How Big a Gen to Run a Converter? Some Info.
EDIT: some of my earlier posts in this thread have the wrong idea. As more info came in later, things got less confusing--sort of! :) --------------------- Another look at this topic. It is n...
Forum Discussion
I tried to be careful in my wording, but may have slipped here and there. I meant to say that "industry" includes PF in the "efficiency" NOT that PF and efficiency are the same.
I don't know how they can tell if they do, how much of the difference between power in and power out is due to PF and how much is due to heat loss, conversion loss, or whatever. I thought that power difference was how they calculate PF, so I find it all very confusing!
Bottom line IMO is that the gen needs to supply enough VA as "power input" to run the converter at its "max power output"
The various spec sheets from the various Brands are less than helpful about just what it does take to run their converters. At least we can help ourselves by starting with the easily calculated "power out"
Then you can pull an "efficiency" number out of your hat, and get the "power in" figure to compare with the generator's specified continuous VA. You don't know how much "margin" the gen gives you, and that would vary with altitude etc too, so yes, go big.
I don't know how they can tell if they do, how much of the difference between power in and power out is due to PF and how much is due to heat loss, conversion loss, or whatever. I thought that power difference was how they calculate PF, so I find it all very confusing!
Bottom line IMO is that the gen needs to supply enough VA as "power input" to run the converter at its "max power output"
The various spec sheets from the various Brands are less than helpful about just what it does take to run their converters. At least we can help ourselves by starting with the easily calculated "power out"
Then you can pull an "efficiency" number out of your hat, and get the "power in" figure to compare with the generator's specified continuous VA. You don't know how much "margin" the gen gives you, and that would vary with altitude etc too, so yes, go big.
