Running generators in series

[hank]

A silly question maybe and off topic but there is a lot of electrical knowledge on this board so here goes. I have two identical 5500 watt generators. Is there a way to run them in series so that I have 11000 watts? Thanks for indulging me.

[cruizer]

Not sure, but I don't think so pretty tough to match the sine waves and without an interface unit between them, one wouldn't know if it was the slave or the master.

[Broccoli1]

Only Inverter gensets.

[Sberry]

It would be parallel anyway.

[hank]

Thanks for the input folks. I know it looks like I don't have enough to do. On the other hand, maybe the two generators would run the 460v Thunderbolt I asked about! Hmmm

[projectwelder]

Yes you could, but there are some technical challenges. One is you would need to ground the alternators to the same reference so they will be at the same zero (assuming the are synchronus alternators, if not, give up here).

The power leads would have to be exactly the same length, if not, it would pull more in one than the other.

You would have to find a way to modify the controls so one controller would run both generators, otherwise, they would get confused and alternate spinning up the RPM.

Best bet, buy a rated genset.

If your t-bolt is 460V single phase, you can always backfeed a transformer to get from 240 to 480.

[hank]

Yikes! I do need to get a life!:) I think the best advice I've gotten is to just go buy a new welder and stop trying to find the cheap way out. I don't own a 460v Thunderbolt but I was looking at one. I'm going to straighten up now and pay the price of admission.

[c wagner]

I think the best advice I've gotten is to just go buy a new welder and stop trying to find the cheap way out.

Lets just say an experienced guy once told me "Sometimes the best way to save money is to spend some." I didn't know what he was getting at but after trying to find the cheap way out a couple of times (and getting burned!) I think he was on to something!!! ;)

[Sberry]

Yup, if you aint already got it dont get it. This is quite common,,, hey look what a deal I got on this. Just dont haver the power for it. I got a transformer sitting here for free and I dont jump on that stuff, stick with things that plug into a common residential service.