Honda EU2000i Theft Prevention

[GreyCoyote]

If you are packing a Honda EU2000i to Burning Man, you might want to Google "EU2000i theft deterrent bracket".

A popular modality for theft prevention is to snake a cable or chain from something heavy and run it through the handle of the generator. Bad idea. That plastic handle can be quickly and easily cut. However a handle reinforcement is available that is made of heavy gauge formed steel that will better resist the actions of a thief. Installation is very simple.

Having lost one of these $1000 units already (not at BM) I consider these reinforcement an important addition to my kit.

[MacGlenver]

I wish they'd just add a little loop of 1/4" metal that sticks out one end, which is bolted/welded to the frame. You could slide the shackle of a lock right thru it and be done. Such an easy addition, and it would barely add anything to the weight. I guess they don't want to erode their theft deterrent bracket sales...

May cave in and buy one since I'll have my Honda out there this year... Bah...

[GreyCoyote]

That would be nice indeed. Just make it standard and be done with it. Or maybe give us a threaded boss on the engine casing and a knockout on the plastic housing. Sell a kit with a headless or breakaway-head bolt you could add later that had a shackle on it.

But until we convince Honda, that handle reinforcement works nicely!

BTW: We found it is entirely possible to parallel 3 or more EU2000is. Just hook the outputs together. I tried it and it works like a champ! While not technically supported by Honda, I learned this from one of their reps. Its what he uses to power his deer camp.

[MacGlenver]

Impressive! I'm trying to keep my camp under one genny, just cause I don't want to haul all the shit that they want to power out there. This will be our first year with a genny on the playa tho, which could be nice.

Slightly off topic, months ago I read about building filter boxes for genny's to prevent them from eating too much dust (not baffle boxes). I couldnt find the original threads, but the conclusion I was able to find in recent searches seemed to be that it was too much hassle and often causes overheating. Just replace oil & air filter. Would you agree?

[trilobyte]

I'm not sure how I feel about buying theft deterrent gear for stuff I bring to the playa. Yes, theft does happen out there, but my experiences have led me to believe that if you take reasonable precautions and safeguards, you'll be okay. People get all kinds of stuff stolen outside of Burning Man, that doesn't necessarily mean we should all run out and go full lockdown mode in the desert.

As for macglenver's comments about dust filter boxes, I don't think one is needed (at least on the Honda EU series). I use a small baffle, which not only keeps the sound down but also serves as a wind break. That cuts down the amount of blowing dust that could potentially get sucked in. Our generator's also sitting on a piece of wood, not on the open playa, which also helps keep dust away from air intakes. After the playa I open it up and blow out all the dust and wipe it down good, and then once a year (whether it needs it or not) I clean the air filter (it's a user-serviceable thing), change the oil, and replace the spark plug. I think the spark arrestor ought to be cleaned every couple years too, when I change the oil and the spark I'll check that one out in the manual.

[MacGlenver]

I'm not sure how I feel about buying theft deterrent gear for stuff I bring to the playa. Yes, theft does happen out there, but my experiences have led me to believe that if you take reasonable precautions and safeguards, you'll be okay. People get all kinds of stuff stolen outside of Burning Man, that doesn't necessarily mean we should all run out and go full lockdown mode in the desert.

As for macglenver's comments about dust filter boxes, I don't think one is needed (at least on the Honda EU series). I use a small baffle, which not only keeps the sound down but also serves as a wind break. That cuts down the amount of blowing dust that could potentially get sucked in. Our generator's also sitting on a piece of wood, not on the open playa, which also helps keep dust away from air intakes. After the playa I open it up and blow out all the dust and wipe it down good, and then once a year (whether it needs it or not) I clean the air filter (it's a user-serviceable thing), change the oil, and replace the spark plug. I think the spark arrestor ought to be cleaned every couple years too, when I change the oil and the spark I'll check that one out in the manual.

Thanks for the info. For theft deterrance, yeah, I will probably just wrap a cable lock around my genny and skip the metal bracket.

Good to know about the baffle box. They're so simple, I will definitely make one per your advice. I will also bring a spare spark plug, per some advice i saw elsewhere in the forums since it can occasionally get fouled. Oh boy! Just realized that since I'll have a genny, I can bring my plug-in drill and use it to screw lag screws into the ground or build wooden structures! Crap, now I'm going to start building even bigger stuff....

[Just_Joe]

I'm not sure how I feel about buying theft deterrent gear for stuff I bring to the playa. Yes, theft does happen out there, but my experiences have led me to believe that if you take reasonable precautions and safeguards, you'll be okay. People get all kinds of stuff stolen outside of Burning Man, that doesn't necessarily mean we should all run out and go full lockdown mode in the desert.

I agree?
A $30 investment on a cable lock for my $1400 gennie a 'reasonable precaution and safeguard', akin to buying a crappy bike lock for a $50 bike.

I haven't tried any kind of enclosure/baffle, but I'm with you on the piece of plywood and regular maintenance.
The baffle probably adds a layer of security in that it keeps the shiny red Honda out of sight (and sound).....

[FIGJAM]

This is where I get my lags from.

You're gonna love um!

http://www.wholesalebolts.com/hexheadla ... /8x14.aspx

[Elliot]

... keeps the shiny red Honda

I've been thinking I ought to give mine a coat of grey.

[MacGlenver]

... keeps the shiny red Honda

I've been thinking I ought to give mine a coat of grey.

Camouflage! Great idea! May hurt resale value, but I don't think any of us plan to sell our gennies

Figgy -- thanks for the link! I still had it from your PM a year ago when we chatted on the Monkey Hut thread.

[trilobyte]

A Honda (or any other good, quiet generator) and a good camp plan should be all you need. First, they're quiet enough that you don't have to "give your camp a tail" (long extension cord out to an isolated spot, often near where a neighbor's camp starts, then the generator sitting out in full view). Keep it closer to camp. Then build a baffle. It doesn't even have to be that good, because the Honda's not a noisy bastard. The baffle will further dampen the noise, provide a windbreak (to help reduce dust coming in), and obscure the make/model of generator to anyone who's not already in your camp looking for it.

[MacGlenver]

Done and done. And i can pack stuff in the baffle so it wont even really take up any space. Hoorah for simplicity!

[GreyCoyote]

Got a tip from a friend I want to try this year. He has a crows nest with sides he bolts to the top of his dome. It holds the genny and a 8 gallon extended run tank. Claims he fills it ever couple of days and that it is inaudible to neighbors and mostly to dome occupants. Best of all, very little dust.

Sounds like a hassle getting it up there and starting it, but will try it and see.

[Captain Goddammit]

I would think a pulley and a rope would be handy items to bring in that case.

[Canoe]

... a crows nest with sides he bolts to the top of his dome...

The crows nest (with sides?) should certainly channel the sounds up and away.
Does he use rubber feet or anything to isolate vibration from the structure?

[GreyCoyote]

Heck, at my age I could likely get a gaggle of sparkleponies to hoist them up if I let them use my blowdryer!

But yes. Good idea. Especially on the 40 foot dome!

As to vibe control,the bottom of the nest is a layer of closed cell foam rubber both for sound absorbtion and vibe control. Will have to play with that material over several events and see what works best.