Honeywell HW2000i generator

[tcianci]

My buddy has one of these. His complaint is that it wouldn't start. He said that its been tough to start since new. Its been several seasons sit it has run. He brought it by and I jazzed it with some starting fluid and it fired up and then died.

So we have spark, and it will run if it gets fuel. I went through the fuel system and found punky hoses and the carb had a stuck needle and seat and the main jet was plugged and there was muck in the fuel lines. I forgot to mention that the primer bulb was missing, I verified the action of the fuel pump by sucking on the line from the primer bulb and it pumps ok, the fuel filter is OK so after cleaning everything, It started and ran after a shot of ether since there's no primer bulb. It took quite a while before it would stay running on anything less than full choke and it did deem to hunt somewhat off full choke. The thing is, there is no output. I'm guessing that the carb needs another flossing to straighten out the choke issue but is anyone here familiar with inverter type generators and what to look for when there's no output?

 

[kelpaso1]

Google "Re-flashing" a generator. Sometimes the stater looses it's residual magnatism after sitting for long periods.

 

[kelpaso1]

There are a couple ways to do it. I have had luck plugging in a corded drill to the gen outlet and while the gen is running, pull the trigger on the drill and spin the chuck as fast as you can by hand. This causes a back-flow of energy to the stater to make it start charging again. Just be careful when doing this because if it works the drill will power up and twist your hand off.

 

[kelpaso1]

Also the carb is still dirty if it is hunting and won't run right if you have to keep the choke on. = starving for fuel/ vacuum leak.

 

[tcianci]

I agree about the carb. It makes me wonder if that’s not part of the problem. I read somewhere that this thing is supposed to run at 5K rpm’s and it doesn’t seem to be turning that quick. Are you guys sure that reflashing works on inverter type generators?

 

[kelpaso1]

Apparently re-flashing does not work on Inverter gens and may cause damage. I've never done it on one and now I know. I found this.

http://www.yamahaef2000is.com/conventional_generator_vs_inverter_generator.html

Here is the difference between an older tech Generator and your model...
Old generators were simple, and the windings connected directly to the output. This generator's windings are connected to a rectifier which is fed into the inverter, which in turn generates the 110V output desired.
The advantage with this new tech is that the engine speed will not alter the phase of the generated power, the disadvantage is that now there is added complexity.

By plugging in the drill and manually turning it, you are forcing a voltage into the output of the inverter. This could very well damage the inverter (further). Do NOT try the 3 lightbulb method.
I am unsure on your mechanical/electrical skills, but you should start from the ground up... If you have voltage on the windings that feed to the inverter, then you know the inverter is at fault. (Or something else between the windings and the output)
Otherwise, we will need to take a crack at the inverter and find out why it is not taking the messy electricity from the motor and converting it to a nice clean usable 100V AC supply.

Edit: You are dealing with potentially lethal electronics. ANY work you do should be done with a spotter, and ideally researched prior to help prevent mishaps. No one on the internet is liable if you hurt yourself!

 

[Rmasters3]

There's a blurb in the Users Manual I believe, might have seen it online somewhere, saying the unit is designed for the gas tank to be full when starting. I suspect that has to do with gravity and pressurizing the tank (replacing gas tank air with gasoline). I also saw an online post saying that when starting after have been sitting for some time, the primer bulb needed to be pressed many time (50?) which operates the fuel pump and pressurizes the fuel tank. Less tank air would probably reduce this.

The primer bulb works differently than many others as it operates the vacuum powered fuel pump filling the carburetor bowl. The bowl float will close preventing flooding.

 

[Bretny]

Im sure after a year you have figured something out but i read you have "punky" fuel hoses and a fuel problem.

This is a 1yr old googyear fuel hose off my log splitter. Fuel completed destroyed the inside of the hose. Yes it is a fuel/oil hose and not a vacuum line. I use urthane blue timted fuel hose now. I can see fuel flow and this wont happen.

 

[crucible]

Im sure after a year you have figured something out but i read you have "punky" fuel hoses and a fuel problem.

This is a 1yr old googyear fuel hose off my log splitter. Fuel completed destroyed the inside of the hose. Yes it is a fuel/oil hose and not a vacuum line. I use urthane blue timted fuel hose now. I can see fuel flow and this wont happen.

Wow

 

[MikeJ]

Have owned this Honeywell generator for 10 years and only thing I have done to it is rerouted and shortened gas line. Never added a primer bulb but I give 1or 2 pulls then wait about 30 seconds and one more pull it starts , and I don’t use too regularly.