I own two of these and have recently had interlock, whole home surge protector installed and I am wondering if it is feasible/good idea to parallel the generators to run the whole home?

https://www.duromaxpower.com/products/duromax-xp13000eh-13000-watt-portable-hybrid-gas-propane-generator

The phases have to match. You can't parallel a standard generator that I know of, would have to be inverter type that are linkable. The Honda EU2000 can be purchased with a second unit to double the capacity, but they are designed for it and have special cable that links them in phase.

I read up on this and from what I can tell it can be done

You don't really have phases on a 120/ 240v genset

You would wire using the 50A 120/240 v plug on each unit to a junction box then to the house. #8 wire from genset to junction and #2 from junction to house. Need a splice that is rated for 100A. I would consider using a 100A 2P breaker at the junction box, could use a small breaker panel,

I would make sure to connect the same pins from each genset plug at the junction

In theory you would get 12kw (50Ax240v) from each unit for a total of 24kw but in reality you will get maybe 80% depending on how your loads are balanced

redaszag99 said:

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I read up on this and from what I can tell it can be done

You don't really have phases on a 120/ 240v genset

You would wire using the 50A 120/240 v plug on each unit to a junction box then to the house. #8 wire from genset to junction and #2 from junction to house. Need a splice that is rated for 100A. I would consider using a 100A 2P breaker at the junction box, could use a small breaker panel,

I would make sure to connect the same pins from each genset plug at the junction

In theory you would get 12kw (50Ax240v) from each unit for a total of 24kw but in reality you will get maybe 80% depending on how your loads are balanced

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Gensets don't have phases? Seriously? Maybe what you mean is a non-inverter generator doesn't have clean sine wave phases, but it does have phases. Tesla called it alternating current for a reason. Your house power from the power company has phases….you NEED phases to power your house. Everything you plug into the wall is looking for 60 hz.

Maybe I'm missing something, but this seems like bad advice.

Ok, 120/240V power is single phase power

The power plant generates three phase power

The power company puts a transformer on a single phase at whatever voltage primary (likely 24KV at the street) and you get 120/240V singe phase power out of it

Three phase power is used to run larger loads, such as large motor loads. The average house has something like a 120/240V 200A service. Not 3P 120/208V or 3P 277/480V

There could be some harmonics issues with the frequency being out of step between the two generators, but it would probably work. I have never done it.

redaszag99 said:

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Ok, 120/240V power is single phase power

The power plant generates three phase power

The power company puts a transformer on a single phase at whatever voltage primary (likely 24KV at the street) and you get 120/240V singe phase power out of it

Three phase power is used to run larger loads, such as large motor loads. The average house has something like a 120/240V 200A service. Not 3P 120/208V or 3P 277/480V

There could be some harmonics issues with the frequency being out of step between the two generators, but it would probably work. I have never done it.

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There would be harmonic issues. You'd potentially have 220 to a 110 outlet. That's how 220 single phase voltage works, you have two legs at 110 that are out of phase with each other. VAC is measured peak to peak, so with one leg at 110, the other leg is at -110….peak to peak being 220. Couple that with the fact the generators won't be running at exactly the same rpm, and you have voltage oscillating between 110 and 220. That likely means OP frying everything electronic in his house as well as both generators.

I'm not an electrical expert, but I do have some knowledge of how the phasing works. I'd be happy to eat crow if someone is willing to test it and prove me wrong. I definitely wouldn't suggest anyone run their house without testing it.

120/240V is not out of phase, Leg is a better term, It is single phase with +120V potential and -120V potential to each other, they are both 120V potential away from Ground

I was thinking about this earlier

I would start both gensets and measure the voltage between the left terminal on both of the 50A plugs, you would hope to get 0V

Do the same for the right ones, again hope for 0V

Then measure left on one VS right on the other, hope for 240V

Check leg on one to ground on the other, then neutral

If I got those readings, I'd be good

Thanks for the responses. I have been reading details on duromax website and they sell a parallel kit but the kit is not specific to the model I have.

https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/parallel-kits/products/duromax-xp9000ih-closed-frame-inverter-parallel-kit

Does anyone happen to know what the designation of Ih and Eh mean?

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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Thanks for the responses. I have been reading details on duromax website and they sell a parallel kit but the kit is not specific to the model I have.

https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/parallel-kits/products/duromax-xp9000ih-closed-frame-inverter-parallel-kit

Does anyone happen to know what the designation of Ih and Eh mean?

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The 'I" models are inverter type generators. I mentioned that in my first post, generators that are linkable have to be inverter type because the AC output is basically computer controlled (I believe they generate DC then the inverter converts to AC with a clean sine wave). A standard generator doesn't output very "clean" power, meaning the sine wave is squared off and the 60 hz isn't exact. That's why they aren't linkable, the outputs won't match between two generators.

Thanks for clarifying.