Generator output question

mandm1516

New member
I bought a trailer imported from Australia over the weekend that came with a Korean Kipor KGE 100Ti generator. It's never been used and probably won't be needed much since the top of the trailer has 3 64w solar panels, but just in case I'd love to have it as a backup, mainly for battery charging. I'm a complete noob when it comes to all things electrical/battery.

I've included a picture of the back of the generator. As I understand it, the Asian and Australian generators put out 230V at 50 hz where ours are 60hz, but the 12v outlets should be the same?

I have a 15/10/2 continuous 3 stage battery charger--is there a way to hook this generator up to the charger? Are there adapters/converters that could make the 50 hz outlet work as a 110v 60hz?

Is the bottom outlet even complete--looks like there should be something else there?

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

cimg0082i.jpg


Thanks,

Mike
 

chrismc

Adventurer
Yikes, that "outlet" looks scary. DC volts are DC volts, you can definitely use the 12V there with no doubts. I'm not sure what type of circuitry is inside a car batter charger, and what would happen if you powered it off the wrong voltage/frequency. I can't imagine it would be a good thing, though. If you were going to go that route, the cheapest/safest option would probably be to track down a battery charger from overseas.

For what its worth, the total output of that generator is very low (897W). I'd probably scrap it and invest in an eu1000i or something similar (or larger, even).
 

cwsqbm

Explorer
The DC would fine. The AC is sort of a "maybe". There's nothing that can (cheaply) convert 50hz to 60hz. However, there are easy ways to get 120V from 230V, which would leave you with 120V 50hz. A normal manual battery charger won't care about the frequency input, since its mostly just a transformer and bridge rectifier, with some current and voltage controls.

Given that you can already get 8.3A 12V out, there's little purpose of trying to use a separate charger - just hook up to the batteries (maybe with an ammeter and volt meter for monitoring). Still I'd probably scrap it.
 

Newtac11

Observer
It appears to me that the outlet in question is actually a hard wire point with the left and lower screw missing. this allows you to screw on/ hard-wire a "pigtail" connection of your choice. (If you cut a heavy duty extension cord open, you would see 3 wires)

Check it with a multimeter (well have someone else do it). In looking at this site, it may be possible to rewire the internals for 110 voltage.

As mentioned in a previous post, it IS possible to change the Voltage with the use of a power transformer, but not the Frequency/ Hertz. If you are able to switch it to 110 voltage, ensure any electronic device you plug in says 110v 50/60hz.

Good luck
 

dwh

Tail-End Charlie
You could get a 230v-115v step down transformer and an Iota charger. The transformer will change the voltage, but not the frequency - it'll just be 115v at 50hz. But the Iota can work on either 50hz or 60hz:

http://www.iotaengineering.com/dls15.htm

Or, you could get a charger that has a 115/230 switch on the back, and rig up an appropriate plug. For instance a Samlex:

http://www.samlexamerica.com/products/productdescription.asp?ProductsID=8001


Or, what I would do, is sell that Kipor to someone who is headed overseas and get something that does normal 120v 60hz.
 

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