Can you link a EU2000i with a EU1000i?

[Raptorrider2001]

I am sure this has probably been beat to death a gazillion times, but I can't seem to find it in a search. Can you link a EU2000i with a EU1000i just as if you were connecting 2-EU2000is? I have been running my 11K a/c on my 1999 25' Safari for 2 1/2 years. It is very marginal and would like to have that little extra I could get from the 1000. Thanks

[Pick]

Short answer, NO. According to Honda you can link 2 EU2000i's together. There is not that much of a price difference between a 1000 and 2000. I do not think you can even link 2 1000's together or even 2 3000's.

[azflycaster]

Honda has cable kits for the 1000, 2000 and 3000 models. You can not mix and match, the two units must be the same.

[overlander63]

If you try to hook up a 1000 and a 2000, the lower rated generator will cut out, because, of course, it is rated lower, and will protect itself when it see amps and watts go over its rating, leaving the larger unit to shoulder the burden by itself.
You can't even hook up a horse and a mule for the same reason.

[Kajtek1]

It is the same issue like using 100% bio-diesel, towing with close to 100% capacity, or towing car with 4 wheels down.
Manufacturers don't recommend it because there is no money in it for them, so why take a risk? Lot of owners do it successfully regardless.
Lot of good technical advice on the subject on rv.net forum.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Raptorrider2001

I am sure this has probably been beat to death a gazillion times, but I can't seem to find it in a search. Can you link a EU2000i with a EU1000i just as if you were connecting 2-EU2000is? I have been running my 11K a/c on my 1999 25' Safari for 2 1/2 years. It is very marginal and would like to have that little extra I could get from the 1000. Thanks

No. You need two 2000s. The 1000 will try to keep up with the 2000 and fail.

[overlander63]

The generators will not share proportions of the load. If you have a 2000 watt load, the 1000 will be going flat-out, and the 2000 will be loafing at half-load. if you exceed 2000 watts, the 1000 will overload and shut down to protect itself, quickly followed by the suddenly-overloaded 2000.
This is the same reason you can't (or shouldn't) use a pair of battery chargers on a single load (battery), the lesser-capacity one will be the weak link.

[elbundi]

rewire and dedicate one genny (2k) to your ac and let the other take care of the rest

[SilverRanger]

I actually Googled the topic and waded through some threads on RvNet forum and found some people who have claimed, what I would consider to be rather limited success, at linking two different generators by using some 'homemade' cables. I surely didn't see anything that would compell me to conduct experiments on any kind of generators, or my Airstream. I'd spend the extra dime and do it right.

[Westfalia]

Nothing in that thread stated that posters were qualified to be making such modifications or claims. If anything, all I saw was "It works, but I'm not sure why".

[Fyrzowt]

Suggestion....

Let's keep it constructive.

[Pick]

The bottom line is "Not recommended or approved by the manufacturer". Use at your own risk and don't come crying, when you burn something up.

[HiHoAgRV]

For the sake of discussion—
If I had a 1000eui and a 2000eui and the equipment to place a variable load on each unit, I would record output voltage verses current on each unit from no-load to full load. Then I would test under 2 assumptions (I know the definition of assumption )
1) Hondas have been shown to frequency match between two different size generators and
2) the big guess… Inverter technology will react to loads similar to conventional low tech generators.
For example – at a known load, a low tech generator will output a known output voltage, no load on my coleman is 130 volts, full load is 115 v. (pretty crappy)
Let’s say the 2000eui put out 800 w at 124 volts and the 1000eui at the same voltage is 300 watts. Testing the two tied together at 1100 watts should be 124 volts.( That would be the test for the theory )

Where things fall apart is if the curves are miss-matched, such as a 2000 at max load is 120 volts and the 1000 is 122 volts. The 1000 will trip out at 121 volts and the 2000 never got fully loaded.

This is all based on how I understand the inverter technology units work but, then again, I don't have one!

[TBRich]

Hmmm...when the manual says not to parallel unlike models or types of generators, I think it's probably prudent to heed the instructions. Just because some folks have done it and it seems to work "just fine" for them doesn't mean that they don't run a heavy risk of damaging appliances, electical systems or generators...or that one day or after extended use they won't find out why it's not wise. Just my opinion, but then I tend to follow instructions when operating equipment.

TB

[Kajtek1]

When you drive older car, very likely your manual advise "oil change 3000". That doesn't mean with today's advanced oils anybody do it anymore.
Our cars get new oils every 13,000 miles.
"Not recommended" by manufacturer is the other way of saying "we don't want to be responsible for the outcome". Than Tim Allen said "Manuals are just manufacturer opinions". Very likely they employ engineers, who have little, or no practical experience.
As I said, if others positive experience is not good enough, than do whatever pleases you. Lot of people are still scared surfing the net.

[alan]

I have both a 2000i and 3000i. Will I try to run them in parallel? Not unless I am willing to flush several thousand dollars based on anecdotal information.

For some reason, there seems to be a desire to turn this into a confrontational thread. It appears that some folks are willing to risk their investment in generators while others are not. That is a choice we are all free to make.

Honda doesn't recommend crossing ratings, possibly because they would have to do the testing to validate performance and accept warranty expense if they are wrong. That is an issue all manufacturers face to some degree.

[clancy_boy]

Because of Hurricane Katrina, there were alot of "unique" "creative" "do-what-you-have-to-do" generator usage by many people around here. Many were desperate to get as many of their freezers, AC units, fridges, and other high amp draw appliances back online to save whatever they could. I have seen alot of multiple generator setups (lots spooked me to no end) by individuals trying to do the best they could to get power. The effects on the generators was obvious by the large number of fried generators that now litter the junk yards at small motor repair yards.

But, none of that matters........ WHAT DOES MATTER was the long term damage caused to the same appliances that these good intentioned people were trying to save. Many have experienced motor failure directly related to the incorrect usage of their generators and the calculation of demand load by their appliances. You want experience, I've seen it first hand. You are right, it will start your AC (fridge, freezer, even water heater-hah, no way) - does that mean that the AC likes it???? Let us know, until then I will heed the manufacturers "suggestions" in "their" manual.

[herrgirdner]

My experience says, unless it is explicitly covered in the owners manual, don't do it. If you are really set on trying this, it would be wise to contact the manufacturer with the question, not that I've anything against the advice handed out in this forum.
regards

[Foiled Again]

IMHO smoking while filling your gas tank is a BAD idea.

I've never actually seen anyone set himself on on fire doing it... but it still seems risky.

Oh, and yes I who normally say "it's your life" will politely ask people who are dragging on a fag to put it out while filling their tank next to me! Why? Because that close, it's MY life too!

When I do see someone smoking around gas pumps, I don't call them stupid or ignoramuses, or insult their education or lack of education or refer to their mothers in a disrespectful way.... Why?

1. No lapse in manners by another is an excuse for a lapse in my manners
2. Self respect
3. Intelligence
4. The guy has a freakin' lit cigarette in one hand and a freakin' gas nozzle in the other! Basic sanity says don't "flame" a guy with the flame thrower!

For heaven sake, your opinion IS valuable... your opinion of everyone else's opinion isn't. "CIVILITY" doesn't cost money so USE it liberally.

Paula Ford

[pmclemore]

Nicely said, Paula. Thanks.

Pat