Can anyone verify that the shrouded plugs on the Honda EU2000 for parallel operation, are the standard 4mm shrouded banana plugs (like shrouded test lead plugs)?
Wanting to make my own parallel cable set, and found some 4mm ones rated at 20amp 1000v, just wanted to try and make sure they were the right plug first (actually this is the only size I have found so I'm reasonably sure it's correct).
Dward51
1998 Towlite 24TD, 2002 1500 GMC Sierra, wife, 2 kids & a truck full of telescopes...
Sounds like the right ones. Where did you find them? I had no luck locating any. I used the EU1000 cables and cut them up for the plugs. If I ever decide to make another set, I would like to have some of the plugs on hand.
I'm calling Don Mayberry to order 2 of the EU2000's tomorrow and will also make my own cable(I wanted the shrouded safety margin). One thing I had considered is using the 'walmart plug' idea to connect only the ground lug between the two gensets. As I understand it, the new Honda parallel cables added a ground wire which is mounted to the gound screw below the banana jacks. If I use the 'walmart plug' idea only for the ground, by plugging it into one of the duplex outlets and using the shrouded banana jacks for the actual AC interconnect, I get fast hookup (no tools) and the added safety of shrouded plugs if they are accidentially disconnected. What do you think?
*This Message was edited on 27-Jan-03 06:01 PM by dward51*
I think that is a wonderful idea. I wish I had thought of it. I used the outer covering from the piece of 10/3 SO I used in the project a sleeves for the EU1000 cable pieces. I used the ground wires from the 10/3 SO through the sleeves and have been putting the wire ends under the ground screws. I have been kicking around getting some alligator clips but your idea is way more sanitary. I will implement it as soon as the snow around the storage shed melts. Thanks!
Two red plugs, two black plugs (to keep the hot vs common polarity correct), and a ground wire running between two 3-prong plugs oughta do the trick. Let us know how it works out!
Test lead (red/black) work just fine, that's exactly what I used on my first set. The ground wire is NOT any new addition, however; as shown in the orig. photos of the EU2K box (Honda version), the ground cable came stock from the outset.
So. Making the ground connection between the EU's does nothing to solve the polarity problem; using red/black shrouded, as I did initially, does, as long as you plug them consistently in the 2 units. I found mine at a surplus electronics outfit, and they are common on high-voltage test meters. As to color-coded bananas vs Wal-mart cords, purely a matter of balancing personal preferences in my book.
*This Message was edited on 28-Jan-03 10:06 AM by NH_Bob*
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