EU1000i 2000i External Fuel Tanks

[Train Wreck]

There seem to be a ton of people making these things now, and I'm wondering if anybody had any input or experiences in regards to their use.

Should I install an inline fuel filter between the generator and external tank? Is there any risk to running a Honda in eco mode for a long ass time (I've heard that this leads to carbon buildup)?

I'd like to leave my generator running all evening until late (don't worry, I've got a baffle box), and it's likely that it'll be unattended for periods of time. Thoughts on safety?

Is mayonnaise an instrument?

[Captain Goddammit]

I've been making and using these for over ten years.
They work great! I always put an inline fuel filter in the gas line, there's no reason not to. Keeping your fuel as crud-free as possible is a good thing. One of the extra benefits to using an external tank is that you don't spill gas all over the generator every time you refill it. The built-in one gallon tank fills quick and you can't see what you're doing as you fill it.
I've found the system works better with a little gravity assist. It helps if the fuel tank is higher than the generator - but you must be certain all your connections are tight, a leak could let all the fuel siphon out. Use a stainless steel hose clamp or two on every hose connection. The system needs to be air tight to work anyway. Remember to open the vent on the external tank.
I've never had any issues running for extended periods on Eco mode. In 2007 I ran Hondas nonstop, 24/7 that way.
I run my generators off a truck fuel tank and I never refuel during the event at all.

[Meat Hunter]

I use a IPI Industries Breeze Extended Run Generator System - BERG System with my Honda 2000i generator on the farm for several years.

There are times when I run this system for days on end (mostly on idle speed) and I have never had a problem.

[ygmir]

does anyone have photos/drawings? I have an extra 5 gallon outboard motor boat tank. do you plumb in in through the cap (with fitting), turn the cap vent "off" and vent from the (higher?) aux. tank?

or splice into the main fuel line?

[Captain Goddammit]

I made a step by step guide but it's not online anymore. I can email you pictures though.
I removed the Honda's gas cap vent and drilled it out for a fitting.

[ygmir]

I made a step by step guide but it's not online anymore. I can email you pictures though.
I removed the Honda's gas cap vent and drilled it out for a fitting.

yeah that's sort of what I was thinking. the only vent would be at the top of the external tank.

[Captain Goddammit]

It's an airtight system and the idea is that as the engine draws fuel from it's fuel tank, instead of sucking in air to replace the used fuel volume it sucks more fuel from the external tank instead.
It's kinda nice to order an extra gas cap from the Honda place so you can still open and close the vent when you are using the generator without the extra tank.

[GreyCoyote]

There are no issues running an EU2000 or EU1000 on eco mode for for long periods (ie, days). They well well designed for this service and when properly maintained will work fine.

In the manual there is a note about cleaning the spark arrester ever so often, AND THIS IS NECESSARY regardless of running in eco-mode or not. (The spark arrester eventually fouls. The more cold-starts you make, the faster it fouls. Dont like it? Remove it and never worry again).

As to the extended run systems, they are all mostly good. The only secret is to start with a full-to-the-brim generator tank and a primed transfer hose. The less air (headspace) in the genny tank the better these systems work. As Capt GD states, having a bit of elevation on the aux fuel system is a good idea.

You can (and I have!) run one of these little Hondas for days on end without issue. They just flat-out work and make minimal noise in the process.

[Train Wreck]

Thanks for the replies- answered my questions. Looks like I'm going to go ahead with this... can't wait for not having to refuel the generator as often. Only downside is the extra 6 gallons in the marine tank puts me over the 20 gallon threshold for needing secondary containment. I read somewhere that the BLM is going to be enforcing fuel storage rules this year.

[chuckularone]

You could always hand the extra fuel off to a friend/camp mate and have them "mule" it in for you.

[Meat Hunter]

Regarding fuel containment:

I went by the housewares section of Wal-Mart and purchased a clear plastic tub the size of my Honda 2000i generator and used my table saw to cut it making it into a 4" deep tray.

I also purchased clear plastic tubs for each of my plastic gas can to sit in.

[kowtow]

Regarding fuel containment:

I went by the housewares section of Wal-Mart and purchased a clear plastic tub the size of my Honda 2000i generator and used my table saw to cut it making it into a 4" deep tray.

I also purchased clear plastic tubs for each of my plastic gas can to sit in.

I wouldn't recommend using plastic housewares as secondary fuel containment, or at a minimum I would put gasoline in it now and let it sit for at least an hour. Dump the gas out and see if it altered the plastic in any way.

