All About Paralleling Generators, Reviewing Multiple Parallel Kits & Gen Sets, 50 amp & 30 amp Cords
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2018
- When it comes to paralleling generators there are many setups and kits available. Will you need 30amp or 50amp receptacles? In this video we address many of the same parallel generator questions from our post: www.generatorpowersource.com/p...
Most common is to parallel two 2,000 watt inverter generators. However, it is possible to parallel even larger units. In this test we parallel a Champion 3500 with a Champion 2000, 2200 & 2500 iGen Westinghouse and 3200 and 2000 Energizer eZVp Generators. Each set up comes with a slightly different parallel cord. Check out the differences in the parallel kit as well as max output.
Champion 3500: amzn.to/2uENvA9
Champion 2000: amzn.to/2JIlJYl
Westinghouse iGen: amzn.to/2NuLptF
Energizer 3200: amzn.to/2Nz07j4
Energizer 2000: amzn.to/2LbKt0H
It is worth mentioning that the parallel kits you have with a 50 amp plug will not put out 240 volts. Only 120 volt devices can be used.
Yes, this is true. Thanks for the input!
DEFINITELY good for a generator novice to know. Also noteworthy: MOST RV's that use 50A service are simply running several 120V branch circuits off of each leg. Only the biggest, baddest, most elaborate, and most expensive RV's (close to or above seven figure price tags) actually have a 240V distribution panel or any 240V appliances, so a generator or parallel kit that ties the 2 legs together isn't going to hurt anything as long as the wires/breakers are big enough that you don't get nuisance tripping or melted wires.
How are the signals kept in phase and what does the sine wave look like at full load?
nice setups and good comparisons - thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Right now I have a 8K harbor freight generator for backup power. It has been a great generator, have had it about 5 years now and have never had an issue. I average about 25-30 days a winter with no power, so it has gotten a lot of use. I'm looking into getting a suite case gen, just enough to run my boiler and light during the night since they are so quiet. I was looking at the harbor freight 2K inverter gen. From what I have seen as long as you get past 10hrs of run time with no issues they seem to be pretty bullet proof. Since you have more experience with generators, do you have a gen that you would recommend?
Nice. Looking to get one of these 2000 portable gennies for hurricane preparedness.
Great plan. We still think this is best bang for the buck: amzn.to/2GvISR9
@@generatorpower7744 2500 peak power is awesome although I need one that is dual fuel. It is much easier to store propane long term than gasoline.
Hi from Australia
I have 2 aldi brand (chinese made) inverter generators - identical. They are each rated at 3400 (running) amps - 3600 peak. There is no parallel port available on these units but I was hoping that there might be components that could be added ( by my electronic technician friend - not me) that would give these generators parallel capabilities
Thanks for info
Thanks for watching!
Can a Westinghouse parallel cable that has the standard receptacle plug be used on another type/model generator like Pulsar?
No, usually generators need to be the same manufacturer and same line/family within that manufacturer.
Thanks for posting this video. I would bet that the Westinghouse parallel cord would work with any inverter generator pair... even inverter generators from different manufacturers. It's basically a dead man cord with the added safety of a switch in the middle of the split.
I've actually asked a few manufacturers about that, and they all suggest using their own parallel cord, not third party.
Stupid question... i just purchased the igen2500... on the parallel cord could each 15a plug be plugged into each 15a outlet on the single gen and then a 30a cord plugged into say a travel trailer or is it only designed one 15a for 2 seperate gens? Also, I have the westinghouse wgen7500, 10k watts was needed (in theory) could you use parallel cord on igen2500 & previous mentioned gen? This may sound silly but im just curious.... thanks!
I tested it with my Westinghouse iGen2500 and a Aldi WorkZone 2000 (same thing as a Pulsar generator). Using the Westinghouse parallel cord, they synchronized and I am now getting 3800 watts of continuous power from the units in parallel.
@@mowcowbell were both of your inverter generators built for parallel stacking or will any inverter genny stack with any other ???
wondering if we can use the westinghouse parallel cable (kind of universal..) with other brands like honda, yamaha... (beeing the two generators exaclly the same) ?? can you make that test??
