Inverter Generators - This type of portable generator is very popular with the leisure industry. Producing a very smooth, pure sine wave output, sensitive electronic equipment, like PCs, DVD players etc can be run from this generator, without causing any damage.
Due to their design, they are more compact and lighter, more economical and quieter than conventional generators, this comes at a price, however, being approximately 2-3 times the cost of a similar output conventional petrol generator.
What is an inverter generator? The inverter generator has a petrol engine, driving a small alternator, this feeds the inverter board, which converts the varying alternator current into constant 230v/50hz pure sine wave output.
With a conventional portable generator, the engine runs at 3000rpm at all times, irrespective of the load implied on the generator. An inverter generator will run justat tickover, if a very light load is applied, increasing in revs to match the load, if a heavier load is applied to the generator. This contributes to the improved fuel economy and low noise output of the inverter generator, often called suitcase generator.
Popular makes are the Honda EU10i, Honda EU20i, Robin Subaru R1700i, Hyundai, HY1000Si, Hyundai HY2000Si http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/product.php?productid=16189 and Hyundai HY3000Si http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/product.php?productid=16186&cat=262&page=1. Of these makes, the Honda and Subaru are top of the range machines, but at a very high price, however, the Hyundai range is very similar in specification, but at a far lower price.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Portable Generators
I have started this blog to help people understand the problems associated with portable generators and also to obtain feedback from portable generator users, that may help improve the quality and functionality of these machines.
The market for portable generators has changed dramatically over recent years, due mainly to the movement of production to China and the subsequent reduction in price of these machines. Other factors include an increasing number of people relocating to the countryside and working from home, via the Internet, who require 100% reliability in their electricity supply. Also at the back of everyone's mind is the ever increasing dependency the UK has on potentially unreliable overseas gas supplies to power it's aging power generation network. The threat of widespread blackouts has never been greater.
The most common type of generator for home standby is a 5kw silenced diesel generator. These are economical to run and provide enough power to operate almost as normal in the home or office.
Genpower Ltd - www.genpoweruk.co.uk have a good selection of reasonably priced units to choose from.
What are common problems experienced with portable generators?
Ventilation -Most portable generators are air cooled, running at 3000rpm. It is essential that these machines are well ventilated and that the exhaust fumes are prevented from entering the enclosure if the generator is not used outside.
The oil level needs to be checked every day. As most generators have low oil pressure cut out devices, it is often over looked, with the belief that no harm will come to the generator, if the oil level becomes too low. This is not true, if the oil level is never checked, eventually the level will drop low enough for the engine to loose the splash action fom the crankshaft, whilst still maintaining oil pressure, thus not cutting out. This is when damage is done. The low oil pressure cut out works if the machine is suddenly without oil, i.e. if it was tipped on it's side, it would cut out and save the engine.
Over loading - most generators have breaker or trip switches that cut the load on the alternator if the load is too great. The problems occur if the breaker does not trip out as and when required, or if the load is just below that of the breaker tripping out, but above the maximum continous load of the alternator. The alternator can over heat and the windings can break down, resulting in permanent and expensive damage to the alternator.
I have started this blog to help people understand the problems associated with portable generators and also to obtain feedback from portable generator users, that may help improve the quality and functionality of these machines.
The market for portable generators has changed dramatically over recent years, due mainly to the movement of production to China and the subsequent reduction in price of these machines. Other factors include an increasing number of people relocating to the countryside and working from home, via the Internet, who require 100% reliability in their electricity supply. Also at the back of everyone's mind is the ever increasing dependency the UK has on potentially unreliable overseas gas supplies to power it's aging power generation network. The threat of widespread blackouts has never been greater.
The most common type of generator for home standby is a 5kw silenced diesel generator. These are economical to run and provide enough power to operate almost as normal in the home or office.
Genpower Ltd - www.genpoweruk.co.uk have a good selection of reasonably priced units to choose from.
What are common problems experienced with portable generators?
Ventilation -Most portable generators are air cooled, running at 3000rpm. It is essential that these machines are well ventilated and that the exhaust fumes are prevented from entering the enclosure if the generator is not used outside.
The oil level needs to be checked every day. As most generators have low oil pressure cut out devices, it is often over looked, with the belief that no harm will come to the generator, if the oil level becomes too low. This is not true, if the oil level is never checked, eventually the level will drop low enough for the engine to loose the splash action fom the crankshaft, whilst still maintaining oil pressure, thus not cutting out. This is when damage is done. The low oil pressure cut out works if the machine is suddenly without oil, i.e. if it was tipped on it's side, it would cut out and save the engine.
Over loading - most generators have breaker or trip switches that cut the load on the alternator if the load is too great. The problems occur if the breaker does not trip out as and when required, or if the load is just below that of the breaker tripping out, but above the maximum continous load of the alternator. The alternator can over heat and the windings can break down, resulting in permanent and expensive damage to the alternator.
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