As an aside: A friend and I were doing a small engine repair and put gasoline into a red solo cup and it took about 15-20 minutes and then the bottom fell out of the cup.... just sayin' be careful.

I just purchased two of these (18 gallon spill trays) off the web. Ya they were about $65.00 each, but I know they will handle any oils, gasoline, diesel, or other dino chemicals.

[Meat Hunter]

Kowtow,

Wise words indeed.

I would highly recommend that anyone using plastic tubs for emergency fuel containment vessels to do a test before heading to the Playa.

Just to see what would happen, when I purchased my emergency fuel containment vessels in December 2013; I poured in 1/2 gal. of non-ethanol gas and let it sit for two weeks. At the end of two weeks, there was no noticeable change in the material of my tubs.

[trilobyte]

I highly recommend an extended run tank. IMO it's not only very convenient but much safer for fuel-handling if you run power all night (since it saves you from refueling in the dark). I've got an EU2000i and haven't had a problem with extended runs on the playa. For care and treatment, I give it a good cleaning post-playa, and then in early summer I change the oil, clean the filters, blast it with compressed air again, and replace the spark plug. I just did the annual maintenance on ours today, and it runs as well as the day we got it.

DO have a proper way to store your fuel. Either get a fuel grade tarp or use a good sized piece of pond liner (similar fuel-resistant material, and often times less expensive). Keep your tanks on the stuff, and ideally also keep your generator on it too. That way, if even a drop spills during refueling it won't 'bloom' down into the playa (expanding rapidly downward and outward from the point of impact, like the way a flower pops open when it blooms). Keep a safe distance between the generator and the fuel storage - so that way if something happens with the generator or your extended run tank, any fire doesn't immediately ignite all that extra fuel. And then keep the fire extinguisher a safe distance from that (if you keep the fire extinguisher right there with the generator and fuel and there's a fire, you won't be able to get near it).

I keep our fuel stored under a small separate shade structure with pond liners underneath, it's worked out well for our camp.

[kowtow]

Kowtow,

Wise words indeed.

I would highly recommend that anyone using plastic tubs for emergency fuel containment vessels to do a test before heading to the Playa.

Just to see what would happen, when I purchased my emergency fuel containment vessels in December 2013; I poured in 1/2 gal. of non-ethanol gas and let it sit for two weeks. At the end of two weeks, there was no noticeable change in the material of my tubs.

The last thing you'd want to have happen is have a major issue, because you chose to buy a kiddie pool in Reno because you wanted to save a few bucks on containment. The next thing you knew the pool dissolved as the result of a spill and then you'd have leo in your camp asking for your ID and info., not so he could send you a x-mas card either.

[mdmf007]

we use a large cookie sheet - 24x36 with a one inch lip for containment - our eu2000 and gas can fit in it perfectly. No problems on clean up either.

[GreyCoyote]

Ok, kiddos. Today I did some goofing with external Fuel tanks and the Honda EU2000i. Interesting results!

Background: I coupled an Atwood 12 gallon marine tank to an EU2000i. At the loads we typically run, this means about 4 days of non-stop fuel (3 GPD). But because this rig will be trailer mounted I wanted to see how much vertical distance the EU2000 could suck fuel out of the aux tank and into the genny tank at sea level. My goofings gave some interesting answers:

NOTE: the measurements given below are from the surface of the fuel level in the aux tank to the top of the generators gas cap. The bulk tank is at atmospheric pressure and no pressure or vacuum is allowed. Ambient temp was 93F at 23 feet above MSL. The generator tank was pre-filled to within 1/4 inch of the topmost thread on the cap (ie, nearly "full to the brim")

Results:
0 to 30 inches: ran fine for all loads up to and including 1600 watts
30 to 34 inches: ran ok, with the occasional miss, at loads up to 1000 watts.
>36 inches: Nada. Full stop after 10 mins or so. Repeated tries could not cure this and the genny can not overcome this lift. Anything over 36 inches kills the genny after a minute or two.

So at sea level, the safe "do not exceed" differential level should be 30 inches. Running the numbers for elevations of 4500 feet and a 105F ambient temperature shows you can safely and reliably run up to 26 inches of draw on the playa. If you are the conservative type, make this number 20 inches and you should be absolutely golden up to 7000 feet MSL.

So now we know.

