Why you want the Honda EU2200i Companion

The 30 Amp Outlet only provides 15 Amps without the second EU2200i and cable.
Nice to know that you can get a full 30 AMP when you add the EU2200i and cable.

The Cable: Honda EU2 (30A) Companion Cable/RV Adapter Kit Amazon Link

@Allendale posted:

I don't sell these, and Honda is not paying me for this (although they should!).

The venerable Honda Eu2000 is no more, replaced by the new EU2200i and EU2200i Companion.

The Companion model is more expensive, but it is the version you want for an RV.  It has two outputs, one a standard household receptacle, the other is a 30 amp outlet.  This is important as the standard household receptacle is limited to 15 amps.  For high amperage draws - like startup on an A/C unit, you can get something like 18 amps through the 30 amp connector.  This may well be the difference between the unit starting or not - particularly if there is any other electrical draw at the time.

More than that, if you are running high amperage currents through the 15 amp circuit for an extended time it will often overheat and shut down, even though you have not exceeded the rating.  Our shore power plug and the 30 amp outlet receptacle is not going to overheat at any output the stand alone generator is capable of producing.

They are noticeably quieter than the older 2000 as well.  Not dramatically so, but noticeably.

Got my eu2200i w/Bluetooth companion on Wednesday. Have not had the inaugural start yet but on the list of activities tomorrow!

@Allendale posted:

I don't sell these, and Honda is not paying me for this (although they should!).

The venerable Honda Eu2000 is no more, replaced by the new EU2200i and EU2200i Companion.

The Companion model is more expensive, but it is the version you want for an RV.  It has two outputs, one a standard household receptacle, the other is a 30 amp outlet.  This is important as the standard household receptacle is limited to 15 amps.  For high amperage draws - like startup on an A/C unit, you can get something like 18 amps through the 30 amp connector.  This may well be the difference between the unit starting or not - particularly if there is any other electrical draw at the time.

More than that, if you are running high amperage currents through the 15 amp circuit for an extended time it will often overheat and shut down, even though you have not exceeded the rating.  Our shore power plug and the 30 amp outlet receptacle is not going to overheat at any output the stand alone generator is capable of producing.

They are noticeably quieter than the older 2000 as well.  Not dramatically so, but noticeably.

Respectfully, you're telling people they need to spend an extra $100 or more based on incorrect information.

Based on everything I've seen and read, you don't get any more power out of a single companion unit than you do out of a single standard eu2200i.

Also, I've run the heck out of my AC for some pretty extended periods of time, and it has never overheated, shut down, or failed to start my AC.

Both good units and people should do their research and buy whichever one they want, I personally saw no reason to spend an extra hundred bucks on a companion unit unless I'd be pairing them.

It's pretty clear @Allendale is describing a 30 amp 'rated' receptacle, that to be rated as such, has more brass on the contact surfaces.  Thus, a higher rated connection is less likely to generate heat than a 15 amp receptacle when transmitting nearly or sometimes more than the 15 amps our camper's air conditioners are asking of the generator.  As I read it, there's no claim of the generator alone producing 30 amps of output.

Unfortunately, the camper's 30 amp 120vac power cord plug won't fit into the Honda's 30 amp twist-lock receptacle.   

We are still slave to acquiring an adapter to mate the 30 amp twist-lock to the 30 amp RV cord's plug.  The Companion's approach just has more brass between the its receptacle and the adapter.

Then again, there are home made adapters utilizing a duplex receptacle that accomplish pretty much the same thing as the companion's advantage.

I am justifiably corrected for not being careful enough with my words.  It is certainly true that many people can use the 2200i, or even the older 2000i with no problems.  I hasten to add here that I did not intend to suggest that everyone using these other versions are doing so dangerously.  I probably DID convey that very message, however, but I did not intend to.

The important point is that the Companion offers a 30 amp outlet to mate to the 30 amp shore power plug on most, if not all Lance products.  Those plugs and outlet are capable of delivering the full 15 amp output (over 18 surge amps) without overheating and oxidizing the connecting plug.  If your sustained loads are 12 amps or less there will be no advantage to using the Companion version.

For myself, I have seen too many 15 amp plugs in high current draw applications that oxidized over time, began to draw heavier and heavier amperage, and in some cases melt down.  The ability to have a plug that will accept the full generator output when necessary without any strain is a very big thing for me.

Got the Companion and it runs my 15K Coleman A/C like a charm. I added a soft-start device to the A/C and I think it actually made it quieter.

I agree with many points on the above.  It can only run 30 amp with two genny's hooked together but I purchased the Companion 2200i because of the heavier plug for 30 amp.  Yes, I did add an adapter to connect the TT 30 amp cord and also purchased a longer adapter to make it easier to connect when the genny is in the genny box.  I do have the Micro Air on my 15k AC that works perfectly.   This seems to be a perfect set up for our HOT Florida summers.

If you do buy an adaptor, read the specs carefully.  Some are rated for 20 amps, some are rated for 30 amps.

For those with the older 2000's thinking about buying one 2200 and mating it with a 2000 (like I was) keep in mind only certain serial numbers will work with one another.

@Allendale posted:

I don't sell these, and Honda is not paying me for this (although they should!).

The venerable Honda Eu2000 is no more, replaced by the new EU2200i and EU2200i Companion.

The Companion model is more expensive, but it is the version you want for an RV.  It has two outputs, one a standard household receptacle, the other is a 30 amp outlet.  This is important as the standard household receptacle is limited to 15 amps.  For high amperage draws - like startup on an A/C unit, you can get something like 18 amps through the 30 amp connector.  This may well be the difference between the unit starting or not - particularly if there is any other electrical draw at the time.

