30 amp plug on a 2000i Companion

[Headhog]

Can the 30 amp plug on a Companion be used as a 15 amp with the use of an adapter?

[dznf0g]

Yes

[dznf0g]

Amazon.com: Conntek Twist Lock Adapter with 30 Amp 125 Volt Male Plug To 15/20 Amp Straight Blade Female Connector: Sports & Outdoors

Here is an adapter

[dznf0g]

3 ft. Generator 30 Amp 3-prong Extension Cord to 15-20 Amp (x2) Y-Adapter-G30AM20AY at The Home Depot

Here is another style

[dznf0g]

However, I am not sure why you need one. Could you explain?

[TBRich]

Again, yes ... but there is a 15 amp plug-in on the Companion, too (next to the 30-amp)...it has both.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by TBRich

Again, yes ... but there is a 15 amp plug-in on the Companion, too (next to the 30-amp)...it has both.

Exactly, I think some folks may think that there is a separate circuit.
1) each Eu2000i is only capable of putting out 13ish amps (sustained) and the two outlets, regardless of configuration are wired in series.
2) when they are paired, the combination is only capable of putting our 26ish amps (sustained) out of all four outlets and they are all in series.
3) each of the conventional outlet pairs (one on the Companion) have a circuit breaker, limiting that particular outlet(s) to 20 amps.
4) if the total demand on the circuit(s) exceeds the max output of the generator(s), the overload circuit shuts off all output power.

What this all means is, if you need more conventional 20 amp style outlets on the companion (or the EU2000i, for that matter) all you need is one of these for $1.99

3-Wire Orange Heavy Duty Vinyl Triple Tap-R52-00699-000 at The Home Depot

The 30Amp outlet is there for convenience for us RV owners to have the CAPABILITY and convenience to pull 30 amps (26ish in reality) with one convenient outlet rated for UP TO 30 amps (if paired). If not paired, you get 13 amps out of the same outlet to your AS. (no AC, but most other items can be powered, although not at the same time.

Edit: the EU2000i is a series outlet circuit, the Companion is a series/parallel circuit.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Edit: the EU2000i is a series outlet circuit, the Companion is a series/parallel circuit.

Sorry to say, you've got this electrical engineer confused by this statement. can you please clarify?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by steverino

Sorry to say, you've got this electrical engineer confused by this statement. can you please clarify?

I may have my terminology a little off....my expertise is in DC circuits. Do you have the wiring diagrams for a regular and a companion? The EU2000i regular has the hot and neutral entering the first outlet and then running to the second outlet from the first in "tandem", or in series.

The Companion has a hot lead which runs to the paralleling cable port and has two hot leads "tapped into" this wire, running each to the hot terminal on the 20 amp outlet and the 30 amp outlet respectively. The neutral wire is the same configuration. A series/parallel circuit??

When the two gens are paired with the pairing cable, I believe all outlets are on a series/parallel circuit.

My point with all of this is that you gain nothing by buying an expensive 30 amp adapter, as you will get nothing more out of the circuit, either paired or solo, that you couldn't get using the other outlet (if running the companion solo) or other three 20 amp outlets (if running tandem). If you need an extra outlet, for more devices plugged directly to the gen(s), get the $1.99 adapter above. Just don't exceed the 20 amp running solo (13.3amp continuous) or 30 amps in tandem (continuous 26.6 amps).

EDIT: actually, I THINK, with the gennies paired, 3 of the 4 (both companion outlets and one of the regular EU2000I outlets) are series parallel. One of the regular EU2000I outlets is still just a series circuit.

[dznf0g]

Steverino,

Check my analysis and correct if needed. Wiring diagrams on page 70 for the Companion (EU2000i AN type) and page 73 for the regular (EU2000i AC type).

Honda Power Equipment: Honda Generators, Lawn Mowers, Snowblowers, Tillers

[Headhog]

Thanks for the great info. I'm just over thinking everything. Thinking, more "outlets" might be helpful. Already have the 3 way splitter. Easy fix. Example: might us portable drill charger and run saw/drill at the same time. I'm either going to get the 3000 Handi or go with the two 2000i. Kinda leaning toward the 2 because I would have a little more wattage if I wanted to connect it to my house with a switch, just to run lighting/plug circuits. Very helpful data. Thanks again.

[steverino]

dznf0g,

No, all the AC receptacles are wired in parallel, for both generators. The hot wire out of the inverter goes to the hot terminal of both receptacles, whether they are 20A receptacles (for EU2000i) or the 20A and 30A receptacles (for companion unit).

And when the parallel cable is added between the two units, the hot of one unit is connected to the hot of the other. Same for the neutral, thus the two units are in parallel as well.

In parallel circuits, voltage stays the same, and current adds, thus you can drive a 30A load with two 15A sources.

[dznf0g]

Steve,
I see what you are saying, I think, but the Regular EU2000i second outlet appears to be in series in the wiring diagram. May just not be an accurate drawing, but it appears to be different than I would draw a household outlet.

Anyway, may be much ado about nuttin', is my analysis correct re. the use of the outlets and outputs?

EDIT: The drawing led me to believe that maybe for parts commonization, they used two individual 15A outlets, like the single in the companion. The wiring schematic led me to believe that. BUT the parts manual shows it to be just like a standard household two port outlet. I now concur with you.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Headhog

Thanks for the great info. I'm just over thinking everything. Thinking, more "outlets" might be helpful. Already have the 3 way splitter. Easy fix. Example: might us portable drill charger and run saw/drill at the same time. I'm either going to get the 3000 Handi or go with the two 2000i. Kinda leaning toward the 2 because I would have a little more wattage if I wanted to connect it to my house with a switch, just to run lighting/plug circuits. Very helpful data. Thanks again.

I went through the same decision process as you. I finally concluded that for the varied uses we RVers have, between household backup, ASing in fall and spring, where no A/C is needed, and sometimes needing A/C, I liked the flexibility of two 2000s.