Yes you can. These little banana plugs connect directly to the regular plugs internally. I would try a couple plugs and try to find a really tight fitting one and use those for your setup.
Cant wait to try this! The reason why its correct to use a 30 amp breaker is because the wire is rated at 30 amps. Even though the generator output is under 30 amps, if for some reason there was a short, the breaker protects the wire from catching fire and not the generator. The generator has its own protection against overloading and will turn off its output if it was overloaded.
Btw, I just looked up the shop manual online - you can download it for free. It confirms what you say - the parallel ports connect directly to the live and neutral wires. You are brilliant!
Also, keep in mind, that the Honda Cables are of such a gauge wire that you can parallel 2 EU3000i generators also, for 6000 watts peak. if you pair a set of EU2000i , you should understand they are designed to run 1600 watts continously, 2000 watts peak, for only up to 30 minutes. So a set of Eu2000i's will give 3200 watts continuous running. The factory Honda cables will flow a heck of a lot of amps.
Continued: But you are supposed to have both machines plugged together before you start either generator. If you go to the US site: honda power equipment . com you can view the US version of the owners manual and it talks a little about it. The banana plugs just make it as safe as possible.
Makes sense. Yeah, let me know if you do it and how it goes. The price on the banana plugs went up so I do suggest just splitting the basic Honda parallel cables.
Thank you for answering my questions! I have some more inquiries for you if you’re game? Awhile back I made the parallel cable box with the 30 amp push button breaker for two 2000i generators. The feed from that box was a female twist lock NEMA L14-30R 125/250v. The female twist locked into my panel power inlet male NEMA L14-30 125/250v- 4 prongs. Knowing that I would only energize one bus with 120volts, I bridged L1 and L2 to get 125 volts on both buses. I did this in order to avoid moving breakers around to one bus. It worked great. As you know one generator was stolen and I opted to upgrade and still parallel. Now I have two 3500 inverter generators that I found can use the Honda parallel cables to sync. In our last communication you said to change out the existing 30amp to a 50 amp push button breaker in the existing box. Q- I think I should change out the 30 amp cable and plug on the box to a 50 amp 125/250v #6-4 conductor cable with a 50 amp female twist lock? Q- If I am right my power inlet would be a twist lock male of the same pin and cable configuration going from there into my panel? Q- in the panel the existing generator lock separates a double pole 30 amp breaker. I imagine I should change that to a double pole 50 amp breaker and wire the new cable into it? Q- Last one. If this all sounds sound, would I have energize both buses or should I bridge L1 and L2 to do so?
Yeah its a mid 90's Coleman 13500 BTU. Running with fan on high is 13.6Amps total. Startup on my gauge is around 16amps(1920 watts). If they are on eco mode they take 2-4 seconds after being bogged down to produce enough current to start the AC. Eco mode is really hard on your AC and Gennys.
you said it didn't matter which way you hook up the purchased parallel cables. I listened to, hooked them up. like you said and it toasted my EU1000. IT DOES MATTER HOW YOU HOOK THEM UP! Thanks alot doude!
There is special circuitry that Honda has put into these generators to be able to do this. A standard generator would never sync the frequencies quit right. Thanks for watching.
I am revisiting this video. We had very long power outages with hurricane sandy. I have a yamaha generator that produces 2000 watts, not enough to run the well pump. But this generator, like yours, is a gas sipper (12 hours per gallon) with the idle up technology, and is so light that I like the idea of attaching two together for 4000 peak watts. I am pretty sure that would run the well pump. Yamaha sells the cable for about 90 dollars.
Thanks - you have saved me a huge trip - minimum three days and over the price of a new genset! I will buy the Canadian units, have a warranty, and build some kind of parallel system similar to what you have. I appreciate that you have taken the trouble to look into this so well, and to put up a video of how you built your kit. It is well thought out and easy to follow. All the best!
IF you're talking about hooking it into you house, you can put and adapter on. You should have TWO-110v-120v lines coming into your breaker box. So half the house stuff is on one and the other is on the other half and when tied together you get 220v-240v. So if you made an adapter only half the items in you breaker box would have power. You could tie the two strips together in the adapter and supply power to both sides but I am not sure what your 220v appliances would do if powered on?.... cont.
“I took them apart at the store.” 😂. So you’re the guy who’s opening the sealed boxes and messing with the merchandise! 😂. Great video. My next project.
In my motorhome the only reason I pair these is to run the AC. I have a Deep cycle battery and a small inverter to run TV's and other smaller devices but I need to buy a bigger inverter for the microwave. Those eu1000 are really nice and light units.
They could be permanently damaged if they are synced while running (according to Honda). They only sync when both wires are connected ( ground doesn't matter). Theoretically you could get a 240v out of 2 units but they would be out of sync could damage whatever you are running. Yes you could use a male - male cable and use the 20a breakesr in the unit.The only thing is that it is a safety concern if 1 plug comes unplugged as it will be live.
I see you had the generators on a clean spot. But just so that other people know, those generators air intake is on the bottom, so if you are going to run them on grass/dirt/shells/leaves, etc, then you need a them on a concrete pad or plywood to keep them clean on the inside.
I took it apart to see. There are several people on google that show the standard plug method I describe. I wanted to see if it was that simple and it is. I just looked at Europe's 50hz 2000w models and they also allow parallel. Its only Canada and your electrical code with this size(the 1000 watt Canadian model is parallel capable).
Let me know how you fair. The banana plugs are tricky to find. Especially the male shielded ones(if they're not shielded they are unsafe like the plugs). I would suggest buying the $40 parallel cables(I show at the beginning of the video) and cutting them apart to make your kit.
No. They are just a way of making a shielded connection. The banana plugs have a plastic sheath on them so if one end is plugged into one machine and the other end is not, you won't get electrocuted On the USA versions the wires from the banana plug connects directly to the Hot and Neutral on the outlet. So you could use a male plug to male plug to parallel them it is just a little dangerous. If one end gets unplugged it is live and can electrocute someone, so be careful.
I have plugged 2 running generators together and one will make a ZIPPP sound as they try to sync (not Honda recommended). I doesn't sound good. But I don't see how plugging a running one into a non running one would affect anything. Honda recommends connecting them. Then starting 1 then the other. The only thing that concerns me is the load. I would make sure both are off "eco throttle" during the swap but I don't see why a uninterrupted swap wouldn't work.
I have a few links to various parts in the video description along with a brand new parallel kit that will give you full capacity out of your generators for barely more than I built this one for.
+sixtyfiveford i have a harbor freight predator 4000 have been trying to parallel it so i can get the full 26 amps out of it do you have any suggestions thanks for any help you can give
+sixtyfiveford ok thanks there is a guy on here saying you have 2 coils and that you can rewire the generator to pot the coils in phase not sure what he is doing thanking about putting a step down converter on it so i pull from both coils to keep the load even
Yes you can easily do that. It is just dangerous because if one comes unplugged it is live with the male terminals exposed. I know that Canada electrical code has the twinning banned, so the use of 2 male plugs is the only way. The way that they are wired internally is: the banana plug wires go directly to the 120v outlet. Nothing fancy.
I like this a lot. I have a Companion as a side-kick for my regular Honda so I don't need it, but my friend sure can use this info. Just a thought. Why solder and not wire nuts? I have never soldered 120v connections, only wire nutted them. Just to add some a tip, you could use a 120v/30a regular plug in a 4X4 j-box. That way you can do a one-stop shopping at Home Depot (unless they sell those adapter pigtails.
