Can you hook two different kinds of generators together?

[Iamjustaniceguy]

We have a Temporary Tattoo and Face painting business so now we spend pretty much all summer "Camping" either at fairs working or relaxing when we can. We got a used KZ Sportsman fifth wheel this fall and I would really like to get a new larger generator (Looking at a Yamaha EF2400IS). What I/we would like to know is has anyone ever hooked a Yamaha and a Honda generator together to power a camper? I honestly think the Yamaha would power everything but it might be nice to have our old Honda 2000i to help out if needed. We know the Honda won't work for everything at least with our old camper it usually wouldn't handle the air conditioning start up.

So if anyone has ever hooked up a Yamaha 2400IS and a Honda 2000i we would love to hear how it worked and what cables you used.

Thanks!

[MEXICOWANDERER]

As Mr Wizard pointed out years ago, grid tie generators have the luxury of lead/lag pull-in via 1000x the energy in an established wave form.

With a 40KW John Deere/LIMA and a 40 KW Perkins/Stamford

And an owner utterly convinced that synchronization was "as simple as pie" he scoffed at my cost estimate to make the units play nice.

So he made his own paralleling 240 incandescent lamp setup.

He threw the switch (I wasn't there)

The Perkins Stamford started oscillating, from what I heard the oscillations rapidly became out of control. Oscillating means out-of control surging.

Both voltage regulators fried which threw them off-line. The primary exciters overloaded and they too destroyed themselves.

These were manual throttle control voltage regulated generators

I have a question to ask

Do you think there is some sort of peace treaty between inverter generator manufacturers that inhibits them from suing another manufacturer for patent infringement regarding any component dealing with voltage regulation and inverter designs?

Regardless

Are you willing to risk your generator or anything connected to it in an attempt to synchronize untested theory?

Mechanical synchronization is an art. To assume a second different generator can gather data then process it is a rather large assumption.

I can't help but remember Washoe Medical Center chief engineer Dwayne Telecky standing at the curb of east fourth street in Reno NV wondering how a V-12 Caterpillar engine and KATO generator jumped 50 feet through a cinder brick wall in flames (the coolant was flammable). I was on hand months before to see the operation of a six figure auto-start system and paralleling circuit. The load-shed was integrated and just conceptualizing it's entirety gave me a headache.

I believe contacting the OEM tech departments is in order. If even one says "no" I wouldn't try it.

[map40]

I have connected any of the following in any configuration:
2 3500 Predator
1 2200 Predator
2 2200 Roybi
3 different regular inverters

They all get in sync when you connect them. Even when running under load. I could start both ACs in my 36 feet class A with a 3500 and a 2200 and then move the 2200 out for a few minutes, bring another one and connect it later, and the load would automatically balance between the two units, according to capacity. Don't ask me how, I don't know.
As a matter of fact, once for a Relay for Life event we had 3 RVs (1 A and 2 Cs) and 4 Inverter generators. We bridged them ALL and connected the RVs to them (Gen 1 - C - Gen 2 - A - Gen 3 - C - Gen 4). We were able to shut down one at a time, refuel, let it rest and restart and move to the next without a glitch.
Of course, we had to make our own parallel adapters, which took all but 30 minutes.

[AnnistonT]

there may be no exclusive companion unit, but you can still parallel most inverter generators with parallel cables that have a 30-amp outlet. ... You can use these cables for 3000-watt inverter generators as well but be sure to only pair matching generators with the same amperage and voltage.

[ryanw821]

I really wouldn't have thought 2 dissimilar brand gennys would sync, certainly wouldn't have tried it myself not knowing, lol.

I am old school though, my generator isn't an inverter model (I don't use it camping so don't need it to be quiet). I know with traditional generators you cant sync them without extra gear. I would have figured the inverter ones were similar and needed matched gear to sync.

[time2roll]

Apparently I forgot that post from seven years ago.
Looks like good to go 🙂

[Wayne_Dohnal]

i see 0 reason for it not work, im pretty sure the honda will work with any generator inverter or not.

