Megawatt Inrush And Small Generators

About the only way I can think of where a run capacitor would help, is putting it across the power switch. When the switch is open the cap would act as a current limiting device allowing the filter caps to charge up slowly. Closing the power switch would short out the run cap applying full power to the supply.

Yep. Not to be connected across an unswitched device.

Press button (clear so far?) Charge cap. Power supply has no power.

Then throw power switch to power supply

Power supply starts up

Listen and react to how the small generator reacts

Release capacitor charging momentary action button.

If the generator starts lugging harder with the capacitor out of circuit, then it would be best to leave it in.

Let me clarify something. Normally the power supply starts with the load attached. Yes the load can be disconnected via the low side. This means incorporating a decent sized relay into the circuit with 12-volt control. Augmenting the high side with a cap is cheaper, simpler, more reliable, just as "labor intensive" for management, and can when controlled correctly help to correct THD of the output waveform when it is under load.

Keep whistling the tune

Tiny generator. Crude stator.

This correction is not needed on generators that have a surplus amount of wattage available.

This correction is not needed with circuits that are not borderline loaded to capacity.

It is a specific remedy for a specific issue. E=MC2 theory works great unless the generator stalls or a breaker trips. Keep in mind the power supply goes to work the instant the power switch is thrown. Inrush + Load.

Yes the little pot can be turned back to eliminate load current. It is # 10 hassle to reset it.

Not clear at all. Where is this cap installed?

Press button charge cap..... If you say it enough times it must be true!

Kayteg1 wrote:
I think it was Yamaha generator few years ago who offer boost from starting battery for dealing with AC.
They concept vanish from the market, so I assume it was not working too well.

Yamaha still sells the 3000 iSEB model, which uses its starting battery to allow for 500 more watts for eight seconds.

I personally would not bother with the Yamaha model... for half the price, I can get a dual fuel Champion that can put out 3400 watts.

If one wants an exotic (though expensive) solution for running an A/C off a small generator, one could buy a good PSW inverter, and have the A/C pull off that. Inverters can take more load for a brief period of time than smaller generators.

Kayteg1 wrote:
I think it was Yamaha generator few years ago who offer boost from starting battery for dealing with AC.
They concept vanish from the market, so I assume it was not working too well.

The Yamaha EF3000iSEB is still being sold. No one else in the industry seems to have gone this way.

"Forcing the field" is not uncommon on large generator sets. My 12.5 "built" Kw Kubota really grunts but it can force 17 Kw for several seconds. The turbo whistles and the exhaust trails a faint black plume. Takes a good quality voltage regulator to supply extra amps. And a fast response low (cornering frequency) safety reg shutdown. It all costs money.

Most companies roar and fume over the last cent needed to make a product. Japanese board meetings are an entirely different creature than USA board meetings.

Wonder when they are going to get around manufacturing an ECU managed direct fuel injected overhead camshaft generator? Bet the EPA will be the one to force their hand.