The reason I went with a pigtail vs a fixed outlet is flexibility of the adapter and weather resistance. Soldering is a permanent attachment of wire where corrosion from moisture wont affect it. Wire nuts are very poor in fixtures that move or used in outdoor environments.
sixtyfiveford Maybe it's because I live in California, but we have never soldered a/c connections, even in out parking lot light fixtures or roof mounted yard lights in our distribution center with 277v/460v fixtures. You make a good point, and I would add the wire nuts on those soldered wires then shrink-tube them. The flexible pig tail makes a lot of sense. I used your video for a friend who needed a guide for parallel matching his two EU2000i gensets. Thanks for your response! You made an excellent video.
I just checked my old invoice and I actually bought them from Mouser . It doesn't matter what side they get plugged into so I just went all black. Shipping from them was under $5. Use item number 565-6729-0 or 565-6729-2. It should run you about $25 shipped.
No, just 120v at double the amps. The circuitry automatically aligns the sine waves from both generators. There has been talk on forums and stuff for people trying to crack the computer in one of the generators so the sine waves are opposite which would make 240 volt but I haven't heard of anybody being able to do it.
Thanks man. I bought 2 of the A-iPower SC2000i from Costco. The Yamaha made generators. I took them back twice. Getting them now I know that the parallel cables they come with melt or just ain't large enough gauge wire to hold up when running the AC on our camper. I wont use the factory cables this time. I was looking around on TH-cam and found you. I'll look for the link for the banana plugs/connectors and make my own out of 10 gauge wire. I think that will do the trick and make a box like you did. Thanks!
Pretty much any banana plugs work, however the ones I used have shrouds on them so you can't physically touch them with your finger. This is what the oem manufacturers use so if the cables are only plugged into one running unit you can't shock yourself. They were not easy or cheap to find. Since I did the video a lot of cheaper solutions have come out and most people go the route of something like this amzn.to/31RIrqp
It would be a good idea to point out that if you use the Factory Honda cable kit to synch the generators, you still need to add another 12 ga ground (green wire) to the junction box, to the green wire on the female receptacle, as is done in your original 3 wire version as shown here..
yes, they do... green is ground, red goes and plugs in on the right, black goes in and plugs on the left, per the Honda Instructions. Red on the Honda Cable is Neutral, and goes to the white cable on the 30 amp plug, green goes to greens, and black goes from honda cable to the line side of the breaker, and the 30 amp female goes to the load side of the circuit. breaker. Both greens from the honda cables need to ground to the honda chassis on each unit, and on the 30 amp RV receptacle.
Honda has put special circuitry in these to be able to parallel these. If I connected these to a home's main power then I would definitely need a grid tie to prevent power going back into the main system and electrocuting the linesmen. But as long as I just plug individual appliances into this then no grid tie is needed. Thanks for watching.
As far as the circuitry goes the female banana plugs on my generators connect directly to the hot and neutral on the outlets. The easier and cheaper version of this is to have a standard male plug inserted directly into a outlet on each machine and have those tied together with the larger outlet like I did. The only downfall to this is SAFETY. If only 1 male plug is plugged in and the other is not, the exposed metal ends are LIVE(generator running).
Cheers mate, I will definately keep you posted as my little Canada-in-particular problem sorts itself out! People should check out your other videos too. You have some great ideas for maintaining things. I love keeping old stuff running.
Yeah, they're not cheap. I originally got them from Digikey who has since upped their price. I think the best thing to do is to buy the Honda cables for $35 (ebay) and cut them.
Thanks for the quick response. It is the same as the Honda, but 2200 starting watts and 1800 continuous. The outlets have a 15 amp rating and the parallel port hook up is at 20amps.
No, I built your exact setup, but instead of the plug end that you used, I used a standard 15amp female plug. My concern was that the plug being rated at 15amp would be a little dangerous? Also, been having a hell of a time finding the correct banana plugs? Thanks
Each of your generators are rated at 18.3 amps max or 15amps constant. So if you plug into each one they will share the 30 amp load pulling 15amps from each. The Ryobis are Chinese copies of the Hondas and function virtually identically.
Thank you for respond 1. The 240 in sync does not seem to be plausible. with honda you can synchronize only same fase and reversing the fase will not be in sync. the only thing i could think off is running parallel and then quickly switching to series and reverse the fase with non inductive load. But then it's very likely that the synchronization and fase drift will result in massive internal power loss or "permanently damaged" Perhaps even with a pace maker the load will not be ballanced.
One more reason to go with a Yamaha vs the Honda and their $200+ parallel kit. Yamaha appears to use the exact same banana plugs so this kit I built would work on either a Honda or a Yamaha.
You could do 240V, but you'd need an autotransformer... Basically it's a 240V transformer with a 120V center tap (which is your neutral), and no secondary. You will get the same power, but at 240V rather than 120V, you'll have about half the current available (240V@15A rather than 120V@30A). If you wanted the same amperage (30A) available at 240V, you'd need 4x generators in parallel. With an autotransformer, one of the concerns is to keep the phase splits balanced so you don't burn up the transformer - this would mean you'd run one generator on the low 120V tap, one generator on the low and one on the high tap, or two on the high and two on the low taps. Getting close to a full 240V@50A would mean you need 6x generators, three on the high tap three on the low tap.
Instructions clearly says left to left, right to right for the parallel cables so it does mater which one u plug it in specially in your application. Even if the gen will figure it out when you cross the cables it will not figure out the output on your plug and you might be switching neutral with hot and don't even know it. Why don't you get voltage meter and check it out a little.
So you're basically shorting the two hot wires from each generator together (at the fuse)... but the generators have circuitry that synchronizes the cycles on each generator??? ..and the output is 220V?
Good idea, I was thinking of doing the same thing in my trailer; it is only on occasion that peak power is needed. What wattage inverter did you go with, what brand too?
Very neat work. Unfortunately I am in Canada, where the same model does not have the parallel ability due to some Canaian CSA rule. It would be an ordeal to go to the states to buy a pair, not to mention the warranty issue. I was just thinking, what are the chances that the circuitry, right down to the plugs, is actually in the Canadian version, and that all we'd have to do to make it work is to install female banana plugs into the facia, connected to the circuit board. Any ideas?
What are the specs, and make and amp draw of your current A/C unit on your travel trailer? I assume about 13500 BTU, which if you double that, pulls about 27 Amps at start up? Depends on if it's efficient or not. I understand it's better to keep the generators in regular mode, not eco mode, when starting and running the A/C unit, due to the voltage possibly dropping, along with spiking the amps upwards?
I also noticed you have your battery leads just flopping around, should definitely cap that hot lead in or you could spark up a nice fire in your battery compartment. just a thought, im thinking if the wiring is connected thru a master aux switch then should be fine. better safe then on fire..
If I paralleled the two 3,000 watt generators together to get 48 or 49 amps and removed the 30 amp push button and installed the 50 amp push breaker would I use a #6 wire coming out of the "home made parallel kit" to a 50 amp twist lock power inlet female plug? I would imagine the wires used for the 30 amp box are too small. I have a 50 amp 125 v twist lock male power inlet box installed at the house to the panel. If so how would you wire the home made box with 4 wires instead of the three wires for 30 amp box?
