[FieldDay] Generators

Wed, 19 Feb 2003 22:37:17 -0800

Hondas have roller bearings on the crank where Briggs engines have babbit
bearings...don't know about the others.  All my Honda engines have lasted
longer during heavy use while prospecting than any one of my Briggs engines.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Phil Lefever
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 6:28 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [FieldDay] Generators

At 19:27 02/19/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>I'm investigating the purchase of a small gasoline generator for a Field
>Day. The generator will power one, 100-watt, CW station with accessories
and
>perhaps a notebook computer. The published generator power ratings are
based
>on maximum and rated power. Some of the generators have an automatic
>throttle control to conserve gas. Are they a problem when you are regularly
>changing the load, as with a CW transceiver?
>
>Let's say the transceiver requires 20 amps at 13.8 volts = 276 watts. I
>don't know what the efficiency of a DC power supply is.  So, what size of
>generator should I purchase to adequately power the station? What other
>criteria should I be looking for? I know there are different types of
>inverters and some produce a cleaner out put than others. Thanks.

Most likely the smallest generator you can buy will be MORE then
adequate for a single station. Your radio will very seldom be drawing
full power especially on SSB. The filter capacitors in the power
supply will smooth out the load considerably. I think a 100w radio
with a laptop and 60w lamp should run easily on 500w....

There are drawbacks to buying a small generator though, shorter
run time from a "peanut" sized fuel tank and sooner or later you
_will_ wish it is larger to run another radio etc. Of course a
smaller generator will be lighter, cheaper, quieter and use less
fuel per hour at part load....

My experience out of all the generators I have used at field day
and for remote VHF contesting says buy ONLY a Honda. They are a
good bit more expensive but you do get what you pay for! The Honda
models will be quiet, reliable, fuel efficient and their exhaust
doesn't smell like unburnt fuel. All the Honda's we have ever run
for Field Day etc. have run non-stop for the entire event and we
have never had failure one. They also have very well controlled
voltage regulation. I don't worry about my equipment I connect
to them. Be sure to always use a good power supply like an Astron
that has good regulation and a crowbar circuit just in case!

If you choose to buy a lower priced generator at least be sure
to get one with an engine that has overhead valves (OHV). The
small engines with OHV's will have a compression ratio that is
at least 2 (and likely 3) points higher then an old Briggs and
Stratton "L" head style engine. This means much greater fuel
efficiency, more horsepower per pound and less stinky exhaust.
Generators from Kawasaki or Yamaha could be good choices too.

My choice for a setup like you are looking for is one of the
Honda "EU" series models. There are the ones that are shown
in the QST John pointed out in a prior post. I do suggest
buying the larger 2Kw model. You can see them here:

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/eu2000.htm

If you can spend a bit more and handle a heavier unit consider
one of the larger 2.5Kw or 3Kw models. These are not a lot more
expensive and they are capable of starting the blower motor in
your furnace if you ever need this!

73

Phil

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Phil Lefever, KB�NES   		Field day Chairman 1995-2001
Twin Cities Repeater Club		W�BU 3A MN
Burnsville, Minnesota			http://www.tcrc.org

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