That clamp meter should do the same thing as I mentioned above. Yes, you push the peak button, then turn on the compressor.
If the compressor has a regular plug and cord on it, you can use a line splitter to separate the wires, and take your reading on just 1 wire:
If you put the clamp meter around the whole cord, it should measure zero amps, becuase all the current going into the compressor on the load wire will exit the compressor on the neutral wire, thus why you need to separate wires somehow and measure just one.
Again, the accuracey will not be perfect, but it should give you a good idea for how much current is needed at startup.
Quote: Just discovered something. I have a new (Christmas gift)CEN-TECH 95683 that has a Peak Hold button. Can it capture the vary quick peak of a compressor at startup?
If I can inject an opinion, it would be 'maybe', and I'd like to know this myself. I think these meters use analog-to-digital converters that take a finite amount of time to make a measurement, so the samples are made at intervals, and a fast peak could easily be missed. Also, an A-D converter without a 'sample and hold' front end can give highly bogus results if what it is measuring changes during the measurement interval. It's a moot point with my Sears clamp meter because the peak hold function works with voltage measurements only. Without knowing more, the only peak measurement I'd trust would be from a storage scope.
* This post was
edited 01/11/08 11:51am by Wayne Dohnal *
fourwinds29Q wrote: Yea these people were clapping from the other side of the campground. We were camping with other units running quieter units. All I could say was "Sorry".
I still would have clapped for the quieter generators as well. I say this as someone who tent camped in Madison at Yellowstone this summer. I don't care what brand it is, compared to nature, it is intrusive. The video above shows the attitude I have often encountered with the quieter generators. It amounts to, I'm 16% less intrusive so I'll run it 50% (or more)longer.
The day I bought my Champion was because it was mid-August and the electric power had gone out in the campground due to a transformer overheating. I ran it 10 hours the first day to keep the trailer and family cool. If I feel it will be obtrusive in a certain setting I don't run it and wouldn't at 58 dbs either.
Quote: Just discovered something. I have a new (Christmas gift)CEN-TECH 95683 that has a Peak Hold button. Can it capture the vary quick peak of a compressor at startup?
If I can inject an opinion, it would be 'maybe', and I'd like to know this myself. I think these meters use analog-to-digital converters that take a finite amount of time to make a measurement, so the samples are made at intervals, and a fast peak could easily be missed.
Like you said, what is the definition of peak? Peak as in the highest single data point reading on a 100MHz scope, or the highest reading over 1ms that a $30 meter will capture.
For a portable generator, I think it probably doesn't care about peaks that are one data point on a scope accuracy.
I think it cares about the approximate peak of first 8ms of sine wave. Even if the DMM takes 1ms to capture a reading, it should capture a value close to peak, since near the crest, the values do are not change very quickly.
Also, when a generator mfg states starting watts, what are they actually reporting? Instantaneous, average peak, rms peak, etc?
Quote: Just discovered something. I have a new (Christmas gift)CEN-TECH 95683 that has a Peak Hold button. Can it capture the vary quick peak of a compressor at startup?
If I can inject an opinion, it would be 'maybe', and I'd like to know this myself. I think these meters use analog-to-digital converters that take a finite amount of time to make a measurement, so the samples are made at intervals, and a fast peak could easily be missed. Also, an A-D converter without a 'sample and hold' front end can give highly bogus results if what it is measuring changes during the measurement interval. It's a moot point with my Sears clamp meter because the peak hold function works with voltage measurements only. Without knowing more, the only peak measurement I'd trust would be from a storage scope.
Maybe....I would like to find out for sure as well. It's kinda like allot of things in life...it's all in the timing. There has been much discussion on peak current and how it effects our generators and the appliances we choose to use with them. My attitude is if my genset starts my AC then the only thing I really would like to know is constant current draw. Peak current is irrelevant to me at this point because I already own my generator. Now...if I was having trouble starting a load, then I would be investigating more. That is, AFTER, I spent $20.00 on a hard start capacitor.
I would like to add that I have a number of the el-cheapo centech meters (one in every vehicle) and they all have been so close to my Fluke in readings that I have come to the conclusion they are fine for us non-professionals. Might not be around for years but do work fine.
I would, however, be willing to trade for a digital scope meter...my Tektronix is too big.
* This post was
edited 01/11/08 02:41pm by blkfe *
Just a note of warning:
I just got a new DuroPower DP3500E RV genset. I would never run it in a camping area unless I were boondocking and no one was anywhere near. The DW says it will not be run if she is anywhere near.
It is supposed to be 3500 watts peak 3000 steady. When I turn on the AC (Carrier 1500 BTU rated at 14 amps/1700 watts it shudders, shakes and surges terrible. I would put it out by the barn for standby, but I don't have a barn.
Old Navy Chief (AOC) Retired Aircraft Mechanic/Inspector
2007 29' 27FBV Trail Bay V Series
2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 5.7 V8
Reese Strait-Line Dual Cam Hitch
This is a open forum, I do believe, so I will say the following. As to the first, I own both a Champion C46540 (Professor95 states this forum is not only for Champion type folks) (I'm looking for the BLUE MAX folks also), back on subject and I own a DuroPower3500EC Electric Start. The NOISE from the Champion and the Duropower, by the meter, Champion 69 DbA @ 7m (21ft) and the Duropower 68 @ 7m (21ft) I too was ashamed to run the genny (Champion) within 300/400 feet of the next person. That is why I began the quest of a solution to quiet the little bugger. Build boxes I did. Many boxes. Still building Boxes. I think I have one now that will lower the Noise to around 50 DbA, the finishing touches are in progress. But, I also needed a genny for my HM factory genset compartment. This has recently been accomplished through the ideas from our Brad. First there was the problem of road muck covering the beautiful little Champion, then the radiant heat was a killer. Both of those's problems have been solved by Brad. Without this retro no forth coming Chinese genset will work successfully in a factory compartment. NONE.
Now, your hard start problem is a common one. Many H/Y gennys have this same problem. It is a mystery to many on various threads why one person can run there A/C with no problem with the same genny when the next person CAN'T. That is why others on this thread 'PROS' are trying to get to the bottom of this Peak load thing as stated on our gennys. Then it seems one A/C, same brand and BTU, will vary one to the other. This mystery is in the process of being investigated. Stay with us for possible answers.
Now, your hard start problem is a common one. Many H/Y gennys have this same problem. It is a mystery to many on various threads why one person can run there A/C with no problem with the same genny when the next person CAN'T.
Floyd
I believe that the reson some have less problem than others in starting their A/C is that their A/C has a hard start capacitator, also discussed in many other threads. Some A/Cs come with them. They can be added after the fact to most of the others.
I have one of the ELIM 3000s discussed early on here. I had the hard start capacitator added to my A/C. The genset loads down when the A/C compressor kicks in but starts it OK.
martipr wrote: Just a note of warning:
I just got a new DuroPower DP3500E RV genset. I would never run it in a camping area unless I were boondocking and no one was anywhere near. The DW says it will not be run if she is anywhere near.
It is supposed to be 3500 watts peak 3000 steady. When I turn on the AC (Carrier 1500 BTU rated at 14 amps/1700 watts it shudders, shakes and surges terrible. I would put it out by the barn for standby, but I don't have a barn.
martipr,
Just checking. The DuroPower DP3500EC come with three plugs worth about $40/$50, one is the L5-30r to be used on the 3 prong twist lock receptacle and you must set the 120/240 switch to 120v Also you need to use at least a flexible 8 GAGE 3 WIRE SETUP. THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU a minimum of 25a output and start your 15,000btu A/C with no problem.
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