Honda EU2000i generators with APC transfer switch
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- This is the way I've configured a pair of Honda EU2000i inverter generators. These units are very quiet (as far as generators go) and easily portable. I've added auxiliary fuel tanks for extended run time, a GenTran parallel kit to link the generators together, a weather resistant enclosure and a GenTran power inlet box. An APC UTS6H six circuit universal transfer switch and a UPS complete the connection into the house.
We have used the ruclips.net/user/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
I have used the APC products in CATV head ends. We usually put the "sensitive" equipment on the ups as well as the gen so we don't have to re boot computers or re stabilize modulators or have a tech bring up our sat receivers if we loose land power. the purpose of the ups is to keep constant power to the "sensitive" stuff while the gen or land power is changing over.
What is the difference between the UTS6 and the UTS6H APC transfer switches?
This guy is like Inspector Gadget
So you didn't need for the 2nd honda to be the so called "companion" version that had its own 30amp plug ?
Sweet set up. I'm a big APC fan as well. Yours is the first APC transfer switch video I have seen, though. I did not know they made them until now. Definitely a nice addition, though. Thanks for sharing.
Man, I learned something good watching this video, never even though of using a maritime/boat gas can, no more midnight fueling for me on my 2 1/2 gal tank, thanks...
I know you are praying for a power outage
If this were Albuquerque those generators would be stolen in 10 minutes
SuperGiantRock lmao... ain’t that the truth. I’m a cop here in Abq.
Hi, I'm curious why you spent the money on honda inverter generators when you are pushing inverted power into a UPS battery backup which has an inverter in it already? IE-- you are cleaning clean power??? Not that this bad, just an expensive way to get clean power. You could have gotten the same bang for far less bucks. Get a regular Honda/other 4000 watt generator and send it into the APC/UPS. [if I'm understanding your system as I'm seeing it]
Nice setup but that shelf next to the house is a fire waiting to happen.
The gas dripping out of those boat lines above the generator not good either.
I'm just now seeing this video, It's good information, BUT I would NEVER PUT MY portable power system OUTside my house, It would be in the garage PERIOD. aND DURING A STORM REALLY YOU WANT TO GO OUTSIDE TO REFILL THE GAS TANKS. OR TROUBLESHOOT IN CASE OF A PROBLEMS....
I have a similar, albeit different set up. For the cost of around $2000, I built a critial loads panel, that goes into a Renogy inverter charger. That interter charger also connect to the main panel, so when utility power is working, it passes through to the critical loads panel. The inverter charger is also connected a 170ah Lifepo4 battery. So I get instand UPS for my critical loads. Then when the battery gets low, I run the generator, and manually swich the transfer switch so the inverter charger is now getting power from the genny, rather than the main panel. Which powers my critical loads AND charges the battery.
I have just made some changes to the setup, and I'll eventually make a new video. I had a natural gas line run to the generator area, and added "Tri-Fuel" modifications that give each generator the ability to be fueled by natural gas, propane, or gasoline. A few other changes include replacing the Johnson/Evinrude style quick fuel connects with Honda style, and moving the shelving so the generators are above the gasoline tanks.
This a great setup and great video. It has inspired me to build the same setup with my tri-fuel Eu2000i. Thank you!
Do you have to prim first time only and how full are the generators to help pull the fuel
you have put a fuel load over a ignition source right next to the house.
Whats the price of each component besides the generators?
I commend your resourcefulness
From what I understand after speaking to a long term Honda mechanic there is no need to mount fuel tanks above the EU2000 due to its internal fuel pump. In fact, he was concerned that the gravity flow could, if something goes wrong, lead to a fire which is claims to have seen happen. Since numerous other videos here on YT show this generator with a floor mounted tank why take a chance?
That's true... it sheds circuits, not indvidual outlets. My major appliances have very little "other" items on their circuits, so it's fine if one sheds. Besides... what's the alternative... bring the entire generator down because of an overload?
