Generator Question

[Solar98632]

Well I broke down and got a generator with the following specs :

Four 120 volt, 20 amp grounded receptacles, one 240 volt, 30 amp grounded receptacle, one 12 volt DC You Are A Spammer lighter port.

OK I was just looking and the thing and it's max is 3, 000 some odd watts.

now how can a generator be 30 amps and 20 amps at the same time.

I admit I just seen the watts and bought it because the number of outlets plus a 240 out let.

I figured I could at least wash our clothes and Air fluff them dry as our dryer is is 24 amps@ 240 ac.

so the question I have is is this typical for the generators to rated like this, is it atypical, or is the generator mistyped for it max out in watts because 240 x 30 amps is 7200 watts?! Yet the max rating is 3,200 Watts is 4,000 watts difference. yet the generators peak watts is 4,000.

[Solar98632]

oh That is funny, how on earth did the "you are a spammed get int there?

[FrugalPrepper]

It doesn't go by the outlets. The outlets are just there because that is the type of outlet. NEMA-15R or 30R that is a common interconnection for things you want to plug in and the amp ratings are the maximum amps that plug style can handle. The output of the generator is still limited it's maximum output. To run a clothes dryer you are going to need at least 5500 watts and probably more, but you may be able to air fluff them without running the heating element.

[Solar98632]

OK , i see what you are saying .
here is the weird thing it is stating on the gene it self.
mind you this is the specs on the unit not my own wish full thinking.if it is not true 30 amps would not that be grounds for false advertising?

Powered by a reliable Predator engine, this generator is ideal for emergencies, job site use, recreation, household, lawn and garden, heating and cooling. The gas generator is protected by a durable steel roll cage.

212cc,6.5 HP air-cooled OHV gas engine
10 hours run-time @ 50% capacity
Low oil indicator / low oil shutdown
Heavy duty 1" steel roll cage
UL listed circuit breakers
Recoil start
Four 120 volt, 20 amp grounded receptacles, one 240 volt, 30 amp grounded receptacle, one 12 volt DC You Are A Spammer lighter port

and then here it is again on the specs.
Name 4000 Peak/3200 Running Watts, 6.5 HP (212cc) Generator CARB
SKU 69728
Brand Predator Generators
Amperage (amps) 20/30

http://www.harborfreight.com/4000-peak3 ... -8786.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now from what I Understand they can do is some off phasing, but even at that i still can not see how it could come up with that rating.

My dryer on 240 setting is 24.1 amps when set to max or high, which I rarely use unless we're in a hurry or drying heavy bedding.

[Solar98632]

why is this thing saying I am a spammer? lighter port?

[Solar98632]

here is a screen shot just to make it easier.

[Solar98632]

I am posting the following stats to see how on Earth HFT came up with there math for 30 Amps
and what the wattage would be on the 240 side.

[Solar98632]

clam using an android app Let me know if it is in error

[Solar98632]

Going for peak Watts and amps,

[Solar98632]

If it truly is 7,000 Watts on the 240 v then they have underrated the unit if not then they overrated the unit . MaybeIt is all in the Windings ?

I have read on some sights that this is 2 generators in on and in some cases one can read wire the head head to get up to nearly 5 to 6 kw by reply routing things. I sure in the heck won't to messing with high voltages or perform hacks on on the on the thing lol.

But my basic understanding of the unit is it has 2 separate coils and then they combine the 2 120 circus and add a neutral and a ground to give it 4 legs. now when on uses a twist in 120/2040 sharing the same plug. now that is where I get confused at. is that twist in 120 rated higher or lower then when connected to the 240 out of phase is that how they get 30 amps? if so, then on the 240 side is 7kw.or 30 amps if not then it is 13.3 amps.

EDIT: the ground is tied in with the neutral it is NOT a floating Neutral.

perhaps some one with some additional knowledge might know. or Once I get it I will call an HFT tech.. None the less I would like to hear theory on this.
thanks.