Converter Size and Generator Size, Etc
Some useful info here about choosing converters and what generator needed in the Q and As, plus some example specs. Although it is for boats, much of it also applies to RVs (they don't explain VA an...
Forum Discussion
Yes, there could be more clarity on that for sure.
They seem to use "efficiency" for power factor. The 75s and up are PF corrected while the 60s and below are not. I don't know the exact PF of the 60s and below, but the PD brand and others are in the 0.7 area.
The idea is, Eg you can run the PM 100 amper on a 15a circuit, but you need a 20 amp circuit for the PD 80 amper which is not PF corrected
The spec sheet gives the OUTPUT watts which are lower than the input required. They don't give the input in VA so you can compare with your generator VA spec exactly--but neither do the other brand converters.
The spec sheet gives the input required in 120v amps, like 13 amps for the 100 DC amper. I don't know how accurate that is. I have the 100 amper but no kill a watt meter. Mine is adjustable DC output too, and that means it pulls more VA when I crank up the DC voltage which increases the DC amps if that is at the battery acceptance rate for its SOC at the time.
I suppose that means you need to know the VA input required for which voltage you are at doing what amps as output. Some converters list their 'wattage' for their rated amps at 13.6v but do not say for 14.4v or even mention their power factor, so it is very misleading.
The note says the 100amper needs nearly 1600w input (gives 15xx somewhere in there too) but warns a Honda 2000 might struggle with it with its 1600 continuous rating.
I would like to see a proper table of the various generators and exactly which converter Sizes of each Brand they can run at their continuous VA ratings.
They seem to use "efficiency" for power factor. The 75s and up are PF corrected while the 60s and below are not. I don't know the exact PF of the 60s and below, but the PD brand and others are in the 0.7 area.
The idea is, Eg you can run the PM 100 amper on a 15a circuit, but you need a 20 amp circuit for the PD 80 amper which is not PF corrected
The spec sheet gives the OUTPUT watts which are lower than the input required. They don't give the input in VA so you can compare with your generator VA spec exactly--but neither do the other brand converters.
The spec sheet gives the input required in 120v amps, like 13 amps for the 100 DC amper. I don't know how accurate that is. I have the 100 amper but no kill a watt meter. Mine is adjustable DC output too, and that means it pulls more VA when I crank up the DC voltage which increases the DC amps if that is at the battery acceptance rate for its SOC at the time.
I suppose that means you need to know the VA input required for which voltage you are at doing what amps as output. Some converters list their 'wattage' for their rated amps at 13.6v but do not say for 14.4v or even mention their power factor, so it is very misleading.
The note says the 100amper needs nearly 1600w input (gives 15xx somewhere in there too) but warns a Honda 2000 might struggle with it with its 1600 continuous rating.
I would like to see a proper table of the various generators and exactly which converter Sizes of each Brand they can run at their continuous VA ratings.
