[Elecraft] FW: FW: K3: KPA500 on a generator?

[Brendan Minish]

David 

There is no such implication, I think that's just the generator he had
to hand! I can test my FT KPA500 on a generator but my generator too is
an inverting one, a 2KW honda.  

One thing though when those generators are in 'econo' mode there will be
serious voltage sags whilst the generator throttles up with large
variable loads (such as CW ) and the KPA500 coped fine with that
(although that type of intermittent load is not good for the honda..) 

The PSU in the KPA500 is a linear one (not a switcher) and I would
expect it to do fine on any generator that makes at least some attempt
to regulate the output voltage.
I am not going to rent a conventional generator to test on but the
KPA500 copes just fine with my mains variations which go from 225
(night) to 246 (Day)  

Switchers can actually be more problematic on generator type loads, we
have a 15KVA generator with AVR at work that was brought to it's knees
by 5Kw of Computing equipment loads.
IT loads in common with most devices powered by switchers have a really
rotten power factor. Inverting generators can do better with those
loads 
See here for what a modest computer load looks like 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bminish/4698934177/

73
Brendan EI6IZ 

On Fri, 2011-02-18 at 09:05 +0000, David Cutter wrote:
> This is of interest to me, but is there an implication that the K3 + KPA500 
> MUST have an "advanced inverter technology" generator - providing "stable 
> power for computers and more" variety of modern generator?  Can I not use a 
> 2kVA "legacy generator" without the inverter technology at a third of the 
> price?
> 
> David
> G3UNA
> 
> 
> 
> > Yes, feel free to forward to the list:  I ran my K3 and KPA500 and a 
> > desktop
> > computer on a single Honda EU-2000i at 125V, and it worked fine.  The amp
> > draws about 1225 VA max and the generator is rated for 1600 VA continuous.
> >
> > The generator didn't like the highly varying load while running in Econo
> > mode (it shuttered enough that it walked off the sidewalk and ended up on
> > its side), but in normal "full out" mode it had no problems and neither 
> > did
> > the amp.  It's an ideal 600W amp. for DXpeditions.
> >
> > 73,
> > Bob, N6TV
> >
> > VE7XF asked: During my summertime 6m grid-hopping activities, it would be
> > nice to power a portable station (K3 and KPA500) from my Honda 2000i
> > generator. (AC power is
> > seldom available on a mountaintop.)
> >
> > 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

-- 
73
Brendan EI6IZ