Parallel connecting Generators?

[ponytug]

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.

Not the way these are designed. If one drops off, the other will too, breakers will pop, as the resulting load is too much. Identical units paralleled are used all the time.

All the best,

Peter

 

[orezok]

Over on the RV forums a number of posts indicate than generators from the same manufacturer but different outputs will sync without problems. Also noted that each generator runs at the same percentage of its design load thereby not overloading the lesser generator. There are even posts of people syncing gens of different manufactures. YMMV

 

[workinonit]

Not the way these are designed. If one drops off, the other will too, breakers will pop, as the resulting load is too much. Identical units paralleled are used all the time.

All the best,

Peter

Thus my follow-up post. Motoring generators that aren't designed to be a motor is quite catastrophic. Especially when they are north of 500 MW.

 

[the old grind]

Haven't I seen 'control boxes' for paralleling gens? IIRC they were for pairing the same model(s). If the well pump is jet/shallow-well/convertible I'd look for a 220v wiring option or a replacement. (Too much starting amperage needed at 120v.) BTDT with 3700w and 2500w (surge rating) we failed a 1/2 hp sump pump w/o maker-prescribed 'compatibility'.

btw, IMO Honda generators are over-priced and worth every penny.

 

[ponytug]

Haven't I seen 'control boxes' for paralleling gens? IIRC they were for pairing the same model(s). If the well pump is jet/shallow-well/convertible I'd look for a 220v wiring option or a replacement. (Too much starting amperage needed at 120v.) BTDT with 3700w and 2500w (surge rating) we failed a 1/2 hp sump pump w/o maker-prescribed 'compatibility'.

btw, IMO Honda generators are over-priced and worth every penny.

Yes, they typically allow you to have one higher amperage outlet from the two smaller generators. There are lots, generally specific to the brand and model generator.

@dragoneggs FWIW: I notice that Westinghouse signed off on paralleling a 1500W and a 4500W generator here.

All the best,

Peter

 

[LittleBill21]

it works, they don't always share the load equally, but there is no issue. rv guys do it all the time.

 

[newbury]

Yes, they typically allow you to have one higher amperage outlet from the two smaller generators. There are lots, generally specific to the brand and model generator.

@dragoneggs FWIW: I notice that Westinghouse signed off on paralleling a 1500W and a 4500W generator here.

All the best,

Peter

Good find!

 

[caver]

My old plant motored a 600MW generator for many minutes.