The drive between the engine and generator is a cog belt where the belt and sprockets are standard off the shelf components made by more than 2 manufacturers with taper lock sprockets. I would prefer not to modify this area since they are standard parts readily available. Being an emergency type piece of equipment, I have considered reliability and quick repair to be high priority. Also Then I do not have to address the structural issues of shaft bending, bearing loads and harmonics. Thanks for the input. :) Marcel Birthelmer wrote: > Would it be possible to modify the generator motor's flywheel to add kinetic > energy, much in the way a capacitor would store electrical energy? That way, > the increased load should not affect the frequency and output voltage so > significantly (but of course this would bring its own mechanical issues - > load on berings, etc.). > Regards, > - Marcel > > On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 9:52 AM, Carl Denk wrote: > > >> Understand what you are saying. Say a solenoid on the generator's >> throttle, maybe better a stepper motor, The generator is managed by a >> TRI-PLC controller which has ability to control a stepper, relays, and >> timers >> 1: Air conditioning thermostat signals request to PLC >> 2: Increase the generator speed >> 3: time delay, then start compressor >> 4: time delay, generator speed to normal >> >> Although appears possible, and with a lot of learning curve for me, at >> this point I prefer looking at generator connection configuration and >> the soft start avenue. Thanks for the ideas. :) >> >> Martin wrote: >> >>> Carl Denk wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>> Generator can handle 40 amp resistance heat in addition to misc. house >>>> load, so I don't think it's generator being weak with 30 amp protected >>>> compressor load. It's the few seconds that it takes the mechanical >>>> engine governor to open the throttle more and the engine to respond. >>>> Other loads like 1/2 hp. pump with or without capacitor stating can >>>> start stop without issues. >>>> >>>> >>> The generator takes a fixed amount of time to increase it's output as >>> you've guessed. My guess is that the A/C motor either has a low rotor >>> resistance so it's higher efficiency, but requires a huge startup >>> current, or it's a more typical motor but the compressor represents a >>> very large load upon startup at zero speed. So you need a way to reduce >>> the startup current or increase the immediately available current. >>> >>> Perhaps you could roll together a controller that would increase the >>> generator RPM a little bit - half a second before the compressor is >>> triggered? It seems like that would be the simplest way to do it. You >>> would get a voltage surge but perhaps that's a bit better than a big >>> sag. I would think you could tune the delay time to have a minimal surge. >>> >>> The harder way is to mechanically modify the generator or [hardest] is >>> to do something to the A/C compressor. >>> >>> - >>> Martin >>> >>> >> -- >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >> >> -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist