Generator controls
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--- In basicstamps@y..., auto106947@h... wrote:
> Bought a cheapo gasoline generator (<$400), of course
> once I brought it home and opened it up there
> was a warning about driving "solid state" equipment,
> goes on to say "damage may result if the equipment
> is not designed to operate within a ±10% voltage variation
> or a ±3 hz frequency variation.
>
> Any comment on this anyone?
'Been distracted by a number of other things lately, so I went into lurk
mode and digest. Lurk mode off for a few minutes.
During the new century preparations, I was thinking about using a Stamp
to control speed of the generator. The thinking is that the Stamp would
monitor frequency and then adjust the speed to match the load through a
servo. While it's at such a casual job, it can also monitor oil pressure
and fuel level, sounding alarms as necessary, and maybe even firing the set
up when necessary, providing all the necessary controls for starting.
Everything else is easy to figure out, giving it brain time only, but
how to measure 60Hz close enough to keep it within one or two cycles normal
operation is the tough part. I may miss this reply, but I thought I'd throw
that out for grinding around in your brain. I figure one can add a few
bucks to a cheap generator and get one as good as far more expensive ones,
plus a few bells and whistles.
> Bought a cheapo gasoline generator (<$400), of course
> once I brought it home and opened it up there
> was a warning about driving "solid state" equipment,
> goes on to say "damage may result if the equipment
> is not designed to operate within a ±10% voltage variation
> or a ±3 hz frequency variation.
>
> Any comment on this anyone?
'Been distracted by a number of other things lately, so I went into lurk
mode and digest. Lurk mode off for a few minutes.
During the new century preparations, I was thinking about using a Stamp
to control speed of the generator. The thinking is that the Stamp would
monitor frequency and then adjust the speed to match the load through a
servo. While it's at such a casual job, it can also monitor oil pressure
and fuel level, sounding alarms as necessary, and maybe even firing the set
up when necessary, providing all the necessary controls for starting.
Everything else is easy to figure out, giving it brain time only, but
how to measure 60Hz close enough to keep it within one or two cycles normal
operation is the tough part. I may miss this reply, but I thought I'd throw
that out for grinding around in your brain. I figure one can add a few
bucks to a cheap generator and get one as good as far more expensive ones,
plus a few bells and whistles.