Generator size for Megawatt PS?
Hello all, I've been lurking on this forum for quite some time, but recently registered - mainly to ask this question! I'm looking at the larger (36/41 A) Megawatt, and am wondering what the minimu...
Forum Discussion
I think what the Run cap does is basically a power factor correction.
Being on the AC side of the charger, the cap can't store energy like it would in DC, but it can (providing reactance) sync the current & Voltage phases to reduce the power required from the generator for a given output of the power supply.
If this is the case, then the size of the cap does matter like the following link shows. (so I'm disagreeing with MexicoWanderer about "the more the merrier" comment)
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_11/4.html
I also think this should answer jrnymn7's question - if the PF can be corrected to ~1, then you should be able to run a bigger PS off of a given Gen than otherwise able. There's gotta be other losses that I'm not thinking of also, so real world trials would trump theory. :)
It would be interesting to try MexicoWanderer's light dimming experiment with a non PFC and a PFC power supply back to back - assuming the same wattage rating for each supply.
Perhaps the 50uF cap you used just happened to be a good size - have you tried with different values?
Either way, I think for my initial question, I'll be getting the 36A Megawatt, and if I end up with a generator that struggles, I'll start trying caps on it - with the previous link & a kill-a-watt, I should be able to size it right-ish.
Good discussion everyone, Thanks!!
Being on the AC side of the charger, the cap can't store energy like it would in DC, but it can (providing reactance) sync the current & Voltage phases to reduce the power required from the generator for a given output of the power supply.
If this is the case, then the size of the cap does matter like the following link shows. (so I'm disagreeing with MexicoWanderer about "the more the merrier" comment)
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_11/4.html
I also think this should answer jrnymn7's question - if the PF can be corrected to ~1, then you should be able to run a bigger PS off of a given Gen than otherwise able. There's gotta be other losses that I'm not thinking of also, so real world trials would trump theory. :)
It would be interesting to try MexicoWanderer's light dimming experiment with a non PFC and a PFC power supply back to back - assuming the same wattage rating for each supply.
Perhaps the 50uF cap you used just happened to be a good size - have you tried with different values?
Either way, I think for my initial question, I'll be getting the 36A Megawatt, and if I end up with a generator that struggles, I'll start trying caps on it - with the previous link & a kill-a-watt, I should be able to size it right-ish.
Good discussion everyone, Thanks!!
