Running generators in parallel

[newbury]

I have 2 Smarter Tools generators I got from Costco 2 years ago. Have a parallel cable and have rind the 2 in parellel several times to fire up an A/C in the 5th wheel. Two 2000w gens will out power a single 3000w. It comes down to 3200 vs 2800w. Also with 2 you can take one or both and easier to carry.

Mine is plenty quiet, powered by Yamaha engine. It can sit for several months and starts with 1-2 pulls. They are inverter gens. Honda might be first and may or may not be the best but they are the most expensive.

I have zero regrets on my purchase.

Thank you. One voice of experience is worth 10 of book knowledge.

 

[sdef]

I have 2 Smarter Tools generators I got from Costco 2 years ago. Have a parallel cable and have run the 2 in parallel several times to fire up an A/C in the 5th wheel. Two 2000w gens will out power a single 3000w. It comes down to 3200 vs 2800w. Also with 2 you can take one or both and easier to carry.

Mine is plenty quiet, powered by Yamaha engine. It can sit for several months and starts with 1-2 pulls. They are inverter gens. Honda might be first and may or may not be the best but they are the most expensive.

I have zero regrets on my purchase.

I have a pair of Westinghouse 2k rated running with a parallel cable and they are quiet also. The setup works fine for general purpose stuff and allows me to run a single generator for lower power items and save fuel and noise vs. running a single larger unit. But they do not have quite enough power for running a Miller 211 MVP MIG on 110 VAC at max current, which I was not expecting. I have tested them running portable electric heaters and they will operate ~ 4000 - 4500 watts. When time permits I will wire them up to the house as it is wired for generator with an 30 amp. 230 VAC circuit to the outside of the house I need to change to 120 VAC for these generators.

 

[newbury]

I have a pair of Westinghouse 2k rated running with a parallel cable and they are quiet also. The setup works fine for general purpose stuff and allows me to run a single generator for lower power items and save fuel and noise vs. running a single larger unit. But they do not have quite enough power for running a Miller 211 MVP MIG on 110 VAC at max current, which I was not expecting. I have tested them running portable electric heaters and they will operate ~ 4000 - 4500 watts. When time permits I will wire them up to the house as it is wired for generator with an 30 amp. 230 VAC circuit to the outside of the house I need to change to 120 VAC for these generators.

Someplace on this board or the welding board I read that to operate a moderate sized Lincoln they recommended 12KW minimum.

And thanks for another data point.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have 2 Smarter Tools generators I got from Costco 2 years ago. Have a parallel cable and have run the 2 in parallel several times to fire up an A/C in the 5th wheel. Two 2000w gens will out power a single 3000w. It comes down to 3200 vs 2800w. Also with 2 you can take one or both and easier to carry.

Mine is plenty quiet, powered by Yamaha engine. It can sit for several months and starts with 1-2 pulls. They are inverter gens. Honda might be first and may or may not be the best but they are the most expensive.

I have zero regrets on my purchase.

I was going to past about the Costco SmarterTools inverter generator also. These a light, quiet and reliable. I used mine a few days ago to power a Shop Vac out in the corner of my field. The corner post was set in concrete and the wood post rotted out. So I vacuumed the dirt, sand, and rotted wood out in a couple of minutes and set a new post back in it's place in the concrete holder.

 

[RNeumann]

To elaborate a bit on the gens that can be paired. They typically don't provide and 240v when paired- it's all 120v but double the amps. The connector cord syncs the phases instead of making them opposite- which is needed for USA 240v.
This is a bummer for folks who have 240v well pumps or other 240v devices.
Bottom line is the inverter type gens are awesome in many ways. But they are limited in that regard.

 

[dragoneggs]

To elaborate a bit on the gens that can be paired. They typically don't provide and 240v when paired- it's all 120v but double the amps. The connector cord syncs the phases instead of making them opposite- which is needed for USA 240v.
This is a bummer for folks who have 240v well pumps or other 240v devices.
Bottom line is the inverter type gens are awesome in many ways. But they are limited in that regard.

Ooh! Good to know... was thinking of doubling up my Honda 3000 with a mate with the hope of running my well pump. I guess I hadn't thought it through. :ashamed: Well the good news I save $2000.

 

[zzvyb6]

To elaborate a bit on the gens that can be paired. They typically don't provide and 240v when paired- it's all 120v but double the amps. The connector cord syncs the phases instead of making them opposite- which is needed for USA 240v.
This is a bummer for folks who have 240v well pumps or other 240v devices.
Bottom line is the inverter type gens are awesome in many ways. But they are limited in that regard.

Nope.
Parallel cables allow the user to obtain the full power of both units, limited by the capacity of an individual outlet. Parallel cables are available for the EU1000i, EU2000i, EU3000 Handi, EU3000i, and EU7000iS.


If you have 2 regular EU2000i or 2 EU7000iS, consider a parallel kit. The parallel kits include a built in 30A outlet (EU2000) or 50A outlet (EU7000iS), which is capable of providing the combined full power from both generators.

If you have a regular EU2000i and the Companion model, you only need a parallel cord. You will be able to use the 30A outlet on the Companion to draw the full combined power of the two units.

 

[RNeumann]

Nope.
Parallel cables allow the user to obtain the full power of both units, limited by the capacity of an individual outlet. Parallel cables are available for the EU1000i, EU2000i, EU3000 Handi, EU3000i, and EU7000iS.


If you have 2 regular EU2000i or 2 EU7000iS, consider a parallel kit. The parallel kits include a built in 30A outlet (EU2000) or 50A outlet (EU7000iS), which is capable of providing the combined full power from both generators.

If you have a regular EU2000i and the Companion model, you only need a parallel cord. You will be able to use the 30A outlet on the Companion to draw the full combined power of the two units.

Copy and paste select parts from Honda website doesn't paint the full picture. And the "nope" comment does nothing for the discussion. My post is accurate. I know everyone isn't an engineer but a basic understanding of the difference between volts and amps is needed. You also must understand what a generator sales flyer means when it says "double" and "power".

Good luck. I'd like to see a video of the oscilloscope showing the two generators out of phase so you can make USA 240v.

 

[RNeumann]

Ooh! Good to know... was thinking of doubling up my Honda 3000 with a mate with the hope of running my well pump. I guess I hadn't thought it through. :ashamed: Well the good news I save $2000.

You can get a transformer to go from 120v to 240v. It would "look" different than USA 240v. Some well pumps wouldn't care- mine doesn't. If you take the time to figure out your pump that may be an option. Just remember at 240v you have half the amps.....for me I have two of the Honda 2000- one has the 30a plug. With both running and paralleled the 30a/120v becomes roughly 15a/240v.

 

[dragoneggs]

You can get a transformer to go from 120v to 240v. It would "look" different than USA 240v. Some well pumps wouldn't care- mine doesn't. If you take the time to figure out your pump that may be an option. Just remember at 240v you have half the amps.....for me I have two of the Honda 2000- one has the 30a plug. With both running and paralleled the 30a/120v becomes roughly 15a/240v.

Understand. I need to to call my 'well guy' to remind me what exactly is my pump. I know it's on a 230v 30amp breaker but I forget the actual pump numbers.