[Shop-talk] Article on contemporary (somewhat shop-related) gadgets

[Doug Braun]

The nice thing about the EU2000 (and one reason it is expensive) it
that it is inverter-based.
This means that the engine is not required to constantly run at 3600
RPM to produce 60 Hz
AC.  When the power draw is low, it throttles down quite a bit.  As a
bonus, it gets even quieter.

They make a 6500 watt inverter generator, but it costs a fortune.

Doug

On Sun, Nov 11, 2012 at 4:02 PM, old dirtbeard <dirtbeard at pacbell.net> wrote:
> I am actually replying to my own message (always bad behavior).
>
> I looked up the consumption ratings for the EU2000:
>
> RATED AC OUTPUT1600 WATTS
> CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIME4HRS. @ RATED LOAD, 9.6 HRS. @ 1/4 LOAD
> So it should burn 1.1 gallons every 4 hours at 1600 watts and 1.1 gallons every
> 9.6 hours at 400 watts
>
> That 4 kW Generac would burn 4.5 gals every 10 hours at 1800 watts.
>
> So, if my arithmetic is correct (and it very well may not be--someone should
> check it), the little Honda generates 5.8 kWh per gallon running at rated output
> and ~3.5 kWh per gallon at 1/4 load.
>
> The larger Generac generates 4 kWh per gallon at 1/2 load, somewhere between the
> two ratings (full and 1/4) for the Honda.
>
> It would appear my belief that consumption is directly related to output has
> some founding, it also would appear that for the Honda (and probably most
> generators), though, it would be best to try to size the generator to run toward
> it's rated output where it is more efficient.  Of course there are noise,
> longevity, etc., considerations involved as well.
> best,