hooking generators together

[Threewolves]

I would like to hear from folks about generators Honda or Yamaha any big difference? I was thinking about getting the 2000 watt in either Honda or Yamaha to use for my camping trailer. One would run everything but the A/C. I know there is not a big call for a/c in W. WA, but I plan on going places. Ii is nice to watch movies when it is raining. Both Honda and Yamaha have the ability to hook two generator together for 4000watts then it could run the air conditioner. Has anyone ran two generator hooked together? Thanks, Paul

 

[JLandry]

Hi Paul,

I have a couple of Honda EU2000's I parallel together. They're great little machines... very well built and quiet.

I've modified both of mine to run on either gasoline, propane, or natural gas. You'll find a ton of information on this and much more on the Yahoo!'s Honda EU2000 Generators group. Join the group and check out the files section.

Regards,

John L.

 

[Wertles]

I have the Honda EU3000 and it runs the entire camper and air conditioner just fine by itself. I do keep the refrigerator and hot water heater on propane. Only one generator to service, change oil on, gas up and no cords to connect but it is heavier than the 2000. The new EU3000 are smaller and already have the wheel kit installed on them. I have the older model (still only 3 years old). I have seen many hook up the smaller units and they do the job very well.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Yamaha EF3000 ISEB INVERTER Boost to 3500watts love this gen super quiet. But it is heavy

 

[Shadrach]

For some reason Yamaha Canada doesn't recommend hooking 2 EF2000 together. It doesn't meet our CSA specs. Yamaha has a new E2400ISHC out that has a "boost" similar to the one on the EF3000ISEB that is a good in between and doesn't weight 150 lbs. Shadrach

 

[rluft]

I have two Honda IE2000's. I run them together when needed but only run one when that is enough. Jumper wires are used to hook the two together and then I use a cheater box that that has two male 30amp plugs, plugged one into each unit and has the 50amp female to plug the camper into. I love it. They are lite, and easy on fuel. Best thing is when not camping I can use them where ever I want because they are lite and easily transportable. I now have a motorcoach with its onboard gen, but still take one Honda with me for when I just need a little power (uses less gasoline and gasoline is cheaper than diesel).



You can check, but I think that the Yamaha has a little more reserve power than the Honda. I can tell you that one Honda won't be able to run the a/c, It may start it once and run it but generally won't restart the a/c when the compressor has built up pressure.



Best thing is that they are quiet, very quiet. Your neighbors will like you for it, and you will be able to hear the movie.

 

[RVTRKN]

My choice was the Honda eu2000 because one is lite enough to carry but when 30Amp is needed I can parallel both of them. I also have the extended run tank and can run up to 15 hours before having to refuel, and this is running both at the same time.

 

[Threewolves]

Thanks guys that is the info I was looking for. Take Care, Paul

 

[SNGLESHOT]

I have two eu2000 Honda Generators. They are great machines indeed. I bought the parallel power kit that is made for them and I was able to start my AC unit initially but once the compressor built pressure I was unable to restart it when it tried to cycle back on. I had all lights and power useage off and my frig running on propane so as to lessen any drawdown but it still tripped one load breaker on one of the generators but not both. I am not sure what wattage or power requirements my AC is listed for but it is just your basic camper trailer unit on a 27 foot Zinger so I figured around 3200 or 3500 max? Anyway, I am right back where I started from... bought too small but I still love my Hondas and use them around the homestead quite a bit.

 

[FParisi]

Sngleshot - 2 2000's should be able to run any AC unless altitude + temp are really high.

If you try to short cycle the AC it doesn't have enough time for the pressure to bleed down. I think newer ACs have protection against that.

The other thing you might try is shutting off the convertor - depending on the unit that might be drawing considerable current to charge the battery.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Parisi,
Well I am living in Western PA so altitude is not the problem for sure. Short cycling the AC? Heck I just set the temp and it cycles when the heat builds up. Second time around seems like a harder start due to the compression factor. I am not well versed on the residual bleed off time for the AC compressors. All I know is that it started the AC first time around. Second cycle... popped the breaker on one of my gensets. Didnt think about shutting off the converter. Not really sure how to do that other than flipping off all the breakers except for the one that supplies the AC unit? How do you take the converter off line and still use it as a distribution box for power to the camper which is the whole reason for the generators in the first place? No... I think I just bought too small of a generator. Problem is the next step up is the Honda eu3000 which supposedly will start and run my AC without any problems but is too big and heavy (138#)and takes up so much more space in my camper. Now I am not real sure if the newer models are lighter. I do know they come with a wheel kit now and they do look a little smaller. Might have to check one of those out. thanks for the reply.

 

[FParisi]

Hmm! Problem is the 3000 will make less power than 2 2000s.

Somethings not right. The AC is on a 20amp breaker in the trailer + the 2 2000s make 26+ amps. You would think the trailer breaker would trip 1st.

On my old trailer with a 15,000BTU AC I found the convertor wire in the breaker box + swiched it to the electric water heater breaker. New trailer, convertor has a regular cord that plugs into an outlet so I can just unplug it.

Get your AC unit checked - I have heard of easy start kits for ACs.

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Ok. . it is a 2006 27 ft Zinger by Crossroads. Nothing fancy. I was thinking along the same lines as you. 2000 watt rating is not the continuous rating but is the surge rating I think. Wishing I knew more about the generators but I dont. That is what someone told me. I am thinking they put out around 1600 watts continuous. Sound right?

 

[FParisi]

I just double checked - you are right 1 2000i is 1600 watts continuous, 13. 3 amps.

So 2 will do 26. 6 amps + surge capacity.

You might need to leave them off the eco mode, they may not rev up quickly enough to handle the load.

Also you might be able to set your thermostat for more of a temp swing so its a little longer between start ups.

 

[Superglide]

I have a Yamaha EF2800i inverter that runs my a/c. It's quiet, light (64 lbs) and I haven't had any problems with it at all. I'm very pleased with it. My buddy has a Honda EU3000is and although quieter, it weighs a lot more.

 

[RVTRKN]

Parisi,

Well I am living in Western PA so altitude is not the problem for sure. Short cycling the AC? Heck I just set the temp and it cycles when the heat builds up. Second time around seems like a harder start due to the compression factor. I am not well versed on the residual bleed off time for the AC compressors. All I know is that it started the AC first time around. Second cycle... popped the breaker on one of my gensets. Didnt think about shutting off the converter. Not really sure how to do that other than flipping off all the breakers except for the one that supplies the AC unit? How do you take the converter off line and still use it as a distribution box for power to the camper which is the whole reason for the generators in the first place? No... I think I just bought too small of a generator. Problem is the next step up is the Honda eu3000 which supposedly will start and run my AC without any problems but is too big and heavy (138#)and takes up so much more space in my camper. Now I am not real sure if the newer models are lighter. I do know they come with a wheel kit now and they do look a little smaller. Might have to check one of those out. thanks for the reply.

Look up the wattage use of the AC in the technical section of the manual. I'm willing to bet its less than 26 amps or 3200 watts. As described you can connect a "hard start kit" in parallel with the run capacitor, to give the compressor easier starting but you shouldn't be having a problem. Check your connections, you might have a loose connector heating up once the compressor is running or the start relay is starting to fail if equipped. Give me your model and serial of the AC and I can research it for you. I have an account with Dometic Corp, which makes a lot of them, although its been a couple of years since I used them.



On edit, are you using the microwave at the same time, you can't run both, even with both gens running in parrallel.