Twayne wrote:

Twayne wrote:

Twayne wrote:

The Daring Dufas wrote:

Ron Hardin wrote:
Is there a power-strip like device for use with portable
generators that turns off outlets when other outlets are using
a certain number of watts?

Like you'd want to turn off the refrigerator while the sump pump
cycles, to keep the total watts under say 2000; but mostly the
refrigerator stays on.


You can easily build your own if you're handy
with electrical modules. You won't have to
build any circuit boards because the parts
are available off the shelf. You can use a
current sensor and relay module manufactured
by Functional Devices, Inc which are sold at
many HVAC supply houses like Johnstone Supply.

http://www.functionaldevices.com/

http://tinyurl.com/5fuhg8

http://www.johnstonesupply.com/corp/Default.aspx

TDD

Generator load management is a bit more complicated than that and
simply dropping lower priority loads when higher priority ones
come on won't work properly and could potentially damage items.

A proper load management setup needs a controller with some
smarts, and monitoring connections to things like sump pump
switches, thermostats, etc. so that it can tell when an item
needs to run, even though it is not currently powered. This type
of control just isn't practical on a small scale where the cost
of the control would exceed the cost of a larger generator.

Of course it is. It's nothing but a logic setup. a = on, x = off
etc. Simple current monitoring or even clamps.

Nope, the end result of such simplicity will just be an
intermittently overloaded generator, devices damaged by short
cycling, floods because the sump pump didn't get enough run time,
etc. Proper load management requires the smarts along with sensing
to hold off providing power to item Y until item X has completed
it's cycle.

You apparently don't understand a logic chart; or you wouldn't say
that. x & y are NOT equipment; they are states. And simple to work
out.

Baloney. Get a list of the various loads, the wattage draw of each and
starting surge where applicable, and then you try to work out your
logic chart for this application to determine which loads can be
allowed to come online in what combinations without overloading the
generator.

Be sure to account for devices that present more than one level of
load such as a refrigerator (cool vs. defrost) and devices that could
be damaged by repeatedly cutting their operation short, such as those
with cool down cycles. Be sure your current monitoring reacts fast
enough to drop excess loads when a new load comes online with it's
peak starting current, before you stall a regular generator, or put
an inverter generator into overload protect shutdown.

Welll, I'll tell ya what; I didn't say the less than educated would
understand it. You would need a decent background to fully understand
it, even though the implementation is rather straight forward and
do-able by most anyone who can minimally read a schematic.

If I didn't have experience in the area, I would not have offered this
up. This however is likely my last response to the likes of trolls like
you; you're not worth the effort, time or ether. You obviously have no
grasp of the actual requiremnts so should shut up or offer instances
where you can be showh where you're wrong or right. Then at least you
would learn something. Ignorance truly can be bliss.

Yes, your ignorance sure must be blissful. The two of you trolls have
yet to give a single bit of factual data, nor have you addressed any of
the detailed issues I've mentioned. You should stick to wiring holiday
lights.