Generator parallel cables

Just for reference an inverter (whether it is attached to a generator or not) starts with starts with a low power sine wave from something like a digital watch and amplifies it much like an audio amplifier, using a DC power source for the amplifier. To mate two together you have to share one source sine wave between the two to keep them from fighting each other. That is what the extra wire(the one with the banana plugs) is for and why you cannot hook any inverter without a place to input a synchronizing signal into another power circuit. Inverters with the ability to match another circuit are ofter referred to as "Grid Tie" inverters.

kdk, just have to ask this. WHY??? Lots of money and you already have a very quiet, inexpensive to operate, built in unit.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
With apologies to our Florida friend, that's not correct at all with our modern technology (research "inverter generators").
Yes, you can parallel them because they were designed to be used that way.
But PLEASE DON'T make the dead-man cable you describe. It's just way too dangerous and is very amateurish in that it shows one doesn't know what they're doing (no offense intended).
Either buy the correct connectors from an electronics supply place (called "insulated banana plugs") or buy the ready made cable for that purpose.

Good luck,
Scott

Scott,
No apologies necessary. The technology was above my pay grade. :o
Here is what I found in the Q&A for the units.

Q: Will the dual Yamaha EF2000iS/Twin-Tech setup provide power if only 1 of the generators is running? I'm looking at this for RV use and wondering if during those times when I need only the power of one generator I can use without having to unplug from the parallel outlet and re-plug with an adapter into an outlet on one of the generators.

A: You cannot use the parallel kit when operating only one generator. The kit is for use when both generators are operating at the same time in conjunction with one another.

You know, I was wondering if you could back feed the "dead" gen with the running one. That answers that question!

I'll be danged if I can understand how the two sync together though. There's nothing special about the cable.

ScottG wrote:
With apologies to our Florida friend, that's not correct at all with our modern technology (research "inverter generators").
Yes, you can parallel them because they were designed to be used that way.
But PLEASE DON'T make the dead-man cable you describe. It's just way too dangerous and is very amateurish in that it shows one doesn't know what they're doing (no offense intended).
Either buy the correct connectors from an electronics supply place (called "insulated banana plugs") or buy the ready made cable for that purpose.

Good luck,
Scott

Scott,
No apologies necessary. The technology was above my pay grade. :o
Here is what I found in the Q&A for the units.

Q: Will the dual Yamaha EF2000iS/Twin-Tech setup provide power if only 1 of the generators is running? I'm looking at this for RV use and wondering if during those times when I need only the power of one generator I can use without having to unplug from the parallel outlet and re-plug with an adapter into an outlet on one of the generators.

A: You cannot use the parallel kit when operating only one generator. The kit is for use when both generators are operating at the same time in conjunction with one another.

wa8yxm wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Won't work. With AC current, two generators, running at two different speeds will not be able to sync with each other to give you a cumulative total of voltage/power. If you were talking DC, yes, but with 60 cycle AC, nope.

To the OP: Yes, it has been done and with great success.. I can not help you with the job though since I have not done it. Of course they must be INVERTER generators and they must be the ones that are capable of parallelling.

To Rgatijnet1

For many years Honda was the only company that made an Inverter generator that was advertised as being able to work in tandem with another (in parallel) This is because of the inverter technology.

However in recent times Yamaha has now started marketing parallel kits for some of their inverter generators as have some of the Chinese knock off imitation jobs as well.. I do not recommend those.

I am assuming the O/P was planing on using the "i" series of inverter generators.. (And as you see I included that as a provision of the advice I gave him).

You are right and as with a lot of things, technology has improved. I did do a search of the Yamaha website to educate myself and they did state that yes you can connect the two 2000 watt units together for 4000 watts but you cannot leave them connected and shut one down. They both must remain running when connected.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Won't work. With AC current, two generators, running at two different speeds will not be able to sync with each other to give you a cumulative total of voltage/power. If you were talking DC, yes, but with 60 cycle AC, nope.

To the OP: Yes, it has been done and with great success.. I can not help you with the job though since I have not done it. Of course they must be INVERTER generators and they must be the ones that are capable of parallelling.

To Rgatijnet1

For many years Honda was the only company that made an Inverter generator that was advertised as being able to work in tandem with another (in parallel) This is because of the inverter technology.

However in recent times Yamaha has now started marketing parallel kits for some of their inverter generators as have some of the Chinese knock off imitation jobs as well.. I do not recommend those.

I am assuming the O/P was planing on using the "i" series of inverter generators.. (And as you see I included that as a provision of the advice I gave him).

With apologies to our Florida friend, that's not correct at all with our modern technology (research "inverter generators").
Yes, you can parallel them because they were designed to be used that way.
But PLEASE DON'T make the dead-man cable you describe. It's just way too dangerous and is very amateurish in that it shows one doesn't know what they're doing (no offense intended).
Either buy the correct connectors from an electronics supply place (called "insulated banana plugs") or buy the ready made cable for that purpose.

Good luck,
Scott

Won't work. With AC current, two generators, running at two different speeds will not be able to sync with each other to give you a cumulative total of voltage/power. If you were talking DC, yes, but with 60 cycle AC, nope.