Home made generator parallel cables

[cedgo]

Has anyone made a set of these?

You-tube videos look pretty simple.

I certainly need advise. Thanks, ed

 

[mike93lx]

What generators are you linking? This can only be done with inverters that have a sync function

A more specific location than "backyard" would also help. You in the US? Canada? Botswana?

 

[cedgo]

Generac Q2000, parallel ready. Gensets don't care where they are.

 

[vhol5]

Generac Q2000, parallel ready. Gensets don't care where they are.

On the contrary, different generator models are sold by region and country. That's probably why he asked...

 

[mike93lx]

Generac Q2000, parallel ready. Gensets don't care where they are.

Code does care where you are.

Interesting that you say you need advise, but don't want to answer questions. My guess is you just want someone to validate your decision to make your own.

 

[cedgo]

Mike, you are right on track! I absolutely want to make my own if possible. That is why I am here! My question is pretty straight forward. If you can help, great. No, I am not in Botswana. Geeze

 

[mike93lx]

So make your own. You seem to already know how from the YouTube vid.

 

[Bretny]

I also thought that you can only parallel generators that have the ports. I bought a 800w sportsman inverter that didnt have the ports. I looked up the wire diagram for the one with and without the parallel ports. Turns out the ports are just a jumper betwen the 120v outlet connections. The inverter is the same part number for both models. So there charging quite a bit more for a set of plastic outlets.

 

[mct75]

I also thought that you can only parallel generators that have the ports. I bought a 800w sportsman inverter that didnt have the ports. I looked up the wire diagram for the one with and without the parallel ports. Turns out the ports are just a jumper betwen the 120v outlet connections. The inverter is the same part number for both models. So there charging quite a bit more for a set of plastic outlets.

So you could accomplish the same thing with a "y" cable what has two males and one female, and just plug two (parallel-capable) generators together? I'm sure they are designed to do that but it seems against everything I have ever read about generators.

 

[mike93lx]

So you could accomplish the same thing with a "y" cable what has two males and one female, and just plug two (parallel-capable) generators together? I'm sure they are designed to do that but it seems against everything I have ever read about generators.

Only inverter generators can by sync'd up.

 

[rlitman]

I also thought that you can only parallel generators that have the ports. I bought a 800w sportsman inverter that didnt have the ports. I looked up the wire diagram for the one with and without the parallel ports. Turns out the ports are just a jumper betwen the 120v outlet connections. The inverter is the same part number for both models. So there charging quite a bit more for a set of plastic outlets.

Pretty much, yes.

So you could accomplish the same thing with a "y" cable what has two males and one female, and just plug two (parallel-capable) generators together? I'm sure they are designed to do that but it seems against everything I have ever read about generators.

You COULD, but it would be incredibly dumb. There's a reason that cords with two males are called suicide cords.

The smart thing to do would be to install finger-safe banana jacks (as are used on the proper kits), and use them with finger-safe fully insulated banana plug cords.

Like this:

Only inverter generators can by sync'd up.

That's not precisely true.

 

[mct75]

I guess my question was more of an engineering one, "How do two inverter generators know how to sync their phases and not blow one another up"

 

[rlitman]

I guess my question was more of an engineering one, "How do two inverter generators know how to sync their phases and not blow one another up"

The typical procedure involves connecting both stopped generators up first. Then start one generator. The power output from the first one sets the timing on the inverter of the second, which can then be started.

 

[mike93lx]

That's not precisely true.

I could be elected governor of MA in the next election.

Precisely true? Sure. Practically? No.

Certainly not in a basic home setup

 

[rlitman]

I could be elected governor of MA in the next election.



Precisely true? Sure. Practically? No.



Certainly not in a basic home setup

It takes nothing more than a lightbulb and some know how, not that I’m suggesting it’s a good idea.

 

[mike93lx]

It takes nothing more than a lightbulb and some know how, not that I’m suggesting it’s a good idea.