Can you take two male plugs and connect each generator with the plugs or is it a different circuit set up the way you showed? I know the way i asked could be unsafe because unplugging one plug it will be live with the generators running and the other plug still plugged in.
I believe you said banana jacks tied to outlets? If so forget the jacks and use the outlets to parallel. Wonder if you could criscross the banana jacks and get 220V?
The internal circuitry automatically matches/syncs the frequencies so you'll get 120V 60hz no matter what. The phases of the 120v would have to be 180° out of phase to get 240V. Which Honda could do if they programed it to do so.
Great video. I wonder if you can turn off one of the generators after the A/C has started? Two generators are only required for the initial surge. This would save a lot of gas.
Theryl McCoy Thanks. Yes, but the AC will cycle on and off. The Hondas are pretty ingenious and generally you can place the secondary (last started) on Eco Throttle and it will idle down while the other maintains the AC. Only having 1 on Eco Throttle will generally allow the generators not to struggle on the initial surge while the AC cycles. I also have a video how to run them off an extended fuel system so you never have to refill them. th-cam.com/video/RDkL593Wbt0/w-d-xo.html
It would be helpful if you told us where you sourced this part? I see Grainger has it, not cheap, about $5.50 per plug 2 each in black and red., $22 in parts alone before shipping.
well done , smart and to the point , Unfortunately i already bought that kit from Honda to hock up my 2 generators to my RV and it is on its way... My question to you sir is that , i am in an area where we do not have the Propane gas ... would this dual hock up of both 2000 watts generators be enough to operate my whole RV (New Dutchman kodiak 20feet) including light ,air conditioner, Fridge, microwave and TV ... have a nice day
Thank you for a great video. I just purchased on Amazon parallel cable I have a question if you can tell me Will it work if one generator is EU 2000i and a second one newer version EU 2200i ? Honda says they supposed to be identical
Having read the comments below, I have a Canadian model as well. I need to get another and run them in parallel for my AC unit. So I can accomplish the same thing by just using the 110 output plugs on each generator? Simply wire as the same in your video? I understand the live plug warning, just need to remember to turn them off before handling. I'll be using a twist lock.
Great Video, thanks. I have a Honda 2000i. I want to add another but they aren't made anymore. Mine is not among that serial numbers that Honda says is compatible with the 2200i for higher voltage parallel operation. Their cable is made to use the 30 amp box on the 2200i (you won't get the combined voltage). Do you have any idea if this type of setup would work for me since I wouldn't be using the connection on the generator?
Good video. One comment. Is it safe to solder wire because if you run a heavy load like a/c , it can heat up wire and melt the solder. Fire and electrical hazard. Buy the correct size wire nuts for it is easier and safer for the family.
This would mean you are drawing too much current for the wire gauge and the wire is getting to 400+F all along its length. Heat will generate in the weakest/thinnest joint. Solder will offer a 10x better, more conductive connection than a wire nut, allowing no heat buildup there. If in the random event that the solder did heat and melt the connection would be broken and nothing would happen as they are enclosed in an insulated electrical box.
Conductivity in solder (tin plus lead) vs copper is not that much difference. Heat (wattage) is generated in the areas of higher resistance (ohms) and air confinement . The #12 solid wire is good for 20amps according to most codes but in my book stranded wire can handle about 5 more amps. Wire nuts are made to take the heat if installed properly, conductivity is about equal. The best is crimping but that is much more expense for the proper tools cost dearly . I must tell you about a insulated (meltable)box vs a metal box. Insulated boxes do not conduct out heat as good as metal boxes in outside spaces. The insulated box may protect you to a point but the ground wire / neutral wires inside can still cause a shot to the hot wires if the soldered wires would fly apart. Most codes do limit the number of wires that can be used in a confined space like a box. I always commend a double box. I think you did alright but the solder would not be my choice. Ive been in the electric field engr. work for about 45 yrs and when I look back on my first jobs I can not brag. You are a smart guy and seem interested in learning. Keep it up. That is my 2 cents worth.
Do you connect the four line black wires together and connect to one side of breaker then one black wire to load side of breaker then all white wires are all soldered together?
There will be: 3 white wires, 3 green wires and 3 black wires. 3 white wires all get soldered together 3 green wires all get soldered together 3 black wires: the 2 wires coming from the generators get soldered together. These 2 wires connect to the LINE side of the circuit breaker. The 1 remaining wire coming from the 30 amp plug connects to the LOAD side of the breaker.
Thanks for the video. In the later part you show your installation in your trailer, using two honda generator, you showed the exhaust systems. Other then yours, I have not seen a video with much detail. You showed rigid tubing. What gauge and material, od or id for the tubing and what did you use for the interface adapter. What type of flex tubing is available? Thanks again for your responses.
+Gordon Eno Flexible tubing is hard to find but obtainable. I use electrical conduit from the Home Depot. I welded a 3/4" piece to the exhaust that protrudes maybe an inch. 1/2" conduit then easily slides into this at any length I need.
Great video, thanks. Just to be sure i saw it correctly. the 2 black wires from the s.o. cord are sautered together and then sautered to one side of the circuit breaker(line) and the black from the 30 amp pig tail (load) is suatered to the other side of the breaker?
Thanks I realized that. The Honda cable has black, red, and green instead of black, white, and green. I'm going to solder green with green, but don't know where the other two wires go. Does black go with black and red goes with white or if it even matters.
Thanks for the video! Have a few questions/ideas. Will the gen sinc if you have just one wire and the ground? Probably not but if they do you could potentially get double fase (240v). Another question if can parallel with just male-male cable - then you cold use ithe 20a beakers in the unit. My third question would be about uninterrupted gen swap using parallel kit
GREAT solution! Can you give me better shopping list and where to get these parts? PLEASE! I have the stock Honda cords and didnt know I was losing AMPS, ugh!
Is there any reason you can't use the outlet 110v from each generator put in a fuse box and then to your interface connector. You wouldn't need to have a more expensive companion generator. Would this give you more output from a amperage?
+Gordon Eno Yes, you can just plug a cord into one each of the 110v outlets and connect them to get full capacity. The fear is though if one cord gets pulled out/falls out it is live with power and can electrocute someone if they touch it.
to clarify this, the male end of a plug is live, which almost never is the case and without knowing it is live youre almost guaranteed to get a good shock
So I take it the inverters synchronise? It's usually an unwise idea to think you can just "parallel" two AC power sources even if the voltage, frequency or VA rating is the same
LOL! When he brought both generators online, there was nary a hop, skip or jump. Either he was completely lucky by somehow connecting them in sync, without anything to measure it, or the generators have an controller that senses synchronization. Since he's obviously done this more than once, which do you think it is?? Do you think Honda would unleash this on the average consumer with manual sync parallel operation?
For a basic circuit you will have 3 wires: Ground, Neutral, and Hot. Ground(green): Connect all together. Neutral(White): Connect all together. Hot(Black): Connect the 2 from the generators together and then connect them to the "Line" side of the fuse. Connect the remaining black wire from the 30amp plug to the Load side of the fuse.
