Generator help

[punikahakaiferret]

Not sure if this is the right place, or what?

Anyone know how to work on Honda generators, or who does, *that you would recommend*?  

It's been a bit cloudy, so I decided to plug my generator (EU2200i) in to top off my solar batteries, and it only idles. It won't "fire up" to make enough power after starting, running for a few minutes, and then plugging it into my solar. It just stays at idle.

It is only about 3 years old, and has only been used not even half-a-dozen times for this. I run it every few months to keep it in shape, changed the oil, fuel (ethanol free, of course). I just don't know enough about them to know what else to consider.

Have a msg in to my solar person for advice as well...

Help!

I'll update this thread as needed in case it could help anyone else.

[punikahakaiferret]

False alarm, sorta...got hold of my solar guy...after troubleshooting, ultimately the problem is my batteries, they are failing. Looked at the logs in the settings. Generator was doing its job, under the circumstances, my system was charged enough so the generator power wasn't needed.

So...for future reference, tho, instead of deleting this thread since it has a few views, if anyone does know generator repair, post it here!

And now I gotta buy new batteries. Happy holidaze? Nope.

[kalianna]

Hang in there, Ms Ferret. Things will get better.

[punikahakaiferret]

Hang in there, Ms Ferret.  Things will get better.

Mahalo, kalianna! Just gotta make it until next Wednesday for the service call.

Worst case, will hafta plug the fridge into the generator overnight if the batteries fully crap out by then...never a problem with enough power during the day as long as there's sun (but that's been a bit sketchy these last few days!) so of course this happens now.

The fridge is our only real electrical draw, and it is an efficient apartment-sized one. We live very simply, by choice. If need be, tea lights and headlamps at night, and we have a few small self-contained solar lanterns. Already use propane for cooking and hot water.

I'm continuously learning about the nuances of living with solar, but still prefer that over paying HELLco...just bummed my batteries crapped out so soon, just 3.5 years. They were AGM. Luck of the draw; living here with the heat and humidity, reckon. 

Having to spring for LiFePo4 this time. Hopefully they last far longer. Gonna do my best to make that so! 

On a side note, about 4 years ago I bought one of those battery generator units (Jackery, Ecoflow and Bluetti are the big names now), a 500w one. Used it maybe half-dozen times, never fully discharged it thru use, but after letting it sit unused for apparently too long, it fully discharged and now will not charge. It is out of warranty and the company I bought it from will not help at all. 

Has anyone been able to "kick/jump"-start one of these? Otherwise I have a 10lb doorstop....what a freaking waste.

Have been thinking at some point of investing in one of the more reputable/reliable brands like the ones mentioned if anyone has any input on those, especially if the one I have is dead-dead-dead.

Ok...enough from me. I now return you all to your regularly scheduled Punawebbing. 

Mahalo in advance for anyone else's input or sympathy.

[randomq]

If you can wait until Black Friday, you might see some deals on LiFePO4 batteries through Amazon or Home Depot, though tariffs are still a drag on prices. As to drained lithium cells, they are usually sitting behind a battery management system that won't connect the cells until it sees a charge voltage, but the built-in charger won't send a charge voltage until it sees some voltage from the cells, catch 22. So if you have a dumb charger or bench power supply you might be able to fake out the internal charger at the right points. Or just charge the individual cells up to their 50% voltage (but don't overcharge!) and then let the built-in charger take over.

[punikahakaiferret]

Hi RandomQ, mahalo for your thoughts!

My current batteries are AGM, not lithium. I had to go low-budget when I got this system, and really thought my needs were small enough they would last much longer than they did. Guess "it is what it is". So, now going with LiFePo4...

...still learning.

[My 2 cents]

”…the problem is my batteries, they are failing. Looked at the logs in the settings. Generator was doing its job, under the circumstances, my system was charged enough so the generator power wasn't needed.”

Going back to the original issue, I’m having trouble connecting these dots.  How do we go from a system that is fully charged to the point that it won’t accept any more to needing new batteries?  Your op indicates that there isn't really a problem with the system, just a suspicion that it might need topping off because of the weather.  What am I missing?

[punikahakaiferret]

Sorry for the confusion, My2Cents...my original post was a bit panicked. I am also admittedly not very knowledgeable about the ins-and-outs of my solar, which obviously is not serving me well, by my ignorance. I'm learning...slowly.

Initially, I had sought to run my generator to top off my solar batteries because it has been so cloudy (I was at about 52v at most all day, and wanted to get to my max of 57.6), but my generator did not seem to be running correctly, was only idling when I plugged it into the system. I reached out to my solar guy after posting here. He called and we troubleshooted (troubleshot?) my generator, and turns out it is actually working fine...because there was at least some daylight to charge, and so my batteries were actually ok, so no more power was needed.

...but after looking at the logs on my solar using the "Mate" on my Outback system (and again, I can never remember which is the charge controller and which is the inverter), it shows my batteries have been over-discharging for the last few weeks overnight and I had not actually noticed. So, the diagnosis is my batteries are indeed failing. I have 4 AGM batteries that I have had for about 3.5 years, and had hoped that owing to the minimal usage I have, they should have lasted far longer, but, well, to use the phrase I hate, it is what it is. I need new batteries. Guess is that the heat in my garage caused their early(ish) demise.

The big problem is that I have sufficient daylight to run things, but once the sun goes down, my batteries are dropping as low as 42v overnight, so.. yeah, they are on their way to dying.

That is the best I can do to explain.

I hate to be ignorant about things, in general, but sadly I have learned that home solar is not as "plug and play" as I had thought, and I have a lot to learn...after 3.5 years I guess I've been lucky.

I'm just a little ferret trying to get by in a big mean world, and fumbling my way around.

Ultimately, I'm gonna hafta buy batteries, and soon. Have an appt next week and hope to make it.

But also threw in hoping to find someone/some way to jump-start the 500w power station I bought 4 years ago that has become a paperweight. I'd love to get it working to use for small-kine charging, like phones, power tool battery packs, etc.

I dumped a lot into my post.

[My 2 cents]

Thank you for filling in the blanks. I still find the short life of your batteries odd....but then, so do you.

[randomq]

Yeah, when mentioning lithium I was referring to the batteries in your 500w unit. If you can access the battery pack connection internally you may be able to charge them back to life directly with a "dumb" charger (one that tries to charge regardless of the current state of your batteries).

For your AGM batteries (and lead-acid in general) you need to get them up to their rated boost voltage most days or they will become weaker. Generators usually don't put out enough DC to do this, and if you have it running an AC charger, you have to ensure your AC charger is peaking at high enough a voltage. Sometimes that's setting it even higher than the batteries recommend, to account for cable losses and increased resistance as the batteries get older. It sounds like you have some nice gear and it should be settable, but even for cheaper chargers (like mine!) there are usually adjustment screws on the inside.