Parallel (2) Honda EU2000I which method is better

[gashog]

I see there are two options on parallel (2) EU2000I generators, but which is the best?
The first option I found is from Steadypower.com they have (2) regular EU2000I's with a parallel kit that attaches to one generator, this kit has a 30 amp RV plug, breaker switch and what looks like a amp meter.
Honda EU2000i Parallel Package (RV) - Steadypower.com

2nd option is using (1) regular EU2000I and (1) EU2000I Companion.
http://www.wisesales.com/eu2000i-com...l#product-tabs

For some unknown reason I kind of like the setup from Steadypower, but has anyone has any experience with this setup?

[MartyQ]

Electrically, the two methods are identical. Also, there is no performance difference. Physically, using the first method, you have to carry the 3rd component (the junction box). I have two EU2000i generators and use the first method.

I did not buy the parallel kit, but, homebrewed my own for about 30% of the cost. All you need is a junction box (with the correct outlet and circuit breaker), some 12 gauge wire w/ ground and 4 shielded banana jacks (they are spring loaded and retract when unplugged as a safety measure). The junction box & wire is available at Menard's, the banana jacks are available on the internet.

Many parallel kit solutions are described in the eu2000i yahoogroup.

https://groups.yahoo.com

[SKnight]

Personally I like the companion setup. Just cables to tie things together and that's it. I have the setup similar to what Steadypower offers and it works great but the mounted box makes things a little awkward storing. No trouble, but it does take up room.

My only question is does the 30A connector on the companion supply power when only one generator is running. I found that mine does, 13.3A but still it supplies power. That means that when I'm running in low power mode I can plug in the single heavier 30A adapter instead of 50-30-15 as I did before. The fewer adapters, the better.

[techntrek]

You don't even need the banana plugs if you want to do a homebrew (although the self-retractable plugs are safer). Electrically the 20 amp outlets are connected directly to the banana outlets so you can hook up to either.

Yes, the 30 amp outlet will supply power if either genset is running. All the connections do is parallel the output of the two gensets, and then the control board in the one started 2nd syncs up the waveform to the output from the first. Not possible with standard old-style generators, but pretty simple with the inverter-generators.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Personally I like the companion setup. Just cables to tie things together and that's it. I have the setup similar to what Steadypower offers and it works great but the mounted box makes things a little awkward storing. No trouble, but it does take up room.

My only question is does the 30A connector on the companion supply power when only one generator is running. I found that mine does, 13.3A but still it supplies power. That means that when I'm running in low power mode I can plug in the single heavier 30A adapter instead of 50-30-15 as I did before. The fewer adapters, the better.

Scratch what I said here about the 30A plug working, when I ran the microwave it would put the generator straight into overload. Plugged into the regular 15A connection and no worries, runs things fine. I'll figure that one out at some point.

[jwedell]

I had the parallel setup and found it awkward to move and store. I now have the standard 2K and the Companion and like it much better. We do a lot of beach camping with no hookups and it works great. I put the 2 generators on a platform on the back of the trailer and hook it up with the parallel cables and plug the 30 amp trailer cord into it. I start up one generator and use it to charge the batteries and watch TV. When more power is needed (microwave etc.) we just start up the second generator when needed and turn it off when we're done. When the first generator runs out of gas we just turn it off and start up the other one. That way both generators get equal use. Been doing it for a while and it works great for us.

[gashog]

With the standard EU2000I and the EU2000I Companion does it run your A/C with no problems?

[jwedell]

Originally Posted by gashog

With the standard EU2000I and the EU2000I Companion does it run your A/C with no problems?

Yes, no problem. Just watch the total load.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by gashog

With the standard EU2000I and the EU2000I Companion does it run your A/C with no problems?

Testing mine out (The output between mine and a companion pair is the same, the companion is more convenient.) with my 15K AC unit on an 83* day the pair barely grunted. They revved up off idle and leveled out.

They put out 26.6 amps so they'll run one AC and pretty much anything else easily. I turned on the TV and then revved up the microwave while the AC was running without issue. I didn't try running the microwave then having the AC start, I'll try that in the spring.

