Honda EU2000 parallel operation
I have two Honda EU2000 generators that we occasionally operate in parallel operation. The owners manual states to disconnect the cables when not running both generators. I've noticed other campers ru...
Forum Discussion
Okay.... well this seemed to get a lot of information. First let me say I kinda have an idea about what I'm talking about, maybe I didn't post it correctly. Let's take the camper out of the equasion. If you parallele both units and only start one, the outlets on the other unit will be hot (wether you have one of each or two of the same doesn't really matter). Now this is going to happen no matter what because you can't start both generators at the same time, unless you and your partner are really good ??.
So I dry camp about as much as I do with hookups so my generators get some use. The way I do it is to hook my camper up to the companion with the 30 twist lock plug (yes I know it's not 30amp) and I park the other one next to it, not connected). In the event I don't need to run the A/C (or other such heavy loads) I will switch back and forth each day to give the other one a break having to now use a 30/15amp adapter (I wish I would have spent the extra $98 for the win win option). If I have to run both--- shut off the one that is running, connect the cables, start both units (making sure the eco switch is in the same position on both) and proceed to plug the RV into the 30amp plug (which I know isn't really 30amps but 26.5 or whatever it is).
So now I'm done with the need for parallel operation, just watching TV and the stereo, fan, phone charger etc... so, unplug the camper, turn off both units, unplug the cables, restart the rotation with one unit (be it the 30amp or 30/15 adapter, plug the RV back in (my DIRECTV Box gets a work each time I do this) and life goes on.
Now to my original inquiry... I have 2 friends that I camp with (we'll call them Tom and Bob, there's actually a 3rd, Alan he runs 3 Honda 2000's together, buts that's a whole other post.
So, Tom and Bob hook up their 2 Honda 2000's a upon setting up the campers, parallel cables plugged in, RV plugged into the companions 30 amp plug (again I know it's not 30amps) and only start one unit (either one, doesn't matter) and away they go. Now Tom and Bob rotate their generators daily as I do when only calling for enough power to "keep the lights and TV on" HERES THE BUT, when the require the extra power all they do is go start the other one, don't shut off the one that's running. When the need for paraelle operation has stopped they simply shut one off, paraelle cables still connected. This ritual goes on day after day. Even with the RV plugged into the 30amp receptacle on the companion unit and it NOT running the other unit will power that receptacle (and the 20amp one next to it, remember it's not running, the other one is).
So, Honda states in the manual to disconnect the cables when not running paraelle operation, I was wondering why? My thinking is that it's because the outlets on the non-running unit are HOT, even though the unit is not running. Sound like a reasonable explanation? I'm not saying this IS the reason, but I will try and get in touch with them to find out. I'm also not saying it doesn't do harm to the units doing it Tom and Bobs way but, they've been doing this for years and we dry camp for more than a week at a time and these units run for days and days without stoppping (except to change the oil after the recommended 100 hours or so) I use full synthetic so I usually go a little more but not much.
I will also say if you're thinking about getting 2 of these units, do the "win, win" option and pay the extra $98 to have the 30amp plug on both so you can switch back and forth without the use of the 30amp RV plug to the 15 or 20 amp adapter. If you're worried about loosing the extra outlet you can always get a 30amp to 15amp splitter and have one more outlet that way.
So, any questions?
Phew....
So I dry camp about as much as I do with hookups so my generators get some use. The way I do it is to hook my camper up to the companion with the 30 twist lock plug (yes I know it's not 30amp) and I park the other one next to it, not connected). In the event I don't need to run the A/C (or other such heavy loads) I will switch back and forth each day to give the other one a break having to now use a 30/15amp adapter (I wish I would have spent the extra $98 for the win win option). If I have to run both--- shut off the one that is running, connect the cables, start both units (making sure the eco switch is in the same position on both) and proceed to plug the RV into the 30amp plug (which I know isn't really 30amps but 26.5 or whatever it is).
So now I'm done with the need for parallel operation, just watching TV and the stereo, fan, phone charger etc... so, unplug the camper, turn off both units, unplug the cables, restart the rotation with one unit (be it the 30amp or 30/15 adapter, plug the RV back in (my DIRECTV Box gets a work each time I do this) and life goes on.
Now to my original inquiry... I have 2 friends that I camp with (we'll call them Tom and Bob, there's actually a 3rd, Alan he runs 3 Honda 2000's together, buts that's a whole other post.
So, Tom and Bob hook up their 2 Honda 2000's a upon setting up the campers, parallel cables plugged in, RV plugged into the companions 30 amp plug (again I know it's not 30amps) and only start one unit (either one, doesn't matter) and away they go. Now Tom and Bob rotate their generators daily as I do when only calling for enough power to "keep the lights and TV on" HERES THE BUT, when the require the extra power all they do is go start the other one, don't shut off the one that's running. When the need for paraelle operation has stopped they simply shut one off, paraelle cables still connected. This ritual goes on day after day. Even with the RV plugged into the 30amp receptacle on the companion unit and it NOT running the other unit will power that receptacle (and the 20amp one next to it, remember it's not running, the other one is).
So, Honda states in the manual to disconnect the cables when not running paraelle operation, I was wondering why? My thinking is that it's because the outlets on the non-running unit are HOT, even though the unit is not running. Sound like a reasonable explanation? I'm not saying this IS the reason, but I will try and get in touch with them to find out. I'm also not saying it doesn't do harm to the units doing it Tom and Bobs way but, they've been doing this for years and we dry camp for more than a week at a time and these units run for days and days without stoppping (except to change the oil after the recommended 100 hours or so) I use full synthetic so I usually go a little more but not much.
I will also say if you're thinking about getting 2 of these units, do the "win, win" option and pay the extra $98 to have the 30amp plug on both so you can switch back and forth without the use of the 30amp RV plug to the 15 or 20 amp adapter. If you're worried about loosing the extra outlet you can always get a 30amp to 15amp splitter and have one more outlet that way.
So, any questions?
Phew....
