Honda Generator Questions

[TahoeShark]

I have a 2015 MS with both the EMS and the monitoring options. I am out dry camping and both of my Honda 2000 generators work properly when using the neutral/ground plug suggested by Progressive industries.
Here is the problem. When I connect both generators using Honda's parallel kit the coach will still only allow 13 amps through not the 25 that I should be getting. I had the generators tested yesterday and they both preform as they should, giving me 13 amps apiece and 25-26 amps in parallel.

I have tried both the front marine plug and the rear shore power cables and both do the same thing. Does anyone use two Hondas and if so can you pull 25 or so amps in parallel? Could the power management system be the problem and not the EMS?

I always thought DRV installed the Progressive Industries hardwired 50 amp EMS but I can not find the EMS or the remote display in my coach. Do they now use another EMS when you order the two power management options?

Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction.

Thanks

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by TahoeShark

I have a 2015 MS with both the EMS and the monitoring options. I am out dry camping and both of my Honda 2000 generators work properly when using the neutral/ground plug suggested by Progressive industries.
Here is the problem. When I connect both generators using Honda's parallel kit the coach will still only allow 13 amps through not the 25 that I should be getting. I had the generators tested yesterday and they both preform as they should, giving me 13 amps apiece and 25-26 amps in parallel.

I have tried both the front marine plug and the rear shore power cables and both do the same thing. Does anyone use two Hondas and if so can you pull 25 or so amps in parallel? Could the power management system be the problem and not the EMS?

I always thought DRV installed the Progressive Industries hardwired 50 amp EMS but I can not find the EMS or the remote display in my coach. Do they now use another EMS when you order the two power management options?

Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction.

Thanks

Just a thought here.

Do you have an Automatic Transfer Switch installed on your rig? If so even if the generators are running in parallel the ATS may be picking them up as conflicting power sources and only allowing one through. This would be similar to running a generator and then switching on shore power and the ATS switches the power input over from generator to shore power.

[TahoeShark]

I suppose it could be however both generators when parallel come in through the same line. I probably should ask Surgeguard about the Transfer switch. Thanks for the idea.

[TahoeShark]

I just got off the phone with Surge Guard and it seems that the Transfer Switch will not allow the second generator power through. They say the only way to do it is to by pass the switch and remember to turn the by pass off after you finish dry camping and want to connect to park power.

I sure thought I remembered a lot of folks tying the Hondas together and making this work. Does anyone have generators in parallel and they are able to draw full power?

[FW28z]

Are you connecting to the 30A plug from the parallel kit/companion EU2000i?

[TahoeShark]

Originally Posted by FW28z

Are you connecting to the 30A plug from the parallel kit/companion EU2000i?

Yes, everything is connected using the Honda supplied cord and adapter.

[FW28z]

To be honest, I have only seen a EU2000i and EU2000i "Companion" generator combined (the Companion has a 30A connector built into the generator), and not two standard EU2000i's with a parallel kit.

[TahoeShark]

Originally Posted by FW28z

To be honest, I have only seen a EU2000i and EU2000i "Companion" generator combined (the Companion has a 30A connector built into the generator), and not two standard EU2000i's with a parallel kit.

They are not two standard 2000's. It is a 2000 companion and a regular 2000 just the way Honda has designed them including the Honda supplied 30 amp connector and parallel kit to plug into the companion.

[FW28z]

Forgive me for being presumptuous, but when you say parallel kit, you are just talking about two wires with the ground and not the box with the 30A connector?

[TahoeShark]

Originally Posted by FW28z

Forgive me for being presumptuous, but when you say parallel kit, you are just talking about two wires with the ground and not the box with the 30A connector?

The parallel kit I got included the red and black leads and ground between the generator and the 30 amp adapter for the companion generator. I don't know anything about a box. The generators work fine in the parallel configuration when not plugged into the trailer. They have been load tested at a Honda dealer and will put out 25+ amps. It is only when connected to the trailer that the dual gen set up will not work. I only get the output of one generator into the coach.

[FW28z]

There are two different kits, and it appears you have the correct one.

If you have a EU2000i and EU companion, it looks like this:



Or if you have two regular EU2000s, you use the one with a box:



The box types I think might be 3rd party though.

If everything checks out with Honda, I am going to guess it is an issue with your RV.

[Porkchop]

IF you are plugging in to a 30 amp socket, you will not get a value above 30a 120v no matter how many generators you parallel. Maybe I misunderstood the question. It would not be the first time.


Bill

[Lloyd]

I have two Honda's running with the parallel kit and have no issues. One 2000i, and the companion.
Do you have the bonded ground plug?
I'm at the wrong computer right now. I don't have the info in this one I will get it tomorrow and post.

[Lloyd]

Not sure if this will solve your problem or if it's the issue, but this is good info.
I made up one of these plugs and it does what it's suppose to.
Generator Ground-Neutral Bonding | No~Shock~Zone

[TahoeShark]

Originally Posted by Porkchop

IF you are plugging in to a 30 amp socket, you will not get a value above 30a 120v no matter how many generators you parallel. Maybe I misunderstood the question. It would not be the first time.


Bill

Porkchop,
I am not trying to get more than 30 amps. Two Hondas together is 25-26 amps. I can only get 13-14 amps.

[TahoeShark]

Yes I now know it is with my RV. What I was looking for was someone with a later model DRV or other make that uses the Surge Guard 50 amp auto transfer switch and see if their's behaves like mine. I may have to have a bypass wired in and be done with it.

[Field Trip]

I too have ordered a new DRV & intend on utilizing the 2 Hondas in parallel. Who do you by pass the protection system?

[FW28z]

If you have not purchased a Honda generator for your DRV yet, why not buy a single Honda EU3000 or EU7000 rather than two EU2000s?

[Field Trip]

Looked at what my objectives were & the size weight & overall portability of the two fit our needs best.

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO if you are going to spend 100K+ one of these should be installed and fully tied into your RV.