On the larger portables (3-4KW) the liquid cooling would buy noise reduction. It greatly reduces ringing and noise transmission from cylinder/head fins. And it allows more thorough encapsulation of the engine. Both could bring pretty big strides in noise reduction, even at reasonable prices. At a premium price point the generator could be amazingly quiet.
SWD wrote: Good point, however existing red and blue gen sets are pricey as it is. Seems to me that this would be "excessive" technology for just a simple generator.
many will agree with you, including my self
BUT the Gov-ment has its own idea's, CARB here in calif has discussed this, and i expect it won't be long before it becomes mandatory for small engines 'sold here', I hope i'm wrong, but I expect it by 2012 IF not sooner
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Quote: Could make for a very quiet clean generator
For a generator, the engine stays pretty much at one speed, or close to it, something a carburetor can work well at. I think we're going to see carburetors for a few more years.
Well you may be right about having carb run engines for a while longer on the cheaper models, but, I do believe that the inverter units adjust engine rpm/speed to the load requirement, whereas the others run at a constant 3600 rpm to maintain the 60hz output. I'm sure it wouldn't take much of a "computer" nowadays to really refine an injection system on the inverter models to really make them shine. Adding liquid cooling with constant temps would also lessen the exhaust mess, that's why they finally got rid of the air cooled VW engines.
At the very least, you'd think Honda would add the simple twist knob altitude adjustment on their current portable 1000 and 2000 generators. My built-in Onan has this and it sure simplifies tweaking it for high altitude camping.
While it is true that the engine speed is constant in a generator application, the load varies greatly, and the carb must make constant adjustments to keep the engine speed constant at varying loads.
Constant speed is important to keep the generator on frequency. A fuel injection system has a much faster response to changing loads (compared to a carb), so a FI system would make perfect since in a generator application. Additionally, the FI system would never need adjustment to maintain perfect air/fuel ratio.
...........Yamaha has applied for and rece'ved a patent for a Turbo charged , 2 cylinder Diesel(which has fuel injection) motorcycle engine ! This same technology could be applied to gensets , which , over time would become less expensive as the development costs are spread over more and more units . , jf
I think for some of us there is a higher acceptable weight than current offerings. I have a Yamaha 3000 unit, on casters, and I've never lifted it. I ramp it into the pickup bed. I would happily trade some extra weight for 6-10 db noise reduction, automatic adjustment to elevation, better performance and fuel economy, and an odor free exhaust.
As per Jim's post. Onan has had a fuel injected gasoline genset for a few years now. Works good until you don't run it for a few months, then gum and varnish, just like the carbonated engines.
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