Gas Generator in Parallel

[lfalkenh]

Yesterday I asked about the Onan 5500. I don't want propane. How do you tell if X amount of parallel gas generators will work? For instance, I am looking at the Generac iq3500 that can be hooked together. How do you go from the 50 amp in the back of the rig to the generators in parallel if they only have 30 amp connections? Sorry for basic questions, but, have to start somewhere and usually this is a quick place to find info :-)

[nellie1289]

you will have a 50 amp to 30 amp reducer that will then plug into the 30 amp generator receiptical. If looking at a 3500 watt generator you really only need 1 to power 1 ac and everything else. You might have to cycle the AC off to get the microwave on, and vice versa. Everything else should run fine. If you have two ac's, then run one for a little while then the other for a little while to cool both sides.

[2 Yoopers]

They make a parallel kit that plugs into both generators then goes into a box that has a 50 amp outlet. I used to have 2 Predators with a Firman parallel kit, that worked fine. It had both the 30 amp and 50 amp outlets with breakers. Run one generator to power one air conditioner, or both generators if you need to run both.

[lfalkenh]

Will pivot that way...thanks again!!!

[DutchmenSport]

You do it like this:

There is a connection port where 3 wires are connected on each generator. You will need to get the adapter cable that is designed for the generator you have. The adaptor cable comes together into a 50 amp plug. You simply plug the camper into the 50 amp plug. Done.

[socoinc]

What size Onan generator are those?

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by socoinc

What size Onan generator are those?

This one, click here P4500i

[Mikendebbie]

I have a champion 2800w inverter generator I bought several years ago. It does not have ports to hook it up in parallel with another to get 50 amps...so I was looking at newer generators that are parallel capable. What is the minimum watt rating for two identical generators to be hooked up and produce 50 amps?

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

I have a champion 2800w inverter generator I bought several years ago. It does not have ports to hook it up in parallel with another to get 50 amps...so I was looking at newer generators that are parallel capable. What is the minimum watt rating for two identical generators to be hooked up and produce 50 amps?

That would be 6000 watts. But be careful all generators are rated for start up not running watts. For instance a 2000 watt generator only has 1600 running watts that is 13.3 amps.
Lynwood

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

...What is the minimum watt rating for two identical generators to be hooked up and produce 50 amps?

For the P4500i, Hooked together, I have no clue. Individually, the stat sheet says:
Gasoline Peak Watts 4500
Gasoline Running Watts 3700
Peak Amps at 120V 37.5 amps
Running Amps at 120V 30.8 amps

I have run both of mine together and ran everything in my camper all at once and the generators (in parallel) performed just fine. I had both AC's running, microwave, residential refrigerator, 2 televisions, electric fire place, and electric on the water heater. Nothing missed a beat. All the house lights were on, all the outside lights were on. I let it all run for about 30 minutes, fireplace fighting the air conditioners.... and then finally powered down the fire place. I let everything else run, all lights, microwave, everything for a good hour. Generators did great.

No clue what minimum and maximum are combined, all I know is, they worked for what I needed.

I also tried one generator only (30 amp), and it performed identical to hooking up to 30 amp service. Power management is a must. When I turned on both AC's at the same time, the generator continued to run, but the power tripped. I had to push the reset button to get the electric flowing again. I found it interesting the built in breaker tripped at the generator, but the generator continued running.

At 50% load, these generators are suppose to run 15 hours on 1 tank of gas (3.4 gallon).

Hope this helps.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by mlh

That would be 6000 watts. But be careful all generators are rated for start up not running watts. For instance a 2000 watt generator only has 1600 running watts that is 13.3 amps.
Lynwood

Remember, there are two legs, so a total of 12,000W or two of those at 6,000W each. However, I have a 40' Monty and seldom use more than a few hundred watts depending on time of year. We will spend next winter on a 30A service but we do have an extra 20A available from solar/Lithium. When my wife wants to use the dryer, I dial down the leg 1 amps to 13 while she uses 12. If leg 1 needs more like a microwave or toaster, the inverter kicks in and provides up to an additional 20A.

[Mikelff]

It really helps to have Soft Start on your air conditioners as it greatly reduces the power needed to start your AC. You can run them off 30 amp power.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Mikelff

It really helps to have Soft Start on your air conditioners as it greatly reduces the power needed to start your AC. You can run them off 30 amp power.

I think you meant 15A, many RV's are only 30A and many parks are only 30A and can run 2 AC's if one is a 15 and the other a 13.5.