Generac generator

[Jack Long]

So... This came with my boat. I know that it *is* a generator but I don't know hot to translate the data on the label into terms that are meaningful in my limited grasp... I already have Calder's Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual but it is about three books down in my reading list...

Could somebody give me a rough idea of what this thing will do? It looks like its output is just a couple of plugs so I imagine I would plug my battery charger into one... I guess for the sake of having a basic grasp I would want to know how fast it can pour amp hours back into a battery... Is that even the right metric?

Anyway, pictures in my gallery.

Thanks,
J

[hellosailor]

Generac Power Systems, Inc.
• P.O. Box 297, Whitewater, WI 53190
• generac.com

Contact them for a manual, the company is still in business.

[GordMay]

It looks like you have an old "heritage" model, rated about 900 Watts, which will deliver about 7.5 Amps @ 120VAC.
Accordingly, it should power a Battery Charger, up to 50/60 Amp @ 12VDC Output.

GENERAC Operator's Manuals, Parts Lists, & Wiring Diagrams:

Generac Portable Products - Service/Support - Operator's Manuals

G1000M Operator’s Manual:
http://www.generac-portables.com/doc...32_1ESW_LO.pdf
Parts:
http://www.generac-portables.com/doc...SLISTCS_LO.pdf

[Jack Long]

Gord that is awesome! Shockingly approachable writing too (the manual).

Could you set me straight on the battery charging part of my question? I am still a little shaky on real-world examples of the 12 vs 110 stuff. Would this charge the battery at a practical rate of about 7.5 amp hours per hour? Or 75 amp hours per hour? The first one seems too low, the second too high!

[GordMay]

Watts = Volts x Amps
Amps = Watts ÷ Volts

900W ÷ 120V = 7.5A -or- 900W ÷ 12V* = 75 A

* Actually 900 ÷ 13.75V (charge voltage) = 65.5A

900 Watts = 7.5 Amps at 120 Volts, or 75 Amps at 12 Volts.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...=500&userid=79

[Jack Long]

But that is not a "per hour" number is it? That is where I get confused. I thought that piece of math was used to get the constant output.

[GordMay]

Power (Watts) -vs- Energy (Watt-Hours):

Energy is the ability to do work, while Power is the rate at which work is done.

Power is the rate at which the electrical Energy is consumed (or generated) expressed in watts, or kilowatts.
Energy is the product of power supplied, multiplied by the length of time it is used, measured in watt-hours, or kilowatt-hours.