I currently have two Honda eu2000i's a parallel cable and extended run fuel tank. I have been considering upgrading to a fiver but the generator is an issue.I am not interested in a propane powered Onan that most RV's come with. From what I have saw I would have to get a toyhauler to get a gas powered one, which I don't want. First question does anyone know if a gas powered genny is an available option or can be retrofitted to a fiver? I don't know where you would mount the gas tank? Maybe a fuel cell next to the genny?Second since I already own two Hondas, has anyone put three in parallel? This would give me 6000W surge and 5400W running which would be plenty. I would have to splice into the parallel cable to go over to the third unit but this wouldn't be a problem. I would also have to change the plumbing on my BERG tank which wouldn't be an issue either.What do you think? $1000 for another Honda is way cheaper than a 5500W Onan and if I can't run it on gas I don't want it anyway.My other option is that I also have a Yamaha 4500W. I bought it originally for use with my travel trailer but found that it was too heavy to move around. With the B&W companion in the back of my truck there is no room for this generator in front of the hitch and I think it may be too tall to store behind the hitch. I might could put a heavy slide out draw in one of the side storage bays and pull it out when I wanted to use it. Wonder if I could parallel my Honda to my Yamaha as it's not big enough either?The other option is the 5500W Yamaha but they are high dollar and I already have all of these other gennies, plus I would have the same issue with "where do I keep it"?Any ideas or suggestions? Between not being able to find a fiver that will fit in my 13' barn door (with the 2nd A/C installed) to this genny issue I am about ready to keep what I have.Thanks

There's videos on youtube of folks running more than two Honda or Yamaha in parallel, never tried it myself. some of them go into deal about the "combiner box" usedit's cheaper, but is the hassle of fueling and maintaining two or three separate motors worth the one-time cost of a bigger single generator, propane powered or gasoline?

johndeerefarmer wrote: . . . Second since I already own two Hondas, has anyone put three in parallel? This would give me 6000W surge and 5400W running which would be plenty. I would have to splice into the parallel cable to go over to the third unit but this wouldn't be a problem. I would also have to change the plumbing on my BERG tank which wouldn't be an issue either . . .It would probably "work". However, under high load one may end up exceeding the maximum current rating of the parallel cable kit itself and/or some of the internal circuity of each generator to include the L5 30 amp plug on the Companion unit (delivers the total, combined output when paralleled).

http://www.wisesales.com/triple-parallel-kit.html

smkettner wrote:http://www.wisesales.com/triple-parallel-kit.htmlInteresting! Note the additional "male" 120 volt plugs. Wonder if these are used to increase the overall current capability by using both the 120 outlets and the "banana plugs" to deliver the combined output to the 50 amp parallel output box.

Genny questions and Parallel Hondas | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

mlts22
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2015
johndeerefarmer wrote:
smkettner wrote:
http://www.wisesales.com/triple-parallel-kit.html

Nice. Thanks, I didn't realize that they sold one ready made.
It would be a pain to carry three generators around but I would only need to run the third if both A/C units were on.

On my other question: Does anybody know if a gas Onan is an option or can be retrofitted into a fifth wheel?

Thanks

Very much so. In fact, one RV shop actually has retrofitted fuel tanks (20-30 gallon) underneath travel trailers and fifth wheels so the rig can have an Onan generator.

Of course, here is the downside. Depending on the work they do, it will not be cheap. When I was looking at having this done, it would have cost me $4500 because part of the work would be fabbing a metal cage for the generator to sit in. Depending on fifth wheel, it -may- or -may- not be genset ready. This means it has a compartment which is metal lined for vapor resistance. If not, this would have to be done.

Would I do this with a rig I have? If I knew I was going to have the fiver for more than 10-15 years, yes. However, given the choice, I'd probably see about a hitch on back of the fiver, and going with a Honda EU7000is. Yes, the generator is not cheap, but it runs just as quiet as a 2000 watt model, and the generator has remote start.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2015
I am not sure you can put 3 in paralll but 2 will provide a solid 30 amps and change.

