Power generator selection - EmergencyCommunications Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : EmergencyCommunications : Power generator selection

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Power generator selection	Reply
by K2DWB on May 8, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Folks, I'm trying to find a power generator that will be suitable for running a small shop with a limited array of equipment, including a Kenwood 271 2-meter rig that is fed through a DC switching power supply, during power outages. I'm a little unclear on whether the generator listed below would provide "clean" enough power (a true enough sine wave pattern) so that such a radio could operate properly. Does anyone have any insight into this? I appreciate any comments. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07132561000P

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by N8EMR on May 9, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
"suitable for running a small shop" is not enough information. The generator is 5600watts. That gives you a little over 20amps to work with. Is that enough? Dont know, whats in your shop? Its basicly 1 20 amp outlet in a business. Will it power your radio gear, sure more than enough power. I personally would dump the 12v power supply, get a couple of deep discharge batteries and wire all my ham gear to that and then use the generator to charge the batteries. This way you dont need the generator running to use the radio's You need to know what your load will be, before picking a source.

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by K2DWB on May 9, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
No questions on the load. The one and only question pertains to selecting a generator that produces AC that is appropriate for sensitive equipment, such as amateur radio gear. Some prior posters on this forum have suggested that many generators produce AC that is not even close to a sine wave and therefore would be at issue. I just don't know what to look for, in this specific regard, when choosing a generator.

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by KF8ZN on May 9, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Since you rig is "fed through a DC switching power supply" you are likely OK, most of these are VERY forgiving as to variation in line voltage and frequency. I have used an 1800 watt Coleman as the sole source for Filed Day Ops, much less OOOOmph than the genny you speak of. http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4404

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by K2GW on May 9, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Generators through Sears at that price should be OK electrically. It's $300 "contractor specials" that you really have to look out for as they're really just designed for circular saw motors, not electronics. But the one comment about first wiring all of your rigs to a 12 volt bus such as a RigRunner should be considered. In my shack, even the lighting is via lamps with 12 VDC LEDs powered this way. The 12VDC bus has a 75 AH GelCell that floats across a modified Astron RS-35 Power supply. This lets me operate automatically for a few hours without a generator during short outages. As for a generator for longer outages, since I'm now just using a generator to power the Astron to recharge the battery, I can use a smaller, quieter, easier to carry, and much more fuel efficient Honda EU2000i generator. It generates about half the power for about the same price. But it can run fourteen hours on one gallon of gas, significantly extending the number of days I can stay on the air. Most non-inverter generators have to run full throtle all the time to generate 60 cylces from 3600 RPM. Inverter based generators such as the Honda don't have that restriction and so the RPM (and fuel consumption) varies depending on the load involved. Remember, if you need to use a generator, that means that commercial power is out and you can't buy any more gas than what you already have on hand! 73 Gary, K2GW

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by K2DWB on May 11, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Folks, Thanks for the responses. I appreciate your input - very helpful. Dave

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by K9KJM on May 11, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
5.6 KW is enough to run most anything in a home or shop, As long as you dont try to run "everything" at once............... That model appears to also have 240 volt output, Which is very important to run things like a well pump if you live in a rural area. I operate all of my radio equipment on a deep cycle (Or AGM type) battery, Which is kept charged by a 10 amp fully automatic charger. So sine wave from the generator output is a moot point. The Craftsman price, At over 700 bucks seems pretty steep. Coleman was selling 5KW units for 400 dollars, And I recently saw one of the Honda "clone" motor 6KW generators on sale for 399 dollars..........

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by K2GW on May 15, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
FYI. The June 2008 issue of QST has a very good article explaining how to choose a generator. 73 Gary, K2GW

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by G4AON on May 18, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
You don't mention what kind of load you are trying to supply. I agree with the comment about the article in June QST, for light loads such as radio equipment, laptops, etc. then an inverter generator is a very good option. I have a Yamaha EF2800i which has a superbly clean sinewave output, it copes with difficult radio loads such as running a transceiver and Acom 1000 linear at 400W plus on CW. The generator you mention from Sears is probably OK provided there is a residual load, an old tip is to use a lamp or two. Inverter generators are a lot more expensive, it's horses for courses and only you can decide whether you want to power a/c, fridges, pumps, etc. or just radio kit. Dave

RE: Power generator selection	Reply
by K2DWB on May 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks for all of the responses - very helpful. The QST review of generators is wonderful, as well! And, yes, I've continued to avoid discussing the load requirements because I don't have any questions about that. Appreciate the input! Dave

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