That's very interesting, and thanks for getting back to me. Have you measured the resistance from the banana plugs (females) on the facia's of your units to be sure that the circuitry is a direct connection to the banana plugs, or have you had the facia off to see it? If this is the case, you have solved my problem. I would probably test it by plugging males in to each end, but once I had established that it works, I would buy some female facia mount banana's to install and make it safe
sixtyfiveford made my triple parallel kit with a 50 amp plug and a 50 amp breaker. I ran two hot legs out of the breaker one to each side of the 50 amp plug. Thanks for the ideas!!!
The way you have it set up it really doesn't matter unless you want more power. If you ran 4, I would separate the 2 legs and run 2 generators per side. Or you could tie them all together and split is like you did with three. Either way you still wouldn't be able to run 240volt appliances like clothes dryers as the phases will never be out of sync correctly.
continued........ But you probably wont even try to turn them on with only the gennys running. I am sure it is against all kinds of electrical code. Just make sure you put in a transfer switch so you don't feed power back into the system and kill a Linesman.
How long run time? 50% of using time? I have a Honda 2000i but only ☝️,my RV air conditioning is quite,also only 3 to 4 hrs,not a long enough so I’m thinking about parallel,I need least 14 hrs without runout GAS.
im in canada and thy don't have the twining capability do to are c s a cods. i was just wandering why you can't plug in to the regaler 120 on each and add the ground to them and get the same thing instead of using the banana plus. making shed you don't have the hot and the neutral corset. let me know what you think? will it work or no?
They sell small 15amp outlets for campers (usually on the ones that go in the bed of the truck). Or you could get everything you need at the Home Depot and make an electrical box with a Male end coming out of your camper.
sixtyfiveford I think we are talking about two different things. If I wanted to make your setup up. Instead of your camper outlet that you have, can I just put a standard 110 wall outlet in a electrical box in place of your camper outlet.
Oh....... If you just need a standard 20amp 110 outlet, you don't need my fancy box in the middle. Just directly connect the Honda's together with a $30 dollar cable and plug into any one of the outlets on the Honda. Any one of them will be a full 20 amps at 110volts when tethered. You could put a box with a 110 outlet in the middle but it is redundant.
Thanks for the video. I'm using the Honda cord and it has different colors. Can you tell me what color goes with what on the plug side. Green with green obviously, but what the red and black. Thanks in advance.
Does anyone know which one of the parallel ports on the generator is Line and which one is Neutral? I feel like you should know this if your backfeeding something so you can assure Line is going through the circuit breaker and not your Neutral no?
+sixtyfiveford I did some testing, and the while looking at the parallel ports the left is Neutral, and the right is Hot. Looking at the wiring diagram I would think this matters quite a bit with the way you've designed your junction box in a back feeding situation. Wouldn't want your hot tied to your house or RV ground/neutral wires.
I've pulled apart a few commercial available units sold in stores and they are wired the same way. Neutral is hot and will shock you in a generator the same as Hot will. They are dependent on each other. The same goes for your home, if the neutral isn't grounded to earth it will shock you and be live. Honda themselves don't care which port you plug into and when you use their parallel wires you can plug hot into neutral or hot into hot or any combination as there is no difference with an isolated power source.
I have a Generac 2000 w and have a situation where I camp and can get a 110V circuit but neither the generator or 110v circuit can run my ac alone so I was thinking of using the Generac parallel kit using the generator and 110v circuit as inputs. Do you think that would work? Seems that the Hondas dont need a special kit, maybe the Generac does not either.
I've seen the eu series Honda parallel to a high quality DC power inverter and assume the Generac IQ2000 uses the same technology. The main concern when you talk connecting power from a land source and then from a generator is back feeding power into the system. So if the breaker was shut off or the power goes out, electricity is still being fed into the power lines from your generator. Lineman or individuals can be hurt from unknowingly working on their equipment. I assume your 110v line is limited to a 15amp breaker? Do you have access to a 220V line?
The 110v line is protected by a 15 amp breaker and no there is no 220 available. I am aware of the backfeed problem and would not use this setup unsupervised. My concern was the generator and shore power being in phase, not even sure that would be a problem but it could be potentially. I was an electrical contractor and thinking this thru I cannot see why it wouldn't work.
The generators are designed to sync the phase. So if you have two generators the first one started is the boss and the second one started syncs to it's phase. The same should work with shore power where it is the boss and the generator syncs to it. So you just need to plug the parallel kit in first so the generator sees the shore power, then start it.
On a side note, if it is a standard breaker, you could up it to a 20 amp(depending on the wiring coming into it) to allow for the momentary power surge. If you have an older AC unit you can also install a start kit on it(around $20) and that helps some with easier starting with lower power.
How did you synchronize the two AC sine wave outputs from the two generators so that the power of the output AC sine wave equals the summed power of the two input AC sine waves. Efficiently combining AC currents is trickier than for DC currents. If the inputs are not in phase power will be lost. I'm not saying it won't run run RV A/C but it's not the best way to do it. Cheaper yes but not the best.
nice one! The weather proof box is good.. but no watertight connectors for the cables.. usually when your using a generator (besides construction and camping) the wether is bad...that can be a problem if the box gets wet..but nice video
Yes you can. These little banana plugs connect directly to the regular plugs internally. I would try a couple plugs and try to find a really tight fitting one and use those for your setup.
Cant wait to try this!
The reason why its correct to use a 30 amp breaker is because the wire is rated at 30 amps. Even though the generator output is under 30 amps, if for some reason there was a short, the breaker protects the wire from catching fire and not the generator. The generator has its own protection against overloading and will turn off its output if it was overloaded.
Btw, I just looked up the shop manual online - you can download it for free. It confirms what you say - the parallel ports connect directly to the live and neutral wires. You are brilliant!
Also, keep in mind, that the Honda Cables are of such a gauge wire that you can parallel 2 EU3000i generators also, for 6000 watts peak. if you pair a set of EU2000i , you should understand they are designed to run 1600 watts continously, 2000 watts peak, for only up to 30 minutes. So a set of Eu2000i's will give 3200 watts continuous running.
The factory Honda cables will flow a heck of a lot of amps.
Continued: But you are supposed to have both machines plugged together before you start either generator. If you go to the US site: honda power equipment . com you can view the US version of the owners manual and it talks a little about it. The banana plugs just make it as safe as possible.
Makes sense.
Yeah, let me know if you do it and how it goes. The price on the banana plugs went up so I do suggest just splitting the basic Honda parallel cables.
Thank you for answering my questions!
I have some more inquiries for you if you’re game?
Awhile back I made the parallel cable box with the 30 amp push button breaker for two 2000i generators. The feed from that box was a female twist lock NEMA L14-30R 125/250v. The female twist locked into my panel power inlet male NEMA L14-30 125/250v- 4 prongs. Knowing that I would only energize one bus with 120volts, I bridged L1 and L2 to get 125 volts on both buses. I did this in order to avoid moving breakers around to one bus. It worked great.
As you know one generator was stolen and I opted to upgrade and still parallel. Now I have two 3500 inverter generators that I found can use the Honda parallel cables to sync. In our last communication you said to change out the existing 30amp to a 50 amp push button breaker in the existing box.
Q- I think I should change out the 30 amp cable and plug on the box to a 50 amp 125/250v #6-4 conductor cable with a 50 amp female twist lock?
Q- If I am right my power inlet would be a twist lock male of the same pin and cable configuration going from there into my panel?
Q- in the panel the existing generator lock separates a double pole 30 amp breaker. I imagine I should change that to a double pole 50 amp breaker and wire the new cable into it?
