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 running one generator while the cable was still connected to the other. To clarify, the camper is plugged into the 30amp plug on the generator and it's not running, the campanion generator is running. Thoughts on this?

I do as the manual states actually I put the one away that I am notusing. Less chance to be stolen

marc71 wrote:To clarify, the camper is plugged into the 30amp plug on the generator and it's not running, the companion generator is running. Thoughts on this?Recipe for disaster if AC tries to start or someone tries to use microwave!!!!!!:S:EC.B.

No, not a recipe for disaster. the one unit will either stall or cut out.But I think the non-running unit is drawing power so you are wasting fuel and so on,, Best to disconnect as per the owner's manual.

marc71 wrote: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 running one generator while the cable was still connected to the other. To clarify, the camper is plugged into the 30amp plug on the generator and it's not running, the campanion generator is running. Thoughts on this?Your statement is a bit confusing. When you refer to COMPANION GENERATOR, you must be referring to the accompanying generator as a support for the other standard 2000i unit to handle a bigger load.However, (as you stated) only the companion is running and the 30 Amp plug is plugged-in to the standard unit 2000i.The standard 2000i doesn't come with the 30 Amp plug. . . only on the 2000ia Companion Model. Note the difference between the 2000i and the 2000ia. Now, to give you a bit on how these inverter generators work:The old technology and most older RV generators (and the cheap ones) are equipped with non-inverter type. They generate power and deliver the energy direct from the stator. The inverter type generates DC first and then inverted to AC, hence the word inverter.This provides better control by controlling the DC portion and also convenience for paralleling operation.The manual tells you to disconnect the parallel cables when using only one. This is just as logical as one can get doesn't it?By running only one (assuming you have the RV plugged-in to the 30 Amp twist lock) and the parallel cables are connected to the non-running unit, you are simply energizing the armature to create magnetic flux within its winding. Without the generator spinning, it will not make electricity because you are not breaking the magnetic flux for the stator to create energy.Leaving them hooked up will be an added demand from the running unit and will shorten the running time of the generator.

Honda may have reasons for advising against something for reasons other than damage will surely occur. Examples are that paralleled generators need to have the same power rating, or that only two generators can be paralleled. We've read multiple reports from users violating both of these restrictions without any reported problems. If having one paralleled generator running with the other stopped caused a problem, wouldn't that create a huge problem for Honda and the users if one ran out of gas before the other? I think it's a safe assumption that this has happened! Similarly, the paralleled generators aren't normally started at precisely the same time. My guess is that the restriction is more likely to be a safety issue, rather than an electrical issue. Notice that the eu2000i's Owner's Manual also says Honda approved parallel cables are "required". How many users violate this restriction without consequence? I personally would not believe a claim that the stopped unit draws power unless someone has made an actual measurement, which is not a difficult thing to do.

Honda EU2000 parallel operation | Good Sam Community

SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
marc71 wrote:
I'd sure hate to ruin $2200 worth of equipment.

2oldman wrote:
I thought about that before making my own parallel cables.. but they've been no problem at all. Honda makes it sound like that's a big no-no, but so far it's a yes-yes.

The fellow you referred to running the 3 Hondas.. did he make his own cables?

marc71 wrote:
Yes he did make his own cables... he spoke with someone at Honda before doing so and they told him it was a no no to do this.. it's been working for years

Custom Honda parallel cables are designed to avoid the potential of shock if one set of ends isn't always connected to the second genset whereas a suicide cord not connected at one end will expose one to the potential for shock. Electrically the only difference in simply paralleling the output receptacles of the 2 gensets yourself using a suicide cord instead of using the custom Honda cables is the custom cables connect directly to the inverter output before the 20 amp circuit protector rather than after it. Obviously, the phrase SUICIDE CORD is used for a reason. :W
marc71
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
2oldman wrote:
marc71 wrote:
I'd sure hate to ruin $2200 worth of equipment.
I thought about that before making my own parallel cables.. but they've been no problem at all. Honda makes it sound like that's a big no-no, but so far it's a yes-yes.

The fellow you referred to running the 3 Hondas.. did he make his own cables?

Yes he did make his own cables... he spoke with someone at Honda before doing so and they told him it was a no no to do this.. it's been working for years
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
MrWizard wrote:
Satellite box comment, was a Secondary observation

The question was why can't I leave both generators hooked up , whilst running only one
And on top of that
He wanted to run the regular Honda 2000i, that did not have the built twist lock plug, to put power into the parallel harness, and plug the trailer into the twist lock on the non running Honda companion generator

From that it devolved into all the posts by users saying they run only one but leave both connected even though Honda says , Not to do that

It's your money and his money, do what you want , with your generators
But rationalizing it is all ok, just to save a few seconds of work connecting them or disconnecting, does not mean that it's 100 percent perfectly ok do this all the time, that is not what Honda says
You may never have a problem , but if you do, you have no recourse with Honda, because you did what you did

So your answer as to "why" is that Honda said so.

