Generac has a complete line of portable and home installed generators. I
have used a fair number of them for back up generators for mountain top
microwave sites, with nary a hitch. also bought a dozen of the 8 kW
"portables" for use in temporary locations. Again they performed
flawlessly. Price wise they are a touch more expensive than the Honda's
but I find they provide a more stable output. Home Depot carries them
and they are in a joint venture with caterpillar's power systems
division as well, Cat is a national service organization for them. And
for the buy american crowd they are made in Minnesota!
Just my two cents worth..
Dave Fouchey
WA4EMR
Manager Field Ops
CSX Technology
Gary L Surrency wrote:
>
> (hit DELETE if not interested in portable AC generator stuff - only
> slight QRP content)
>
> Gang,
>
> Ok, so a lot of people are in a tizzy about the Y2K thing later this
> year. But I just needed a generator that would run my camp AC and
> microwave for the xyl. Besides, it *is* prudent to be prepared for sudden
> power outages so you can at least save the contents of your refrigerator
> and/or freezer, or power that ham rig for emergency use.
>
> Well, there seems to be somewhat of a shortage of gas generators in some
> areas of the country, and I was told by at least two Honda salesmen that
> last year's disasters depleted a lot of the generator stock that still
> hasn't been replaced. So certain areas of the country may still be
> experiencing some generator shortages.
>
> Also I was told that a lot of people are buying larger generators of 5500
> watts or higher, and there has been an increase in the number of people
> who want to buy LP-fueled generators. Sounds like some folks may be
> predicting a long-term electrical outage, but I sure wouldn't speculate
> such a thing myself. We only have occasional commercial power outages
> here in central AZ, and that's mostly from the monsoon storms or the
> infrequent high-KV transmission line problem that we had a few years ago
> on the West coast.
>
> I mention this info, since some of you *do* use gas generators for Field
> Day, and/or for recreational use as I am planning to do. QRP camping
> still means AC use for some of us for the RV stuff.
>
> I left behind a 5500 watt Honda generator in Fla about 10 yrs ago, as it
> was too large and too heavy to bring with me to AZ. My mom is going to
> buy it from me, and keep it for hurricane disaster protection for
> herself. I was looking for a slightly smaller unit, as I didn't want to
> lug around a 400-500 lb unit to the camp sites in AZ.
>
> Honda has two new lightweight units, the 1000w EU1000i; and the 3000w
> EU3000is that I just bought. The little one is only 28.6 lbs, and the
> bigger one is 134.5 lbs (both dry weights). Run times are longer due to a
> new design that I will describe shortly. It takes two people to lift the
> big one; one hand can lift the smaller unit.
>
> The most interesting thing about these new units, is that they are
> inverter-equipped AC output generators. Thus, a load-dependent speed
> control adjusts the engine speed to match the required output to the
> load(s). There is no conventional generator bolted to the engine. Rather,
> a multi-phase AC alternator is incorporated into a new-design flywheel
> that replaces the standard flywheel. This multiphase alternator (similar
> to your auto alternator design) supplies a solid state electronic control
> unit, that produces the required 60 Hz, 120 vac output (220vac, 50 Hz
> units for the UK).
>
> The only other company I know of that uses a variable speed design, is
> Generac. They have a couple of products for RV or motorhome use, but I've
> only seen them in camping supply or RV stores, and I don't have any
> experience or comments - good or bad - with those units.
>
> The Honda owner's manual has a wiring diagram that shows the input to the
> inverter solid-state module is a Y-connected three-phase winding built
> into the flywheel. Cooling airflow is directed over the inverter heat
> sinks, and through the engine alternator flywheel housing, engine, and
> out the rear of the enclosure over the exhaust muffler.
>
> In addition, the output AC sine waveform is cleaner than most commercial
> AC mains, having only 2.5% distortion vs 5% distortion of most
> power-company furnished AC. For comparison, most conventional (brushless,
> or automatic voltage controlled) portable AC generators have from 19.5%
> to 23% sine-wave distortion. This data is from Honda's EU series
> brochure.
>
> These new units also have the lowest operating noise ratings of any small
>
> generator currently on the market, because of extensive sound-proofing
> measures developed by Honda.
>
> So if you think you may be in the market for a stand-by AC generator,
> check out the new products from Honda at:
>
> http://www.honda-generators.com
>
> Just note that the new EU series is 120 vac *only*. However, multiple
> units of the same model can be *paralleled* to increase output. And, the
> dealer I bought my EU3000is from did not know that it is electric-start.
> Seems Honda has omitted the battery electrolyte and instructions on
> filling the internally mounted 12v 9 A/H battery. (See, there is QRP
> related info in this posting, as this little battery would make for a
> *swell* QRP rig power source when not using the generator!) ;-)
>
> The little EU1000i seems to be ideal for small loads, and it is much more
> available than the bigger EU3000is. Generator availability may get much
> worse by the end of this year - who knows? These new units are a little
> hard to find right now, and I paid $1650 for the EU3000is here in AZ.
> Most places want $1995 or more for them - if they have them. I didn't
> check the price on the smaller EU1000i units.
>
> And for those of you who question the load-starting ability of this
> alternator-inverter combination, my EU3000is easily starts a 7000 BTU air
> conditioner on my RV from low-idle speed. And, it will simultaneously run
> a 900w microwave at the same time. There is a 12v, 12A battery charging
> output that is greater than most of the other models produce. I won't
> bore you with more details. If you want info - check out the Honda web
> page.
>
> I recommend you call as many dealers as possible for the best pricing and
> availability before you leave the house. Honda has a phone list of
> dealers available on their web page, listed according to State.
>
> Standard disclaimer; I don't work for American Honda or get paid anything
> for this info. I had to pay full price, plus tax.
>
> Thanks for reading, and 72,
>
> Gary Surrency AB7MY QRP-L #571 Chandler, AZ (near Phoenix)
>
> ___________________________________________________________________
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