Honda Generator . 2 questions.

[bigwalleyeguy]

1) time to change oil in my Honda 2000 generator. Anyone have any advice on what kind of oil to run in it?

2)Do they make some kind of hose that you can connect to your generator from your gas can?? If so what is it called and where can a guy get one?

Thanks in advance.

[JimBuck]

1. I've been using Honda 10W-30.

2. Honda makes an "Extended run fuel tank" that does that. I believe I saw another company at the ice show that also does this. I'd love to figure out a way to use my boats 6 gallon tank.

Good luck.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I run "Mobile 1" 10W30 synthetic in mine.

One Tip: I would add, is go buy a PVC 3/4" X 4" plastic nipple to use as a spout when draining the oil.

What a mess with out it. I love the lil' honda but who ever designed that method of draining the oil is an [PoorWordUsage]...

[RoosterRedneck]

The owners manual says 5W-30 for the temp ranges we have here in MN during the winter and 10W-30 in the summer.

[chad austin]

I think there was a post about making your own extended run setup, I think it involved drilling out the original "vented" gas cap and installing a boat style connector on the cap and in turn making it "non-vented" and it creates a siphon. Another poster also bought another gas cap from Honda to use when not using the extended run setup.

[hibanks1]

i use 5w 30 castrol synthetic blend. My dad has run same setup for 8 years spring and fall to keep his camper warm....

I bought the hose at fleet farm two female connections, brass extension and elbow at fleetfarm, 2 male yamaha ends at walmart, gas tank at walmart, gas cap online aluminum....about an 80 dollar setup or go to northern and pick up the whole works for 119.

runs 6 gal 72 hours or so depending on demand....

[superbee]

I seen the extenda cap(believe that was the name) at L&M Fleet Supply the other day. I am sure other similar store ill have it as well.

[Hawg]

Hibanks is right on. That alluminum cap is great. That bidding site we can't say here has them. I did it a little cheaper way by using clear hose so I could see if it was working. Connections MUST be 100% airtight or it won't siphon. I didn't use a primer bulb either as it's one more place to leak. You can get away with one quick connect on the generator cap and just a nipple and hose clamp on the tank. The vinyl hose hardened up over the summer but it's so cheap who cares. I have a 1000 watt Honda and I use a 3 gal tank. I've never run it long enough to use 3 gallons, that would be probably 3 days! Don't adapt your existing cap so you can still use it. You don't always want to carry the extra tank around.

[MuleShack]

I was lazy and picked up the single use tank set up from northern today...on sale for $99 and because I needed it for the weeekend trip.

Just and FYI, but in talking with the Mgr at northern, he said that a home made rig like above will void the warranty from Honda

Granted most arent going to bring theirs in for work with the extra tank hooked up, but it was something I was not aware of.

[Bandit155]

I just picked up the Honda conversion kit at L&M today for 59 bucks. It says you can use an outboard gas tank like Hibanks did.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

That's complete nonsense, in order to try to help with the sale of a $5 product for $100. All you are doing is continually refilling the built in tank from an outside gas can. Not much different than pouring it in there yourself.

[Jim Almquist]

That's complete nonsense, in order to try to help with the sale of a $5 product for $100. All you are doing is continually refilling the built in tank from an outside gas can. Not much different than pouring it in there yourself.

That was exactly what I was thinking unless there was something to do with the extended run time. Runs for 8 hours and you shut it off for 2 minutes to fill and run it for another 8 hours or just run it for 16 hours straight. Not much difference to me.

[Augusta]

What store is L&M?

[Jim Almquist]

What store is L&M?

It is like a Feet Farm but is only found up north. We have one in Cloquet and there are also in Grand Rapids, Virgina, Bemidji and a few other towns.

[HANS76]

The reason honda voids the warranty is because there is no oil filter on the generator. A honda tech told me that the oil should be changed about every 45 hours of use. He suggested not uising the gas cap adapter as it would run for up to 80hrs with out a oil change.

[Macgyver55]

Wouldnt the warranty be voided by not changing the oil, rather than using the modified cap?

What if you shut it down and change the oil at 45 hours, is the warranty still void just because you use the cap? Sounds bogus to me.......I'd say they cover themselves with this part of the warranty:

This warranty does not extend to parts affected or damaged by accident and/or collision, normal wear, fuel contamination or deterioration, use in an application for which the product was not designed or any other misuse, neglect, incorporation or use of unsuitable attachments or parts, unauthorized alteration, or any causes other than defects in material or workmanship of the product.

Either way, the use of a larger fuel supply would not likely be the cause of a warranty problem.

[timjones]

The reason honda voids the warranty is because there is no oil filter on the generator. A honda tech told me that the oil should be changed about every 45 hours of use. He suggested not uising the gas cap adapter as it would run for up to 80hrs with out a oil change.