More than that, if you are running high amperage currents through the 15 amp circuit for an extended time it will often overheat and shut down, even though you have not exceeded the rating.  Our shore power plug and the 30 amp outlet receptacle is not going to overheat at any output the stand alone generator is capable of producing.

They are noticeably quieter than the older 2000 as well.  Not dramatically so, but noticeably.

The receptacles are 20 amp. Page 12 of the manual.(or look at the plug-NEMA 20 amp ) No need for the companion unless you are paralleling  2 generators or like the twistlok  30 amp plug.

@satek60 posted:

The receptacles are 20 amp. Page 12 of the manual.(or look at the plug-NEMA 20 amp ) No need for the companion unless you are paralleling  2 generators or like the twistlok  30 amp plug.

Or page 16

2200W at 120V is a little over 18.3A – so, yes, the EU2200i is not going to deliver upwards of 30A without help. Nor is it going to push more amperage than is being drawn, so if you are sure you're never going to draw more than 15amps, you probably don't need the companion version. But if you continuously go above 15amps (A/C, Induction Plates, Microwaves, etc) -- you will want to be sure your system is capable of handling over 15amps so you don't run into corrosion and fire hazards because you're over drawing on the electrical lines. To me, saving $100-200 hundred dollars in 30A vs 15A wires and receptacles would be a pretty depressing explanation for having part of your RV go up in flames. Most people aren't splitting the difference with 15A vs 20A lines and receptacles...so I would always air on the safe side and just go 30A if possible...and leave that safety head-room. Plus, as someone previously stated, the receptacles are more compatible between the 30A Companion EU2200i and the Lance 30A shore receptacles. It seems like a win-win with only about $110 difference.

But then again, my EU2200i isn't even outputting 2200W because I have the LP conversion which comes out to closer to 1800W. So who knows...but I always like having plenty of headroom where possible.

My last thought is with regard to 30A service at RV sites with full-hookups. If you plan on hitting these, you're going to want those 30A cables for 30A shore power anyway, so why not make sure they are compatible between your Lance, the generator, and the shore power. If you're going 15A-20A from your Honda, you'll be disappointed with your 15A service from shore power when 30A is available.

-S

So, I just realized also...

2200W at 110V (rather than 120V) is 20A. With most devices being more in the 110V range, they will pull closer to 20A than 18.3A -- and since the vast majority of lines run 15A or 30A (not true 20A)...I would always go 30A.

Howdy,

Just purchased a 2200 Companion, after already buying a 2200.  I tried using the 13.5 A/C with a Soft Start at 5600 feet elev. (plus I camp a lot at 7500 + feet elevetaion) and it tried hard but would not run.  I will soon try the Companion and the 2200 in parallel, using a 30 A adapter plug into the Honda's 30 A receptacle,,, as soon as the parts arrive.                                              My Companion arrived with two circuit protections, one labeled 20A and one labeled 30 A which surprised me.  Has anyone seen this on their Companion unit?  Or is this something new that Honda is doing?                                                                             

I ended up paying the big $$$, however, I should be good to go with my Trailer's generator needs when I need more than solar,,, plus have some good back up generators for my home.

New Mexico Mike

2017.5     1685

2015  Nissan Titan

Two Renogy 100W panels

Renogy Voyager Controller

Two 105 Ah Lithium Ion Phosphate Batteries, Lion Energy

@NewMexioMike posted:

Howdy,

Just purchased a 2200 Companion, after already buying a 2200.  I tried using the 13.5 A/C with a Soft Start at 5600 feet elev. (plus I camp a lot at 7500 + feet elevetaion) and it tried hard but would not run.  I will soon try the Companion and the 2200 in parallel, using a 30 A adapter plug into the Honda's 30 A receptacle,,, as soon as the parts arrive.                                              My Companion arrived with two circuit protections, one labeled 20A and one labeled 30 A which surprised me.  Has anyone seen this on their Companion unit?  Or is this something new that Honda is doing?                                                                             

I ended up paying the big $$$, however, I should be good to go with my Trailer's generator needs when I need more than solar,,, plus have some good back up generators for my home.

New Mexico Mike

2017.5     1685

2015  Nissan Titan

Two Renogy 100W panels

Renogy Voyager Controller

Two 105 Ah Lithium Ion Phosphate Batteries, Lion Energy

Mike,

Which soft starter do you have?  You should be able to run it on Just a single 2200 with a soft starter. even at 5600 feet. 

Micro Air

it would run a little, then kick off

it ran great with neighbors Honda 3000

right on the cusp

high alt kit might help

but I camp a lot at 7500 + elevation so I need

more power

Plus I am 70 and don’t want to lift any more than the 47 lb 2200s

New Mexico Mike

Hi have the 2200 companion and the 2000 model that I can connect together (the 2000 has the correct serial numbers to make this work). Will I still get 30amps when connecting? I saw above that I would with two 2200's but unsure about a 2200 and 2000. thanks

I think U will get 30 A but it will be like having two Honda 2000s .  Which should be fine, just a little less power vs two 2200s

U can go to Hondas power equipment site and ask them to make sure

New Mexico Mike

2017.5.  1685

2015. Nissan Titan 4WD

Hey everyone

15 amp plug 30 amp plug it really is not an issue use what ever you have because doesn’t matter if it is a Honda generator or a Yamaha generator, Ohms law clearly states watts divided by voltage give you amperage. 2200 watts divided by 120 volts equals 18.333 amps.  That is the best you can get with a 2200 watt generator. If you’re going to run a single device through one 15 amp plug I would advise against it but if you are plugging in Two appliances which combined equal less than 2200 watts and they are plugged into two 15 amp plugs you are golden.  Heck you can run your AC with that little Honda eu2200i so long as you wire a soft start in your AC unit because it will use between 13 to 15 amps once the fans and compressor get up to speed

opps sorry so long winded