Need 10 amp test load for generator

[Dengue]

Hi, it is cyclone season up here in the tropics, and my 240 volt standby generator is playing up. The repair shop has recommended running it with a 10 amp load for a couple of hours.

My pool pump is only 4.3 amps. I tried running a fan heater, but the thermostat cut out - the ambient was already at that setting.

Can anyone please suggest what I can use for a 10 amp load for that period of time?

[BobL]

Hi, it is cyclone season up here in the tropics, and my 240 volt standby generator is playing up. The repair shop has recommended running it with a 10 amp load for a couple of hours.

My pool pump is only 4.3 amps. I tried running a fan heater, but the thermostat cut out - the ambient was already at that setting.

By thermostat do mean the thermal cut out switch on the heater or an overload switch on the generator?

[RETIRED]

Have you got a couple of machines you can run? Depending on the size of the generator 10 amps may be near max load.

[BobL]

Have you got a couple of machines you can run? Depending on the size of the generator 10 amps may be near max load.

Machines/motors that need 10A are likely to require even higher start up currents which a generator cannot provide so the motors may not start .and is why it is recommended a generator be able to provide about double the power. This could also be the problem with a fan blower heater because the resistance for these devices is low the inrush currents will be high. A fan heater that can be switched through low-med-hi settings might be able to get up to the mac load of a generator.

[Vernonv]

... because the resistance for these devices is low the inrush currents will be high.

My electronics/electrical knowledge is a little rusty, but I thought a purely resistive load would not suffer from inrush current. Certainly inrush current is a problem with inductive loads (like a transformer or motor).

[DavidG]

Try a 2 bar 2400w electric heater. or 2 by one bar 1200 w heaters.

[BobL]

My electronics/electrical knowledge is a little rusty, but I thought a purely resistive load would not suffer from inrush current. Certainly inrush current is a problem with inductive loads (like a transformer or motor).

Sure but many resistive loads are temp dependent so when the heater element is cold it will pull more current, then as it heats up it will become more resistive and draw less current. While the heating happens very quickly but it may upset some systems. The resistance of a nichrome heater element at room temp is about 40% less than when it is fully heated.

[Dengue]

By thermostat do mean the thermal cut out switch on the heater or an overload switch on the generator?

Hi BobL, it was the thermal cutout switch on the heater that operated.

Also, the generator is rated at 20 Amps, and has two 10 A GPOs on it. Hence the reason for the need for a 10A load, one per circuit if I wanted to apply full load.

Agree that a 2.4 kW bar radiator would be excellent, except, I can't find one anywhere

[BobL]

Hi BobL, it was the thermal cutout switch on the heater that operated.

Also, the generator is rated at 20 Amps, and has two 10 A GPOs on it. Hence the reason for the need for a 10A load, one per circuit if I wanted to apply full load.

Agree that a 2.4 kW bar radiator would be excellent, except, I can't find one anywhere

OK that's good if it is a 20A benny.
How many kW is your fan heater?
I presume the fan heater works OK on mains V?

[SAISAY]

If your gennie is hard wired into the house, just let it run the house for a couple of hours.
That's what we do.
Especially the washing machine makes the gennie work hard.

[Handyjack]

Not sure if this is any help.
I had a look at my wall paper steamer and it is rated at 2000w, which I reckon is 8.3amp. It has a run time of up to 80 minutes if it starts off full.
I realise it is not the 10amp you are looking for, but used with another item, could give you 10amps. Wall paper steamers should be a little bit easier to find than bar heaters at this time of year, and you will probably be able to hire for a half or full day rather than buy.
Another alternative could be an urn, but you would need to watch it as the thermostat will cut in and out.