Hey Carlos, no you cannot. Honda has their own style of parallel plug. It does not plug into a receptacle like Westinghouse. Almost all generators (which are parallel capable) have their own parallel kit.
I took the plug face off my Honda. The leads for the parallel banana plugs wire direct into the 15 amp receptacle plug. How would it know if you were using the banana plug wire or the Westinghouse parallel plug. This is more expensive but I feel a better setup. Just don't unplug one plug with the other generator operating or you'll get a shock.
Yes you can. Simply make a suicide cord with two male ends and plug it into each generator (be very cable to not touch a male end while the other end isplugged into the other generator). Look it up, it works fine.
Any Feedback on the Ryobi 2200. Found two for sale with the parallel hook up.
Not yet, but it is on our list. Thanks for the suggestion!
I have a Smarter Tools AP-2000iQ and looking for a second inverter generator to give me 30 amps. The parallel ports on my generator are not color coded. How do I determine the correct orientation if I parallel with a another generator where the parallel ports are color coded? Thanks.
You need to make sure that the generators are parallel compatible. Generators need to be of the same manufacturer, same family within the manufacturer, and finally need to ensure they are parallel compatible.
How can I connect 2 Westinghouse i4500 inverter generators? What parallel kit do i need? Thanks
They do have a 50amp parallel cord coming out this summer. This will be used with the 2 4500's. The current cable would be pointless as it is 30 amp which a single unit already produces. We should review the 50 amp parallel cord as soon as it is released. I hope this helps!
What if one generator runs out of gas, or similarly, what if you simply want to turn one generator off & run a single generator for lighter load, but leave the parallel kit in place? Are there risks to the generators or parallel kit or safety when wiring 2 generators together, but only running one generator?
I will ask the guys at Energizer and post back here.
Per Energizer:
As for your question, there is no risk to the generators when two units are paralleled with only one running because of the built-in safeties. If both units are paralleled and one isn’t running (because you didn’t turn it on, ran out of gas, etc.) the other unit will continue to run normally. The one thing to be aware of is to only connect/disconnect the parallel while the units are shut off.
*This is for Energizer only*
The Wen inverter generator 3100 sold by Home Depot for $650 has been reccomended to me I wish you would review it.
Question if I run 2 4000watt champion inverters do I need to pigtail off the 50amp plug to get my maximum wattage (6000 watts based on 50 amp breaker?) Am I getting any more wattage using the 30amp outlet in parallel?
Are you referring to this model here : amzn.to/2SUUhf1 ? Yes, you would get more power out of the 50amp plug. If using a 30amp plug, there would be no need to parallel two units. One unit alone can provide enough power for the 30 amp receptacle (to max it out).
Yes that's my unit. I'm under 30amps on two blowers im trying to run but need more surge wattage so thinking I'll parralel two and run off the 50amp if I don't get enough extra surge wattage.
One last question can i run whatever off the 30amp or 50amp outlets on the kit and still use the 20amp plugs on either unit at the same time?
@@MegaDpenner Sure you can, as long as you don't overload it. Also consider adding hard start(s) to the air conditioner(s) to reduce startup power demand. They cost $20 and take 10 minutes to install. Your generators will thank you.
I know this is an old video. I have a 2000 watt predator from harbor freight with the harbor freight parallel kit. I just purchased another 2000 watt predator to run them together for my rv ac. I have been debating over the 2 2000 watts or 1 3500 and 1 2000. But I haven’t seen anywhere if anyone hooking the 2 together. Is it doable? Or is it just asking for trouble. Also when they are in parallel. Can you run them with eco mode turned on? I’m asking about the larger 3500 because of fuel consumption. I don’t wanna have to get up multiple times through the night to refuel to keep the ac going. The 2 will run at night for the ac and during the day I’ll drop to one to run the necessities and open the windows. So far I’ve had great results with the predator. Even paired it with a Honda 2000 but the Honda seemed to be doing a majority of the work as it has a slightly larger motor and is more responsive.
Hey Casey, Do they have a parallel port? Or does the parallel kit you're looking at utilize receptacle? The Generators HAS to be parallel capable in order to parallel. Which model did you buy?
Generator Power I have 2 of the predator 2000 watt suit case style inverters with the predator brand parallel kit. I just used them together to run the ac in my Salem 28ckds trailer. 13,500 btu ac. They will run the ac, the outdoor fridge, the interior outlets and tvs, and the converter for the battery. With all of this running, they aren’t reved up to the max. They are able to be idle down just slightly. But man are they burning some gas. I was mainly looking into the larger predator 3500 because of the fuel tank and run time. I don’t want to have to fill tanks every 4 hours. I have a spare 5 gallon boat tank at the house. Looks like I’ll be getting some extended run caps with some fuel line
how do you connect parallel running dual fuel generators to propane, do you need a tank for each or will 1 tank work?
Each would need its own fuel source, unless you had a regulator with dual hoses, although I have yet to see something like this.
@@generatorpower7744 well that sucks! thanks for the reply and informational video. I was hoping to run from 1 tank but guess I will have to change my plan or make a dual regulator.
@@generatorpower7744 so is there a reason a regulator with dual hoses would not work?
Westington says the cable can parallel any combination of their gens. Do you think this means two different ones as well?
nevermind, just the saw the post below
Do the generators need to be the same brand or size
It depends on the manufacturer. Typically the generators need to be the same brand & family. For example a Westinghouse iGen can only pair with another iGen . Energizer must be the eZV family of generators. However, some manufacturers like Energizer, Westinghouse, Champion and others allow different sizes to be paralleled as long as they are in the same family. Hope this helps!
forgot to ask you. I've read that when you parallel 2 inverter generators together you don't get exactly double the power. How much additional power should you expect to get? Thanks.
Electric heating from a generator ?
That is just oh so efficient.
>
Only thing better would be to use it to charge a Tesla.
What happen if one generator runs out of gas before the other?
you get less power, you revert to the power output of which ever inverter generator is running.
Hope you don't overload, the lesser powered unit.
If you have dissimilar units, the higher capacity unit is still running, you get the standard power level from it, if it's a lower rated unit, you get lower power level output.
If you can afford a nice camper like yours, get one large generator. I got the Champion 9375 watt generator 30 amp to run my house.
Its heavy but it would be hard to steal. Put it on the back of your trailer using a scooter ramp to get it on and off easy.
Nobody wants to listen to that loud generator in a campground. Plus you need clean power for sensitive electronics.
You definitely want an inverter generator that can idle down under low power conditions and is safer for modern electronics, not a conventional generator, on an RV. Another benefit of going parallel that he left out of the video is reduced noise, hours, and fuel use by only starting one generator if that is all the power you need at the moment.
So, you're one of those people that run noisy A$$ generators in the campground. Bet you suck as a neighbor as well.
Can you parellel more than 2 inverter generator?
I have not yet found a parallel capable of doing so. If you do, please pass it along to us!
Where are the POWER cables and male power PLUGS? Am I missing something or is everyone who sells the paralleling "kit" leaving the power cables out to make the connection seem less complicated and less expensive?
All the parallel kits shown have the male plugs (to plug into generator). Each generator manufacturer uses a different style input into the generator. I might be misunderstanding your question,. If so, please let me know and Ill try to help you out.
@@generatorpower7744 When using the made up parrallel cables as you have shown does the inverter generators have to be manufactured with coupling ports or can you connect inverter generators that are not meant for stacking IE no parallel ports ??? also can the inverter generators be of different brands and kva outputs ???
Almost always generators need to be of the same manufacturer. Furthermore, they need to be of the same family within a manufacturer... for example Westinghouse iGen or Energize eZVP. Each generator needs to be parallel capable.
why does some 'spokesperson' wearing shades have a 'mr. slick' aura ?
Sometimes you just gotta keep it cool.
yamaha ?
Very reliable and that's what counts.
It's probably quieter to run one larger unit vs two smaller paralleled generators.
Yes, I agree, especially if you'll be close to maxing the units out with power demands.