Parallel connecting Generators?

[dragoneggs]

I have an older Honda EU3000iS and just bought a EU2200i. I have heard that some folks have mated dissimilar models but of course Honda says don't do it. Anyone have experience doing this?

Someone said to just take a short 110v 3 prong extension cord and cut the female end off and replace with another male end. Not the safest setup but I suppose if you plug them into both gens before powering them up, it's supposed to work.

 

[ponytug]

I don't know how Honda designed the inverter section, but from an electronic perspective, I could see that the weaker inverter would have trouble matching the response of the larger.

I am sure that you could make it work, though I think that the shielded Banana plugs are a safer route.

If you are worried about it, why not trade your EU2000i in for a 3000, or just use them to power different groups of circuits? I.e. why run the risk?

All the best,

Peter

 

[Roadworthy]

I've not done it. It may work, it may not work, or your could destroy one or both generators. If they're perfectly in phase you can parallel them and still retain 120 volts out with increased current capability. Even starting in phase are you SURE both generators are running at precisely 60 hertz? Will they lock onto each other so they stay in phase? I have enough questions I wouldn't try it though the newer inverter type generators are supposed to parallel just fine.

 

[check]

I don't know how Honda designed the inverter section, but from an electronic perspective, I could see that the weaker inverter would have trouble matching the response of the larger.

I am sure that you could make it work, though I think that the shielded Banana plugs are a safer route.

If you are worried about it, why not trade your EU2000i in for a 3000, or just use them to power different groups of circuits? I.e. why run the risk?

All the best,

Peter

Hey, Peter, that gives me an idea that I hadn’t thought of before. We have an automatic standby generator that we installed more recently, but also a generator subpanel that we installed when we built the place. So, I could have two generators running at the same time, powering different circuits!

 

[dragoneggs]

My EU2200i is new and for the road. At 47lbs I now have the portability easily taking it with me. My 3000 stays home because it weighs 130lb, but isn't quite enough power for extended power outages. I have it wired to a mechanical interlock on my service panel so it is not easy to run a second genny on separate circuits without fussing with extension cords thus the want for a parallel set up.

If I can't sync them I will probably sell the 3000 and get another 2200. This will give me 4400watts and enough for my water well pump startup surge.

 

[grsthegreat]

My EU2200i is new and for the road. At 47lbs I now have the portability easily taking it with me. My 3000 stays home because it weighs 130lb, but isn't quite enough power for extended power outages. I have it wired to a mechanical interlock on my service panel so it is not easy to run a second genny on separate circuits without fussing with extension cords thus the want for a parallel set up.

If I can't sync them I will probably sell the 3000 and get another 2200. This will give me 4400watts and enough for my water well pump startup surge.

Is your water pump 120volts? I guess they make them, but i personally have never seen a 120v well pump.

paralleling generators will not create 240 volts.

 

[sandman2234]

I have an older Honda EU3000iS and just bought a EU2200i. I have heard that some folks have mated dissimilar models but of course Honda says don't do it. Anyone have experience doing this?

Someone said to just take a short 110v 3 prong extension cord and cut the female end off and replace with another male end. Not the safest setup but I suppose if you plug them into both gens before powering them up, it's supposed to work.

David from jax

 

[ponytug]

These Honda inverter generators are designed to be paralleled from the get go. So, there is no concern about phase matching or frequency alignment. The digital controls do it automatically.

The only issue is whether they can load share reasonably between a 3kW and a 2kW version. I have never seen it done, but that doesn't mean it isn't doable, hence @dragoneggs original post.

To @grsthegreat's point about wells, yes these generators only do 120V. My pumps are all 240V. That is why I personally didn't buy them, much as I think that they are great generators in every dimension except cost. The only 240V parallel generators I know of were each 240V to begin with, and paralleled the old fashion way by aligning frequencies, synchronizing them, and then at the moment of synchrony, connecting them in parallel. (Except for the Northern Tool Powerhorse 7000, which can be mostly (I believe that you don't get full wattage in parallel, limited by the 14-50 outlet))

All the best,

Peter

 

[workinonit]

Not to mention the fact that if one generator shuts down during all of this you will motor it with the other generator probably destroying both.

 

[workinonit]

You will at the very least trip some circuit breakers.