Generator parallel connect two generators

eteagle · Oct 25, 2003

Want to parallel connect two honda 3000i gensets but Honda wants $275 for cable. It looks simple to make a cable that remains polarized. Am I wrong? Any advice?

Thanks

Ernie

have_blue · Oct 25, 2003

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Ernie,

Sounds crazy expensive!

Take a hard look at the cables and make your own. I bet you could do it for $60-$70.

Get the best cables and terminals, keep everything clean and bright, and do a good job on attaching any terminals. It's not rocket science. 120v is very forgiving. 12v cables and connectors are much harder to install maintain.

chim · Oct 25, 2003

Better do some serious research on this one. We had problems paralleling a pair of generators even though we had "factory experts" and computerized controls. If they aren't in phase with each other bad things happen. Ordinarily generators are paralleled when you can't get one generator that is large enough. Does your situation allow you to simple feed some loads with the one genset and other loads with the other genset?....................chim

DavidJ · Oct 25, 2003

If you can actually get your hands on the setup to look at it might be worth while making your own.

Running gensets parallel can cause problems. They tend to buck each other. If all that's required is cabling then you won't have a problem but if any elecronics are involved you'll have to fabricate those as well.

Slamfire · Oct 25, 2003

To keep paralleled generators from hunting you need a built in device called speed droop. This allows a decrease in frequency between speed no load, and full load. 5% is pretty standard in the utility industry.
Does this Honda cable include a device for checking the generator's phasing? If it does it sounds pretty cheap to mel.

paulBurns · Oct 25, 2003

When I first saw this thread I thought that a lot of misinfomation would be coming. I'm quiet impressed with the knowledgeable answers in reply. In fact I would never have thought of anyine mentioning "Speed Droop" and it cannot be explained in a few words that for sure. Keep up the goood work.
From an old generating plant operator in Tn.!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

cbh · Oct 25, 2003

The Honda "i" series of generators are different than others, they use an electronic inverter to produce AC power. They are pre-designed to allow connecting two units in parallel to double the power output. I believe the cable is nothing special, except the connectors may not be readily available elsewhere. I had a Honda 1000i that I used where I needed a very quiet generator (condo). The inverter allows the engine to automatically modulate speed in proportion to load demand, without affecting the voltage or frequency. Mine worked great and was amazingly quiet, compact, and fuel efficient. The only downside, besides cost, was the limited wattage and 120 volts only.

Slamfire · Oct 26, 2003

Just another old System Control Operator in TN. I thought I'd better mention it, can't run paralleled without it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I wasn't aware we were talking about an asynchronous tie here. Excuse me!