If you want to assess the quality of a generator's output, take a look at it on the oscilloscope, The cleanest waveforms will come from generators using a brushless alternator, or perhaps one of the sine-wave inverter generators like the extremely quiet Honda and Yamaha units.
I know that, at least in the past, Generac used brush type alternators. These typically had rather dirty waveforms when I scoped them, with THD well above the 5% that is considered good. While most appliances are fine with this higher distortion, a waveform rich in 3rd harmonics makes motors run hotter/less efficiently. Whether significant harmonics extend into the RF zone, I don't know - maybe not an issue with our radios. I was able to find a 6500 watt Porter-Cable unit on wheels with a brushless alternator which I converted to use natural gas in addition to gasolne if necessary. This has worked well for me, though now that I have it power failures have become rare. Go Figure! Chip AE5KA On Sat, Jul 26, 2014 at 11:27 PM, Edward R Cole <[email protected]> wrote: > That makes sense and I actually like to run with the house load on the > gen. I have a manual transfer switch so I run about 5-minutes to allow > engine to warm up before applying a load in test runs. Tend to be shorter > if there is an actual power outage. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > At 11:29 AM 7/26/2014, Mel Farrer wrote: > >> While this is getting to be long, I think this excerpt from a generator >> manufacturer sums it up best. >> >> >> >> >> Generator set exercise >> >> >> >> Generator sets on continuous standby must be able to go from a cold start >> to being fully operational in a matter of seconds. This can impose a severe >> burden on engine parts. However, regular exercising keeps engine parts >> lubricated, prevents oxidation of electrical contacts, uses up fuel before >> it deteriorates, and, in general, helps provide reliable engine starting. >> Exercise the generator set at least once a month for a minimum of 30 min. >> loaded to no less than one-third of the nameplate rating. Periods of >> no-load operation should be held to a minimum because unburned fuel tends >> to accumulate in the exhaust system. Whenever possible, test the system >> with actual building loads in order to exercise the automatic transfer >> switches and verify performance under real-world conditions. If connecting >> to the normal load is not convenient for test purposes, the best engine >> performance and longevity will be obtained by connecting it to a load bank >> of at least one-third the nameplate rating. Be sure to return the generator >> control to AUTO at the conclusion of any maintenance. >> >> Mel, K6KBE >> >> >> >> >> >> On Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:10 PM, Edward R Cole <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> >> Gasoline storage is easy....use fuel stabilizer...one oz to 2-1/2 >> gallons of gasoline. >> >> But you should run any gasoline engine regularly to keep it in good >> working order. Once/month long enough at least to reach operating >> temperature. This keeps oil in bearings and seals in good shape. >> >> I know most just park their lawn mower over winter with gas in the >> tank. But an expensive gen set needs a little TLC to keep running >> well...like changing the oil and filters (oil and gas). >> >> We have enough outages that fuel is not stored longer than a few >> months (and I use stabilizer). >> >> 73, Ed - KL7UW >> <http://www.kl7uw.com/>http://www.kl7uw.com >> "Kits made by KL7UW" >> Dubus Mag business: >> <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>http >> ://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[email protected] >> >> This list hosted by: <http://www.qsl.net/>http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] >> >> > 73, Ed - KL7UW > http://www.kl7uw.com > "Kits made by KL7UW" > Dubus Mag business: > [email protected] > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
