Generator experts - 220V from a 110 machine ?

[Deschodt]

I just resurrected my rarely used and therefore fully varnished Honda 2000I inverter generator. Mother of all carb cleanups. Even managed to fix the surge/drop in eco throttle mode (another clogged jet for idle I did not know existed). I was wondering if I could use it reliably for 220V operation in another country - I'm about to ship a palette of heavy stuff (furniture, books) via donkey+boat to a friend in Europe and I could add it as weight is not important (getting charged for a volume that fits on the palette). It serves me no purpose here (I have solar + battery and a propane gen and if it sits it goes bad over time, even with Stabil).

As the name implies it should supply 2000W of 110V here int he US - would it be as simple as buying a decent transformer rated for 2000W+ and convert 110-> 220V ? Those are $150 or so. Would the existence of that middle step affect the output of power in any significant way ? Or the duration of allowable usage ? (heat?)
Sorry I can turn a screwdriver and clean carbs but electricity is magic to me!
Thx !

[rockfan4]

The catch is going to be that most of Europe is 50hz, where your generator is 60hz, and there's no good way of changing the frequency. Sell the generator and send them the cash.

[Zeke]

I think the issue is more the Hz. Ours is 60 and Europe is 230v single phase 50 Hz. The step up is possible but you are going to need more electronics to convert the phase. Many powered items don't care. Clocks do. Who has an electric clock?

[Deschodt]

Ahh, HZ, there you go, thanks guys !!!

> "many powered items don't care"
Will investigate that statement a little, but sounds like I might as well sell - during the next outage LOL -- thanks !

[Zeke]

Well, I was speaking about Hz. Voltage is another matter. But most 120v power tools in the US will run on 50 Hz. Just slower.

Anyway, the generator is not very helpful in the rest of the world.

[Pazuzu]

Not to mention that the outlets will all be shaped wrong, and changing to euro-specific coded outlets on a generator body might not be trivial. Finally, it might not be CE rated, and your friend would be in a world of hurt if something went wrong and something/someone got hurt from a non CE machine.

[Deschodt]

>Not to mention that the outlets will all be shaped wrong

Not coming from the transformer.... I never considered retrofitting on the generator..

>Anyway, the generator is not very helpful in the rest of the world.

Not sure if that's what you mean but all in all I'm told nobody uses a generator in Europe because outages are super rare. I guess the PG&E part of California is 1/3 world now..

I read up on 50/60hz, I get it, probably ok but overall not worth the trouble, will sell it here if ever, nice to have.

PS; incidentally I listened to the dollop podcast on PG&E, it's amazing they are allowed to do any business anywhere in the universe ;-) Super interesting if you have a long drive !

[Robert Coats]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

I just resurrected my rarely used and therefore fully varnished Honda 2000I inverter generator. Mother of all carb cleanups. Even managed to fix the surge/drop in eco throttle mode (another clogged jet for idle I did not know existed). I was wondering if I could use it reliably for 220V operation in another country

Retired Honda Generator Guy here:

Not worth it, as not only are the plugs/receptacles/cords different, and the 60/50Hz issue, but the non-mechanical bits on a USA vs. EU specs Honda generators are night and day. So for best results, just rent an Euro-spec generator when you get there. Sure, it will add $$ but significantly reduce hassle and probably safer too. Oh, and all EUxxxxi Honda modles use an inverter, and are a lot more sophisticated than a standard/traditional genset. The inverter is the single most spendy part, so if the smoke escapes from one, well, that's what we call round these parts a boar-hoggin'

[Deschodt]

Didn't think about parts - thanks Robert - idea dropped.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Didn't think about parts - thanks Robert - idea dropped.

Once again, ask a question here and a couple of Yahoos chime in.

😎