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
Looking at what I have been able to do with the Honda 3000 at sea level, it seems to do more than its rated 2800VA no sweat according to the VAs I got.
EG, I have been running the PM3-100 and the PM3-55 for the past year and get 155 amps no problem doing a recharge from 50% SOC
That load is 1910 + 1383 = 3293VA
A few years ago I was often charging with four Vector chargers at 40 + 35 + 35 + 20 = 130 amps, but the Honda 3000 could not take 135 amps worth of Vectors--it would overload red light. So what is that in VA?
(I got 868VA for 35a and 511VA set at 20a on the 35 amp 1092A Vector)
So 1063 + 868 + 868 + 511 = 3310VA
Before I got the PM3-55 I used the PM3-100 and some Vectors together.
EG, 1910 + 868 + 511 = 3289VA for 155 amps which compares with the 3293VA for 155 amps using the 100 and the 55.
So the VAs from the Kill-A-Watt from various chargers come out right.
I am not able to run the 100 and the 75 together, it overloads the Honda (red light) but the 75 does not pop the 15a receptacle CB. The 100 goes in the 23.3a receptacle. So this is an "overload" and you have to shut off and then restart the engine to reset the power.
So, that makes me wonder what the "real" VA ratings are for the 2000 that is shown as 1600VA continuous. Maybe there is enough room above that for running the 75 amper at its 1693VA that I got with the KillAWatt.
Not sure but one time I was trying a higher combined load with the 3000, and it ran for several minutes ok but then the red light came on for overload. I suppose it warms up and gets too hot at the receptacles before quitting when it is over "continuous" rating? For that effect it must help to use fatter gauge extension cords and adapters? I was using 12AWG cords.
There is more to gen vs converter matching than just VA matching it seems?
EG, I have been running the PM3-100 and the PM3-55 for the past year and get 155 amps no problem doing a recharge from 50% SOC
That load is 1910 + 1383 = 3293VA
A few years ago I was often charging with four Vector chargers at 40 + 35 + 35 + 20 = 130 amps, but the Honda 3000 could not take 135 amps worth of Vectors--it would overload red light. So what is that in VA?
(I got 868VA for 35a and 511VA set at 20a on the 35 amp 1092A Vector)
So 1063 + 868 + 868 + 511 = 3310VA
Before I got the PM3-55 I used the PM3-100 and some Vectors together.
EG, 1910 + 868 + 511 = 3289VA for 155 amps which compares with the 3293VA for 155 amps using the 100 and the 55.
So the VAs from the Kill-A-Watt from various chargers come out right.
I am not able to run the 100 and the 75 together, it overloads the Honda (red light) but the 75 does not pop the 15a receptacle CB. The 100 goes in the 23.3a receptacle. So this is an "overload" and you have to shut off and then restart the engine to reset the power.
So, that makes me wonder what the "real" VA ratings are for the 2000 that is shown as 1600VA continuous. Maybe there is enough room above that for running the 75 amper at its 1693VA that I got with the KillAWatt.
Not sure but one time I was trying a higher combined load with the 3000, and it ran for several minutes ok but then the red light came on for overload. I suppose it warms up and gets too hot at the receptacles before quitting when it is over "continuous" rating? For that effect it must help to use fatter gauge extension cords and adapters? I was using 12AWG cords.
There is more to gen vs converter matching than just VA matching it seems?