I have the Honda 2000i and the manual says to change oil every 6 months or 100 hours. So what the tech is telling you doesn't sound right.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

My Manual says the same thing...

[hibanks1]

Was the northern manager saying he is the only one that sell the GENUINE HONDA external tank assembly?

[cold one sd]

If you have a problem with your generator while using your large tank and take it in for repair, be vewy, vewy quiet about using the large tank. How will they know if ya don't tell them?

[MuleShack]

Was the northern manager saying he is the only one that sell the GENUINE HONDA external tank assembly?

Nope, I had talked to him on phone and asked about a gas cap only. That is when he made the comment.

Honda wants $30 for the cap alone.

[bigwalleyeguy]

Well I went and bought the extended run tank from northern. I went to LOW sunday, started generator at 230pm. Generator ran for about 24 hours and that was it. It kept dieing on me so I unhooked the extra tank. Then the generator would run fine I would just fill it up before it ran out of gas. But now today before I came home it was dieing on me again? It sounds like it is not getting gas then just dies. Any ideas what could be causing this to happen? I brought the geny into the house to warm it up thinking a line froze or something and that did help a little. Do you think she just started to freeze up or something?

[3pronghook]

ive had to bring mine into warm up in really cold weather or in the snow, blowing snow rain sleet blizzard conditions like we had last weekend. warm up and defrost the cap. and take off the side panel. under the black cover is the filter and make sure it is not dry and is lightly oiled. if it is dry this will cause moisture to form and freeze up generator especially in cold weather. mine will usually start to labor or surge when this happens. also make sure you have enough oil. mine ran fine sitting in the blowing snow for 48 hours, then it quit. after 15-20 mins warm up ran again all night. i fill it as it runs about every 8 hours.

[bigwalleyeguy]

Wow 3pronghook. That sounds exactly like what was going on with mine. I know where the filter is your talking about and yeah mine is dry. When you say lightly oiled what exactly do you mean? Can i just rub some 5w-30 on my finger and put it on there or what? The engine oil is fine changed it the day before i left. I also fill it while it is running. Still puzzled why it wouldnt run with the extra tank tho?

[3pronghook]

just use 5w30 and pour small amount on filter and squeeze in a rag until it has an oily feel. dont know about the extra tank problem. buddy had one and worked great for him. ive had a problem with too much oil. did you open cap and check it/?

[bigwalleyeguy]

Yes I just did. But how do you know if there too much oil? there isnt even a line on dipstick. Wasnt running out of geny or anything. I checked that filter again too and there is a little gas in there is that ok?

[Macgyver55]

Dont forget the OEM cap is vented. When you put on the adapted cap on the generator, the extra tank needs to now provide the vent or the siphon will stop due to vacuum.

Oil level is also very imortant on any Honda gen as they have the low oil shutoff and sometimes can shut down just from being off level.

[3pronghook]

the filter needs to be oily to the touch. not bathed in oil just an oily feel. like your hair gets after 4 days in fishouse without a shower. if too much oil it will run out when oil cap off and sitting level. im not a mechanic at all, but ive had a 1000 honda for 6 years and its one tough generator. but like anything, acts up and these are soem of things that ive done that have worked for me. good luck

[MuleShack]

Well I went and bought the extended run tank from northern. I went to LOW sunday, started generator at 230pm. Generator ran for about 24 hours and that was it. It kept dieing on me so I unhooked the extra tank. Then the generator would run fine I would just fill it up before it ran out of gas. But now today before I came home it was dieing on me again? It sounds like it is not getting gas then just dies. Any ideas what could be causing this to happen? I brought the geny into the house to warm it up thinking a line froze or something and that did help a little. Do you think she just started to freeze up or something?

I used mine on Red last weekend and it ran for 56 hours straight. I refilled the 6 gal tank while it was running from a regular gas can and I had no issues. (had to keep the truck plugged in) I'm assuming you had the vent cap open if it was running for 24 hours before it died. Maybe you have a small leak in your threaded connections? Where it would pull some fuel over but not keep the constant draw going.

also as someone else said, make sure you have enough oil in the reservoir. The first year i had mine, it kept dying and I couldn't figure out why and then I added oil and the problem went away.

[bigwalleyeguy]

Boy dont I feel stupid. Yes I did have the vent cap open on the extended tank. I guess that its meant to stay closed. I didnt know mine didnt come with a manual. Or how would I know if I had a leak in the threaded connection? Thanks Im heading back up in the morning. It sure would be nice if that thing worked.

[JimBuck]

Boy dont I feel stupid. Yes I did have the vent cap open on the extended tank. I guess that its meant to stay closed. I didnt know mine didnt come with a manual. Or how would I know if I had a leak in the threaded connection? Thanks Im heading back up in the morning. It sure would be nice if that thing worked.

Do you have the red cap kind of setup for your extended tank? Mine didn't come with any directions either and I'm looking for a tank right now. It'd be nice to know if I needed a vent or if any tank would do.