Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
(OP)
I am interested in knowing if anyone out there knows of a company that sells a kit to connect 4 gas powered 2.5 kw generators in parallel.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.






RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
I may be out on the limb here but you may not find such a gizmo, becuase the such small generator may not have sophisticated governor and voltage regulator for parallleing function.
Just curious why do you want to do this?
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
Those small units are not going to have the ability to do that, and I'm highly doubtful a gen. manufacturer will have something to do this. In addition, you say that the sets are different makes, etc. Typically when you parallel gen's you want them to match up as much as possible, although, these days, you can get regulators/governors to handle the issues associated with unmatched sets.
Mike
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
Blacksmith
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
The reason I think it *could* work is that unlike the big machines, you all work with constantly, these small machines have almost no inertia. I would think that crummy govenors could almost be trumped by the network. The engines would just drive the generators up against the network and not be able to push out of sync. Just a thought.
One big one would be nice with propane. Though certainly less redundant.
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
Honda makes a paralleling rig for TWO of it's small generators.
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
The inverter based technology is interesting. The Honeywell Parallon generators seemed to me to be a great idea, but they are no longer made (or supported?) I believe. There must be a place for turbine prime movers, and the inverter replacing the geartrain as a method of eliminating the gap between the turbine rpm and the typical alternator rpm seems perfect.
does anyone now if the hondas vary the engine speed to respond to load variations or do they run close to synchronous speed?
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
I would prefer propane because it doesn't rot or clog up the carburetor waiting to serve you. You can order a propane conversion kit for these or any small generator for that matter.
http://www.propanecarbs.com/
http://www.propane-generators.com/
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
need to watch for spikes and all sort of nasties.
rugged
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel
The DC method certainly avoids the entire hassle of synchronizing but has its own problem. Namely "load sharing". When you hook DC generators together they can have problems sharing the load. Since they won't all have the exact same source impedance they won't evenly share the load. One will hog it all the others may provide none. The second problem is, the inverter would cost a fortune. Inverters above 1kW are pricey. That's why the above Hondas cost $2K; $1k for the generator $1K for the inverter. Inverters cost about $1k per 1kW once you get over 1kW.
RE: Connecting 4 gas 2.5kw generators in parallel