Posted: 5/14/2011 8:16:53 AM EDT
| I run my generator monthly for about a half hour. I turn off the fuel and the let the generator die, then top off the fuel. Ive been running it without a load, and was wondering if I should run it with a load during my monthly runs? |
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The engine is only half of a generator. You need to test and work the generator portion during its running. Doing this helps insure it's in working order when it's needed. If the generator loses its field it won't make power but the engine will run. Plug in a space heater or two. Ideally you want to bring the generator up to 50% load while testing it. |
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Quoted:
Thanks, I guess Ill run my shop vac (1100 watts) and hot plate (1800 watts) on the next run Your shop vac probably only draws the full 1100 watts when it's working hard (i.e., trying to suck air against a restriction). The rest of the time, it may be only drawing a small fraction of the wattage shown on the nameplate. Most other motor-powered devices are the same way. Electric space heaters make ideal loads for testing and "exercising" generators - They consistently pull pretty close to their nameplate wattage (provided the thermostat doesn't kick off), and they present a nice, purely resistive load to the generator - no inductance or capacitance is present that can screw up your power measurements. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks, I guess Ill run my shop vac (1100 watts) and hot plate (1800 watts) on the next run Your shop vac probably only draws the full 1100 watts when it's working hard (i.e., trying to suck air against a restriction). The rest of the time, it may be only drawing a small fraction of the wattage shown on the nameplate. Most other motor-powered devices are the same way. Electric space heaters make ideal loads for testing and "exercising" generators - They consistently pull pretty close to their nameplate wattage (provided the thermostat doesn't kick off), and they present a nice, purely resistive load to the generator - no inductance or capacitance is present that can screw up your power measurements. Actually, with a pump/blower (a shop vac is just a big air blower) it's the contrary. The largest load on the motor is when there isn't a restriction, ie, it's pumping the most air it can possibly pump. If you cover the hose with you hand you'll notice the motor takes a big jump in RPMs, that is because the load on the motor is reduced to a very small amount. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks, I guess Ill run my shop vac (1100 watts) and hot plate (1800 watts) on the next run Your shop vac probably only draws the full 1100 watts when it's working hard (i.e., trying to suck air against a restriction). The rest of the time, it may be only drawing a small fraction of the wattage shown on the nameplate. Most other motor-powered devices are the same way. Electric space heaters make ideal loads for testing and "exercising" generators - They consistently pull pretty close to their nameplate wattage (provided the thermostat doesn't kick off), and they present a nice, purely resistive load to the generator - no inductance or capacitance is present that can screw up your power measurements. Actually, with a pump/blower (a shop vac is just a big air blower) it's the contrary. The largest load on the motor is when there isn't a restriction, ie, it's pumping the most air it can possibly pump. If you cover the hose with you hand you'll notice the motor takes a big jump in RPMs, that is because the load on the motor is reduced to a very small amount. True, the impeller is stalling aerodynamically when too a great a differential pressure is attempted to be developed. For example, the last compressor stage of a PT6 uses a 'bleed air' 'control' to regulate pressure at the input of the blades to prevent 'stalling'. |