Although both are 120 volt only units, the UTS6H has a 3 prong, L5-30P 120 volt input port (appropriate for the Honda portable generators), whereas the UTS6 has a 4 prong L14-30P 120/240 volt port (appropriate for larger 120/240 volt generators). I got the UTS6H from wisesales dott com, one of the few places that stock it.
You misunderstand the reason for the UPS. It's not there for power conditioning. A UPS stands for Uninterruptable Power Supply. It kicks in as soon as the power goes out, and only powers for a short time (the batteries aren't very large). When the generators start supplying power to the panel, the UPS is taken out of the circuit.
Thanks for your concern, but just because you don't see fire extinguishers in the video doesn't mean they are not nearby. I have lost family to fire and am more sensitive to fire than most people. I have several extinquishers in various areas of my home (including one a few feet from this computer), and more smoke/CO detectors than most folks.
The UTS6H should work. I asked an APC technician if the UTS6 would work if the four prong L14/30r plug was jumped so that the same 120 volts hot lead was seen at both of the positive terminals (using a three wire cable with an L5/30p on the generator end). Looking at the schematic, he said it looks like it would work, but he said he could not recommend it.
Officially just two units of the same size. There was a three generator third party connector sold a few years back, but it's no longer available. Also, consider that the generators' internal wiring would likely need to be able to handle the maximum (or near maximum) load.
So I would stick with the manufacturers specifications and parallel only two units.
Can somebody dumb this down for me?
Let's say that the house is pulling 5,000 watts when the power goes out.
Then I go down and fire up the gennies (peak capacity 4,000 watts).
What happens when I flip the cutover switch?
Do the circuit breakers on the gennies trip? Or does the panel handle the situation more gracefully?
Thanks...I have a friend who installed a UTS6 to a Honda EU3000is generator and she said its not working...so I'll tell her that UTS6 doesn't work with her generator and she has to change her APC switch to a UTS6H...right?
Hi Zentient1...I was hoping you could answer a couple questions for me before I buy this UTS:
1. What is the trigger that causes the UTS to switch back and forth between utility and generator/UPS power?
a. Is it the loss/restoration of utility power OR
b. The presence/absence of generator power OR
c. A manual intervention to switch between power sources?
2. I see you have both utility and generator power feeding the UTS simultaneously (ie. Generator is running before power goes out per your test, sort of “standby” mode)? What governs which power source is used? Can you select manually to stay on generator power or does utility power take precedence and it automatically switches back as soon as utility power is restored?
3. When the UTS is configured for a manual start generator (the automatic option requires an extra kit to be used to start/stop an actual generator; the start/stop delay configuration options only apply in automatic generator mode) would there be a delay in supplying power to generator circuits if the generator is already running when the loss of utility power happens?
It seems like there is in your video....so if generator is connected and running, no UPS plugged in and you cut power from utility, what is the delay to switch over?
Thanks in advance.
Now how do I answer this without sounding flip?
Two generators are twice as loud as one generator!
Well... actually it depends. That's the case if they are both running at full load (not on eco-mode).
I haven't compared the sound levels when both are running on eco mode. So I don't know if two running at half load has the same sound level as one running at full power.
With the APC panel, you can set up circuits so that they can be shed in the event that the generators cannot supply enough power. Each circuit can be configured as needed to shed and reconnect automatically... with minimum on and off times...cool stuff.
I viewed several videos on RUclips about hooking up extended run fuel tanks... then visited a local marine/boat store and got the tanks, hoses, fittings, etc. There are several vendors who supply accessory fuel caps that accept the fittings.
I forgot to mention, that I've also reconfigured the setup. Now the generators are above the auxiliary fuel tanks, and I have added Tri-Fuel conversions to each generator, so I can run from gasoline, or natural gas, or propane. I'll make a new video soon showing the most recent configuration.
When testing the transfer switch, we loaded it over capictity to see if it would shed some loads like it should....and it shut every circuit off? How do I program it to shed a specific circuit...like the furnace or the refridgerator?
Thanks for your concern. Several months ago, I moved the fuel tanks below the generators. The house has aluminum siding and the generators are pointed away from the house. I may add a layer of cement board between the shelves and the house.
