I have a Honda EU2000i generator, and am thinking of getting a Companion and paralleling them. I don't like the GROUND wire that is on the paralleling kit because it takes a screwdriver to attach. Is there a problem with buying a pair of male plugs and wiring only the GROUND pins together to plug into the 20 amp outlets on the generators? There would be no wires, whatsoever, connecting the other prongs between the two plugs.(Although, I have to have a bonding plug because of my PI EMS-HW30C, so I will run that same ground wire to one of the NEUTRAL pins. That will make it a GROUND connector/bonding plug combo.)

I install 1/4 inch quick connects on the ground wire. Bought terminal to go where spade would be normally.Used female like these. Yellow connectorUsed one similar to this on genset. Had to drill hole for screw to fit through.Genset sideFor bonding the genset, use a male three wire plug. Jumper between neutral and ground pins.

Bobbo wrote:I have a Honda EU2000i generator, and am thinking of getting a Companion and paralleling them. I don't like the GROUND wire that is on the paralleling kit because it takes a screwdriver to attach. Is there a problem with buying a pair of male plugs and wiring only the GROUND pins together to plug into the 20 amp outlets on the generators? There would be no wires, whatsoever, connecting the other prongs between the two plugs.(Although, I have to have a bonding plug because of my PI EMS-HW30C, so I will run that same ground wire to one of the NEUTRAL pins. That will make it a GROUND connector/bonding plug combo.)I've done the same, cut the spade terminal off my Yamaha Twin-tech cable and attached it to the ground pin on a replacement 3-prong plug.I suppose the idea of the screw-on ground is that it would be difficult to separate from the generator. A plugged in ground (or other quick-connect) could become detached, and then "bad things" might happen.

Bobbo wrote:I have a Honda EU2000i generator, and am thinking of getting a Companion and paralleling them.Just on general principles I don't think trying to parallel two different brands of generators is a good idea.IF and only if BOTH companies tell you it is OK.

enblethen wrote:For bonding the genset, use a male three wire plug. Jumper between neutral and ground pins.That is what I've been doing for a single generator.

I agree the hookup is a PITA for ground. However I can't really blame honda. More than likely it is to comply with codes. In general the ground connection must be one that is more secure than hot or neutral and usually must be such that it would come loose AFTER either a hot or neutral disconnects. So having a banana plug for ground probably doesn't cut it for a FACTORY configuration.But of course what WE do is up to us.

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ktmrfs
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2017
2oldman wrote:
time2roll wrote:
If that is a dead-man cord I don't recommend it.
It's no more a dead-man cord than the cord on your toaster, provided you plug them BOTH in before starting either generator, like the manual says.

and turn off BOTH generators before unplugging.

personally not something I would use but each to his own.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2017
time2roll wrote:
If that is a dead-man cord I don't recommend it.
It's no more a dead-man cord than the cord on your toaster, provided you plug them BOTH in before starting either generator, like the manual says.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 11, 2017
2oldman wrote:
Make your own parallel cables with standard extension cord plugs where the ground is already there. Too easy.

If that is a dead-man cord I don't recommend it.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 11, 2017
Duration power uses banana plugs for power and the ground pin of a plug for the ground on the triple set up.

http://durationpower.com/store/
MrWizard
Moderator
Nov 11, 2017
might be easier
to buy a metric thumb screw to replace the ground screw

make it really easy to attach or remove
bob213
Explorer
Nov 11, 2017
I made my own but not smart enough to do it like 2oldman did. I did replace the ground screw with a thumb screw to do away with the need for for a screwdriver.(not correct size shown)thumbscrew
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2017
Make your own parallel cables with standard extension cord plugs where the ground is already there. Too easy.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2017
I agree the hookup is a PITA for ground. However I can't really blame honda. More than likely it is to comply with codes. In general the ground connection must be one that is more secure than hot or neutral and usually must be such that it would come loose AFTER either a hot or neutral disconnects. So having a banana plug for ground probably doesn't cut it for a FACTORY configuration.

But of course what WE do is up to us.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2017
enblethen wrote:
For bonding the genset, use a male three wire plug. Jumper between neutral and ground pins.

That is what I've been doing for a single generator.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Nov 11, 2017
Bobbo wrote:
I have a Honda EU2000i generator, and am thinking of getting a Companion and paralleling them.

Just on general principles I don't think trying to parallel two different brands of generators is a good idea.

IF and only if BOTH companies tell you it is OK.

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