OK, so school me....My GF's mom just bought a travel trailer. They are planning to get a generator at some time in the future. The TT has one 15KBTU AC, so I'm figuring 3000W or so overall capacity on the genset.The guy at Camping World suggested we get two 2KW Honda units (lighter weight, easier to maneuver around) and hook them up using some sort of Y cable. The engineer in me doesn't understand how the phases of AC will match up if you do this, but on closer inspection, there appears to be some sort of port ("Parallel Operation Outlet") that implies this is possible. And according to the Honda website, you can "stack" two identical units to double the output.Is this a good idea? Downsides (other than cost)? Is Honda the only one with this? Other thoughts?

Yeah you can but the CW guy is just trying to make more money too. There are generators that are as good and quiet at higher Amp/Watt ratings that are manageable on weight and No they (Honda) are not the only one who does it. They just do it for more money! Do them (folks) a favor and read up and study some more and make an easier more cost effective choice that will accomplish what they need.

irollman wrote: GF's mom just bought a travel trailer. They are planning to get a generator at some time in the future. The TT has one 15KBTU AC, so I'm figuring 3000W or so overall capacity on the genset.s?Make sure they actually will be camping where it's hot enough to run air. Most people just head for the nearest campground. And please discourage them from thinking they need a big honkin' generator to watch TV.My usual comment is that I see very few campers actually doing this, and it's a lot of cash to be throwing at a problem that will never happen. Are your future inlaws physically fit, because it's a lot of work.The only downsides are spilling gas, and the physical exertion of horsing them around. And maybe the engineer in you can get a schematic and figure out that you can make your own parallel cables.

Another option is the Champion 2000i which can be paralleled with another 2000i.It's not quite as quiet as a Honda or Yamaha. But, it is lot cheaper.The Champion Inverter Generators have a good reputation.

yes the hondas will do thisbut so will some yahmaha modelsand some champion modelsALL these that can be 'doubled up' are inverter modelsand they can only do this with models from the same mfg2 yammies, 2 hondas, 2 champsno mix different brandsits all in the inverter electronics talking to each other and syncing up

I would look for a remote start generator at least 3000w and as quiet as possible. Honda would be my first choice but if price is the determining factor one of the other brands.

Dual Generators (not dual fuel, but two generators)

valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 21, 2016
Honda & Yamaha are the gold standard for inverter generators.

There are some decent lower cost generators and there are some pieces of junk.

The inverter generators create DC power and use an inverter to convert it to AC. As long as the brand matches up the quality ones can sync the inverters to match the Hz.

The biggest question is where will they be camping? Most RV parks have power pedestals, even if they don't, there are usually limits on when you can run the generator making air/con impractical. It's really only if you boondock in remote areas where you can frequently use the generator for air/con.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016
I would look for a remote start generator at least 3000w and as quiet as possible. Honda would be my first choice but if price is the determining factor one of the other brands.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 21, 2016
yes the hondas will do this
but so will some yahmaha models
and some champion models

ALL these that can be 'doubled up' are inverter models
and they can only do this with models from the same mfg
2 yammies, 2 hondas, 2 champs
no mix different brands

its all in the inverter electronics talking to each other and syncing up
gbopp
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016
Another option is the Champion 2000i which can be paralleled with another 2000i.
It's not quite as quiet as a Honda or Yamaha. But, it is lot cheaper.
The Champion Inverter Generators have a good reputation.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2016
irollman wrote:
GF's mom just bought a travel trailer. They are planning to get a generator at some time in the future. The TT has one 15KBTU AC, so I'm figuring 3000W or so overall capacity on the genset.s?
Make sure they actually will be camping where it's hot enough to run air. Most people just head for the nearest campground. And please discourage them from thinking they need a big honkin' generator to watch TV.

My usual comment is that I see very few campers actually doing this, and it's a lot of cash to be throwing at a problem that will never happen. Are your future inlaws physically fit, because it's a lot of work.

The only downsides are spilling gas, and the physical exertion of horsing them around. And maybe the engineer in you can get a schematic and figure out that you can make your own parallel cables.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016
Yeah you can but the CW guy is just trying to make more money too. There are generators that are as good and quiet at higher Amp/Watt ratings that are manageable on weight and No they (Honda) are not the only one who does it. They just do it for more money! Do them (folks) a favor and read up and study some more and make an easier more cost effective choice that will accomplish what they need.

Forum Discussion

Dual Generators (not dual fuel, but two generators)

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Generator Fuel Usage

Fuel line for generator

generator

Generator

Generator