Q- Last one. If this all sounds sound, would I have energize both buses or should I bridge L1 and L2 to do so?
You should just hire an electrician and go fuddle with something made out of wood
Yeah its a mid 90's Coleman 13500 BTU. Running with fan on high is 13.6Amps total. Startup on my gauge is around 16amps(1920 watts). If they are on eco mode they take 2-4 seconds after being bogged down to produce enough current to start the AC. Eco mode is really hard on your AC and Gennys.
you said it didn't matter which way you hook up the purchased parallel cables. I listened to, hooked them up. like you said and it toasted my EU1000. IT DOES MATTER HOW YOU HOOK THEM UP! Thanks alot doude!
There is special circuitry that Honda has put into these generators to be able to do this. A standard generator would never sync the frequencies quit right. Thanks for watching.
I am revisiting this video. We had very long power outages with hurricane sandy. I have a yamaha generator that produces 2000 watts, not enough to run the well pump. But this generator, like yours, is a gas sipper (12 hours per gallon) with the idle up technology, and is so light that I like the idea of attaching two together for 4000 peak watts. I am pretty sure that would run the well pump. Yamaha sells the cable for about 90 dollars.
Definitely. The air intake is off the ground an inch or two but you still wouldn't want leaves and stuff to clog it up.
Very neat. Never heard of anyone paralleling a non Honda with a Honda.
Thanks - you have saved me a huge trip - minimum three days and over the price of a new genset! I will buy the Canadian units, have a warranty, and build some kind of parallel system similar to what you have. I appreciate that you have taken the trouble to look into this so well, and to put up a video of how you built your kit. It is well thought out and easy to follow. All the best!
You are correct. 220-240 V gennys have 2 110-120 V circuits tied together.
Wow. Thanks for the time and effort you put into this. Not only the hardware to do it, but the video editing to boot!
Good video, but I'd drop the background music. It makes it difficult to follow your commentary.
Quite Riot
IF you're talking about hooking it into you house, you can put and adapter on. You should have TWO-110v-120v lines coming into your breaker box. So half the house stuff is on one and the other is on the other half and when tied together you get 220v-240v. So if you made an adapter only half the items in you breaker box would have power. You could tie the two strips together in the adapter and supply power to both sides but I am not sure what your 220v appliances would do if powered on?.... cont.
“I took them apart at the store.” 😂. So you’re the guy who’s opening the sealed boxes and messing with the merchandise! 😂. Great video. My next project.
Hey Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
In my motorhome the only reason I pair these is to run the AC. I have a Deep cycle battery and a small inverter to run TV's and other smaller devices but I need to buy a bigger inverter for the microwave. Those eu1000 are really nice and light units.
They could be permanently damaged if they are synced while running (according to Honda). They only sync when both wires are connected ( ground doesn't matter). Theoretically you could get a 240v out of 2 units but they would be out of sync could damage whatever you are running.
Yes you could use a male - male cable and use the 20a breakesr in the unit.The only thing is that it is a safety concern if 1 plug comes unplugged as it will be live.
I see you had the generators on a clean spot.
But just so that other people know, those generators air intake is on the bottom, so if you are going to run them on grass/dirt/shells/leaves, etc, then you need a them on a concrete pad or plywood to keep them clean on the inside.
I took it apart to see. There are several people on google that show the standard plug method I describe. I wanted to see if it was that simple and it is. I just looked at Europe's 50hz 2000w models and they also allow parallel. Its only Canada and your electrical code with this size(the 1000 watt Canadian model is parallel capable).
Your the man! We are in the Virgin Islands and after two hurricanes this information is gold! Thank you thank you
I'm glad it was helpful.
Let me know how you fair. The banana plugs are tricky to find. Especially the male shielded ones(if they're not shielded they are unsafe like the plugs). I would suggest buying the $40 parallel cables(I show at the beginning of the video) and cutting them apart to make your kit.
No. They are just a way of making a shielded connection. The banana plugs have a plastic sheath on them so if one end is plugged into one machine and the other end is not, you won't get electrocuted On the USA versions the wires from the banana plug connects directly to the Hot and Neutral on the outlet. So you could use a male plug to male plug to parallel them it is just a little dangerous. If one end gets unplugged it is live and can electrocute someone, so be careful.
I have plugged 2 running generators together and one will make a ZIPPP sound as they try to sync (not Honda recommended). I doesn't sound good. But I don't see how plugging a running one into a non running one would affect anything.
Honda recommends connecting them. Then starting 1 then the other.
The only thing that concerns me is the load. I would make sure both are off "eco throttle" during the swap but I don't see why a uninterrupted swap wouldn't work.
I'm wondering if I have a eu2000i companion 30a, can I parallel with another companion or must I use a regular eu2000i ?
Yes, any of the Hondas link together just fine. Guys even join the 1000s to the 2000s and 3000s without issue.
I have a few links to various parts in the video description along with a brand new parallel kit that will give you full capacity out of your generators for barely more than I built this one for.
+sixtyfiveford i have a harbor freight predator 4000 have been trying to parallel it so i can get the full 26 amps out of it do you have any suggestions thanks for any help you can give
Sorry, but you can not get 26 amps at 120volts from one source as the two circuits are out of phase. They do this so you can get 220/240 volt output.
+sixtyfiveford ok thanks there is a guy on here saying you have 2 coils and that you can rewire the generator to pot the coils in phase not sure what he is doing thanking about putting a step down converter on it so i pull from both coils to keep the load even
Try HF $50...works also on Honda...m.harborfreight.com/rv-ready-parallel-kit-62564.html
Yes you can easily do that. It is just dangerous because if one comes unplugged it is live with the male terminals exposed. I know that Canada electrical code has the twinning banned, so the use of 2 male plugs is the only way.
The way that they are wired internally is: the banana plug wires go directly to the 120v outlet. Nothing fancy.
Thanks. They usually want an additional $200 for the companion model and you still have to buy the $40 parallel cables.
I like this a lot. I have a Companion as a side-kick for my regular Honda so I don't need it, but my friend sure can use this info. Just a thought. Why solder and not wire nuts? I have never soldered 120v connections, only wire nutted them. Just to add some a tip, you could use a 120v/30a regular plug in a 4X4 j-box. That way you can do a one-stop shopping at Home Depot (unless they sell those adapter pigtails.
The reason I went with a pigtail vs a fixed outlet is flexibility of the adapter and weather resistance. Soldering is a permanent attachment of wire where corrosion from moisture wont affect it. Wire nuts are very poor in fixtures that move or used in outdoor environments.
sixtyfiveford Maybe it's because I live in California, but we have never soldered a/c connections, even in out parking lot light fixtures or roof mounted yard lights in our distribution center with 277v/460v fixtures. You make a good point, and I would add the wire nuts on those soldered wires then shrink-tube them. The flexible pig tail makes a lot of sense. I used your video for a friend who needed a guide for parallel matching his two EU2000i gensets. Thanks for your response! You made an excellent video.
I just checked my old invoice and I actually bought them from Mouser . It doesn't matter what side they get plugged into so I just went all black. Shipping from them was under $5. Use item number 565-6729-0 or 565-6729-2. It should run you about $25 shipped.
Can you parallel the two hondas to produce 240/120 volt?
