RV FEATURE
The Honda EU22i is a popular choice for caravanners
UNDERSTAND GENERATOR SPECS
Now let’ s have a look at how generators are rated, and it’ s here that you need to pay close attention.
A very popular generator is the Honda EU22i, and it is often recommended as a good choice for powering a caravan. However, depending on your model of airconditioner, it may not prove to be up to the task.
Again, looking at the specifications of the Honda, it has two power output ratings: Maximum AC Output = 2200VA( or 2.2kVA); and Rated( or Continuous) AC Output = 1800VA( or 1.8kVA)
The first thing you’ ll notice is that the ratings are in VA or kVA. This stands for volt-amps or kilovoltamps. Not watts. Now, I could go into a long-winded technical discussion about the difference between the two, but here’ s the simplified explanation.
Volt-amps is the apparent power flowing through an electrical system, whereas watts is the real power or the power required for the appliance to do the work. The difference is called the power factor, and different types of appliances( or loads) will have a power factor, usually between 0.8 and one.
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