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[roadrich]

Trying to find a small generator for when I go camping to charge my Zero FX.  What's the lowest wattage I could get away with?  I hooked it up to a KILL A WATT meter and am showing a 696 watt draw and 6.19 amp.  Would a 1000w running generator be sufficient (with 1250w peak?)

[Crissa]

The peak volt-amps may be higher than the wattage.  A kill-a-watt won't tell you that, though.

The manual says a Zero FX 2018 shouldn't exceed 14amps, https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/owner-resources/ but this is the same text as in my 2014 S manual.  For my bike, it regularly spikes above 15amp and 1500VA so you'll want something capable of 2000VA.  My S has put my 1500VA capable inverter into safe mode shutdown.

Generators are rated to have peak and continuous loads, the latter usually half what the peak (on the box) says.  The closer your load is to the continuous the more fuel efficient the generator will run.

-Crissa

PS, when you get your generator remember to get a plastic tub to set it in if you're going on Federal land.  Leave no trace requirements are a second 'container' capable of catching the volume of fuel and oil that a generator or fuel cans can contain.  You're supposed to also set this 10' from your vehicle, tents, and extra fuel, unless it's installed onto a vehicle.  (And the extra fuel 10' from vehicles, tents, and sources of ignition like a generator.)  So two tubs, if you're camping!

[valnar]

Most inverter-generators are either 1000W or 2000W (or higher).  For many many reasons, you would be best served by a 2000W version.  Since it's an inverter, it'll reduce its speed and noise to accommodate the charger so you won't burn as much gas.  It's the best of both worlds.  I had mine converted to propane use as well.

I personally think the Honda EU2200i is the best there is, but many cheaper Chinese brands will serve you well too.  WEN, Westinghouse, Duromax and Predator are some of the better ones.  Stay away from Briggs & Stratton (sorry 'Murica).

[alko]

I have a Champion 2000 w inverter and it's been great. Stored it for a year without draining the fuel and it started up after just a few pulls and ran perfectly. Half the price of a Honda too.

[DonTom]

The peak volt-amps may be higher than the wattage.  A kill-a-watt won't tell you that, though.

Usually no need to worry about that running a charger.

The volt-amps rating is because 100 volts AC at five amps can equal exactly  ZERO watts if the load is only a capacitor.  IOW, big load to the generator as zero watts converted to heat  in the capacitor. IOW, all the power gets reflected back to the generator as a big load with a capacitor using zero watts.

It's called "apparent power" which is really no power at all, but can  still be big load to an AC source. Such as a transformer, generator, etc. That's why AC stuff is often  rated in volt-amps instead of watts. The 100 volts I mentioned above will still measure as 500 watts when we measure 100 volts at 50 amps, regardless if the load is reactive (zero watts) or resistive (500 watts).

BTW, some cheap generators have a very distorted waveform. Best to check on a scope. I use my 4KW Onan RV generator  in my RV to charge my DS as the  sine-wave is reasonably  clean (still not as good as household current, but close enough):



A very distorted waveform could damage some sensitive equipment or not output as many USABLE watts (unless a pure resistive load).


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Crissa]

The charger isn't straight up resistance, hence pointing out that it peaks over 1500VA.

-Crissa

[DonTom]

The charger isn't straight up resistance, hence pointing out that it peaks over 1500VA.-Crissa

A generator that is rated at 1,500 watts will also do 1,500VA.  So there is still no issue.

There is only an issue when the volts times amps exceeds the rating of the generator (in either watts or VA) regardless if the load is zero watts or the full 1,500 watts.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Crissa]

So there is still no issue.

If there's no issue, why did you have to explain it?

That's why I suggested one rated at 2000VA

-Crissa

[DonTom]

If there's no issue, why did you have to explain it?

That's why I suggested one rated at 2000VA

-Crissa

Because you thought there was an issue and there isn't as far as the VA / watts is concerned. Nevertheless, it's better to have a bit more power available from the source than the minimum necessary. Often specs are not accurate, especially when not  under perfect lab conditions.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Crissa]

Because you thought there was an issue...

And there was:  The charger is rated to pull 1400 watts max and in fact pulls over 1500VA, as I experienced.  So clearly a 1000 watt or 1400 watt or even 1500 watt won't do it.

-Crissa

[Starpower]

I once charged my '13 on my Honda 2000is and it worked just fine as mentioned here. However, it was maxed out screaming bloody murder surprising me with how loud this "quiet" genny can get! From this experience I can agree that 2000W/VA would be minimum.

It was also interesting to note that it equated to 60mpg or a touch over 1 gal for a full charge. If you camp anywhere near people with that 2kW genny they will not be your friend!

[DonTom]

And there was:  The charger is rated to pull 1400 watts max and in fact pulls over 1500VA, as I experienced.  So clearly a 1000 watt or 1400 watt or even 1500 watt won't do it.-Crissa

The best way is just look at the current draw as that will always be accurate regardless if it's mostly real wattage or just VA or some of each. If the VA draw of a load  is higher than the wattage draw they should not even mention the wattage as that will then be useless information.  The output power should be in wattage, not the input.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Crissa]

The best way is just look at the current draw...

Which varies and as I said, the peak phantom was over 1500VA.  So yes, you'd want at least 2000W generator that can put out 1500W continuous.

The rest was irrelevant.

-Crissa

[Ayebah]

Fx have a smaller charger than the rest of the fleet. The newer ones say 720w but I don’t know what the starting wattage could be. Ryobi makes a 900 w max starting propane
invert generator that seems like it would be maxed out the whole time. But it’s small and light and propane is cheaper than gas. Maybe I’ll try it out and return if it work.