No, just 120v at double the amps. The circuitry automatically aligns the sine waves from both generators. There has been talk on forums and stuff for people trying to crack the computer in one of the generators so the sine waves are opposite which would make 240 volt but I haven't heard of anybody being able to do it.
Thanks man. I bought 2 of the A-iPower SC2000i from Costco. The Yamaha made generators. I took them back twice. Getting them now I know that the parallel cables they come with melt or just ain't large enough gauge wire to hold up when running the AC on our camper.
I wont use the factory cables this time.
I was looking around on TH-cam and found you. I'll look for the link for the banana plugs/connectors and make my own out of 10 gauge wire. I think that will do the trick and make a box like you did.
Thanks!
Pretty much any banana plugs work, however the ones I used have shrouds on them so you can't physically touch them with your finger. This is what the oem manufacturers use so if the cables are only plugged into one running unit you can't shock yourself. They were not easy or cheap to find.
Since I did the video a lot of cheaper solutions have come out and most people go the route of something like this amzn.to/31RIrqp
It would be a good idea to point out that if you use the Factory Honda cable kit to synch the generators, you still need to add another 12 ga ground (green wire) to the junction box, to the green wire on the female receptacle, as is done in your original 3 wire version as shown here..
yes, they do... green is ground, red goes and plugs in on the right, black goes in and plugs on the left, per the Honda Instructions. Red on the Honda Cable is Neutral, and goes to the white cable on the 30 amp plug, green goes to greens, and black goes from honda cable to the line side of the breaker, and the 30 amp female goes to the load side of the circuit. breaker. Both greens from the honda cables need to ground to the honda chassis on each unit, and on the 30 amp RV receptacle.
Why did you feel the need for music ??? I couldn't hear you very well, so I didn't waste my time.
Honda has put special circuitry in these to be able to parallel these. If I connected these to a home's main power then I would definitely need a grid tie to prevent power going back into the main system and electrocuting the linesmen. But as long as I just plug individual appliances into this then no grid tie is needed. Thanks for watching.
As far as the circuitry goes the female banana plugs on my generators connect directly to the hot and neutral on the outlets. The easier and cheaper version of this is to have a standard male plug inserted directly into a outlet on each machine and have those tied together with the larger outlet like I did. The only downfall to this is SAFETY. If only 1 male plug is plugged in and the other is not, the exposed metal ends are LIVE(generator running).
Cheers mate, I will definately keep you posted as my little Canada-in-particular problem sorts itself out! People should check out your other videos too. You have some great ideas for maintaining things. I love keeping old stuff running.
"I took one apart at the store" you are my hero!
Yeah, they're not cheap. I originally got them from Digikey who has since upped their price. I think the best thing to do is to buy the Honda cables for $35 (ebay) and cut them.
It doesn't matter. If you toasted you genny it is because you had 1 or both units running when you connected them.
Thanks for the quick response. It is the same as the Honda, but 2200 starting watts and 1800 continuous. The outlets have a 15 amp rating and the parallel port hook up is at 20amps.
Brian Dernbach So you only have a thin cable connecting/paralleling them?
No, I built your exact setup, but instead of the plug end that you used, I used a standard 15amp female plug. My concern was that the plug being rated at 15amp would be a little dangerous? Also, been having a hell of a time finding the correct banana plugs? Thanks
OH... You built a death plug :-)... kidding. You'll be fine because you're only pulling half the load from each generator. Which is 15amps each.
Sorry for all the questions, but won't I be pulling the same (roughly) as your Hondas?
Each of your generators are rated at 18.3 amps max or 15amps constant. So if you plug into each one they will share the 30 amp load pulling 15amps from each. The Ryobis are Chinese copies of the Hondas and function virtually identically.
Thank you for respond
1. The 240 in sync does not seem to be plausible.
with honda you can synchronize only same fase and reversing the fase will not be in sync. the only thing i could think off is running parallel and then quickly switching to series and reverse the fase with non inductive load. But then it's very likely that the synchronization and fase drift will result in massive internal power loss or "permanently damaged"
Perhaps even with a pace maker the load will not be ballanced.
Thanks for sharing, I will get a second Eu2000I and build my own parallel cable just in time for Hurricane season!
One more reason to go with a Yamaha vs the Honda and their $200+ parallel kit. Yamaha appears to use the exact same banana plugs so this kit I built would work on either a Honda or a Yamaha.
You could do 240V, but you'd need an autotransformer... Basically it's a 240V transformer with a 120V center tap (which is your neutral), and no secondary. You will get the same power, but at 240V rather than 120V, you'll have about half the current available (240V@15A rather than 120V@30A). If you wanted the same amperage (30A) available at 240V, you'd need 4x generators in parallel. With an autotransformer, one of the concerns is to keep the phase splits balanced so you don't burn up the transformer - this would mean you'd run one generator on the low 120V tap, one generator on the low and one on the high tap, or two on the high and two on the low taps. Getting close to a full 240V@50A would mean you need 6x generators, three on the high tap three on the low tap.
Instructions clearly says left to left, right to right for the parallel cables so it does mater which one u plug it in specially in your application. Even if the gen will figure it out when you cross the cables it will not figure out the output on your plug and you might be switching neutral with hot and don't even know it. Why don't you get voltage meter and check it out a little.
So you're basically shorting the two hot wires from each generator together (at the fuse)... but the generators have circuitry that synchronizes the cycles on each generator??? ..and the output is 220V?
Good idea, I was thinking of doing the same thing in my trailer; it is only on occasion that peak power is needed. What wattage inverter did you go with, what brand too?
Very neat work. Unfortunately I am in Canada, where the same model does not have the parallel ability due to some Canaian CSA rule. It would be an ordeal to go to the states to buy a pair, not to mention the warranty issue. I was just thinking, what are the chances that the circuitry, right down to the plugs, is actually in the Canadian version, and that all we'd have to do to make it work is to install female banana plugs into the facia, connected to the circuit board. Any ideas?
What are the specs, and make and amp draw of your current A/C unit on your travel trailer? I assume about 13500 BTU, which if you double that, pulls about 27 Amps at start up? Depends on if it's efficient or not. I understand it's better to keep the generators in regular mode, not eco mode, when starting and running the A/C unit, due to the voltage possibly dropping, along with spiking the amps upwards?
Very nice. Did you cut the Honda parallel cable to get your safety banana plugs?
I also noticed you have your battery leads just flopping around, should definitely cap that hot lead in or you could spark up a nice fire in your battery compartment. just a thought, im thinking if the wiring is connected thru a master aux switch then should be fine. better safe then on fire..
If I paralleled the two 3,000 watt generators together to get 48 or 49 amps and removed the 30 amp push button and installed the 50 amp push breaker would I use a #6 wire coming out of the "home made parallel kit" to a 50 amp twist lock power inlet female plug? I would imagine the wires used for the 30 amp box are too small.
I have a 50 amp 125 v twist lock male power inlet box installed at the house to the panel. If so how would you wire the home made box with 4 wires instead of the three wires for 30 amp box?
Can you take two male plugs and connect each generator with the plugs or is it a different circuit set up the way you showed?
I know the way i asked could be unsafe because unplugging one plug it will be live with the generators running and the other plug still plugged in.
I believe you said banana jacks tied to outlets? If so forget the jacks and use the outlets to parallel. Wonder if you could criscross the banana jacks and get 220V?
