least a 3000-watt Honda generator, or maybe bigger, to provide enough surge wattage to start an air conditioner.
Nevertheless, you might be able to start and run a very small air conditioner with the Honda EU2000i if you install a soft start kit first. You would have to check the surge and running power requirements of the air conditioner to be sure it is within the power limits of this 2000-watt Honda inverter generator.
Is it powerful enough to power a 12-amp compressor?
Yes, it is powerful enough. It has two 20-amp, 125-volt receptacles. The generator puts out 16.7 amps during surges and 13.3 amps during normal running.
What is the best EU2000i parallel operation combination?
The slightly better parallel combination might be when you connect a Honda EU2000i and a Honda EU2000i Companion together with a parallel cord.
The EU2000i Companion has a built-in 30-amp outlet. The outlet on the control panel of the Companion generator model is more convenient to use than the external 30-amp outlet found on the parallel kit when you connect two ordinary EU2000i generators together.
How long can it run on a single tank of fuel?
The generator has a fuel tank capacity of 0.95 gallons. It can run for 3.4 hours at its rated load of 1600 watts before the tank runs dry. The fuel tank might last for about 8 hours if the connected appliances only use around 400 watts. You could add an external fuel tank to increase the run time, but be aware that this modification is not recommended or supported by either Honda or the EPA.
Does the Honda EU2000i have an eco-throttle?
Yes, it has an Eco-Throttle that automatically lowers or raises the engine speed to match the current load of the connected appliances when it is turned on. The engine runs at its normal speed, regardless of current load, when the Eco-Throttle is turned off.
When should you turn the Eco-Throttle switch off? Here are a few pointers:
- To start appliances with electric motors that need surge power to start.
- When using power tools that turns on and off quickly and frequently.
- To charge an automotive battery with the DC current outlet.
How To Operate The Honda EU2000i
It is important to study the Honda EU2000i manual before you use the generator. It might be boring to read, but it will explain all the parts, controls, dos and don’ts of the Honda generator. You also need to add engine oil and fuel. The manual will explain how to do this safely.
How To Do The Pre-Operation Inspection
Get into the habit of doing a quick inspection of the generator before using it. This way you might identify a problem before you start the engine.
- Is the generator outside, at least 3 feet away from buildings?
- Are any generator cooling holes blocked by mud or debris?
- Is the engine switch turned off?
- Engine oil enough?
- Is there enough fuel in the tank?
- Air filter clean?
- Will the connected appliances overload the generator or not?
How To Start The Honda EU2000i
You may start the engine after doing the pre-operation checks.
First, do not try to start the generator while the connected appliances or batteries are on. Turn them off so that the generator can start without any current load.
Second, turn the vent lever on the fuel tank cap to the ON position.
Third, turn the Eco-Throttle switch off so that the generator can warm up more quickly.
Fourth, move the choke lever to the CLOSED position if the engine is cold (not necessary for a warm engine).
Fifth, move the engine switch to the ON setting. An interesting feature is that the engine switch controls both the ignition system and the fuel valve. You therefore open both the fuel and the ignition when you turn the switch to the ON setting.
Sixth, start the generator’s engine. The Honda EU2000i does not have an internal battery or an electric starter, but you do not have to recoil from its recoil starter.
The recoil starter is not difficult to use. Grab the starter grip firmly and pull it quickly towards you. Do not pull it straight upwards because the cord will rub against the plastic housing and eventually wear out and break after a few years. Do not release the starter grip, but let it return normally to the generator housing. Keep pulling and returning the recoil starter until the engine starts. Now you can release the starter grip.
The choke lever can be pushed open once the engine is warmed up. The Eco-Throttle may also be turned on once the engine has been running for a few minutes.
How To Turn Off The Honda EU2000i
You can turn the generator off very quickly when there is a problem or an emergency. Turn the engine switch to the OFF setting. It shuts down the engine and closes the fuel valve in one action. To turn the generator off when you are in no hurry, follow this stopping procedure:
- Turn off all the appliances that are connected to the generator.
- Engine switch off.
- Turn the vent lever on the fuel tank cap to the OFF setting after the engine has cooled down for a few minutes.
How To Use The AC Power
The important thing to remember for AC applications is not to overload the maximum surge power of the generator. This will activate the circuit protector. The Honda EU2000i produces a maximum surge power of 2000 watts.
Avoid running the generator above its rated power of 1600 watts for longer than 30 minutes. You may run the Honda EU2000i generator at or below its rated power of 1600 watts without a problem.
