Paralleling Two Generators

[Edd505]

I have two different brands of Inverter generators, both with parallel connection, a Champion 3500I & a Yamaha 2000I. Can two different brands be use together in parallel? I'm not much of an electric guy but wouldn't the give me 5500 Watts and the ability to run more appliances with out over loading??

[caver]

I worked a good chunk of my life at a power plant and bringing a generator online (we had two units)was done manually with sync lights, sync scope and closing a pistol grip switch which closed a large high voltage breaker out in the switch yard. Yeah it was that basic.

[opnspaces]

Here's a chart from, and a link to the Honda bulletin that spells out the serial numbers when paralleling a EU2000i and a EU2200i.

Link to PDF

[road-runner]

Please read if are considering connection two AC sources.
https://www.quora.com/If-we-connect-two-AC-sources-of-an-unequal-voltage-to-each-other-will-the-high...
"AC is complicated. We need to think about frequency and phase along with voltage. Power plants have circuit specially designed to synchronize two sources.
Two AC sources with mismatching frequency and phase can cause a short circuit. "

AC is complicated to some people, and not complicated to others. The synchronization part is pretty simple to understand. Parallel capable inverter gensets also have circuitry to synchronize the sources, so complicated or not, the user doesn't have to understand it. In theory, any parallel capable, self syncing inverter genset should synchronize to another. Whether the sources play well together in terms of load balancing is a different question. Some combinations will play well while others won't. With every manufacturer warning to parallel a particular genset with only specific makes and models, any failed experiments are the responsibility of he who experiments.

[ktmrfs]

I'd say there is no absolute "yes you can" or "no you can't" answer. It's going to depend on the two generators and how they are designed to sync.

In fact, even with the honda's, you CANNOT sync ALL honda 2000's with the new honda 2200. there is a serial number break on the 2000 which below if you try to parallel with the 2200 honda says you will get low voltage output and possibly damage BOTH generators.

To be safe, only parallel generators that are spec'd to be paralleled with each other. Or take your chances and as Clint says "Do you feel lucky?"

[Tom_M1]

Watch this YouTube video:

Paralleling two different generators

[2oldman]

About all I can say is try it. Of course, one or both may not like it.

[garym114]

Please read if are considering connection two AC sources.
https://www.quora.com/If-we-connect-two-AC-sources-of-an-unequal-voltage-to-each-other-will-the-high...
"AC is complicated. We need to think about frequency and phase along with voltage. Power plants have circuit specially designed to synchronize two sources.
Two AC sources with mismatching frequency and phase can cause a short circuit. "

[pianotuna]

Take care of momentary overloads by using a hybrid inverter/charger such as a Victron 5000 or dual hybrid inverter chargers.

[BFL13]

It might be possible to parallel the two different brands depending on the parallel kit wire connections. There is something about that on the Champion web site, so ask them about your proposed combo.

No, you cannot just add the watts even with the same brand and the same size. It goes with the lower watt one what the parallel kit receptacle can pass along. (also there is the actual running watts, not what the gen is named at)

With two the same watts, you get less than the total out--it is false to say (as they advertise) that you "double" what you can get with one.

EG, Briggs and Stratton says in their manual for the P2200 (I have that one):

P2200 + P2200 = 3,000w output
P2200 + P3000 = 3,000w output
P3000 + P3000 = 4,800w output

So it must be due to the parallel kit itself that is used. Champion does say using a big gen with a little gen is possible but not "optimum". Perhaps that is like with the 2200 + 3000 above, where you have to go with the lower one.