I'll disagree with half of this. The Honda eu-series generators have a very small frequency range they will operate in. They vary their frequency within this range to maintain sync. Sync difference is determined by comparing the phase of the voltage and current output. I can't imagine any small non-inverter genset being able to maintain the frequency range and stability required by the Honda to originate or maintain the synchronization.

[Wayne_Dohnal]

smkettner wrote:
Never read a post of connecting different brands.

Here's one: Paralleled Honda and Kipor post
There have been a lot of Honda inverter generator "facts" promoted on the forum that have proven to be false. Some offhand examples:
1) Connecting one of the AC output wires to chassis ground will burn out the generator. (i.e. "neutral-ground bond").
2) Can't parallel different wattage eu-series generators.
3) Can't parallel more than 2 generators.
4) Can't parallel generators without additional synchronization apparatus.

There are outstanding assertions that can't be proven or disproven because they need volumes of long-term data we probably won't ever have:
1) Running air conditioner from eu2000i will burn out the air conditioner.
2) Running air conditioner from the eu2000i will burn out the generator.
3) Running a generator near its rated load will shorten its life.

I'm not encouraging experimentation without the full acceptance that the risk is totally with whoever does it. I do encourage being careful to separate opinion from actual experience or established fact.

[ryanw821]

2oldman wrote:

ryanw821 wrote:
Without a way to synchronize them (something a parallel kit does for "matched" generators)

the parallel kit is nothing but wires.

True, I was being a bit vague, the sync is internal to the generator, but the wires connect the two together so they can sync to each other, Unless I knew for a FACT that Honda and Yamaha sync signals were handled in the same way I would NOT try to hook them up together.

[Crazy_Ray]

YES the YAMAHA 2400 can be PARALLEL (PAGE 6 of Manual)

[LittleBill]

MrWizard wrote:
Inverter generators from different MFG, using different electronics to create the output power are not safe too connect together

Stream driven or water driven hydro turbines are synced by brute force
They bring them online by slowly applying load ( connecting to system thru inductive load) and using the back EMF to drive them into alignment aka synchronous spinning

Something you cannot to with consumer grade ( inverter output ) portable generators

i disagree, the inverters in the honda are nothing more then sync capable, just like every grid tied inverter on the market for solar.

i see 0 reason for it not work, im pretty sure the honda will work with any generator inverter or not.

now if they carry the load equally is a different story

flame suit on !

[MrWizard]

Inverter generators from different MFG, using different electronics to create the output power are not safe too connect together

Stream driven or water driven hydro turbines are synced by brute force
They bring them online by slowly applying load ( connecting to system thru inductive load) and using the back EMF to drive them into alignment aka synchronous spinning

Something you cannot to with consumer grade ( inverter output ) portable generators

[time2roll]

Never read a post of connecting different brands. You could be the first :B
Honestly... get a Honda companion and parallel kit.
Maybe even go crazy with an extended run fuel tank.

http://www.wisesales.com/bergs-dual-feed-extended-run-tank-for-honda.html

[NinerBikes]

Buy another Eu2000i Honda and a parallel cable kit, and be done with it. 3600 watts on tap, when you need it. Always parallel the cables first before starting either generator. That should run everything on your 5th wheel, though not all at the same time, you might have to juggle some things being off while other items are on. A/C unit and microwave or AC and hair dryer at the same time would be big no no's.

[wa8yxm]

I would not parallel generators that are not at least the same make.

Yes, it can be done, in fact it is done every day, by professionals with the knowledge and hardware to do it,,, But that list of professionals does not include thee or me (You because if you were on that list you'd not have ask).

Best to parallel honda with Honda and yahama with Yahama

[valhalla360]

Just make life simple on yourself. If you already have the honda get a matching honda, so you don't have to guess if you can parallel them (likewise if you were starting with a yamaha, stick with yamaha).

I'm not sure what system they use to parallel but if they don't synch up it can cause a lot of problems.