How To Use Two EU2000i Generators In AC Parallel
You can connect two Honda EU2000i inverter generators in parallel for double the AC power. You may only connect two similar units together. For example, you cannot connect a Honda EU2000i and a Honda EU3000i in parallel.
Use a Honda parallel option kit to connect two regular Honda EU2000i generators. The parallel kit has a built-in 30A outlet. However, use the parallel cord if you connect a Honda EU2000i and a Honda EU2000i Companion in parallel.
The Honda EU2000i Companion has its own 30A outlet on its control panel which uses the power from both generators to provide 30 amps of AC current.
Make sure that the Eco-Throttle switch is on the same setting on both generators: either on or off. Two Honda EU2000i inverter generators working in parallel has a maximum combined surge wattage of 4000. It has a combined running wattage of 3200 for continuous operation.
If you want to use only one generator, then you must disconnect the parallel kit before using the single generator.
How To Use The DC Power
The DC outlet can only be used for charging 12-volt automotive batteries. Please take care when charging batteries. Batteries release hydrogen gas when it is working. A spark might cause the hydrogen gas to ignite with dire consequences. You should also wash your hands after handling the battery posts and terminals to remove any lead residue.
Remember to turn the Eco-Throttle off before you use the DC outlet for charging a battery. Disconnect the ground cable from the negative terminal. Insert the battery charging cable into the DC output of the Honda EU2000i generator. Continue by connecting the red battery charging cable to the positive terminal. Now connect the black lead to the negative battery terminal.
You can follow the starting procedure to start the generator now that the battery has been safely connected to the DC outlet. If the DC circuit overloads during charging, then the DC circuit protector might trip. Wait for a few minutes, check to see if you can find a wiring problem and then push the DC circuit switch back to the ON position. Try charging the battery again. Do not attempt to charge the battery any further if the DC circuit protector trips again.
The last thing to remember about DC charging is that the circuit protector does not prevent the battery from overcharging. If the battery is fully charged, according to your own calculations, then you can stop the engine with the engine switch. Disconnect the black lead from the negative terminal and remove the red lead from the positive terminal. Take out the battery charging cable from the DC outlet. Reconnect the battery ground cable of the vehicle to the negative terminal.
How To Connect The Honda EU2000i To Buildings
Get a qualified electrician to install an isolation transfer switch if you want to connect the Honda EU2000i to the electrical system of your home. The isolation switch will isolate the generator power from the utility power so that the two power sources do not feed back into each other and cause fires or electrocution.
We think that the Honda EU2000i generator is too small for powering all the appliances found in a house. You need a much bigger portable generator, or even a permanently installed home generator, to effectively power all the fridges, furnaces, air conditioners, stoves, microwaves and heaters found in a modern home.
How To Ground The Honda EU2000i
The ground terminal plate and screw is located near the bottom of the control panel, to the left of the AC circuit protector. It is connected to the frame and metal parts of the generator that does not carry any current. It is also connected to the ground terminals of each power outlet.
When you use the power outlets of the generator to power appliances, then the generator actually functions as the earth ground. You therefore do not need to drive a grounding rod into the ground and connect it to the ground terminal plate on the generator. If you do so, you will need to drive the grounding rod at least eight to ten feet into the earth. You need deep, soft earth to drive the grounding rod in that deep. Also, you might need permission from the local utility company to drive a grounding rod into the ground.
The bottom line when it comes to grounding the Honda EU2000i is this: under normal circumstances the generator frame acts as the earth in place of the actual brown, rocky, dusty earth.
Eco-Throttle System
The Eco-Throttle automatically lowers or raises the engine speed to match the current load of the connected appliances when it is turned on. The engine runs at its normal speed, regardless of current load, when the Eco-Throttle is turned off.
When should you turn the Eco-Throttle switch off?
- To start appliances with electric motors that need surge power to start.
- When using power tools, that turns on and off quickly and frequently.
- To charge an automotive battery with the DC current outlet.
Honda EU2000i Inverter Generator: Verdict
The Honda EU2000i portable inverter generator is good quality, not too noisy, fuel efficient, great for camping and easy enough to start.
We think that the Honda EU2000i might be the best 2000-watt portable inverter generator that money can buy, if you can still find one to purchase (check availability on Amazon). Thank you for reading this review of the Honda EU2000i portable inverter generator.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the Honda EU2200i inverter generator model (read the review here).