Linking generators

[mattfx81]

Is it possible to link two generators together to double the output power?

Matt

 

[madkayaker]

simple answer no. with very complex and expensive electronics yes

 

[mattfx81]

Cheers, Id just seen a little honda geny that could be linked to one another with a parallel cable and it got me thinking.

Matt

 

[madkayaker]

ive not heard of the small stuff getting linked but honda do like there innervations. have done it on big sites with big gen sets

 

[mattfx81]

The model I saw was the Honda EU20i.

Matt

 

[madkayaker]

interesting stuff!

 

[Pete.]

If you don't sync the phases you'll get a big bang and lots of brown smoke

 

[madkayaker]

sync the phases, frequancy and voltages as well as balancing the currents so you don't burn out one of them

 

[pedrobedro]

At £1,020 each you wouldn't want to link too many together, just buy a big one for less money in the first place. Or are you thinking of joining a few of the 650w £59 specials from Netto ?

 

[penfold]

sync the phases, frequancy and voltages as well as balancing the currents so you don't burn out one of them

Nah, no clever electrickery required; we do this all the time on ships, albeit with 3 phase gennys. Provided you sync the phase, a functional modern(i.e. less than 30 years old with AVR etc) genny can be joined to another without tears or all the smoke escaping. I'm not aware of anybody syncing single phase gennys, but it is technically possible.

 

[madkayaker]

how do you keep them in sync

 

[penfold]

They keep themselves in sync; it's a self regulating process. Simply put, when one genny tries to spin faster, it takes a greater portion of the load and slows down. The only tricky part is getting the sync in the first place, A quick google turned this up for syncing single phase and this for 3 phase. The 3 phase one leaves something to be desired, but covers most of the important bits.

 

[madkayaker]

i bow down to greater kwnolage on this it is easier than i thought to do

 

[brightspark]

linking genny s

but would u realy want to or even need to

 

[madkayaker]

Nope but now i know i can i feel i need to