Portable generator - grounding

Hi all,

I've just aquired a Honda EU10i 'suitcase' generator for use with Lulu when required.

My question... Do I need to sink a grounding rod before use?

Thanks!

I doubt it - most people wouldn't remember to do that so I imagine Honda have engineered that requirement out. Does it not say so in the manual?

There's a section in the manual about grounding it, but TBH, I don't understand it!!!

Google it!

Hey Lulu
Would be interested to hear how you get on with the generator
Have considered that size or possibly the 20 in the past but never bought one
All the best
Rooby Roo

Bought a Homelite 720w petrol generator a few months back Scoobs. Trying it out next week on a mini-break. It was in B&Q for 80 squid.

How noisy are the generators?
I'd be mighty annoyed if the people near to me at a campsite had a generator chugging away all the time.

The trick apparently is to take an old cardboard box - remove top and one side and place the generator in it - the cardboard acts as a noise reducer.

Don't intend to use the gen for much other than powering the D.I.S.C.O. lights at the Sleepover though, in which case you won't hear it over the ABBA.

just out of interest what would you use a genny for surely if you want electric that bad youd just stay at a campsite with electric hook up

andhoops wrote:

just out of interest what would you use a genny for surely if you want electric that bad youd just stay at a campsite with electric hook up

Lots of campsites run out of EHUs during busy times, so taking your own is handy. Also useful for stopping at a VW show ie when you're in a field.

andhoops wrote:

just out of interest what would you use a genny for surely if you want electric that bad youd just stay at a campsite with electric hook up

I'd think about one as a means to recharge the leisure battery without having to go for a drive (so the new small Honda EX7 looks ideal) I don't yet know how long the battery will last without a run, so it will be interesting to see. I need a Motordome more than a geni at the moment, so that's where the money is going next.

Never even seen the need for EHU. Leisure battery is more than enough. Only need it for lighting.
Thought the idea of camping was to get away from it all and enjoy the outside.

kiteman wrote:

Never even seen the need for EHU. Leisure battery is more than enough. Only need it for lighting.
Thought the idea of camping was to get away from it all and enjoy the outside.

If it was just lighting, I wouldn't worry. But I've become old and I like cold beer, butter, milk etc. and for that I need a fridge. It's the fridge's energy requirements that are an unknown for me. Previously I had an LPG powered one.

The attraction of the Honda generators is the compact size and low noise output - but you doo pay a big price for them!
Shame Danbury do not fit a 3-way fridge as standard so it could be run on gas - maybe its an option?
Rooby Roo

I am thinking of upgrading my leisure battrey to either a 110 0r possible 135 amp but this means moving everything around in the locker but it would give me the flexability of not needing shorepower to lets us use the fridge all weekend (keeping the G & T's chilled) otherwise it will only last 8 - 12 hrs with good management. Tim

I agree, a 3-way fridge would be a great idea although I suspect that then creates additional venting issues.

Dennis wrote:

otherwise it will only last 8 - 12 hrs with good management. Tim

Yikes! Is that the expected life of the current battery with fridge running? Guess I am going to need a geni after all.

If your fridge packs up, do what we used to do before fridges, stick your can or bottle in a sock, soak it in water and hang it up in the sun. As long as you keep it wet it cools it down loverly. (latent heat of vaporisation according to my science teacher)

Before Fridges!!!!

dizzylizard wrote:

If your fridge packs up, do what we used to do before fridges, stick your can or bottle in a sock, soak it in water and hang it up in the sun. As long as you keep it wet it cools it down loverly. (latent heat of vaporisation according to my science teacher)

I've never heard that one before!

I'm guessing it has to be a clean sock?

This is the one I've gone for - it was reduced to £80 the day I bought it. Not particularly noisy and simple to op.

Homelite 720w Generator

Have a read of the reviews at the bottom of the page.

That's a good price compared to the Honda units

One of the lower prices on ebay for the Honda EU10i is as follows . . .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-EU10i-Generator-Caravan-Boat-Portable-/140759263003?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Tools_Generators_ET&hash=item20c5e7e71b

Might be worth watching if you are in the 'Sunny' Bristol area

This looks comparable to the Honda, but without the price tag because of the name:

Machine Mart Generator

TimV wrote:

This is the one I've gone for - it was reduced to £80 the day I bought it. Not particularly noisy and simple to op.

Homelite 720w Generator

Have a read of the reviews at the bottom of the page.

I've just checked that out at my B&Q. It's rated at 91db, which is loud. Price is good but not sure I'd want that level of noise. I like the idea of the Honda's 54(?)FB output, ie conversational level. Great for stealth use.