Generator - Kipor IG1000 overload

[Cashbuyer]

Trying to run a Kipor IG1000 generator connected via shore power lead to Sterling Pro Digital 40Amp charger. The charger is connected to 2 x 12V engine batteries and 2 x 6V domestic in parallel.

I say 'trying' as the genny immediately indicates 'overload' and we have to switch it off.

Is this size genny, running at 900W, not beefy enough?

 

[Thepipdoc]

Trying to run a Kipor IG1000 generator connected via shore power lead to Sterling Pro Digital 40Amp charger. The charger is connected to 2 x 12V engine batteries and 2 x 6V domestic in parallel.

I say 'trying' as the genny immediately indicates 'overload' and we have to switch it off.

Is this size genny, running at 900W, not beefy enough?

Not beefy enough? Not if you are trying to draw 40 amps it isn't, not by a very long way.
I'm not qualified to provide the rationale or proper figures but from what little I know 900 watts =about 3.75 amps.
You'll need a genny far bigger than 900 watts to run your battery charger at full tilt.

 

[yesod]

40amps at 12v(14.4v charging perhaps) is under 600w. the problem isn't the power of the genny, its the initial inrush of the charger i'd guess.

 

[rosssavage]

The charger is supplying 40amps at 14.4v, not 240v. That's 576 watts, give or take a bit of power factor and conversion losses - say max 650w?

Something's wrong somewhere - if the Kipor is a genuine 900w rms, that should be no problem at all..... Earth fault maybe?

 

[Davy_S]

Something's wrong somewhere - if the Kipor is a genuine 900w rms, that should be no problem at all..... Earth fault maybe

I would be surprised if the Kipor is 900 watts. My old 1kw genny is only rated at 650w continuous, just a thought, mine struggles to boil a kettle.

 

[rosssavage]

just googled it - the IG100 is 900w rms, 1kw peak, so shouldn't be a problem..

 

[NorthUp]

try disconnecting one of the battery banks to reduce the load on the generator

 

[vas]

just googled it - the IG100 is 900w rms, 1kw peak, so shouldn't be a problem..

are you sure about the values?
seems particularly odd to have 900RMS and only 1000 peak... I'd have tought that would be 900RMS and 1500peak, or the other way round 550-600RMS and 1KW peak. That's the typical deviation from rms to peak you get on various devices.

cheers

V.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Thanks guys. Sterling have today said that the genny should be 1500W to run their charger and my engineer has confirmed at 1450W.
Moral - ask around before making rash purchase. Ebay beckons...

 

[rosssavage]

are you sure about the values?
seems particularly odd to have 900RMS and only 1000 peak... I'd have tought that would be 900RMS and 1500peak, or the other way round 550-600RMS and 1KW peak. That's the typical deviation from rms to peak you get on various devices.

cheers

V.

Nope, that's from the internet, not a manual, so could be wrong. Either way, 1450w seems a huge amount for a 40a charger. Still, if that's what Charles says, I'm not brave enough to argue with him!!

 

[Shannoner]

I have a Honda EU20i, use it for the same purpose, I have never had a problem with it, and it is super quiet compared to others. Not cheap though, you'll probably not have much change out of £1000 if you buy one, but if you can afford it they are worth every penny.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Nope, that's from the internet, not a manual, so could be wrong. Either way, 1450w seems a huge amount for a 40a charger. Still, if that's what Charles says, I'm not brave enough to argue with him!!

Does seem strange. Even allowing for 80% efficiency it shouldn't be drawing more than 720W so that's one hell of a surge on switch on. If the battery is fully charged then the charger shouldn't be doing much at all. Does the gennie cope when the battery's topped up I wonder. If it doesn't I'd start looking for something wrong.