[techntrek]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Scratch what I said here about the 30A plug working, when I ran the microwave it would put the generator straight into overload. Plugged into the regular 15A connection and no worries, runs things fine. I'll figure that one out at some point.

Was this with one or both gensets running?

[Roving Ron]

Originally Posted by techntrek

Was this with one or both gensets running?

The 30 amp plug only provides 30 amps when running both gens in parallel.


Grey Nomads, Ron and Sue

[ng2951]

Has anyone seen something that ramps up the load on the Hondas prior to engaging the compressor? Something like that would be handy.

[HONDAMAN174]

I think there is a feed on here for a delay on the fan so that it activates the compressor first then turns on the blower making the load more manageable


2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"

[techntrek]

Originally Posted by Roving Ron

The 30 amp plug only provides 30 amps when running both gens in parallel.


Grey Nomads, Ron and Sue

I was asking SKnights about his problem. I know more about gensets and electricity than most people around here. Just trying to help him.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by techntrek

Was this with one or both gensets running?

This was one genset running. What I was wanting to do was use the single 30A generator plug to 50A adapter, heavier connection plus only one adapter. Fired the single unit up, plugged her in, 120V at the outlets with 60hz. Sweet, I presumed that I had 13.3A instead of the 26.6, but who cares? I glanced at a diagram before I bought and the parallel jacks came straight off the leads going to the 15A outlets so I thought it would be ok.

And it did fine, running the TV, converter was happy, batteries got charged.

A few days later I go to run the microwave, the genset revved up, went straight to overload and shut down. I reset it, checked the connections, checked the voltage and found it fine. Fire up the microwave, straight to overload.

Thinking I had a bad generator or microwave I decided to try the 50-30-15 adapters on that unit before I condemned anything, at which point all was fine, started the microwave, the generator revved up less than before and the overload light didn't even blink. Turned the electric fireplace on low, started the microwave and the overload light again, didn't blink.

Now I think the control board actually knows the parallel jacks are plugged in, expects half the load to come from the other generator and it went into overload when it didn't happen. Not sure, but sounds logical.

So in short, with one generator feeding the parallel adapter you'll have good voltage but will come up shorter than the single generator amp rating.

[gashog]

Where did you find the 30A generator plug to 50A RV adapter? Am I correct that the EU2000i Companion's 30A plug is not the standard 30A RV type plug? I think the less adapters a person uses the better and my Windjammer has the 50A plug. If I'm understanding your test, you shouldn't use the 30A on the companion unless both generators are running.

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by gashog

Where did you find the 30A generator plug to 50A RV adapter? Am I correct that the EU2000i Companion's 30A plug is not the standard 30A RV type plug? I think the less adapters a person uses the better and my Windjammer has the 50A plug. If I'm understanding your test, you shouldn't use the 30A on the companion unless both generators are running.

I got one from my dealer when I bought the unit. The link below is similar to what I have.

Generator Adapter with One 50A 125/250V RV Use Only Connector and One 30A 125V Locking RV Use Only Male Plug | ParkPower

Can't speak for the companion, mine has the add on parallel kit, but from what I saw it wasn't happy at all when I tried to put the converter, fridge and 900W microwave through the 30A plug, but was just fine with the same load then some through the 15A plug.

I'll end up with one of those short 50A directly to 15A pigtails then running a 20A rated extension cord to the generator.

[techntrek]

Did you try to shut down the other one to see if you get the same result?

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by techntrek

Did you try to shut down the other one to see if you get the same result?

I don't understand what you're asking. The issue was with only one genset. I didn't try the other genset to see if it failed the same way.

With both running it will start the 15K AC unit without issue at all and run the microwave.

[techntrek]

Most of what I do for a living is tracking down problems so I've gotten pretty good at thinking about how to break systems down into their pieces (at work it is code, but the same applies to physical systems). I would try shutting down the other genset to see what happens, then try starting each genset (leaving the other off, still using the 30 amp outlet) to see what happens, then do the same test again with the "off" genset unplugged.

I've seen multiple people online say they don't have a problem doing what you are trying to do so you may just have an oddball genset that doesn't want to play.