Generator PTO Generator

[RonMar]

That is an interesting idea. Never thought of that one, I will have to try it. The wheel is graduated and along with a watch, you should be able to time it's rate of turn for a fixed ammount of time and get something that can be multiplied into the load in KW/HR at that particular load. This of course won't show surge loads very well, but you should be able to get a reasonably accurate average. Your electric bill should also help in getting an average use reading.

 

[JB4310]

I don't know if there is a formula for converting kilowatt hours to watts or amps, never heard of it. Be a good idea if it worked.

Regarding the voltage regulation, on my 10 KW pto gen I opted for the capacitors over the AVR. I wanted to keep it simple, and after speaking to the manufacturers engineer, though I don't remember the reason exactly, they recommended the capacitors for reliability in the unit I was buying. they said anything 15 KW and up only came with AVR.
I had them send me an extra pair of capacitors so I could be better prepared for a real emergency. Also like Ron recommended, I've got the killowatt meter plus a couple of other plug in watts/hertz meters and an in line watt meter to balance/monitor the load.
JB.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

That is an interesting idea. Never thought of that one, I will have to try it. The wheel is graduated and along with a watch, you should be able to time it's rate of turn for a fixed ammount of time and get something that can be multiplied into the load in KW/HR at that particular load. This of course won't show surge loads very well, but you should be able to get a reasonably accurate average. Your electric bill should also help in getting an average use reading.

Right! Theoretically if you watched your meter for an hour of using all of your household appliances, the difference in Kilowatt/hours would be the same as your home's electrical usage in kilowatts. If you watched for half and hour you'd double the number. If you timed it for 15 minutes, you'd multiply by four.

I'd think that 15 minutes would give you a pretty good idea, and it's conceivable that you could do a maximum amp draw for 15 minutes...

"Honey if you'll put a load of laundry in the dryer, get a cake in the oven, and then go take a hot shower; I'll crank the thermostat all the way, turn on all the lights, and watch a movie with the refrigerator door open."

There may be some way to calculate it from an electrical bill, but there's going to be some kind of a conversion factor. I'd imagine it would be highly variable too. Someone who uses high loads only occasionally is going to need a bigger generator than someone with a constant medium load even though their monthly average may be the same. Of course you may come closer based on an electricity bill than the canned formulas based on the size of your house, etc.

 

[Rara Avis]

Calculate Any Load Or Your Total Load - Doing It Exactly

 

[Egon]

amp meter

 

[JB4310]

Calculate Any Load Or Your Total Load - Doing It Exactly

Interesting with the stopwatch, but then you would have to run around the house like IPF said turning everything on as well as the math calcs. IMO it would be easier and more practical to do it on paper with the name plate info.
Almost no one is going to have everything on at once and will manage their load according to the gen capacity and more importantly the governors ability to keep it in the green.

it would come in handy for some one with special consistent power needs.

 

[L_Nicholson]

I don't know if this is the same generator

https://www.ruralking.com/Store/detail.aspx?ID=15098

kind of looks the same..... but I've talked to people in the area that have gotten one and one of the guys in the store that I talk to on a regular basis and he said they sell a ton of these. they were out at the time I inquired and said he had another 50 stored at the warehouse ready to ship in.

I'm meeting with an electrician tomorrow to go over a few things and to see how amps my "necessities" pull.

 

[Northland]

I'd look into a line conditioner for your electronics, your not going to find one that can handle the amperage for the whole house at a good price. you'd be better off just buying an AVR regulated generator.

But with a line conditioner attached to your power panel you are protected from the local power company's power as well. I live at the end of the line in a rural area where the power company has fluctuating power.

 

[John47]

1Kwhr=1000 watts used in one hour.
1Kw=1000 Watts
Watts divided by volts=Amps.
Last time I worked out the average power consumed was for a survey for going solar. I used a clamp on ammeter and took many readings throughout the day, added all the readings, divided by the amount of readings taken and that was average current being drawn.
Another way is to take a meter reading at say 8-00am and the do the same the following morning at 8-00am, subtract the lower reading from the higher, and that gives you the Kwhr's consumed for 24 hours.
Take several readings over a month, divide your answer by the amount of readings and you have your average consumption for the period.

 

[Egon]

My power bill gives me the monthly usage.