AC soft start and Honda EU2200 generator

[mchurch314]

Hello all, I just had soft starts installed on both AC units with the intention of having the capability of running one unit at a time with one of my EU 2200 Honda generator, or both units running two EU 2000 Honda generators in parallel. When I try to run one AC using one generator, the AC runs for about 5 minutes and then I get a ground fault error message on my surge protector in my unit (I had previously installed an expensive surge protector that would not only protect my electronics but bring my AC units back up automatically in the event of a power failure). The dealership says that the problem is the fault of the Honda generator, not that it doesn't have enough capacity but something inherent in the generator itself. Has anyone else encountered this?

[padredw]

I just solved a similar problem yesterday. I have the EU3000i Honda and tried to use it through the Progressive EMS. I got the "ground fault error" immediately and the EMS would not allow power to the trailer.

I found the answer online. The Honda has "floating ground" and the EMS considers this "ground fault error." The answer is to mount a jumper wire between the NEUTRAL and the GROUND prongs in a plug where you can reach the wiring. I used a short piece of small gauge insulated wiring as a jumper in the plug. In my case the wires were GREEN to WHITE. Be very sure to identify properly the NEUTRAL and the GROUND prongs.

This worked immediately and the EMS allowed power to the trailer and my AC ran just fine on generator power.

Another solution, which I did not use, is to buy an ordinary plug (without wiring) and make the same connection within that plug then plug in that modified plug to ANY input on the generator and it will make every output from the generator to be grounded.

I am NOT an electrician, but I viewed several youtube on this subject and had direct suggestions from forum friends. It worked.

[PNW Fireguy]

You are experiencing a common issue when using a portable generator with a floating ground and an intelligent EMS. They sell and you can make (YouTube is your friend) a kit that will bond the neutral to the RV’s grounded electrode thereby eliminating the EMS system from detecting the fault.

[Carl n Susan]

Or the other solutions is to bypass the EMS when running on the Honda.

[mchurch314]

Thanks all! I went to the hardware store a bought a plug that allowed access to its inside. I then ran a 12 gauge jumper wire from the Neutral to the Ground and put it back together. All I had access to at the time is my generator so I started it and plugged it into the 110 outlet. The generator runs fine with it plugged in so I'm assuming that it will fix the problem when I plug it into my 5th wheel; I'll test that next week and post an update. Thanks again! PS. I had to educate my RV service people on this fix...they were out of ideas and scratching their heads!

[mchurch314]

Well, y’all, I made a plug to close the ground from my Honda 2200EU. I bought a plug that you can open and added a 12 gauge jump wire between the ground and the neutral. I plugged it into my generator then plugged in my RV to the generator. The soft starts took 125 seconds to build up and then showed 12 amps. I flipped off all of the breakers accept the main and the AC circuit. I them started the AC. It started and ran for about a minute before stopping. My gauge in the unit read ‘open ground’. As a reminder, I’m running an onboard surge protector. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[AZ Traveler]

Recommend you disable your EMS and try again.

[mchurch314]

I don’t know how to do that....do I need to add an inline manual switch?

[AZ Traveler]

Not sure which EMS you have, get the EMS instructions out to determine how to bypass or remove it.

[PNW Fireguy]

mchurch314 have you already successfully allowed for 5 AC starts on shore power? This is necessary for the ES to in essence get programmed by learning how much current it can retard. If you have not done that yet I would recommend getting that variable addressed first. The floating ground issue should be fairly easy to rectify. The 125 second delay is a bit of a red herring.

[h2ojocky]

The neutral ground bond should take care of your problem, my Honda 2000 works fine now with my EMS, so no need to bypass.

[mchurch314]

I’ve had around 5 shore starts but not many more. Should I just wait to fix it until I’ve had more shore starts? My EMS is an expensive, after market ‘onboard’ version that will auto restart after an outage.

[mchurch314]

That’s what I tried, right? I create a plug that connects the ground and the neutral, and plugged it into my generator 120 volt outlet.

[Carl n Susan]

What make and model of EMS do you have?

[mchurch314]

Not sure....I’ll have to look at my paperwork.

[mchurch314]

Surge guard is the make...still checking on model.

[mchurch314]

Model 35550 by TRC

[PNW Fireguy]

I don't think that model has a bypass switch like the Progressive. Your bonded plug should still resolve the issue. Short of verifying you have jumpered the correct terminals within one end of your corded connection you may have to physically remove the TRC from the electrical path.

[Carl n Susan]

The TRC 35550 does not have a "bypass" feature.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...LhjgWkTcb3UfU6

The Progressive equivalent does have a switch to bypass monitoring incoming voltage (but still protects against a surge). http://file.powerprodllc.com/-/media/inriver/ZX480.pdf

The bonded neutral plug is supposed to do the trick but I know my Splendide washer doesn't like my Honda 2000i with or without the plug.

[mchurch314]

Hmmmm.....I bought another type of plug and jumped the neutral and ground. I'll try new plug tomorrow and report back. I guess worse case is swap out the EMS to progressive. That will really suck!