Onan 3.6kw 120vac generator. [RE-wrenches]

[Richard Perez, Home Power magazine]

<x-flowed>
Hello Wrenches

I'd second Ezra's opinion that a minimum of a 6.5 KW generator is 
need to obtain full output from the Trace SW series chargers. I think 
that we are getting bitten by the reality of power factor here. While 
power factor isn't "real" on grid since the utility just supplies the 
reactive component, it's very real for generator users. Some 
chargers, such as those built into the Statpower ProSine series 
inverters, have unity power factor and are much easier to power with 
smaller generators.

Richard

>Hi,
>
>Having just had to listen to my darn old Honda for hours yesterday I want to
>chime in on this one.  I agree with Frank, my experience shows me that you
>really need about 6.5 kW of good generator to get max charging performance
>from the SW.  My 3.5 kW (sort of) Honda has a plug rated 30 amps and a 30
>amp breaker but if I set my max AC amps any higher than 23 it actually
>stalls the Honda.  With that generator I get the best performance at about
>16 AC input amps, any higher I lug the generator down and it really labours.
>
>Ezra Auerbach
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Frank Fowler, Crystal Pines Alt. Energy " <cpae1 at aol.com>
>To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>Sent: Monday, September 16, 2002 6:23 PM
>Subject: Re: Onan 3.6kw 120vac generator. [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>>  In a message dated 9/16/2002 11:21:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,
>>  cvsolar at aol.com writes:
>>
>>
>>  >  I just installed an SW4024 system with 8 L16 batteries and an Onan
>3.6kw
>>  > generator.  It will only produce 10-12 amps AC input charging the new
>>  > batteries.
>>
>>  In my experience with generators for charging battery banks using an
>>  inverter/charger
>>  from Trace/Xantrex, nothing less than a quality  5kw generator will
>suffice.
>>
>>  SUNcerely,
>>  Frank Fowler
>>  Crystal Pines Alternative Energy
>>  530-532-1972
>>  cpae1 at aol.com
>>  www.solarenergy-alt.com
>>
>>  --
>>  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>  - - - -
>>  To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>>
>>  Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>>
>>  List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>>
>>  Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>>
>>  Hosted by Home Power magazine
>>
>>  Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>>
>>
>
>- - - -
>To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
>Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
>
>List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
>
>Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
>
>Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
>Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================


</x-flowed>