R-pod Owners Forum : Good/Bad Timing https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Miscellaneous / Off-topic : Good/Bad Timing Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 22:22:54 +0000 Sun, 30 May 2021 17:52:14 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14662 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Good/Bad Timing : I've switched to Jack Black... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142964#142964 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 30 May 2021 at 5:52pm

I've switched to Jack Black - go for it!! Just kidding.

Hey, I did just get a nice cover for the Honda. I don't think the covers that advertise HONDA make much sense. Kinda like me wearing Under Armor logo stuff - it just attracts all those 20-30-40-50 and some 70 year olds with nefarious motives!

Anyway, it looks pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079242HBT

fred
]]> Sun, 30 May 2021 17:52:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142964#142964 Good/Bad Timing : We'll spare you rooting out... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142961#142961 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14662
Posted: 30 May 2021 at 4:35pm

We'll spare you rooting out the mean square (RMS), you'd probably want more like 10 beers for that procedure...]]> Sun, 30 May 2021 16:35:53 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142961#142961 Good/Bad Timing : It is apparent that I do not possess... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142959#142959 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 30 May 2021 at 4:10pm

It is apparent that I do not possess the true power I thought. Watt I will do, however, is continue to resist, use my best inductive reasoning and avoid capaciture!! (sic)

Thanks for the lesson, guys! I need a beer or four.

fred
]]> Sun, 30 May 2021 16:10:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142959#142959 Good/Bad Timing : Yeah, that's right. Resistive... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142949#142949 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 14662
Posted: 30 May 2021 at 11:03am

Yeah, that's right. Resistive loads like your space heater do not affect the power factor. Capacitive loads will delay the voltage relative to the current, and inductive loads will move it the other way.  VA tells you what the volts and amps are, but does not consider the power factor (watts).]]> Sun, 30 May 2021 11:03:47 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142949#142949 Good/Bad Timing : If you looked at the current and... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142947#142947 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14662
Posted: 30 May 2021 at 8:00am

If you looked at the current and voltage waveforms on an oscilloscope you would see that for some loads they are overlayed (in phase), on some the current lags the voltage (out of phase) and on some the current leads the voltage (out of phase).

The loads where the the waveforms are overlayed are "resistive", ones with current lagging are "inductive", current leading are "capacitive".

Since power equals volts x amps you have to multiply the instantaneous current and voltage at each point on the waveforms to get the true power, which represents the work being done by the electricity.
If the two waveforms are out of phase the true power will be less than VxA as measured individually by a multimeter.

VA is called apparent power. All the electrical gear (windings, inverter transistors, conductors) still has to handle the current even if it's not doing as much actual work.

Space heaters are big resistors do they are resistive loads, meaning that their current and voltage are in phase and VA = watts. So your space heater would be expected to have VA=watts.

Motors are inductive loads, meaning that their current lags the voltage.   So watts < VA. Power factor = watts/VA and motors are typically in the range of 0.8 to 0.9 PF unless PF correction has been added, typically a capacitor.

So say your Honda is designed so that it's engine and generator sections are matched for max loads of 2200 watts with a PF of 1 at sea level. That would mean that if you ran a 2200 watt space heater the engine would lug and the generyor would start to overload simultaneously. If you went up to 7000 ft elevation (assuming the rule of thumb 3% per 1000 ft elevation derate) the engine would lug first.

Now put a motor load of 2200 VA and 0.8 PF on instead. At sea level the generator would start to overload before the engine would lug. But at 7000 ft both would give up at the same time.

Hope that makes sense.


]]> Sun, 30 May 2021 08:00:43 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142947#142947 Good/Bad Timing : Dumb it down for me OG. I put... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142942#142942 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 29 May 2021 at 7:09pm

Dumb it down for me OG. I put a 1500 watt space heater on it and the app showed 1490 VA.

I'm thinking the VA meter could be great in managing power to keep running in eco mode when possible. May be good @ prediction fuel consumption too. They say 8.1 hours or more @ 1/4 load which would put it somewhere between 400-500 VA. My initial observation showed that I had to push it up to about 650 VA before throttle up.

AC unit should be fun to test.

fred
]]> Sat, 29 May 2021 19:09:58 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142942#142942 Good/Bad Timing : True power might be as much as... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142940#142940 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14662
Posted: 29 May 2021 at 5:14pm

True power might be as much as 20% less than VA on some motor loads. The generator windings and transistors care about amps while the engine cares about true power. So if the power factor is low we could see the inverter/generator trip it's breaker while the engine still has significant available power. That would make a difference in how the system works at high altitude for example.

That's why I'm curious. The power factor can be difficult to measure accurately if you're using two different meters because relatively small errors between the two can build up. That's why I was wondering if the new Hondas did both. You can try with the Kill A Watt but the result might not be very accurate.]]> Sat, 29 May 2021 17:14:38 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142940#142940 Good/Bad Timing : The Volt Amp gauge is the only... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142938#142938 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 29 May 2021 at 2:14pm

The Volt Amp gauge is the only display. According to Honda, it is "what the generator is producing vs. what is consumed by a device".

