Re: More Qs on generator

On Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:37:41 -0000 (UTC),
  Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:

 On Sun, 11 Aug 2024 07:38:58 -0700,
   Ralph E Lindberg <email@domain.com> wrote:

 On 2024-08-11 12:39:34 +0000, Ted Heise said:

At any rate, I'm now wondering if the AC would run on the
1600 W generator.  The spec for the compressor (12.9 A)
gives 1420 W (amps times volts, right?), so that suggests
maybe?
 
On the other hand, the plate also shows 19.0 max circuit
amperage (i.e., 2090 W), so that suggests even a 2000 W
generator might not supply enough to run it.
 
What advice do more experienced and knowledgeable folks here
have for me?

 
 No it will not.

 

 First the generators "rating" is peak power, so a 2KW (even
 Honda) only produces 1800 watts continuous Second the peak
 starting power of every A/C is the higher 19 amp (unless
 you've added a "soft start" to the A/C) Third, there are
 other draws, like the converter and fridge.
 
 Generally -with- a soft start the min generator is 2200
 watts, without 3KW (I prefer two ~2KW as I can carry them)

 
 Thanks, Ralph (and to George and sticks for similar advice).
 
 Regarding generator ratings, I've been checking both peak and
 static specs; for example, the Westinghouse unit I linked
 earlier is stated as 1800/2500, so I'd think that might do it.

 In any case, I'm thinking I may just try that Westinghouse iGen
 2550DFc, and if it doesn't work then add a soft start.

So here's an update.  I went by Menard's yesterday just to look at
what they had, and it just so happened that they had in stock the
Westinghouse unit (and no others of similar capacity).  Taking
that as a sign it was meant to be, I went ahead and bought it.

Now a bit of dumbassery.  After adding oil and fuel, I could *not*
get it to start--despite *many* yanks on the cord.  I pulled the
spark plug to see if I'd flooded it, but it seemed fine.  Finally
it occurred to me that the red light on the control panel might
mean something.  It was the oil light, and when I added more oil
the unit started right up.  In fairness, the dipstick goes in
almost horizontally, so it's hard to read.  Plus the manual had
many warnings not to overfill.

I took it to the trailer this afternoon, and it does indeed put
out enough power to charge the battery.  On the other hand, when I
tried running the AC (with pretty much everything else off) the
overload protection cut in.  So I guess if I want to run the AC
I'll need to try a soft start thingy.

--
Ted Heise      <theise@panix.com>       West Lafayette, IN, USA