Yes, that is the main purpose of the APC transfer switch (or any transfer switch), it mechanically isolates the generator power so that it has no chance of backfeeding into the utility grid.
Do you get 240v output?
Yes fire is like that and anyone who has actually been in/around one knows the lesson of how once started it is amazing just how quickly an environment can be engulfed. My "concern" was not just you but the RUclips-ers who don't get this. RUclips is an audio visual medium and is watched by some fairly "independent" (read: ignorant folks. This means that you need to show and mention something not just know the solutions (or prevention-s) yourself.
I am installing the APC UTP too,, What a great unit. Since I don't want to power on the unit all the time. I put a SPDT switch on circuit 5&6. So I can turn both switches to run and check the UTP if I need to. I will hook up the UPS to an pure sinewave inverter with a Solar mppt charge controller with 4 deep cycle batteries. I also have a honda su2000i.
I should be all set.
Had it for over a year
The generators have to be protected from the weather. The only time the tarps are on is when it's raining... or worse.
Everyone has their own way of doing this it would seem. The one glaring thing that bothers me is that you do not have a couple of fire extinguishers near your generator, fuel, power station.
There is plenty of air circulation... no problem at all, the back is mostly open and the shelves are slotted.
During hurricane Sandy, I wrapped a couple of bungee cords horizontally around the cover and everything stayed dry.
Great setup, but you should NEVER store fuel directly above a strong ignition source! ...hot engines, exhaust, electricity.
I have Honda EU2000i and EU2000i Companion with parallel option. I was wondering how you handled the neutral and ground between gens and TS/Panel. Did you tie the neutral and ground at the gens. I intend to get UTS6H and want to be sure that wiring is done correctly. Tx! Like your setup.
Really cool setup
Nice set up, but they are air cooled engines that needs air circulation for the motor !! The life of engines will be affected with that kind of set up !!
I have the same setup except I only have one EU2000i. I have to say, the APC transfer switch is awesome. I like the aux gas tank idea. After seeing this, I might add one to my generator.
Michale the Honda EU series generators are NOT neutral bonded. They have floating neutrals perfect for home backup. The only place you should have you neutral and ground bonded are in your main electrical box.
How do you handle the phase load balance with the UTS6H? Or do you not even have to worry about it even though the two phases show up on the LCD screen?
@chipdiamondvideos The user guide for the UTS has complete instructions for managing the circuits.
Sorry for all the questions. So if I understand you correctly, the APC UTS6H you own probably has, I am going to guess, 14 wires between it and the main panel. Two for each circuit where one of these 2 attaches to the particular circuit breaker, instead of the hot wire in the main panel that use to be on this circuit breaker, and the other wire to the hot lead that use to be in the circuit breaker? That makes 12 wires, each of which make a home run through the APC UTS6H, plus a neutral and a ground? And if I understand further, the APC UTS6H's circuit breakers, used to power the backed up circuits in the event of a utility power failure, themselves use fuses, not circuit breakers, to protect the wires???? So, unlike other models of this transfer switch no double hot leads from the circuit breaker (240V) enter circuits 5 and 6 (the 6 circuit 120/240 APC unit) or 9 and 10 (the 10 circuit 120/240 APC unit?) This is strictly a 120 volt appliance?
Do you know if this unit allows you to hardwire the generator power cord rather than plug it in, as you've done, into the male L530 in the APC UTS6H?
Finally, do you know if this Honda based unit has yanked the generator control module? This is the low voltage 6 pin attachment point in the upper right hand corner of the box used to auto start and stop a generator with electric start abiities, unlike your "twin" generators, like, say, the EU3000is, or higher.
Thanks so much for your help!!!
If you don't require one or more circuits to always be on, does the APC require a UPS system? Rephrased, does the APC power itself in the event of a utility interruption, until at least the generator kicks in, or do you need the UPS to provide the APC with the energy to not only run, but move the switch---which may (I don't know) be a physical, not an electronic action--as is the case with normal automatic transfer switches.??? Thank you.
