Sizing a generator/inverter

[Talbot]

I bought a generator that I thought should have no difficulty in running a particular piece of kit, so I was surprised when it struggled.

I wish I had read:

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/735/docserve.asp

 

[steverow]

Yep gennies are only about 55% efficient on inductive loads...that includes the microwave on the boat...in fact any device that isnt a lamp or a heating element.

Rate your genny accordingly.

Steve.

 

[savageseadog]

It is possible to do a power factor correction with a capacitor. If you want to know more Google or PM me.

 

[TrueBlue]

You may also have been the victim of marketing fudge, either through "industry standard" practice - for example quoting the power output as VA with an arbitrary PF correction uplift of 20 %, because everybody does it,

Or by the retailer taking the highest possible power output and quoting that even though that could not apply in Europe.

For example I recently bought a small generator quoted at max: output 800 Watts. However, that only applied to the US certified model at 60Hz. They were selling as CE certified 50Hz model which can only do 650 VA or 520 Watts. I suspect that is what you bought. Great for running small power tools and cheap too.

As far as I can see all small generators sold over here are from the same basic source and you pays yer money for a different badge / colour / and minor control panel details. The price varies hugely.