Xantrex Trucharge 40 & Honda EU1000

[waterdog]

I have a Trucharge 40 and I am considering a Honda EU1000.

Has anyone tried the two together? Is there any issue with the generator kicking out if the bank is deeply discharged and the TC40 is going flat out?

Thanks,

Steve

[Vasco]

Go with the Eu2000i.

[waterdog]

That would be the good answer. Then I could have hot water too. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit.

[Vasco]

Doesn't fit what? I've known two cruisers that started with a 1000 and got rid of them for a 2000. Many keep them on deck with a canvas cover.

[hanschristian38]

I started with an EU1000 and a TrueCharge 20 - when I changed to the TrueCharge 40 I had to go to an EU2000. It was worth it though. I had no problem selling the EU1000.

[waterdog]

It doesn't fit in the cockpit locker of a Catalina 34.

Why did they upgrade to the 2000? Desire to run the toaster while charging? Noise? or???

There are lots of C34 owners with Hondas and they divide into two camps. EU1000 owners who forgo having hot water, run their generator dry, and store it in the cockpit locker where it fits quite nicely. There are EU2000 owners who enjoy warm showers and lash their generator in front of the binnacle, store them on deck, or run them dry and tie the up next to the mast in main salon.

I'm planning an extended cruise down to Mexico. I'm trying to avoid deck clutter and I'm happy to live without warm showers. I'm sure the EU1000 will be fine most of the time, but I want to know that it will work with deeply discharged batteries and the TC40 running full out.

[waterdog]

Originally Posted by hanschristian38

I started with an EU1000 and a TrueCharge 20 - when I changed to the TrueCharge 40 I had to go to an EU2000. It was worth it though. I had no problem selling the EU1000.

Exactly what I wanted to know. Did the EU1000 stop working at full load or was it just too noisy or what exactly? In theory the TC40 full out should draw 6.4A @ 120V against the Honda's available 8.3A output, but it sounds like theory might be nice on the specsheet, but not so good in practice...

[rcmpegasus]

I have both a EU1000 and a EU2000. Both work fine with the Truecharge 40. The EU 1000 revs a bit more when running the Truecharge but it handles it very well. Remember the truecharge rarely outputs 40 amps, it may start there but will drop rapidly as the batterys come up. In general we use the EU1000 when all we want to do is charge batteries and the 2000 if the crew wants the icemaker and blender and microwave for margaritas and nachos while we charge.

Both units have been running down here on board in Mexico since 2004. I have a 160 amp alternator on the main engine, but while at anchor we hate to run it as the 120 Hp engine really heats up the salon.

Only downside I have found is the truecharge 40 takes a long time to get much back into the battery bank. I am currently looking at chargers in the 80 to 120 amp range which probably means the EU2000 will not cut it and I will have to put the diesel gen set back in the boat.