GENERATOR QUESTIONS FOR YOU EXPERT ELECTRICIANS

[TBone]

You can parallel some inverter generators but they still dont make 240v...its also not worth killing two expensive well running generators for a few welds.

You are right. I'd hate to kill my two little generators. Would be cheaper to hire a welder. I just emailed Champion but I've got a feeling you and others are correct (as usual).

 

[SPYDERLK]

I was "dreaming" about that option (notion)..theoretically seems possible for solid state generators or synchronous generators, but are most gennys these types? But do most generators have 'slippage" (like a squirrel cage induction motor) that would make synchronizing them VERY hard?

It would take continuous sampling and correction. The inverter gens can do this electronically if the optional circuitry is included. The only "ganging" of outputs Iv seen is parallel - - you can get twice as much 120V. ... But I would think they could be ganged for 240V in the same active correcting manner, except instead of keeping them in phase the servo would be designed to keep them 180 degrees out of phase.

 

[CobyRupert]

It would take continuous sampling and correction. The inverter gens can do this electronically if the optional circuitry is included. The only "ganging" of outputs Iv seen is parallel - - you can get twice as much 120V. ... But I would think they could be ganged for 240V in the same active correcting manner, except instead of keeping them in phase the servo would be designed to keep them 180 degrees out of phase.

yes....but...
I "think" it's a whole lot easier to keep them in phase as I think one genny may "push or pull" the other genny to stay in phase and share/balance the load; if one genny wants to "drive" it's increased share of the load will slow it back to where the other genny synchs back up, sort of self correcting (...I'm not describing this well).

....but the electronics and controls to keep them exactly 180 degrees out of phase would be orders of magnitude more complex as there's no self correction.

 

[nyone]

Great idea but I keep the generators at my house and my tractor is out on the remote property.

Tractors arnt the only way to load things in a truck. Engine hoist, ramps, chain hoist and plent of other methods.

What are you welding at the remote property? I also own aremote piece of land but made **** sure my little 3500w generator could produce 240v, it does and is one of very few of its kind.

 

[RNeumann]

There is a way to get two generators "speaking the same language". and share their output

The trick involves a lightbulb. I've only read about the method. Details will need to come from others sources.

This won’t work for the OP because of the inverter style generator. But it should help explain a bit about phases and why 120v AC plus 120v AC doesn’t equal 240v. In the USA, our power 120v/240v split phase to most homes. Larger commercial projects get into 3 phase. Anyway here you go-


Synchronizing AC generators -- Part 1 (introduction and sync lamps) - YouTube

 

[grsthegreat]

a paralleling kit would only produce 120 volts. you cant run 2 separate generators and get 240 reliable power. 35+ year electrician and generator installer.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Tractors arnt the only way to load things in a truck. Engine hoist, ramps, chain hoist and plent of other methods.

Agreed!!

I don't have to lift my "heavier" generator, I store it on a cart, tall enough to slide it right off the cart onto my pu or side by side.

The cart has a lower shelf for extra gas ect... The cart also has wheels on it, so I can wheel it right up to the pu...

NO heavy generator lifting for me!

SR

 

[SPYDERLK]

yes....but...
I "think" it's a whole lot easier to keep them in phase as I think one genny may "push or pull" the other genny to stay in phase and share/balance the load; if one genny wants to "drive" it's increased share of the load will slow it back to where the other genny synchs back up, sort of self correcting (...I'm not describing this well).

....but the electronics and controls to keep them exactly 180 degrees out of phase would be orders of magnitude more complex as there's no self correction.

yes .. but.. An inverter gen synthesizes the sign wave electronically from DC. The drive engines speed up only as needed to produce enuf DC power to suit demand. You would be controlling two 120VAC synthesizers. Seems an ideal setup for electronic maintenance of a chosen phase relationship between two outputs; whether shifted or not. :confused3:

 

[Industrial Toys]

You could always get a transformer, but it might cost you more than the generators. I got a transformer for a generator that only made 110.

 

[RNeumann]

You could always get a transformer, but it might cost you more than the generators. I got a transformer for a generator that only made 110.

Most transformers just step the voltage. To make split phase 240v that won’t work. Some stuff will run on single phase 240v (like a gen made for Europe etc) but not everything.