Honda EX 800 Generator

[cbmontgo]

I just picked up a little one of these this morning from a guy on Craigslist. It has about 20 hours on it, and is totally cool. Anyone here had one of these?

I think it will be perfect for camping and running smaller stuff when outdoors. I am pretty pumped.

Got it for $ 200; seemed like a good deal. They've been going for way more than that on Ebay..........

 

[cabron]

those are super quiet, even i was shocked at how close we could keep it

 

[cbmontgo]

Yeah, I really am amazed at how quiet this thing is. Honda can really design a great generator. I hope to get some good use out of it on my next camping trip.

 

[Kofoed]

Get some deep cycle batteries now.

 

[cbmontgo]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why?

 

[Kofoed]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but why?

Run the appliances off the battery. When it gets low, recharge with the generator.

 

[cbmontgo]

I got ya. That is a good idea.

 

[e9999]

this generator has DC output?

 

[cbmontgo]

No, it is AC. It has two an outlet with two plugs (like you'd plug an extension cord into). That is AC, right? Obviously, I am no electrical guru.

 

[Kofoed]

this generator has DC output?

Most generators I've seen have 12v DC output along with a plug. Then they invert it and step up to 115v ac. Yours has 12volt, dc terminals. Should push about 6 amps, pretty good for charging deep cycle batteries.

The manual:

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/Gen_Own_Web/pages/ex800.htm

 

[cbmontgo]

I'll be honest, you guys have lost me. Explain to me what this generator was originally designed for. I am thinking it will be good for light-duty camping and powering small "stuff". Is that accurate?

 

[e9999]

great that it has DC. No more worries about the truck battery running down on long expeditions and camping....

(I would think it's an alternator that gets rectified for DC, though, not the other way around, but what do I know...?)

 

[Kofoed]

A generator produces dc power. The dc is available at the dc terminals described in the manual.


To get AC, it must be inverted and stepped-up to the common household voltage.

Your EX800 can supply both types of electricity according to the manual link I posted.

The EX800 provides 700 watts contiuous power.

Amps times volts equals watts.

So if you are running 115 volt appliances, you have about 6 amps available. You can check your appliances to figure out the wattage required.

The reason I recommended getting batteries is that 6 amps ain't much. It is plenty to run lights, computers and a radio, but not a heater or electric oven/hairdrier. Depends on how many creature comforts you want.

The batteries will supply this additional current, allowing you to recharge them with the generator later. Try it out, and see if you need some batteries.

 

[cbmontgo]

Thanks for that info, guys. It sounds like it is going to work well for what I need then. I may eventually look into batteries, but I won't be running anything big at all off of it any time soon.

It also sounds like I need to do some reading and learn more about how this stuff works.

 

[ReinholdReinhold]

Has anyone had any experience with using these portable generators in -20 to -30 degrees? If they would start a guy can use them to power up some pre heat equipment.....Any recommended brands that are good at these temps?

 

[cbmontgo]

I have no idea, ReinholdReinhold.......of course, it is pretty obvious that I am unfamiliar with these things based on my responses above! Maybe someone else can chime in on your question.....