Honda 2000 and 3000

[AirHog]

Good Evening,

Is it possible to run a EU2000i and a EU3000is with a parallel cable and get a total 5000 watt output. I have a 2000 and I am thinking of also getting a 3000. If they can be hooked up together, then it will solve my problem for a home backup generator.

Many thanks.

Titu

[BigAl]

Somehow I have my doubts. Can't you find out on the Honda website?
Al

[DMT]

I don't think so. I have a 2000i and a 2000i companion. On the 2000i or 2000i companion the available current is limited by the capacity of the receptacle. The 2000i companion has the larger capacity receptacle which is 28 amps. So even if you could parallel a 3000 watt with the companion (which I think is not possible) you would be limited to what the 2000 can pass.

[r carl]

Honda say's dont do it, but doesnt say why. I have done it (eu3000i and eu2000i) to power a 120v welder because two eu2000i were not quite enough. It didnt hurt anything for the short time I did it, but long usage may be a different story, dont know.

[AirsDream]

Even if you could, you likely would need a generator with 220 output, so that you could feed both legs of your breaker panel. Also, beware of issues such as needing 220 for some things you may need to run ... for example, some well pumps (mine, for example) run on 220 - so do most of my larger stationary shop tools, welder, etc.

[TBRich]

I was under the understanding that paralleled generators need to be the same capacity.

[Gringo]

for most of the well pumps I've had to deal with, you could change them to 120 vac pretty easily. My present one has a simple jumper plug right next to a picture of how to do it.

[dwightdi]

It is not possible to hook the two together without using a kit that would syn the frequencies and phase of the two generators. Honda does provide a kit for two 2000 units. I am not sure whether it could connect at 2000 to a 3000. A better idea would be to plug the various loads into the individual generators, that way you do not need to worry about trying to add two sin wave voltages together without getting them out of phase. I can not plot the curves on this site but the result could be you would end up with up to 220 volts instantaneously present across the output at any one time and 0 output at other times.

[Gringo]

boy wouldn't THAT make yer fan motors happy for a few seconds...

Kinda like the electrical equivalent of a meth rush.

[r carl]

Your not going to get 220v by paralleling two eu2000i generators so if you want 220v to the breaker box in your home you will need a generator and transfer switch for that purpose. You can use the Honda's to power individual 120v items in your home with extension cords.

[Gringo]

shucks. i was looking forward to watching network news in half the time.

[AirHog]

Thanks everybody. I will end up buying a separate generator for the house with 220V option.

Best,

Titu

[Toller]

I looked into combining a EU1000 and EU2000. I was told that I would get 1000w from both, so it would be the same as using the EU2000. I suppose you would get 2000w from both; which is a bit better than just the EU3000.

[newroswell]

Toller, the street price difference between a EU1000 & EU2000 is around $150. Stick with the Honda approved way to parallel these units and save yourself a lot of grief.

[Toller]

I did; I sold the EU2000 and got a EU3000; since the 1000 and 2000 wouldn't work together.