The internal circuitry automatically matches/syncs the frequencies so you'll get 120V 60hz no matter what. The phases of the 120v would have to be 180° out of phase to get 240V. Which Honda could do if they programed it to do so.
Does this mean one doesn't have to purchase the companion unit in order to parallel two together?
+Kemper Morrow Exactly, you do not need to purchase the Companion to get they full potential out of these.
+sixtyfiveford Awesome.... thank you.
Very True. I'll put that in the notes above.
This may already have been asked, but how are the two separate AC sine waves synchronized?
He got lucky...
Great video. I wonder if you can turn off one of the generators after the A/C has started? Two generators are only required for the initial surge. This would save a lot of gas.
Theryl McCoy Thanks. Yes, but the AC will cycle on and off. The Hondas are pretty ingenious and generally you can place the secondary (last started) on Eco Throttle and it will idle down while the other maintains the AC. Only having 1 on Eco Throttle will generally allow the generators not to struggle on the initial surge while the AC cycles. I also have a video how to run them off an extended fuel system so you never have to refill them. th-cam.com/video/RDkL593Wbt0/w-d-xo.html
It would be helpful if you told us where you sourced this part? I see Grainger has it, not cheap, about $5.50 per plug 2 each in black and red., $22 in parts alone before shipping.
gr8 idea but I have two power inverters can I combine them together for getting high watts with this cable or this cable is for generators only?
These Honda generators were designed to be able to do this. You wouldn't be able to connect two inverters together like this.
well done , smart and to the point , Unfortunately i already bought that kit from Honda to hock up my 2 generators to my RV and it is on its way... My question to you sir is that , i am in an area where we do not have the Propane gas ... would this dual hock up of both 2000 watts generators be enough to operate my whole RV (New Dutchman kodiak 20feet) including light ,air conditioner, Fridge, microwave and TV ... have a nice day
Here is a very good document addressing your question: www.steadypower.com/pages.php?pageid=133
I love how he says "I took apart one at the store."
Derek Vore Yeah, I put it back together afterwards.
haha, okay. I see!
Thank you for a great video. I just purchased on Amazon parallel cable I have a question if you can tell me Will it work if one generator is EU 2000i and a second one newer version EU 2200i ? Honda says they supposed to be identical
Very good little video, made one myself and works great! I also hotglued the crap out of mine so it was sealed up... total cost was 65.00
Thanks!
Having read the comments below, I have a Canadian model as well. I need to get another and run them in parallel for my AC unit. So I can accomplish the same thing by just using the 110 output plugs on each generator? Simply wire as the same in your video? I understand the live plug warning, just need to remember to turn them off before handling. I'll be using a twist lock.
Great Video, thanks. I have a Honda 2000i. I want to add another but they aren't made anymore. Mine is not among that serial numbers that Honda says is compatible with the 2200i for higher voltage parallel operation. Their cable is made to use the 30 amp box on the 2200i (you won't get the combined voltage). Do you have any idea if this type of setup would work for me since I wouldn't be using the connection on the generator?
Good video. One comment. Is it safe to solder wire because if you run a heavy load like a/c , it can heat up wire and melt the solder. Fire and electrical hazard. Buy the correct size wire nuts for it is easier and safer for the family.
This would mean you are drawing too much current for the wire gauge and the wire is getting to 400+F all along its length. Heat will generate in the weakest/thinnest joint. Solder will offer a 10x better, more conductive connection than a wire nut, allowing no heat buildup there. If in the random event that the solder did heat and melt the connection would be broken and nothing would happen as they are enclosed in an insulated electrical box.
Conductivity in solder (tin plus lead) vs copper is not that much difference. Heat (wattage) is generated in the areas of higher resistance (ohms) and air confinement . The #12 solid wire is good for 20amps according to most codes but in my book stranded wire can handle about 5 more amps. Wire nuts are made to take the heat if installed properly, conductivity is about equal. The best is crimping but that is much more expense for the proper tools cost dearly . I must tell you about a insulated (meltable)box vs a metal box. Insulated boxes do not conduct out heat as good as metal boxes in outside spaces. The insulated box may protect you to a point but the ground wire / neutral wires inside can still cause a shot to the hot wires if the soldered wires would fly apart. Most codes do limit the number of wires that can be used in a confined space like a box. I always commend a double box. I think you did alright but the solder would not be my choice. Ive been in the electric field engr. work for about 45 yrs and when I look back on my first jobs I can not brag. You are a smart guy and seem interested in learning. Keep it up. That is my 2 cents worth.
It has an internal computer that synchronizes the two 120V outputs and keeps it 120v but doubles the output amps.
Do you connect the four line black wires together and connect to one side of breaker then one black wire to load side of breaker then all white wires are all soldered together?
There will be: 3 white wires, 3 green wires and 3 black wires.
3 white wires all get soldered together
3 green wires all get soldered together
3 black wires: the 2 wires coming from the generators get soldered together. These 2 wires connect to the LINE side of the circuit breaker. The 1 remaining wire coming from the 30 amp plug connects to the LOAD side of the breaker.
Thanks for the video. In the later part you show your installation in your trailer, using two honda generator, you showed the exhaust systems. Other then yours, I have not seen a video with much detail. You showed rigid tubing. What gauge and material, od or id for the tubing and what did you use for the interface adapter. What type of flex tubing is available? Thanks again for your responses.
+Gordon Eno Flexible tubing is hard to find but obtainable. I use electrical conduit from the Home Depot. I welded a 3/4" piece to the exhaust that protrudes maybe an inch. 1/2" conduit then easily slides into this at any length I need.
Great video! I would recommend a two gang Bell box for your splices and circuit breaker. Thanks for the info!
Great video, thanks.
Just to be sure i saw it correctly. the 2 black wires from the s.o. cord are sautered together and then sautered to one side of the circuit breaker(line) and the black from the 30 amp pig tail (load) is suatered to the other side of the breaker?
Yes. The breaker just interrupts the flow in an overload situation.
Thanks!
Thanks I realized that. The Honda cable has black, red, and green instead of black, white, and green. I'm going to solder green with green, but don't know where the other two wires go. Does black go with black and red goes with white or if it even matters.
+pepsiboy72 It doesn't matter. I would do as you said and put red with the white and black with the black.
Can I parallel an EU2200I and an EU7000 together?
Thanks for the video! Have a few questions/ideas. Will the gen sinc if you have just one wire and the ground? Probably not but if they do you could potentially get double fase (240v). Another question if can parallel with just male-male cable - then you cold use ithe 20a beakers in the unit. My third question would be about uninterrupted gen swap using parallel kit
GREAT solution! Can you give me better shopping list and where to get these parts? PLEASE! I have the stock Honda cords and didnt know I was losing AMPS, ugh!
Hey 65, can you get 240 volts from the two connected together for a well pump?
you only put the line side wires together on one side of the breaker, or is that a two pole breaker ?
You only need a circuit breaker on the Hot side. Just like your home the neutral side is always straight through.
I didn't realize that you were only running 120V,and not 240V
Is there any reason you can't use the outlet 110v from each generator put in a fuse box and then to your interface connector. You wouldn't need to have a more expensive companion generator. Would this give you more output from a amperage?
+Gordon Eno Yes, you can just plug a cord into one each of the 110v outlets and connect them to get full capacity. The fear is though if one cord gets pulled out/falls out it is live with power and can electrocute someone if they touch it.
