Honda 2000 Enclosure

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READY2GO

READY2GO

Guru
Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Messages
521
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Walkabout
Vessel Make
1989 Sea Ray 380 Aft Cabin
We use a Honda 2000 for supplemental power. We have always had it set on the rear deck and covered with a tarp. This did not really give adequate protection so I had been planning to build an enclosure for it for some time, but just got around to it last week.

The Honda has always been quiet but the enclosure made it even quieter

Materials:
Two 2' X 4' pieces of 1/2" Starboard from Home Depot. $108.00
Stainless piano hinge from local hardware store. $ 36.00
Various SS screws. $ 20.00
Two vents from West Marine. $16.00
Total cost $180.00
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Good Job!!
Did the same using a 120 quart Igloo cooler. Honda fits at one end with end cut out just like yours using common air vent cover. Split the igloo with a plywood partition and use the second section for spare fuel storage and the cord, made up of a heavy duty extension cord with the correct marine socket for the boat end, stored. Really quite and not noticeable other than 'Just another cooler" appearance.

Al-Ketchikan
 
That looks great, Mike! A cushion on the top can provide another cockpit seat.

Do you have a video recording of the eu2000i sound level with the unit outside and then inside the box? That would be a cool comparison.

Nice work!
 
looks great does it stay cool

great looking job

I agree with Fw cushion on top
 
siestakey said:
looks great does it stay cool

great looking job

I agree with Fw cushion on top
Click to expand...

I suppose if you had an over heating issue you could just open one of the doors while running. Albeit it would be louder.
 
FlyWright, I am trying to download a video from my phone that shows the difference. Hopefully soon.

SiestaKey and mbevins, I guess it is too soon to see if it affects the cooling but I don't think it will. Honda makes an enclosure for the 2000 and it is smaller and more constricted than mine (not sold in the US). Mine has zero restriction on the exhaust and cooling air that is blown out from the same place as the exhaust. There is also more than adequate intake air with the two vents on the other end. I placed the intake vents on the enclosure where the intake vents on the generator are located.
 
Well done. I'll have to make one. I always put my Honda on the swim platform and it isn't protected. I worry about CO. That enclosure would make me feel a lot better about it.
 
Trust me, the cooling is not an issue!! Quite is awsome in our cooler and I suspect in the OP' box. As long as the end is open allowing air in and exhaust out everything is cool.
Al-Ketchikan
 
Very nice! Now I want to make one.

Question: Did you put anything under it to reduce transmitting vibrations to the deck? It seems that would make it even quieter. Not that these are loud to begin with.
 
FlyWright said:
Do you have a video recording of the eu2000i sound level with the unit outside and then inside the box? That would be a cool comparison.

Nice work!
Click to expand...
You should be able to find a free cell phone app for a sound meter
Let's you collect hard data re the sound reduction vs a subjective est via video.
 
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Update:

We have been using the box for awhile now and I can definitely say there is no overheating issues at all. It runs very cool. Probably cooler since it is not exposed to the sun now. When I open the box the generator is cool to the touch.

CaptTom,
"Question: Did you put anything under it to reduce transmitting vibrations to the deck? It seems that would make it even quieter. Not that these are loud to begin with."

Yes I did, I mounted the box on rubber and I put rubber inside the box for it to sit on.
 
Mike:

I hate to rain on your parade, but I guarantee you've severely reduced the quantity of cooling air to your machine. Those units are not built to maintain any additional amount of restriction to airflow, and even though you're convinced that the louvers you've mounted on the intake end are big enough, I guarantee the airflow through them is way less than Honda intended.

I own & run a generator service company and I've seen this a bunch of times. Yes, you've improved the noise signature, but remember for most amateur engineers, what keeps the noise in also keeps the airflow in.

You'll get away with it for a while, especially if you operate mostly at reduced power levels...

I also use a small generator (mine is a Yamaha 1000 watt) on the swim platform, and I've built a small hood that keeps the rain off of it, but it's open 360 degrees all sides to keep it nice and cool.

I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's harder to pull off than you think.

Just my two cents' worth (that I've spent 45 years learning, most of it the hard way...)

J.S.

Experience is what you're left with, just after you needed it.
 
Driftless said:
Just my two cents' worth (that I've spent 45 years learning, most of it the hard way...)
Click to expand...

Personally, I take your word for it, and will keep that in mind for my own Yamaha. Those 45 years of learning do count a lot, so far as I am concerned. We have other members with a lot of experience that are willing to share their knowledge with us from time to time, and they are invaluable.
 
Driftless said:
Mike:

I hate to rain on your parade, but I guarantee you've severely reduced the quantity of cooling air to your machine. Those units are not built to maintain any additional amount of restriction to airflow, and even though you're convinced that the louvers you've mounted on the intake end are big enough, I guarantee the airflow through them is way less than Honda intended.

I own & run a generator service company and I've seen this a bunch of times. Yes, you've improved the noise signature, but remember for most amateur engineers, what keeps the noise in also keeps the airflow in.

You'll get away with it for a while, especially if you operate mostly at reduced power levels...

I also use a small generator (mine is a Yamaha 1000 watt) on the swim platform, and I've built a small hood that keeps the rain off of it, but it's open 360 degrees all sides to keep it nice and cool.

I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's harder to pull off than you think.

Just my two cents' worth (that I've spent 45 years learning, most of it the hard way...)

J.S.

Experience is what you're left with, just after you needed it.
Click to expand...

Hi John,
Thanks for your comments, but I am afraid we will have to agree to disagree. I ran the Honda for 5 hours today so I could run the water maker. It ran a little above the echo level but not flat out by any means. When I shut it off the unit was cool to the touch. The intake vents that I installed are at least 5 times the size of the intake vents on the generator itself. I guarantee that the enclosure that I built is way more ventilated than the one Honda offers. I do appreciate experience and what it brings to the table, but looking at pictures is not the same as taking measurements and engineering (even amateur).
 
Backyard engineering can be either an utter failure or ther best thing since sliced bread....or somewhere in between.

Not all backyard engineers are created equal nor are their creations.

While I agree that certain critical elements are required for some projects...sometimes it is obvious and attained or not as critical as the "factory engineers" would like to think.

Many improvements have been documented/suggested on these forums...some bad, some good, and some spectacularly better than what we bought at the store.
 
Thanks Flywright, once again your prompt response with factual support on a issue becomes apparent. I was thinking of your solution as I was reading down the post. While I live in a cooler area and perhaps at a disadvantage to comment due to our climatic conditions, our enclosed Honda 2000 in a 120 Quart Igloo cooler reflects perfectly cool running conditions after several hours at a sitting.

Thanks,
Al-Ketchikan
 
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