Generators in tandem

Alan,
The inverter Honda's are specifically designed to be paralleled.

The only requirement is the end user parallel units of identical size. ie, 2 x 1KVA's can be paralleled as can 2 x 2KVA's. Definitely not a 1KVA with a 2KVA.

All the "lots of very expensive equipment" is built into the unit at the factory.

Thanks Geoff

I wasn't aware that they were designed that way, i just know in general there is major concersn connecting two or more AC power sources togethor


Alan

Hi Alan,
You are on the whole absolutely correct with your summary of paralleling AC gensets.

Just to throw a curve ball, Honda included the feature in their inverter range straight from the factory!

From my research it would appear the Honda's are the only small portable units with the feature!

Thanks Neil

That answers the question.

Regards

Kim

Giday lyndon

Thanks for your input. I'll advise the mate that he'll have to shell out a bit more cash to make the units compatable.

Regards

Kim

Hi Lydon
Sorry but it is not as simple as that.
The problem is synchronization of the ac waves
Not to hard with inverter type genny with the correct interconnections.
A standard genny is a much bigger problem as the frequency is speed dependent
Both the speed & the output wave form have to be synchronized ,THAT is quite a bit more complicated.

Peter

hi peter
As said, The Honda's are designded to be joined as long as the capacity is the same, obviously you would only use the leeds recommended.

Cheers Lyndon

Gerry,
The inverter Honda's are specifically designed to be paralleled.

The only requirement is the end user parallel units of identical size. ie, 2 x 1KVA's can be paralleled as can 2 x 2KVA's. Definitely not a 1KVA with a 2KVA.

All the "special hardware" is built into the unit at the factory.

ditto what Geoff said

Hi guys,

In that case, I stand corrected. In fact, if Honda actually provides that capability already built-in, I am truly impressed.

Interestingly, I had some testing done on my Engel genny just last week and the AC was about as square and ugly as possible (not a sine wave in sight) and the 12 volt DC with light load sat at over 18 volts. Was seriously looking at swapping to a Honda and you may have just convinced me.

Cheers
Gerry

G'day Gerry,
You've found the two "features" that make the Sawafuji electronics in the Engel totally different to the Sawafuji electronics in the Honda!

If you dig deep enough on the Engel website it actually states the output of their unit is square wave. The output is no accident, it was designed into them.

That always impresses me! By its very nature a rotating electrical machine produces sinusoidal AC power, Engel have managed to create a square wave output by introducing a level of complexity with their electronics! The output would have been a cost decision rather than an electrical engineering decision.

This is the output of a Honda EU10i at about 600 watts load,



A touch woolly. For the price of the units it is absolutely brilliant sinusoidal AC! The waveform, frequency and voltage control is constant right through to full load and even into overload. In fact right up until the overload protection kicks in and kills the output.

The DC output of the Honda is very similar no load to the Engel. I wouldn't use the DC output from my Honda for anything, especially for charging batteries!

Hope that helps,

Geoff,

Did you ever get around to putting your scope thingy onto a Kipor to see if their claimed sine wave powe is pure?

Cheers,

Jim

Hello Jim,
I've never been able to get access to another Kipor after the aborted attempt with the one with the engine problems.

If I ever get hold of one again I'll let you know what I find.

Geoff

Hi Jim I have a Kippor 2600 & have scoped the output & it is same as the Mains, Un fortunately cant post pic on this forum as only a visitor. Daryl

Thanks Geoff and Daryl,

I've got a Kipor 2000 that I'm quite happy with. Reassuring to know it is putting out clean power.

Cheers,

Jim.