Thanks for the information and your time.
to clarify this, the male end of a plug is live, which almost never is the case and without knowing it is live youre almost guaranteed to get a good shock
So I take it the inverters synchronise? It's usually an unwise idea to think you can just "parallel" two AC power sources even if the voltage, frequency or VA rating is the same
Tera Volt Yes, the Honda's are designed to do this.
LOL! When he brought both generators online, there was nary a hop, skip or jump. Either he was completely lucky by somehow connecting them in sync, without anything to measure it, or the generators have an controller that senses synchronization. Since he's obviously done this more than once, which do you think it is?? Do you think Honda would unleash this on the average consumer with manual sync parallel operation?
For a basic circuit you will have 3 wires: Ground, Neutral, and Hot.
Ground(green): Connect all together.
Neutral(White): Connect all together.
Hot(Black): Connect the 2 from the generators together and then connect them to the "Line" side of the fuse. Connect the remaining black wire from the 30amp plug to the Load side of the fuse.
That's very interesting, and thanks for getting back to me. Have you measured the resistance from the banana plugs (females) on the facia's of your units to be sure that the circuitry is a direct connection to the banana plugs, or have you had the facia off to see it? If this is the case, you have solved my problem. I would probably test it by plugging males in to each end, but once I had established that it works, I would buy some female facia mount banana's to install and make it safe
Very nice job done, thick wire of equal length makes the current pull from each generator the same at full blast.
Much better than the original :-)
The inverter board does it automatically
sixtyfiveford made my triple parallel kit with a 50 amp plug and a 50 amp breaker. I ran two hot legs out of the breaker one to each side of the 50 amp plug. Thanks for the ideas!!!
That's great. Happy RVing.
sixtyfiveford what do you think about 4 generators with the 50 amp breaker and plug?
The way you have it set up it really doesn't matter unless you want more power. If you ran 4, I would separate the 2 legs and run 2 generators per side. Or you could tie them all together and split is like you did with three. Either way you still wouldn't be able to run 240volt appliances like clothes dryers as the phases will never be out of sync correctly.
continued........ But you probably wont even try to turn them on with only the gennys running. I am sure it is against all kinds of electrical code. Just make sure you put in a transfer switch so you don't feed power back into the system and kill a Linesman.
Good morning, Just wondering if you can parallel more then 2 generators together safetly to provide more power? Thanks.
There are a few videos will people running 3 machines hooked together without any issues.
Thanks, came across a kit made by or sold by Duration Power which allows you to parelle 3 Honda's. Check out Duration Power.
How long run time? 50% of using time? I have a Honda 2000i but only ☝️,my RV air conditioning is quite,also only 3 to 4 hrs,not a long enough so I’m thinking about parallel,I need least 14 hrs without runout GAS.
You can install the extended gas caps and they'll pull fuel from an external gas tank.
im in canada and thy don't have the twining capability do to are c s a cods. i was just wandering why you can't plug in to the regaler 120 on each and add the ground to them and get the same thing instead of using the banana plus. making shed you don't have the hot and the neutral corset. let me know what you think? will it work or no?
When wiring for standard 110, do you just repalce the camper cord with a standard out let?
This is all 110 that I am playing with here so all you need is an adapter to go from a 30amp to 15/20amp
sixtyfiveford I want to put a outlet in place of the cord that you have for the motohome
They sell small 15amp outlets for campers (usually on the ones that go in the bed of the truck). Or you could get everything you need at the Home Depot and make an electrical box with a Male end coming out of your camper.
sixtyfiveford I think we are talking about two different things. If I wanted to make your setup up. Instead of your camper outlet that you have, can I just put a standard 110 wall outlet in a electrical box in place of your camper outlet.
Oh....... If you just need a standard 20amp 110 outlet, you don't need my fancy box in the middle. Just directly connect the Honda's together with a $30 dollar cable and plug into any one of the outlets on the Honda. Any one of them will be a full 20 amps at 110volts when tethered. You could put a box with a 110 outlet in the middle but it is redundant.
Thanks for the video. I'm using the Honda cord and it has different colors. Can you tell me what color goes with what on the plug side. Green with green obviously, but what the red and black. Thanks in advance.
+pepsiboy72 As far as the machines go, it doesn't matter which color cord plug goes into which port.
Does anyone know which one of the parallel ports on the generator is Line and which one is Neutral? I feel like you should know this if your backfeeding something so you can assure Line is going through the circuit breaker and not your Neutral no?
+dubohio Since AC flows through both and the generator doesn't rely on grounding to earth like a home, it shouldn't matter.
+sixtyfiveford I did some testing, and the while looking at the parallel ports the left is Neutral, and the right is Hot. Looking at the wiring diagram I would think this matters quite a bit with the way you've designed your junction box in a back feeding situation. Wouldn't want your hot tied to your house or RV ground/neutral wires.
I've pulled apart a few commercial available units sold in stores and they are wired the same way. Neutral is hot and will shock you in a generator the same as Hot will. They are dependent on each other. The same goes for your home, if the neutral isn't grounded to earth it will shock you and be live. Honda themselves don't care which port you plug into and when you use their parallel wires you can plug hot into neutral or hot into hot or any combination as there is no difference with an isolated power source.
I have a Generac 2000 w and have a situation where I camp and can get a 110V circuit but neither the generator or 110v circuit can run my ac alone so I was thinking of using the Generac parallel kit using the generator and 110v circuit as inputs. Do you think that would work? Seems that the Hondas dont need a special kit, maybe the Generac does not either.
I've seen the eu series Honda parallel to a high quality DC power inverter and assume the Generac IQ2000 uses the same technology. The main concern when you talk connecting power from a land source and then from a generator is back feeding power into the system. So if the breaker was shut off or the power goes out, electricity is still being fed into the power lines from your generator. Lineman or individuals can be hurt from unknowingly working on their equipment. I assume your 110v line is limited to a 15amp breaker? Do you have access to a 220V line?
The 110v line is protected by a 15 amp breaker and no there is no 220 available. I am aware of the backfeed problem and would not use this setup unsupervised. My concern was the generator and shore power being in phase, not even sure that would be a problem but it could be potentially. I was an electrical contractor and thinking this thru I cannot see why it wouldn't work.
Other than a phase issue.
The generators are designed to sync the phase. So if you have two generators the first one started is the boss and the second one started syncs to it's phase. The same should work with shore power where it is the boss and the generator syncs to it. So you just need to plug the parallel kit in first so the generator sees the shore power, then start it.
On a side note, if it is a standard breaker, you could up it to a 20 amp(depending on the wiring coming into it) to allow for the momentary power surge. If you have an older AC unit you can also install a start kit on it(around $20) and that helps some with easier starting with lower power.
How did you synchronize the two AC sine wave outputs from the two generators so that the power of the output AC sine wave equals the summed power of the two input AC sine waves. Efficiently combining AC currents is trickier than for DC currents. If the inputs are not in phase power will be lost. I'm not saying it won't run run RV A/C but it's not the best way to do it. Cheaper yes but not the best.
Honda inverter generators automatically sync the sine wave with each other.
It easily runs my 13,500 BTU AC unit, but 2 eu2000i should also push a 15000 btu unit.
nice one! The weather proof box is good.. but no watertight connectors for the cables.. usually when your using a generator (besides construction and camping) the wether is bad...that can be a problem if the box gets wet..but nice video