I know. Really not practical for a home setup.

I should have not used an absolute that it wasn't possible.

 

[yatg]

This is the accessory that connects the gens.

"Smart paralleling allows you to connect directly through the 120V outlets - no separate paralleling jacks required."

It may have circuitry inside to sync them, or that feature may be built into the gens.

 

[walta]

Just to be 100% clear.

The accessory Yatg posted only works if you when connecting 2 identical Generac IQ2000 generators together with this accessory!

Any other combination of equipment is asking for problems.


Walta

 

[Bretny]

So you could accomplish the same thing with a "y" cable what has two males and one female, and just plug two (parallel-capable) generators together? I'm sure they are designed to do that but it seems against everything I have ever read about generators.

Look up the wire diagram for a parallel generator it will tell you if it can be done this way. In my case mine can be hooked up like this even though it doent have the parallel ports. Could the wire diagram be wrong? Sure. I havnt tryed it because i only own one inverter generator.

 

[ard]

Just to be 100% clear.

The accessory Yatg posted only works if you when connecting 2 identical Generac IQ2000 generators together with this accessory!

Any other combination of equipment is asking for problems.


Walta

That's not what the guy on youtube said!

 

[mike93lx]

It's on YouTube so it must be accurate

 

[walta]

That's not what the guy on youtube said!

I do not see a link to a specific YouTube video so I have no opinion about the video. I do not doubt someone could hack the synchronous circuitry of an inverter generator and connect it to another, I do not think it will be easy, reliable or repeatable with different brands of equipment.

My comment relates only to the device Yatg posted. I do not want to see what would happen if that device were connected to random equipment.

Walta

 

[ard]

I do not see a link to a specific YouTube video ..

snip

I was joking. thought the made it clear.

 

[toplessHO]

syncing larger gensets manually is hair raising.
Use a frequency meter and ability to control the speed of the one that needs to sync with the one thats already online.
Doing 3 or 4 simultaneously is interesting to say the least. One wrong move and youre testing your over current protection.

 

[walta]

I was joking. thought the made it clear.

YouTube is an amazing mix of experts and idiots and sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. For some reason I am attracted to the channels where an expert wanders outside of his field and is learning something new while we watch.

Walta

 

[cedgo]

Update:
Made up the parallel cables.
Plugged in the gensets.
Synced and worked perfectly.
Saved $100.
The starting procedure is important, but the same as the factory cables.

 

[rlitman]

Update:
Made up the parallel cables.
Plugged in the gensets.
Synced and worked perfectly.
Saved $100.
The starting procedure is important, but the same as the factory cables.

NOT the same as the factory cables. What you made can kill someone who unplugs it from a running gen-set. The factory cables will not do that.

 

[TractorJeff]

syncing larger gensets manually is hair raising.
Use a frequency meter and ability to control the speed of the one that needs to sync with the one thats already online.
Doing 3 or 4 simultaneously is interesting to say the least. One wrong move and youre testing your over current protection.

Done this a time or three at work!
I remember one time we had two 2 megs paralleled, when we loaded them they took it, when we dumped load, one got angry with the other! It was like a trying to tame a Bronco! Took better part of a day but eventually they played together all the way across the load range!
Biggest I ever slipped onto the Utility with light bulbs and a synch scope was 2.5 meg!

 

[mike93lx]

NOT the same as the factory cables. What you made can kill someone who unplugs it from a running gen-set. The factory cables will not do that.

But he saved $100 so it is all good

 

[cedgo]

Actually, I wired two 20 amp single pole switches in the waterproof box.
So no "suicide cord".
Thanks all for the help.
And encouragement.

 

[slow]

well, the switches can still cause a suicide cord situation. I would be interested to see what is inside the factory setup for that generator. I am guessing some logic and relays?

My Honda EU2000s are just insulated banana plugs for the parallel kit. I have purchased the parts to build a parallel cord just to have, but only owning 1 generator it hasn't been a priority for no gain.