[UK-CONTEST] Portable Generators....

[Robert Chipperfield]

Hi Bob,

We use a Kipor IG2600. It's a blatent cheap knock-off of the Honda 
range, but it does very well.

It's an inverter generator, which for those not familiar, means it has a 
multi-phase alternator generating DC at some indeterminate voltage (I 
seem to recall ~50V), and then a 230V sine-wave inverter.

First, the good bits:

Because output frequency is independent of engine speed, idling speed is 
much lower at low load, and with it noise and fuel consumption. 8 hours 
from a 4L tank of fuel is quite normal when not running a linear (but 
including lighting, computers, radio and so on, so probably ~400W)

Similarly, voltage regulation is *perfect*: running a Quadra linear at 
400W on 6m on VHF NFD, at the end of 40m of power cable, we observed 
less than 2V variation in supply voltage to the linear. Compare that to 
the traditional generator we used which was exhibiting 40V swings as it 
struggled with the varying load. This means no need to "load up" the 
generator with flood lights or similar.

Power to weight ratio is excellent - you can lift it with one hand, 
whereas the traditional generator we used previously was a two person move.

Now, the bad bit: as supplied, it's RF noisy on HF. We first realised 
this in 2011's CW AFS, and had to struggle through S9 QRM as a result.

However, a GM3SEK choke (or better, two - low and mid band designs in 
series) immediately on the output of the generator worked absolute 
wonders - it's now S0-S2, depending on the band. We could probably do 
better if we experimented further, but that was declared "problem solved".

We also use a 1kVA Honda inverter, and that's RF silent, so no doubt 
there is an aspect of "get what you pay for", but we couldn't justify 
the doubling in price.

In terms of running linears, we happily ran a 400W 70cm amp and Quadra 
on 6m from the same generator in VHF NFD last year, and a 400W 2m and 
100W 23cm amp from an identical second generator. Neither of them 
blinked all weekend, unlike the traditional one, which still couldn't be 
coaxed into life despite numerous strip-downs of the carb:

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/dnas2/5898168394/in/photostream> (evil 
thing in the foreground, two Kipors and Honda in the background, photo 
credit M0BLF)

Hope that's helpful!

73,
Rob, M0VFC

On 04/04/2012 17:54, robert rushbrooke wrote:
> Slightly off topic but I would be interested to hear what portable contest stations are using in the way of generators and what equipment it powers.
>   
> My club runs a single radio, Acom 1000 and a couple of laptops.
>   
>   
> Regards,
>   
> Bob - 2E0KLO
>   
> rrushbrooke at yahoo.com
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