Dumb question about Honda Companion generator

The Companinion has a 30 amp Twist Lock connector Most dealers sell an adapter to the Common TT-30 you can get for it. You can use JUST the companion or you can parallel with a 2nd EU-2000i (either kind) for a full 30 amps.

Yes you are fine getting the companion first. Better actually, since it has a 30 amp receptacle built in, rather than the 2 20 amp receptacles.

I use a short pig tail with a twist lock plug on one end, and the standard RV 30A receptacle on the other end.

ependydad wrote:
I am only buying a single generator right now- a Honda EU2000i. If I understand the product comparison correctly:
http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/Compare/?modelid=EU2000IKN&modelid=EU2000IKN1

Only the "Companion" model has a 30amp connection on it (I also seem to have read that I'll need an adapter for it) - it reads, "30A 125V Locking Plug, 20A 125V receptacle".

So, for the dumb question- can I get the "Companion" model first? And then the regular one later when I'm ready to parallel these?

My basic goals with a generator is to be able to run my furnace at night and then run a single appliance at a time after that (microwave, electric pressure cooker, space heater). I think that's it would be better to use the 30amp connector for these purposes than the 20amp plug.

The companion has two receptacles. A 30 amp three wire twist lock and one 20 amp straight blade.
OP would be better off using the 30 amp twist lock while using the one genset alone.

lawnspecialties wrote:
We did what the OP is asking: bought a Companion in the fall and then in the spring, bought the regular EU2000i. But as has been mentioned, the need for the second generator may be a moot point. I would never really use the two paralleled unless we were planning to run the AC. Heat, fridge, TV, various uses for an outlet and even an occasional hair dryer or microwave was no problem with just the one unit.

Our Companion probably has 400-500 hours on it. Our regular 2000i may have 100 if that.

What connection on the companion do you typically use?

I only plan on a second one in order to run A/C.

We did what the OP is asking: bought a Companion in the fall and then in the spring, bought the regular EU2000i. But as has been mentioned, the need for the second generator may be a moot point. I would never really use the two paralleled unless we were planning to run the AC. Heat, fridge, TV, various uses for an outlet and even an occasional hair dryer or microwave was no problem with just the one unit.

Our Companion probably has 400-500 hours on it. Our regular 2000i may have 100 if that.

You could also use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Conntek-RL14825-Generator-1-5-Feet-Connector/dp/B00BHGYAL6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1452029991&sr=8-6&keywords=30+Amp+L5-30+to+RV+Generator+Power+Adapter+Plug

But, for your use, going straight into the 20A outlet should be fine as well.

Yes, you can get the companion first but will be restricted as to what you can use.
Mighty Cord by Valterra makes an adapter that goes from 30 amp twist lock to a fifty amp RV connector. Looks like part number G30AM50AF
50 amp RV connector
I have one of the ones that connects right on genset, but it vibrates out.

I never found many public places here on the East side of the US to even run my 2KW Generator for any length of time. Most of the times are a couple of hours in the morning and maybe three hours in the early evening. Never after 8PM... Seems like most every place we go has generator run time restrictions in place. Not many public dispersed camping sites on the East side as wellas well...

I use the pedestal 20A Service all the time to run additional things along with the pedestal 30A service at the public campgrounds...

Keep in mind you will only get 120VAC at around 26AMPS using two 2KW generators setup in parallel. The two 50AMP 120VAC zones in your 50A trailer won't be doing much with just 26AMPS being available to use.

With all of this in mind we do alot of camping off the power grid with our OFF-ROAD POPUP camper running everything off our beefed up battery banks and only use our 2KW Honda Generator to re-charge our batteries each morning when allowed to run the generator...

Roy Ken

I use one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Conntek-14222-1-5-Foot-Pigtail-Connector/dp/B002CCLFUI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451949385&sr=8-2&keywords=50amp+to+15+amp+adapter
I don't think you will need a second generator.

Gotcha.

I have a 50amp trailer and have two adapters to step down my 50amp cord to 30amp and then 30amp to 15amp.

The more that I read, it sounds like there's no benefit to directly using the 30amp connector at the generator, though. Just step down to 15amps and plug straight into that on the generator.

I think I recall a Home Depot link for a 50amp to 15amp pigtail that was only like $45 or so. That would let me keep my expensive 50amp cable locked up and just use my heavy duty 10g or 12g extension cord.