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mbianka · 20-09-2012, 08:15

Word to the wise! My Honda 2000i generator has performed very reliably for the past five years. So much so that I had to scrub a two week cruise because I could not take the covers off to change out a broken pull cord because corrosion had seized some of the case screws:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: RELIABILITY: So much for that!
If you are using a Honda 2000 best to coat the case screws with some type of corrosion inhibitor BEFORE you ever need to remove them. I spent two days trying to remove them.

Now waiting for replacement screws to arrive before continuing.

**Vasco** · 20-09-2012, 08:27

Replace the pull cord with a fine stainless wire. The 2000 pull cord is not routed well and chafes very easily.

mbianka · 20-09-2012, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

Replace the pull cord with a fine stainless wire. The 2000 pull cord is not routed well and chafes very easily.

I was wondering if some Dyneema or Amsteel might be a good replacement choice too. A lot stronger and slicker than the usual pull cord material.

**zeehag** · 20-09-2012, 09:38

dang---i have owned and abused my honda eu2000i since 2004, winter, and is still first pull and doesnt use many cords--heck, i have used clothesline or whatever ends i have when and if they decide to break--current one was honda original and lasted since 2008...yes i use mine a lot--looks like crap and runs like a top.

**rtbates** · 20-09-2012, 11:20

Good to know... Four years and mine have never been off...They will be tonight!

when I broke the pull cord on a lawn edger I used a cordless drill and a socket as a temp fix.. Never did replace the pull cord as the cordless drill was just so easy ...

Thanks

**rebel heart** · 20-09-2012, 11:35

I only buy Honda engines, with the single exception of the yanmar diesel. Things are so damn bulletproof.

mbianka · 20-09-2012, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtbates

Good to know... Four years and mine have never been off...They will be tonight!

when I broke the pull cord on a lawn edger I used a cordless drill and a socket as a temp fix.. Never did replace the pull cord as the cordless drill was just so easy ...

Thanks

Yep, coat those screws ASAP! Indeed I wish Honda had made the 2000 with electric start it would have been the perfect generator instead of just a great generator. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get at the recoil assembly without removing the outlet panel to use your drill method.

S/V Alchemy · 21-09-2012, 06:26

I was under the vague impression that there is an aftermarket electric start you can bolt to the Honda 2000.

I may be mistaken, however. I recall I saw it while trying to get more info on the "companion unit" with the 30A outlet, which is obviously good for boaters.

mbianka · 21-09-2012, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

I was under the vague impression that there is an aftermarket electric start you can bolt to the Honda 2000.

I may be mistaken, however. I recall I saw it while trying to get more info on the "companion unit" with the 30A outlet, which is obviously good for boaters.

I think your right. There is/was a fellow who was going to sell a modified electric start Honda 2000. Downside is the fuel tank capacity is decreased but, it also comes with a fuel cap that allows to tap a bigger fuel tank which allows the a much longer Honda run time. Not sure if it ever got past the prototype phase. Electric start would sure would be convenient feature to have. The pull cord would have been the backup start technique with that unit.

Meantime it's been over a week and I'm still waiting for the screws to show up. If I knew it was going to be so long I could have bought a new Honda 2000 the next day.

Of course if I did buy a new generator then Honda would have announced the next day a new electric start model.

**Sailmonkey** · 21-09-2012, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbianka

I was wondering if some Dyneema or Amsteel might be a good replacement choice too. A lot stronger and slicker than the usual pull cord material.

It works like a charm!!!! it was all we had and it is perfect!!!

mbianka · 21-09-2012, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

It works like a charm!!!! it was all we had and it is perfect!!!

Thanks! Good info to know.

DeborahLee · 21-09-2012, 08:40

Had same problem. Had to drill mine out replaced with hex head cap screws so I can use a socket on them and a good coat of never seize.

Florida Mike · 21-09-2012, 09:14

Proof: The First Ever Remote-Control Honda EU2000i RV Generator - YouTube

**Vasco** · 21-09-2012, 09:47

I want to know how he gets all that stuff under the hood! I've taken a few apart and there is no spare space whatsoever!

mbianka · 21-09-2012, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

I want to know how he gets all that stuff under the hood! I've taken a few apart and there is no spare space whatsoever!

I actually spoke to the fellow today. Very nice guy BTW. He will build a custom electric start Honda 2000 if you want for an extra $1000 over the Honda 2000 price. But, IMO you could buy TWO backup Honda 2000's for that cost. So for me it does not make sense. He did say there was quite a bit of machining involved. However he is working on a DIY kit he may sell sometime in the future but, that is still under development.