Honda Generator

If you ever used them then you would know that to be incorrect. They don't every limit wattage, they simply try to maintain output voltage. If the you have a 3000 and a 1000 paralleled and the demand is 2500w the 1000w will trip it's overload and the 3000w will take over and run as a single.

It's unfortunate that the forum format makes a back-and-forth discussion look like a peeing contest, which I vigorously try to avoid, so I'll take my best shot at a final point. Power and current in paralleled sources are not shared equally. The only thing that's forced to be equal is the voltage. The Honda's trip offline based on the output voltage crossing a lower threshold. When the smaller generator becomes close to being overloaded its output voltage capability will be down and any further added load will be drawn from the larger generator, 100%, until its output voltage capability is equal to the smaller generator's. When the load is close to the total capability of both generators, it's just as likely that the larger one will trip first. It's goes down to current flow in a simple parallel circuit.

Wayne Dohnal wrote:
I totally disagree with this explanation. For each generator, as its power output goes up its output voltage goes down. This causes the load to be shared based on the capability of the generator, not the absolute power level. With perfectly calibrated inverters each generator's output voltage will be the same at rated power, meaning each one will supply its rated power without the other one overloading. From user reports we know that the inverters do vary in their load-voltage curve, and even the equal-size generators don't always share the load equally. This applies just as much to matched generators as to different size generators. A Honda inverter generator has no knowledge of what the source of the parallel power is. As long as the load-voltage curve of the parallel source is compatible (and the frequency is correct), the generator is "happy".

If you ever used them then you would know that to be incorrect. They don't every limit wattage, they simply try to maintain output voltage. If the you have a 3000 and a 1000 paralleled and the demand is 2500w the 1000w will trip it's overload and the 3000w will take over and run as a single.

You said it yourself, they have no knowledge of the parallel source... that's the key. While the load may not be 50:50 it's not going to be a massive difference, a percent or two and not enough to let a 3000w put out 2500 and keep a 1000w at 1000w.

It will "work" but you will not get the full potential out. You can only pull as much power as 2x the lowest rated generator. If you pair anything with a EU1000 all you can use is 2000w. If you pull more than 2000w you will put the smaller generator into overload, as they don't have the ability to limit power. So a 3000w a 1000w has just become a 2000w generator, less than a since 3000w alone.. Pointless.

So,yes it will work...but it's not a good or practical practice.

Honda will still tell you not to mix-match.

I totally disagree with this explanation. For each generator, as its power output goes up its output voltage goes down. This causes the load to be shared based on the capability of the generator, not the absolute power level. With perfectly calibrated inverters each generator's output voltage will be the same at rated power, meaning each one will supply its rated power without the other one overloading. From user reports we know that the inverters do vary in their load-voltage curve, and even the equal-size generators don't always share the load equally. This applies just as much to matched generators as to different size generators. A Honda inverter generator has no knowledge of what the source of the parallel power is. As long as the load-voltage curve of the parallel source is compatible (and the frequency is correct), the generator is "happy".

Wayne Dohnal wrote:

You cannot mix generator models, you must parallel the same size generators. This is directly from honda and the owners manuals.

And according to users who have done it, you can mix different size Hondas. Here's one video example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSlI-HpQGPI, and several forums users have claimed to routinely parallel different size Hondas.

It will "work" but you will not get the full potential out. You can only pull as much power as 2x the lowest rated generator. If you pair anything with a EU1000 all you can use is 2000w. If you pull more than 2000w you will put the smaller generator into overload, as they don't have the ability to limit power. So a 3000w a 1000w has just become a 2000w generator, less than a since 3000w alone.. Pointless.

So,yes it will work...but it's not a good or practical practice.

Honda will still tell you not to mix-match.

You cannot mix generator models, you must parallel the same size generators. This is directly from honda and the owners manuals.

And according to users who have done it, you can mix different size Hondas. Here's one video example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSlI-HpQGPI, and several forums users have claimed to routinely parallel different size Hondas.

mikestock wrote:
For versatility, I would get the EU2000i. You can later parallel it with another EU2000i, EU1000i or even an EU3000is if you later decide you need to upgrade. The EU's will sync up with any other EU. As far as the Companion model, I would just buy a set of parallel cables, cut them in half, stick a junction box in the middle with a 30 amp receptacle. That will save you $100+ and is totally safe.

You cannot mix generator models, you must parallel the same size generators. This is directly from honda and the owners manuals.

On the small models of generators I think that you have many choices. I have a Eu1000 and it has been a real chore to get it running correctly. I had to adjust the fuel pilot screw which was anti tamper-protected. It was a real pain on a new generator. For this reason I would take a chance on other open market generators. The Honda is not the gold standard any more.
MM49

A Honda Eu1000i won't break your lower back lifting it,at 28 pounds. A Honda Eu2000i might at close to 50 lbs.. Lower back pain, due to strain lifting, if you are older and camping, is not much fun.

Choice is yours. I own both models.

My Honda 1000 is perfect for my use. But it is fully loaded for the first minute powering a 9245 on two 1/2 dead (or is it 1/2 charged) batteries.

Our Honda 1000i works perfect for the reason we have it but it is too small for a good rv generator. 2000 is the way to go or bigger.
chevman