[LeArc] Generator Question

[learc@mailman.qth.net]

Joe Rossmiller wrote:

>
>
> I don't have any experience with these so this is basically conjecture.
>
> I would think you could draw 250 amps or so, but you would need some heavy
> wire to do it.  But I don't know how long you would be able to do it.  I'm
> not sure what kind of duty cycle these generators are designed for.  It
> would take a very large alternator to produce a continuous 250 amps of
> current.  For the supply to be continuous, or 100 percent duty cycle, you
> would need the gasoline engine putting out a constant 3 KW.  And I don't
> think it will.
>
> Again, I have no idea what I'm talking about.  But that has never stopped me
> before.
>
> Keep us advised of what you find out.
>
> 73 de Joe - AG9Y
>



Well, Joe, these things are relatively new, and so far, I can`t seem to find anyone I
can talk to who really knows what they are capable of.  There are local dealers who
sell them but when I ask if a person could apply a load directly to the generator`s
battery, they do not know.  They say that nobody has ever tried that to the best of
their knowledge.

   But anyway, for only an example, the Yamaha version is rated at 2800 watts
continuous, 3000 watts maximum and does this by use of an onboard inverter.

   The engine`s speed is not constant and increases as the applied load increases,
it`s role in life is only to keep the internal battery charged.

    The inverter is powered by the internal battery, not *seemingly* directly by the
engine.

And, if the startup load of a motor being powered by this generator is larger than the
capacity of the generator`s engine, the internal battery can power the inverter for up
to 10 seconds to get the load rolling.

   Sounds too good to be true.

   Here is a web site that explains it:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.southwestfastener.com/linkEF3000ise.htm

S T A R T I N G     S U R G E     B O O S T
                The EF3000iSE-B also features an industry first - it will allow the
generator to make use of its internal battery for starting external loads - which -
combined with the surge capacity of the generator - can boost the starting surge watts
to the equivelent of a 3,500 Watt generator! This is extremely important for RV users,
who may be using an air conditioner of 15,000 BTU's or larger, or who have other items
that may require high surge loads to start, but which then can be easily run within
the standard power generating capacity.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Now I`m thinking of the possible use of this type of generator for emergency power for
amateur radio use, emergency communications and such, so this question is applicable
to this reflector.

Seeing as how all I have read about this design of generator implies that the engine
RPM is not constant nor critical, and all it is doing is charging the battery, what I
would like to know is whether a load could be placed directly on the battery, and
nobody seems to know.

Anyway, Joe, to answer your question,  that particular generator is rated at 2800
watts continuous.

About the engine, the specs say 171cc / 5.5 hp

If and I say  *IF*   the inverter is being fed by a 12 volt battery, the actual 12
volt current being generated would be over 200 amps.

   What I don`t know and can`t seem to find out is if it`s a 12 volt battery.  Maybe
it`s 48 volts, who knows?

    It`s certainly frustrating to know these things exist and not be able to find out
more about them.   The local Honda dealer says he can get them, Honda makes them, but,
he has no experience with them seeing as how they are so new.

--
Marlin Webb,  Milan,  Illinois,    wd9hzu@revealed.net