For all practical purposes, I figured it's the same. If I can find where I put my Kill-A-Watt, I can find out.

fred
]]> Sat, 29 May 2021 14:14:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142938#142938 Good/Bad Timing : Interesting. The scale is reading... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142935#142935 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14662
Posted: 29 May 2021 at 12:14pm

Interesting. The scale is reading in VA in your screen shot. Does it display watts as well? I'm interested in what the a/c compressor power factor is. ]]> Sat, 29 May 2021 12:14:41 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142935#142935 Good/Bad Timing : The new EU2200i has a nifty... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142933#142933 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 29 May 2021 at 10:20am

The new EU2200i has a nifty bluetooth app which can be helpful. The remote cutoff and engine hours are really helpful. Nice seeing wattage usage also. I noted that running in eco-mode ( idle ) I could get about 650 watts. After that it revved up.




]]> Sat, 29 May 2021 10:20:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142933#142933 Good/Bad Timing : You got the easystart in and it... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142922#142922 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 28 May 2021 at 4:31pm

You got the easystart in and it is good to go, which is great to hear.

When I break in I start with small loads, on and off every 5 or 10 minutes. On 5, off 5, you get the idea. I use the eco mode switch to vary the engine speed as well. Kind of breaks in the engine (seats the rings at various speeds, not just when running full full out). Work up to the heavy loads after an hour or two.

I imagine it is good for the electrical windings as well, not going straight into a heavy load situation.

Or, if in a rush just give'er, eh!

Have a great evening

Andy


]]> Fri, 28 May 2021 16:31:03 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142922#142922 Good/Bad Timing : If it&#039;s that cold it won&#039;t... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142916#142916 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14662
Posted: 28 May 2021 at 3:15pm

If it's that cold it won't be a good test anyway, you need a hot day and a few thermostat cycles so the refrigerant back pressure on the compressor is high, which makes the startup current higher. It won't be long now. Summer will be here and you'll be wishing for that 55 degrees.

I can't remember the Honda break in procedure I used but I think you're tight, you want to load it up some to seat the rings. ]]> Fri, 28 May 2021 15:15:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142916#142916 Good/Bad Timing : Got the Easy Start 364 installed... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142915#142915 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 28 May 2021 at 3:02pm

Got the Easy Start 364 installed without much problem. Instructions were very clear. I do recommend buying the installation kit for $10.00. I got tons of connectors, just not the one I needed to finish the install. Pissed me off.

Anyway, it's installed and trained.

Got the Honda EU2200i delivered today. I did a 1 hour break-in run with 10W-30. I'll drain and fill with new oil tomorrow and then load her up. Prolly not necessary, but I'll do it anyway. These Hondas like to be abused I think. How do you guys do break-ins?

The problem now is....ITS FREEKIN COLD!! Thermostat only goes down to 55. I'm gonna have to put a hair dryer on the thermostat to test it!! Star

fred
]]> Fri, 28 May 2021 15:02:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142915#142915 Good/Bad Timing : I just might have to see about... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142882#142882 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 5:05pm

I just might have to see about learning a bit about celestial navigation and try out the old-school sextant I have collected and now have on display...start with the basics and see how it goes. So much junk on the interweb, might as well weed through it and get something good out of it!

Andy
]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 17:05:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142882#142882 Good/Bad Timing : going backwards to the celestial... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142881#142881 Author: Pod People
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 4:41pm

going backwards to the celestial navigation discussion--I live in chapel Hill NC which is the home of the University of NC.  The UNC has the Morehead Planetarium which was ( and still is) the celestial navigation training grounds for all NASA astronauts. In the early 70's, I had an undergraduate astronomy class there and there were 2 astronauts in our class.  They were there for 1 semester and took multiple celestial navigation courses .  The planetarium could use their projector to show space(stars, planets) from any angle,any place, at any time.  It is still in use today.
Vann
]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 16:41:58 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142881#142881 Good/Bad Timing : That must have been quite a sight... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142876#142876 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 10:25am

That must have been quite a sight to see, and the only lunar eclipse this year. I still remember the total solar eclipse I was able to see when I was a kid. Still have the pics such as they are. Taken through a welders helmet glass of course. A lunar eclipse is much better for the average person because you can watch it with unprotected eyes.]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 10:25:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142876#142876 Good/Bad Timing : Oh I forgot to post the other... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142875#142875 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 9:39am

Oh I forgot to post the other shot, about an hour later, of the lunar eclipse this morning:




]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 09:39:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142875#142875 Good/Bad Timing : Did someone say Hockey playoffs?... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142874#142874 Author: Leo B
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 6:37am

Did someone say Hockey playoffs? My Bruins are looking good!!]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 06:37:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142874#142874 Good/Bad Timing : Originally posted by fwunder I&#039;m... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142872#142872 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 6:24am

Originally posted by fwunder


I'm sure you folks will tell me if I did right and help me get it wired up right.