Not a reason that can hold water. As for your opinion that "time" of running makes a difference... That sounds like hogwash for all of the reasons already discussed.

If doing this harms the generators, then it would be impossible to use them. Doing it less would just mean less damage is being done each time.

I am sure it is just a safety CYA on Honda's part. Those cables are live whenever hooked up. That COULD potentially be a problem.

Having said that, I and many others leave the cables attached to one of the Honda's ALL the time. That means they are live whenever it is running. Anyone messing with those cables could be in for a shock, just like they could when messing with any cord plugged in to a running generator.... The only 100% foolproof safe option is to never run the generator.
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 11, 2017
Satellite box comment, was a Secondary observation

The question was why can't I leave both generators hooked up , whilst running only one
And on top of that
He wanted to run the regular Honda 2000i, that did not have the built twist lock plug, to put power into the parallel harness, and plug the trailer into the twist lock on the non running Honda companion generator

From that it devolved into all the posts by users saying they run only one but leave both connected even though Honda says , Not to do that

It's your money and his money, do what you want , with your generators
But rationalizing it is all ok, just to save a few seconds of work connecting them or disconnecting, does not mean that it's 100 percent perfectly ok do this all the time, that is not what Honda says
You may never have a problem , but if you do, you have no recourse with Honda, because you did what you did
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
MrWizard wrote:
Yes you have to start one first, because the second one 'SYNCS' wave form to the first one, and yes one might run out of gas before the other one
But that's likely to be seconds on start up and minutes on running out of gas
Not hours of running time

It could be. I have been known to go to sleep with my AC on powered by my Hondas. If one were to quit for any reason, it could be hours before I found out.

And the OP DID talk about TV boxes in a subsequent post.

No excuse being too lazy to read all of the posts.:B
jarata1
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
2oldman wrote:
MrWizard wrote:
The thread is about two 'inverter generators' ( the only type the general public can safely parallel ) Not a satellite box being turned off on
Are you responding to the OP's last post?
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2017
MrWizard wrote:
The thread is about two 'inverter generators' ( the only type the general public can safely parallel ) Not a satellite box being turned off on
Are you responding to the OP's last post?
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 10, 2017
Who said anything about inverters and satellite boxes
The thread is about two 'inverter generators' ( the only type the general public can safely parallel )
Not a satellite box being turned off on
Not generator switching to inverter power

And wether or not to leave one Not running, still connected with the PARALLEL kit while the other one is running

Yes you have to start one first, because the second one 'SYNCS' wave form to the first one, and yes one might run out of gas before the other one
But that's likely to be seconds on start up and minutes on running out of gas
Not hours of running time

I don't have a satellite box
But ALL my electronics are on inverter power , so I can use them with or with out generator or shore power
Different topic that has been brought up many times
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
Well he does have to wait 10-15 minutes for his box to come back up,
yeah, that's annoying. It takes an extremely fast xfer switch to beat that, so I hard-wired my DTV to the inverter 24/7
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
MrWizard wrote:
I'm sure Honda did every thing they could to prevent damage, by lazy people leaving the non running generator connected

But they say to disconnect, if you are lazy and something goes wrong, they can say we told you so

You have to go outside to start them or turn them off
What is the big deal about following directions, connecting them or disconnecting them ?

Your not saving any significant time or being significantly delayed
By being contrary and lazy and having it your way

Not trying to be rude, but what else can you call it, besides contrary and lazy

Might understand if it was (2) larger generators with wireless remote start and shut down, saves a trip outside, even then best to flow the Mfg instructions

But not with two manual start generators,
Really no excuse for not following Mfg instructions
Even when alternating between generators

Well he does have to wait 10-15 minutes for his box to come back up, when shutting the hondas down.
That to me is not always an option.

Soo, I installed an inverter with an ATF. Problem solved.

A cheaper option for the OP may be to keep just his box plugged into the inverter at all times. When he runs a generator, the convertor will charge the batteries while the inverter keeps the box powered.

I seriously doubt that anything bad will happen leaving them twined. As already stated, they will run that way when starting,
and when shutting down, AND when one runs out of gas.... What if one should get a plugged fuel filter, or stop running for any other reason? That surely wouldn't damage the one that kept running... I cannot believe that Honda would design something with such an obvious shortcoming.

Just for curiousty, what do the other brand inverter makers say about this?