<VV> Emergency Generator (no Corvair)

[Ken Wildman]

At 05:18 PM 9/4/2006, Padgett wrote:
>Part of the benefit of living so far from the coast is that in 21 years in 
>this house we have lost power only once for more than a couple of hours. 
>Still we have UPSs on most electronics since temporary drop outs are 
>common. After the series of hurricanes two years ago we did buy a unit on 
>sale (during the Charlie peoiod everyone bought generators. The aftermath 
>was that just about every store had generators for sale to a population 
>that already had them.
>
>After some study I decided that two 120v 10 amp circuits would be enough 
>for basic comfort and looked for a 3000-3500 watt generator. The market 
>was flooded with Chinese portable generators that were small and quiet but 
>finding a really good deal on a Coleman Powermate (3500 watt max, 3000 
>watt continuous) that was USA made was an easy choice. These have been 
>around forever and spare parts are available.
>
>It does not have a 220 outlet but all we need is 110 and it has 2 of 
>those. I also plan to fit a quieter muffler someday.
>
>The odd things is that all of the generators in this capacity seem to have 
>195 cc OHV engines (Coleman has a Tecumseh, Chinese are said to be Honda 
>clones) but the Coleman is rated at 5.5 hp and the Chinese are all 6.5. 
>Are Chinese horses measured differently ?
>
>ps has anyone fitted a real muffler to one of these ?

Honda.    <grin>

Would increased back-pressure have any effect on the governor?  You need 
exactly 3600 RPM, or some multiple of 60 depending on the generator design, 
to get 60hz.
Ken