EU2000 Question

[Berrigan]

OK I bought 2 of them and the parallel kit. It works fine for the 5er. Last night I tried just one of them to run my 2hp air compressor. It wouldnt start it. So I got the second one out and the parallel kit. Plugged eveything together and realized the kit only provides one 30 amp rv type receptical. The air comp uses a 15 amp. So I plugged the air comp into one of the 20 amp recepticals on one of the gen sets itself. I wasnt sure if it would even work. They started and ran the air comp just fine. My question is, is this parallel kit designed to be used as I used it, or are you only suppose to take power from the 30 amp rv receptical when running 2 gens together. Thanks for your feed back, Bill

 

[DaveK98]

With only a 2hp compressor I would think it should run on one eu2000. Did you have the eco throttle on? If so I would try it again with it off.



I don't understang how you got it to work above? You used both eu's and the parallel hookup and pluged the compressor into just one of the eu's? That shouldn't have made any difference vs running one alone. Now if what you did was to plug a converter plug into the 30 amp and then plug the compressor into that I could see it making a difference.



I've run a fridge ,lamp and tv at the same time off of one eu.

 

[Berrigan]

Dave, I did it with the eco throttle both on and off, it wouldnt start. The 2 gens eco on wouldnt start, 2 gens eco off it started.



And yes it doesnt make sence but with both gens in parellel eco off, and plugged into the gen 20a outlet it started and ran fine. Bill

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Looks like you built your own power grid there! Just my assumption, but with the parallel cable, all generating capacity is wired together to all outlets?

 

[GaryCarter]

All the parallel kit does is tie the two together. Drawing the max current off one 15 amp outlet would not be a good thing. For momentary starting current, no big deal.



I use my own homemade parallel kit with 30A and 20A outlets.



Gary.

 

[WestTN]

I suspect the factory parallel kit also synchronizes the inverters to act as one.

 

[GaryCarter]

They self sync whether you use the factory plug or the duplex outlets.



Gary

 

[Jumbo Jet]

They self sync whether you use the factory plug or the duplex outlets. Gary

Question: So this means on a 15 AMP outlet on the generator, a person applying a heavier than 15 Amp load would eventually burn the wiring to the outlet? Seems logical.

 

[BGlidewell]

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=848900&uid=558963



#ad

 

[Berrigan]

Doea anyone have a schematic of the Honda approved way of tyeing two together? Bill

 

[rluft]

Using the parallel cables will allow you to use all the power the two generators can make, there is no breaker on the Honda's when used in this manner (about 33 amps). The 15 amp receptacles are on a breaker and will supply power up to that level. I use a cheater box plugged into the receptacles to supply power to my 50 amp system on the 5er.



It takes quite a bit of energy to start an air compressor. The little honda only supplies the max 16. 6 amps for a short time, normal supply is 13. 3 amps. It would probably run it with one generator after the initial startup of the compressor motor.



Go to www.rv.net and search for th eu2000 I know I have seen schematics on that site.

 

[DaveK98]

The setup in the picture above is what I did. You don't really need a schematic although there are some pic on the web. Just hook the wires up with the same colors so that the hot,neutral, ground go to the same place on the plug and you are done. I built mine for under $40.

 

[SnoKing]

The setup in the picture above is what I did. You don't really need a schematic although there are some pic on the web. Just hook the wires up with the same colors so that the hot,neutral, ground go to the same place on the plug and you are done. I built mine for under $40.

Don't let any kids play around it. If you pull out either plug, you will have live voltage on the exposed plug. Not really good for ones health. SNOKING

 

[DaveK98]

Ah, a little shock is good for you now and then. I do plan on putting them in a truck box with vents etc.

 

[BGlidewell]

Don't let any kids play around it. If you pull out either plug, you will have live voltage on the exposed plug. Not really good for ones health. SNOKING

good point and mentioned in the link with the picture posted.



Even more hazardous, is the banana plug connection where you have a 50% chance of a hot neutral. At least this way, the connections are "keyed"...

 

[Berrigan]

The bannana plugs are not polarity keyed, Ive plugged them in both ways with no problems. Whats the deal. Am I missing something? Bill

 

[BGlidewell]

The bannana plugs are not polarity keyed, Ive plugged them in both ways with no problems. Whats the deal. Am I missing something? Bill

the polarity problem

 

[ohnoitsyu]

BTW, from what I hear from people at Honda, two EU2000 gens tied together are only good for 3000 watts, not 4000, like you'd think.

 

[DBlackham]

I have a 5er and my two Eu 2000 generators power the 15000 btu A/C the 27" TV and the microwave oven and the coffee maker cycling on and off, but it couldn't handle the electric hot water heater also, but I think I can cycle enough things to still cope.

 

[DaveK98]

I also power my 5th wheel with my 2eu's. Runs my 15k A/C, tv, lights, fridge etc. I will run the hot water heater off of the gas because it draws a bunch. Only time I had an issue was when the wife used her hairdryer.