Honda EU2000iA parallel operation....?

[Crusader]

I'm looking to buy Two EU2000 Honda Generators however this entire issue of parallel tandem connection is more than puzzling. I once worked as an aircraft A&P mechanic so I have a solid understanding of basic electronics.

My local dealer says it better to use a Companion model along with standard Eu2000 and use the 26 amp outlet?

A dealer in Montana has a special cable to get 30 amps directly off a special made parallel cable with a twist connector using 2 standard EU2000 and he says forget the Companion model? This cable is sold on eBay [search for EU2000***]. It's fuzzy if this set up is properly protected from over loading?

The standard model has a 12 volt output for charging which I like however if I buy a companion model I loose the 12 volt out put? I'd like to have maximum DC output. If they are in parallel does this double the charging amps?

In the future I'd like to use both generators for charging deep cycle batteries if at all possible to use in a light duty back up power situation.

So can anyone here help clear this issue up for me and what combination would be best.

You can answer here or you can PM me your phone number and I'll call you on my nickel just let me know what is the best time to call.

 

[flacoman]

Do those generators have provisions for synchronization?
Just hooking them together will do bad things. Do you already own one of thenm ,or could you just start with a larger model?


HTH
Jorge

 

[Crusader]

These unit are specifically built for running in parallel for greater amps. http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/produ...elid=EU2000IAN1

If we owned this house I'd buy a larger unit and put in a transfer switch etc. I could get by with just one if our current house was not 100% electricity including heat. No wood stove - nothing.

Not going to use the kerosene heater again fumes are awful and deadly.

Been getting down to 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit every night. We have wind storms here and lots of tall trees in the area and overhead power lines. It's a nail bitter every wind storm. Especially in the winter. Once the Northwest has another big power outage all generators in inventory even crummy low end ones are gone inside of 10 minutes. No body plans ahead.

I'm not interested in any other generator on the market at this time. Bigger units simply are not portable enough. Better to run two EU2000 than one EU3000.

 

[meep]

12V is not clean, is unregulated, and manual says is only obtained at eco-off.

the parallel cable is literally a ground/hot/cold join. no magic. the electronics must read the sine wave and sync somehow.

each unit is rated 13.6A continuous.

very nice machine... bought one this year. thrifty w/ gas at low power...

m

 

[Crusader]

Originally Posted By: meep
12V is not clean, is unregulated, and manual says is only obtained at eco-off.

the parallel cable is literally a ground/hot/cold join. no magic. the electronics must read the sine wave and sync somehow.

each unit is rated 13.6A continuous.

very nice machine... bought one this year. thrifty w/ gas at low power...

m
Have you ever run a 1500 watt electric heater with it? If yes how well does it handle the load?

13.6 amps x 110 volts = 1496 watts

 

[double vanos]

I bought the very same model to get me through hurricane Ike.

What a delightful machine. For us it carried the refrigerator and a small window unit with no problems whatsoever. And it is frugal with the gas.

I was envious of my neighbor who got a 5500 Home Depot branded model for less than half the $$$.

Then I found out it was doing away with 9 gallons of gas a night!! At the time gas was scarce, so as far as I was concerned the Honda was the better buy ( 1 gallon used from 10pm to 6am).

I too plan to buy a matching generator and get the buddy link so when another hurricane hits I can have all the necessaries...fridge, 2 small A/Cs, fans and lights, etc.

Another note...the Honda gensets are quiet! Than Home Depot special bellared like a calf all night, meanwhile the Honda purrs - seemed to be cleaner running too as I never smelled it. When I checked out the neighbors HD model I nearly passed out from the fumes!!

I'll be checking back on this post because I'm definetly going to cop another EU2000ia and yhe buddy cord before the next hurricane season!

Cheers!

 

[Crusader]

FWIW there is a Yahoo Group just for this unit. Been reading some of the posts.

 

[CrAlt]

Originally Posted By: Crusader
Originally Posted By: meep
12V is not clean, is unregulated, and manual says is only obtained at eco-off.

the parallel cable is literally a ground/hot/cold join. no magic. the electronics must read the sine wave and sync somehow.

each unit is rated 13.6A continuous.

very nice machine... bought one this year. thrifty w/ gas at low power...

m
Have you ever run a 1500 watt electric heater with it? If yes how well does it handle the load?

13.6 amps x 110 volts = 1496 watts


I used a 1.5K heater to brake mine it. It comes off eco and does it fine.

The ONLY thing i have not been able to start on it has been my [censored] [censored] air compressor. It spikes above 15amps to get started.

They have a little computer in them that can detect and sync up with the other unit.

The Yahoo group has TONS great info on it.
Home brew parallel wiring projects
Extended run gas systems
tri fuel setups (Gas/NG/Propane)
etc.
These things are big in the RV crowed since the are so quiet.

 

[Bill Kapaun]

$1200 for an additional 2k Watts seems pretty pricey!
I think I'd buy a bigger unit for less and get a hand truck for it.
Use your Honda to power electronics etc. and the big unit for heaters.

What part of N Idaho you in? I grew up in CDA-

 

[thatguy]

I bought an EU2000 and after my dad borrowed it a couple times (and loved it) he went out and bought his own so he could run the AC in his RV when he was at bluegrass festivals..

He bought a parallel kit from either Mayberry or Wise Sales that is pretty nice and has the built in breaker.. It also has a built in wattage meter and an RV outlet..

There are tons of plans to build your own (for $50 or so IIRC) OR as mentioned buy off of ebay.. Looking at it now you are better off getting one that has some sort of breaker/overload protection which would be the mayberry or Wise it seems

Brian