Honda EU 10i: a perfect backup for the Victron MultiPlus-II 24/3000/70-32

In our trailers and vehicles I prefer 24V 8s batteries, as the price-weight-power triangle of our Eve 280Ah cells is hard to match. With a gross weight of roughly 55kg we get a nominal “capacity” of 7168Wh. Even at a low cell voltage of 2.7V we can still get more than 2400W (3000VA) out of the battery. Exactly what a Victron MultiPlus-II 24/3000/70-32 (or any 3000VA inverter/charger for that matter) can deliver.

The Honda EU 10i has a sustained output of 900W which equates to roughly 3.9A at 230V. Now, this is not too interesting by itself.

However, the minimum AC current input of the MultiPlus is 3.6A. So, exactly within the range of the Honda EU 10i. A 5000VA inverter for example, would drain the generator with its minimum input of 4.6A+. And with its fuel tank capacity of 2.1l it runs nearly 4h on full load. Which in turn means, I can charge our 24V 8s battery about 50% without refueling.

Note: ideally we would charge it from 25% up to 75% SoC.

So, for me this generator is the ideal backup when I am away without any EV station nearby. With its 13kg and small form factor (and price) there is always a place in my vehicles where I can put it.

And as a side benefit: when I run the generator along with the inverter I can generate up to 3300W (or over 14A). That is: run my oven and boil potatoes at the same time …

And the generator even makes sense when combined with a Victron MultiPlus Compact 24/1600/40-16 (or its 12V counterpart). They are the smallest inverters/chargers in that power range. They strong enough to run a coffee machine or immersion water heater, but are not pwoerful enough to run a full 2000W appliance. However, in combination with the Honda, they just reach 2180W. Of course, charging a 24V 8s battery with a “Compact” device takes much longer, due to its smaller charger.

Twitter – Honda EU 10i in action
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Author: Ronald Rink

I am a senior auditor, consultant and architect at d-fens for business processes and information systems.

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