Zentinet1: absolving you from any liability whatsoever, I have a question right up your alley, if you'd be willing to entertain it.
Using a transfer switch, as you are, that is UL-1008 listed, is a good idea for not taking risks that homeowner's insurance won't cover, heaven forbid, an electrical fire.
My question is, for those of us who only need a simple automatic transfer switch, one that simply switches the powering of a 50amp 120 volt subpanel (like me), that has my "necessary" appliances on it,, from utility to generator power, why not use an RV switch and save money?
And my answer is that most of these switches are not UL-1008 listed. But quite a few are. Any thoughts on use of the latter?
I have a Yamama 3000iseB invertor, converted, as I now read you've done, to run off of utility natural gas, that because it has electric start, I hooked up to a GSCM-mini.
If you ever switch to electric start generators, and wish to know how to wire this, I would be glad to share the good karma and help you with it gratis, including priming of the natural gas regulator.
Thank you sir.
Great vid, thx for the ideas.
have you ever had an inrush overload when switching power sources (Main-to-UPS-to-Gen) when running on only one of the eu2000?
also, what did you set your gen watts to on the UTS, 3200 rated or 4000 peak?
Great looking system. I am just starting to look into something similar. Is there anything in this system to prevent power backfeed into the power grid? Does the APC transfer switch handle it?
That was a good idea and one of the first things I frowned at when I saw the video as far as having the fuel tanks above the generators. Other than that, with your changes, this is a pretty sweet little setup. Cheers. :)
WILL THE COVER STAY ON THE SHELVING WHEN THE WINDS ARE STRONG? WHAT IF THE RAIN IS NOT FALLING STRAIGHT DOWN?
Very nice setup. My only comment would be to secure this equipment so it doesn't grow legs and walk away.
ever seen a larger generator say 5 kw. 5 or so gallon tank directly above the engine.
to code your microwave Must be on its own circuit same as the fridge only allowing a 120 volt clock added to the circuit
Zen, this is art !!! Thanks for the video ! Like, subscr and saving the footage for further reference.
Someone just commented on how weather resistant or robust the setup is. The shelving sits on 4x4 wood ties. On the bottom shelf sit five 5 gallon water containers (good to have fresh water around), so there is about 200lbs of weight at the base. The shelves are in an enclosed area, shielded from the wind on three sides. I do tie the tarps during high winds, but for normal use the magnets work fine. The goal of this setup was not to have the generators withstand hurricane force winds, but instead to allow generator usage in wet weather conditions, and keep the generators high enough in case they need to be used during a snow storm. To that end, the setup works well. I have reorganized the configuration so the extended tanks are no longer above the generators, and I have also converted the units to Tri-Fuel, so they can run using gasoline, natural gas, or propane. Hopefully I will get some time to make a video of the updated setup.
I Had a gas generator set up to power my house. ONE problem gas will go bad. Use propane fuel generator you will NEVER had a problem with fuel going bad. Lesson learned!
My works too. Used Avasva handbooks and build it with no problems.
genius
Really nice setup ! but looks kinda expensive... has it been in use recently ?
cheers
That is a great setup for the house. I like the transfer switch.
Thanks,
Roger
Very informative. You did a great job narrating too. :) Thanks for sharing.
you can buy an onan rv generator that could run way more for the same price wow...
Ya got to love the harmonizing sound of Hondas in parallel.
Fortunately we have not lost power recently.
Nice setup. Those inverter gens are expensive
I respectfully disagree.
You're ready for armageddon.
Do they make a propane conversion kit?
This is great. Love it!
You can get them on ebay for the 2k.
Wow. How elaborate, the whole thing!
Thanks, I'll let her know about this.
Here's where I am confused. Why use a more expensive automatic transfer switch if your generators don't autostart? My point is--and maybe I misunderstand--in order to run selected circuits of the home off the generators, you have to manually turn the generators on, right?
The won't autostart because they lack both electric start and a generator start control module (GSCM).