NEXT UP: I want to investigate the effects of installing a fuel demand regulator and allowing the aux tank to operate in "California SCAQMD mode" (ie, the tank can pressurize up to 5 psi to keep fuel vapor emissions at nil levels)

Parts list:
Fuel cap: Great River:
Fuel Tank: Atwood: http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/prod ... fuel-tanks
Fuel Line and primer bulb: Atwood:

Final note: the right way to feed the EU2000 is from a tank located at the same level, or slightly higher. In a perfect world, this is what you SHOULD do. Unfortunately I am constrained to a less-than-perfect world and the tank will be slightly lower than the genny. If you can get the tank slightly higher, do it. It works better that way!

[Captain Goddammit]

Why would you pay $30 or more for the fuel line?! All you have to do is go to any auto parts store and buy some fuel hose. I don't see the need for the primer bulb and have never used one. I suppose if you're gonna have the tank below the genny you might use it, but mine are on a trailer too and I have them all at the same level.
I always include an inline fuel filter, also available at any auto parts store.

[GreyCoyote]

Capt: I wanted the primer bulb in there so I could loosen the cap, pump the genny tank FULL to the brim, and then snug it down and let the vacuum do the rest. Lazy, but effective.

In truth it is likely overkill, but it made me happy at the time and gave me a slick way to uncouple the fuel line at the cap (the cap has an Evinrude fitting on it) and I thought it would make for a clean install. (But yeah, you are right. It is NOT strictly needed)

[Captain Goddammit]

but it made me happy at the time

I wonder how many times you used that line

[GreyCoyote]

Rats. Yer on to me.

You gotta embrace your inner child, Capt!

[kowtow]

I will be receiving my BERGS 6 gallon tank Monday. I'm kinda stoked to see how well it works.

BTW, we have to setup a time every day we change the oil in our lil' red power strokers. No!!! I'm not gonna offer to do anything with your lil red power stroker, only my own...

[Meat Hunter]

Your will like the extended run tank. The six gal. tank is much easier to fill than the little tank on the 2000i.

If you would like to have an even longer run time between refills, you can purchase an Attwood 12 gal. tank. Disconnect the fuel line from the 6 gal. tank and connect it to the 12 gal. tank. Simple as that.

[kowtow]

Your will like the extended run tank. The six gal. tank is much easier to fill than the little tank on the 2000i.

If you would like to have an even longer run time between refills, you can purchase an Attwood 12 gal. tank. Disconnect the fuel line from the 6 gal. tank and connect it to the 12 gal. tank. Simple as that.

It's that easy to go from BERGS to the Attwood? The caps are the same size? Sounds a little too easy to pass up.

[Meat Hunter]

You purchased the system that has the aluminum generator fuel cap, black rubber hose from fuel cap to a red 6 gal. marine fuel tank -- correct?

If this is the system that you purchased, just disconnect the black rubber hose from the spout of 6 gal. tank and reconnect it to the spout of the 12 gal. tank.

[kowtow]

Ya I bought the BERGS 6 gallon with the aluminum cap (receiving it today), but now will be looking at Attwood 12 gallon tanks after your suggestion.

[Train Wreck]

Have any of you had issues with pressure buildup in the external tank? As a test I set mine out in the sun today and noticed that it puffed up slightly due to a buildup of gas vapors. Is this bad for the engine to have pressure like that on the fuel line? Should I worry about venting the external tank every so often during the day to prevent this? Thoughts?

[Captain Goddammit]

Then you must not have opened the vent!
A gas can is usually sealed but a gas tank always has a vent.
If you run your generator without opening the tank vent you will have the opposite problem; as fuel is consumed a vacuum will form, no fuel will be drawn, and the motor will shut down.

[GreyCoyote]

Train Wreck: there is an issue brewing here.

The old tanks (like Capt has) are vent-type tanks. You can open and close the vent, and some have caps that will self vent under pressure.

The newer tanks are zero-emission. They hold pressur and dont vent until they hit 5 PSI. So the fuel can and will pressurize. Not sure what this will do to a Honda. 5 psi is the equiv of about 12 feet (!!!) of vertical distance between tank and genny. So a fully pressurized tank looks like the tank is sitting 12 feet above the genny. At some point this is going to cause a problem.

Atwood sells a demand-type pressure reducer that I plan to try this weekend. It blocks fuel flow until it feels a slight vacuum on the outlet. This way the genny never sees positive pressure. These are about $20. I will post the results and part numbers when I get them.

Alternatively, you could put a tiny pinhole in the cap or loosen the cap slightly, but now you are afoul of those pesky EPA rules.

[Meat Hunter]

My red plastic external fuel tank has a little disc on top of the black plastic fill cap that is marked open and closed. When my tank is connected to my 2000i, I turn the disc to open.