3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

bobandcat wrote:
Professor Randy's recommendation of not using the generator over 2400 watts near 100 degrees ambient was validated by my tests (2200 watts was OK, 2600 watts was not OK). I have set my limit closer to 2000 watts. That allows me to run my AC continuously with short excursions at higher loads to run the microwave for a couple of minutes.

By the way, generator manufacturer state that power output is reduced 3.5% per 1000 ft. elevation and 2% per 10 degree F temperature rise from a baseline of 85 degrees at sea level. Maximum generator output will not be the same everyday for everyone. It will be dependent on the output reductions noted above.

I sometimes camp near sea level and also as high as 9-10,000 ft elevation. My summer ambient temp can be as high as 110-120 degrees or as low as the 20's in the winter. These extremes, especially altitude, can change the generator output by as much as about 1000 watts.

I'm really not sure the 100F ambient was the cause of your voltage drop at 2600W. My guess you're exceeding the 3500 VA limit.

Is the 2% reduction per 10 F increase over 85 F a typo? That would mean at 105 F, the power is reduced to 0.96 * 3500 = 3360 VA. That's not much of a reduction.

If correct, your gen at 100V should still be able to handle 3360 VA. Another reason to believe it's a VA and not temp issue.

I like your enclosure. Very resourceful!

From your data I see it's important to power the fan from the battery, and not from any gen power (12V or 120V) source. Do you have a manual switch to turn fan on and off?

Even though it's a lot of work, I'm leading towards adding an active ventilation system (fan) on my gen. Has anybody looked at the consequences of dumping the hot air under the MH's chassis? It sure doesn't help keeping the MH cool in those 100 deg days.

I'm not sure what causes the gen to reduce power at altitude. Is it a lack of oxygen? What about temperature, is there electronics involved to fold back power?

Sal