Honda Engines has expanded its future of electrics with the launch of the Honda eGX, an advanced electrified power unit and the company’s first battery-powered motor designed to be incorporated into OEM power equipment products for indoor and outdoor use. The new Honda eGX is the world’s first Honda GX-quality commercial motor that can be interchanged with a Honda GX internal combustion engine on selected outdoor power equipment, according to the American Honda Motor Co. Inc. unit.
Honda designed its new motor for OEMs the heavy-duty industry who want to provide battery-powered options to their customers. Honda engineering and testing, coupled with quality manufacturing and system integration, is meant to give OEMs easy entry to the battery-powered market without investing in the engineering and funding required to develop their own motors. The initial applications for the Honda eGX are for rammers (model GXE2.0S) power trowels and vibratory plate compactors (model GXE2.0H) used in the construction industry; future applications are projected to include hydraulic power units and compressors. Additionally, a number of other commercial applications are being tested in various market segments, the company reports.
The new Honda eGX was designed not just for OEMs but also to meet the needs of power equipment owners and equipment operators. The battery-powered motor was engineered to closely meet the rugged, durable performance output of the venerable Honda GX100 and Honda GX120 engines, with reduced vibration and noise and no need for fuel, oil, or AC power.
The new motor also has a comparable shaft, mounting position and footprint as the Honda GX100 and Honda GX120 models with internal combustion engines. Further, the dimensions of the Honda eGX and the Honda GX100 and Honda GX120 are comparable, allowing the Honda eGX to be conveniently and easily mounted into OEM rammers and vibratory plate compactors (as well as other applications) designed to house either of the Honda GX engines.
The sealed Honda eGX motor and battery pack are dust and water resistant, making them practical for use in harsh, heavy duty environments. For equipment owners, the electric motor and battery pack provide greater versatility, allowing what had been solely outdoor power equipment to be used inside. The Honda advanced electrified power unit allows for expanded work hours and eliminates costly routine servicing needs and downtime for repairs of internal combustion engine products, Honda touts.
The user can turn the motor on and off with a simple switch, while color-coded lights indicate on/off power status (green), battery life status (orange) and trouble status (red). Each battery pack is topped with an easy grip holder, giving the user quick access to a secure grip when handling and swapping batteries to and from the charger.
“The Honda Vision for 2030 encompasses creating and ensuring the joys of helping people make their lives better. The new Honda eGX is aligned with this vision, representing the Honda R&D strategy to balance technological innovation, performance and environmental sustainability in Honda products and operations,” said William Walton, Vice President, Honda Power Equipment. “With this new, advanced electrified power unit, Honda is supporting OEMs in commercial markets in their efforts to meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards while expanding their portfolios with strategic developments such as developing more battery powered products; enhancing service offerings; and expansion, collaboration and partnerships with customers and suppliers.”
Technical details
Running at 3000 to 3600 rpm, the 2 kW class motor features internal and external cooling fans to dissipate heat. The integrated motor, power drive unit (PDU) and battery pack incorporate rubber mounts that absorb vibration resulting in less operator fatigue and longer product life. In the separated type, the motor is compatible for use on rammer products. The motor’s PDU incorporates a silicone seal and durable condenser that contribute to resistance to water, dust and vibration for reliability and high output. The Honda eGX also meets IEC62841-1 compliance.
Because the Honda eGX can sustain a wide range of temperature conditions, it can be used in virtually all seasons. The motor can be optimally operated at temperatures ranging from -15 to 40◦ C (5 to 104◦ F) and optimally stored at -5 to 30◦ C (23 to 86◦ F). The battery can be optimally charged from 5 to 30◦ C (41 to 86◦ F).
The new Honda eGX is backed by Honda dependability: the motor has a three-year commercial warranty; the lithium-ion battery pack and charger come with a two-year commercial warranty. More information about eGX pricing will be accessible via Honda Engine distributors when the product goes on sale to OEMs in late summer 2021.