You did right.

Now get a propane conversion kit for the Honda and leave the smelly gasoline at home!]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 06:24:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142872#142872 Good/Bad Timing : Cool shot, I like looking at the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142870#142870 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 6:11am

Cool shot, I like looking at the moon, stars as well as seeing satellites flying by on a clear night.

Andy
]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 06:11:26 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142870#142870 Good/Bad Timing : Speaking of timing....this morning&#039;s... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142869#142869 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14662
Posted: 26 May 2021 at 5:39am

Speaking of timing....this morning's lunar eclipse, snapped with a smartphone, getting started:






]]> Wed, 26 May 2021 05:39:27 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142869#142869 Good/Bad Timing : DEAL! I love it when a plan comes... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142866#142866 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:14pm

DEAL! I love it when a plan comes together!

Andy]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 21:14:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142866#142866 Good/Bad Timing : You hold my beer and I&#039;ll... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142865#142865 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:07pm

You hold my beer and I'll do the first part.

I'll hold your beer and you do the second part...and we'll plug it in!

Deal? Smile

fred
]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 21:07:11 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142865#142865 Good/Bad Timing : Oops, here is the 2nd link...darn... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142863#142863 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:03pm

Oops, here is the 2nd link...darn phat thumbs and hockey playoffs don't mix!

http://www.micro-air.com/kb-easystart/cat_installation.cfm]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 21:03:19 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142863#142863 Good/Bad Timing : Here is the link to a video showing... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142862#142862 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 9:02pm

Here is the link to a video showing the install. I saved it for myself as I bought an EasyStart for our trailer as well...for when it finally arrives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soP0uZFd0nQ&feature=emb_rel_end

And a 2nd link that connects to the easy start knowledge bank!

A good start and of course, we can come back here if and when required.

Andy

]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 21:02:01 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142862#142862 Good/Bad Timing : Before we get in trouble and... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142857#142857 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:35pm

Before we get in trouble and bringing this back on track..

I ordered the MicroAir EasyStart 364 for my 178 to go with my new Honda EU2200i. I understand I may have not needed to, but seems like a good thing. I'm sure you folks will tell me if I did right and help me get it wired up right. I didn't order the "connection kit". I got boxes of connectors and crimpers that should work, right?

Hey, so who has gone with an extended tank option with their Honda?

fred
]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 20:35:48 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142857#142857 Good/Bad Timing : I say nothing...as that can get... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142855#142855 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:27pm

I say nothing...as that can get me in trouble! ]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 20:27:40 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142855#142855 Good/Bad Timing : Bad enough trying to take a... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142853#142853 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 8:05pm

Bad enough trying to take a sight on a rolling boat. Can't imaging trying to get a fix in a bouncing plane! You're right, celestial nav is a fabulous and still useful skill! 

Ya know, one thing that has stuck with me through all my years of being without "position fixes" is a sense of where I am. Dead reckoning. You get a feel of wind and wave and current and and sometimes temperature and how fast you are moving. You know where the sun is and where it is moving.  You plot your position every hour or few based on that. Sometimes you just do it it your head. Can be surprisingly accurate. It's not rocket science. Been done for centuries.

Maybe it's just the folks I travel with, but I'm really surprised how people around me have such a bad sense of position/direction - even when the sun is shining in her their face! LOL

fred
]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 20:05:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142853#142853 Good/Bad Timing : It flashed me back to my days... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142850#142850 Author: campman
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 7:45pm

It flashed me back to my days working on C130's as well...I worked on them (and a couple other types at the same time)...they used to train new Air Force navigators how to navigate in C130's and that included special sextants that could work through the overhead cockpit access hatch that had a special attachment for it while in flight.

That is a good skill to have if all goes South and all our fancy electronics are suddenly unavailable. Also still handy to know when flying in the far north but maybe that is all fixed up now with satellites and GPS coverage.

The pilots could hear the baby navs struggling and would try to help out on the intercom saying things to the effect of,,,"I have never seen Churchill from this angle before ...".

Ahhh, funny stuff eh?'

Andy
]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 19:45:18 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142850#142850 Good/Bad Timing : This was just a such a major flashback,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142846#142846 Author: fwunder
Subject: 14662
Posted: 25 May 2021 at 7:11pm

This was just a such a major flashback, in a different way, than it was for you Andy.

For a few years in the 80's I delivered/captained yachts up and down the coast, the Bahamas and the GOM. I was never good at celestial. Maybe a noon shot or full moon. I would rely on dead reckoning for the most, which I was very good at, LORAN which was sketchy or RDF which a cheap AM radio worked pretty well. We didn't have GPS and SAT nav was scarce.

The (usually) most accurate navigation was freighter fixes. We would see a super tanker or other ship on the horizon. Ask them where they were ( position fix ) and there ya go! Kinda like hitch hiking on the high seas! I was doing that in my twenties and early thirties so you can understand. LOL.

I should stop now..

fred
]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 19:11:16 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14662&PID=142846#142846