Also I have SEEN 5ers, which were NOT toy haulers,, that had gasoline generators.

Thy used Marine type fuel tanks (like an outboard motor)
MikeGuti
Explorer
May 31, 2015
3 eu2000 will give you 6600 max starting watts and running off 5400 which is 2200 starting and 1800 running per generator
johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2014
jrnymn7 wrote:
Three eu2000i's would give you 4800w, not 5400. That may affect your decision.

Thanks. I thought that I had remembered that they were 2000W surge and 1800W rated not the 1600W that they really are.
xaugievike
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Is the extra power a must for some reason? (Double AC's?). Twin Hondas have run my show well for days in some hot weather. Single AC though.
jrnymn7
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014
Three eu2000i's would give you 4800w, not 5400. That may affect your decision.
big_whitey
Explorer
Oct 26, 2014
johndeerefarmer wrote:
I currently have two Honda eu2000i's a parallel cable and extended run fuel tank. I have been considering upgrading to a fiver but the generator is an issue.

I am not interested in a propane powered Onan that most RV's come with. From what I have saw I would have to get a toyhauler to get a gas powered one, which I don't want. First question does anyone know if a gas powered genny is an available option or can be retrofitted to a fiver? I don't know where you would mount the gas tank? Maybe a fuel cell next to the genny?

Second since I already own two Hondas, has anyone put three in parallel? This would give me 6000W surge and 5400W running which would be plenty. I would have to splice into the parallel cable to go over to the third unit but this wouldn't be a problem. I would also have to change the plumbing on my BERG tank which wouldn't be an issue either.

What do you think? $1000 for another Honda is way cheaper than a 5500W Onan and if I can't run it on gas I don't want it anyway.

My other option is that I also have a Yamaha 4500W. I bought it originally for use with my travel trailer but found that it was too heavy to move around. With the B&W companion in the back of my truck there is no room for this generator in front of the hitch and I think it may be too tall to store behind the hitch. I might could put a heavy slide out draw in one of the side storage bays and pull it out when I wanted to use it. Wonder if I could parallel my Honda to my Yamaha as it's not big enough either?
The other option is the 5500W Yamaha but they are high dollar and I already have all of these other gennies, plus I would have the same issue with "where do I keep it"?

Any ideas or suggestions? Between not being able to find a fiver that will fit in my 13' barn door (with the 2nd A/C installed) to this genny issue I am about ready to keep what I have.

Thanks

I had a gas fired 7000 Onan on a $75k 38' Mountainaire fifthwheel. It worked fine till the POS Onan did what Onans do best and crapped out. I would forego the Onan and use the H/Y. BTW i feel the same about the rest of that POS Newmar called a coach. Went back to the factory 3 times in 2 years and was still junk when i gave up and sold it after 3 years of hell.

On a separate note you mentioned you were about ready to keep what you have. If you are reasonably happy with your present RV and it is in good repair i would strongly advise you to keep what you have because there is no guarantee you will be so lucky next go round.
johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
Oct 26, 2014
smkettner wrote:
http://www.wisesales.com/triple-parallel-kit.html

Nice. Thanks, I didn't realize that they sold one ready made.
It would be a pain to carry three generators around but I would only need to run the third if both A/C units were on.

On my other question: Does anybody know if a gas Onan is an option or can be retrofitted into a fifth wheel?

Thanks
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 26, 2014
Plugs are just to connect the ground. No power on the other prongs.
otrfun
Explorer II
Oct 26, 2014
smkettner wrote:
http://www.wisesales.com/triple-parallel-kit.html
Interesting! Note the additional "male" 120 volt plugs. Wonder if these are used to increase the overall current capability by using both the 120 outlets and the "banana plugs" to deliver the combined output to the 50 amp parallel output box.