Given this, wouldn't a cheaper manual transfer switch that required you to manually toggle from energergizing your emergency circuits from utility to generator power have been fine? I'd see your point if the generators started automatically with a power outage so that the whole system could be automatic.
I have a similar setup only its with a Yamaha 3000iSEB inverter, converted to run utility supplied natural gas, or propane, or gasoline. The first is in endless supply from the utility even when electric power is out. Additionally, because this gen has autostart, I hooked it up to a GSCM that starts/stops it based on the availability of utility power.
I have nothing to sell you. Let me know if you want more details. And thanks for the video.
Dave Jones, I bought it for its load balancing capabilities
That, now, makes perfect sense. I had not considered that. Thank you for enlightening me.....really. : - )
You have a very nice setup.
I'm considering the APC transfer switch. How's the long-term review of this product? Any issue with fuses in the unit blowing?
No issues with blown fuses. I bought extra fuses and keep the with the unit... just in case. We have not had outages in sometime, so the unit just hangs quietly on the wall, ready to do its job.
+Zentient1 Excellent to hear! I am considering the 10 circuit panel but trying to determine if 9-10 can feed a small sub panel - you still have the 6?
+Craig Penrose The 6 circuit UTS6H is the only one that is certified to work with the Honda EU2000i generators. It's a 120 volt only panel.
Curious..what's the amperage and voltage of the circuit you have entering into the APC switch from the utility? Thanks
Dave Jones, if I recall correctly, I have a typical 200 amp service. The APC is connected to six of the circuits. Very straightforward.
Okay, but do you have maybe 1 of those circuits off your main panel feeding the APC, if so, what is its amperage/voltage?
Or maybe somehow the APC is feed immediately after your utility meter. (I don't know if you have the six circuit 120 volt or 120/240 volt model such that if you have the 120/240 you could somehow connect the APC to wires carrying the full utility load--normally 200amp 120/240 in most homes.)
Dave Jones i have the 6 circuit 120 volt only model. Two AC lines from the panel power the transfer switch. Details are here www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/APC-Universal-Transfer-Switch-6-Circuit-120V/P-UTS6
My unit is the UTS6H
Dave Jones the switch feeds 6 individual circuits, not the entire panel. iIt can load balance the circuits if desired.
Could you share what is the purpose/function of the GenTran outlet? Also, do you have a link to an updated video of your new setup? Also, could you share the size of that UPS?
Russel, I am not quite sure what you are asking. There are two GenTran items in the video. The one connected to one of the generators allows the two units to be connected together in parallel, so their output can be combined into one 30amp plug. The outlet attached to the house is a way of connecting the cord coming from the 30amp plug on the generator box.
Zentient1 Sorry, forgot about the GenTran part to allow parallel connections. I was more asking about the part on the side of your house. How does this connect into existing home wiring? Or is this just a sealed pass through from the outside to the inside? I guess what I'm asking is does this GenTran outlet have to be directly wired to the transfer switch? For instance is there any way to put one of these on the back of my house, but have the UTS6H located next to the load center in my garage (front of the house)?
Russell Morris Before you buy one of these,make sure you ask the company you are going to buy it from, if the unit already comes with the hardwire kit installed.I purchased the uts10bi,and the hardwire kit.Found out that they changed design,and did away with the kit,and block off plate,and started making them designed to be hardwired only,from the factory.
MrCrf450rider which part are you referring to that has the wiring kit? The UTS?
Yes.Mine did not come with the input on the uts.it came with the hardwire kit already installed.not even a knockout
Great post! Thanks for sharing your setup!
... I would worry about a fire . running while enclosed in this environment , heavy with gasoline fumes once the heat from the runnings gen. sets. builds up .. !!!!
The back is mostly open, the exhaust goes straight out the back so there is no heat buildup. I have reconfigured the setup. It's now set up for Tri-fuel, and the generators are above the fuel tanks. Running the generators on natural gas is very nice. Not having to deal with gasoline is great.
Zentient1 Excellent ... I am always aware of highly flammable gasses ...