EG4 18a 48v Lifepo4 charger and Yamaha ET950 clone 1000w two stroke generator do not work together

[hwy17]

When I test a questionable idea I like to post the results to share with the internet.

I have tested connecting an EG4 18a 48v charger like this:



To a Yamaha clone two stroke generator like this:


And the result is they do not work together. The 18a charger cycles repeatedly enabling and then shutting off, I'm guessing because it doesn't like the voltage is getting on it's input. I tested this directly without any extension cord.

If you let it continue cycling I suppose you'd get some charge out of it, but it's not very nice and I wouldn't like to leave it running that way.

 

[FilterGuy]

The label on the generator says 800W (Running Watts). It also says 1000W but I can't read the label. I suspect that is a surge rating.

The charger is an 18A charger. At 51.2V that is 18A x 51.2V = 921W. If we assume a 95% efficiency, that means it will draw 921/.95 = 975W.

It looks to me like the generator is undersized. I suspect the generator is cutting out....waiting and then turning back on.

 

[Solar Guppy]

Real world is more like 90% efficiency at maximum output of the charger and LifeP04 charging voltages would be in the mid 50's so that far exceeds the ability of charger and it appears that likely has no voltage control as well.

Take a look at this video and look just how much the rpm drops with just an unloaded drill, zero chance this would ever work, even with a couple of amps it would seem from the video

 

[hwy17]

It does impressively well with some loads like a "3.5 HP" shop vac. It's not the generator that's cutting out, I can see it's the charger that's cutting itself off, but the charger is probably doing so because of the voltage drop from the generator.

I was hoping the charger might sort of "take what it can get" from a lower voltage, and deliver less of a charge, but oh well. Time for a better generator.

 

[FilterGuy]

It is not that either the generator or the charger are 'bad'.... they are just mismatched.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I've played around with one of those two stroke generators. Measure the output voltage when you apply a load that size, guarantee you're down in the 90v range. Release the load suddenly and watch the voltage and RPMs spike as the governor can't respond fast enough. 60hz is a vague suggestion.

I know the OP wasn't proposing anyone actually use one of these two stroke generators, just a "here's how this worked out" report. For anyone actually wondering about one of these, the original Yamaha genny might have been great, but these knockoffs are little better than toys. Save your pennies and get any of the small inverter gennies, even used. There's a used 2kw Predator genny in my area for $250 right now. Infinitely better choice.

 

[Balrog006]

EG4’s chargeverter has selectable amp inputs, you should be able to dial it down to use than gen. It’s 48v too.

 

[hwy17]

EG4’s chargeverter has selectable amp inputs, you should be able to dial it down to use than gen. It’s 48v too.

I did consider that. But I got a bigger four stroke generator for $60 on craigslist today.

 

[hwy17]

Outcome: I'm going to upgrade to this Pulsar dual fuel inverter generator.

It has 1600 rated watt output when running off propane, which should be just the right size to run the 18A charger on an extension cord.

https://www.amazon.com/Pulsar-Generator-Capability-Compliant-PG2200BiS/dp/B07J5HD8L9/

 

[Zapper77]

Outcome: I'm going to upgrade to this Pulsar dual fuel inverter generator.

It has 1600 rated watt output when running off propane, which should be just the right size to run the 18A charger on an extension cord.

https://www.amazon.com/Pulsar-Generator-Capability-Compliant-PG2200BiS/dp/B07J5HD8L9/

View attachment 170559

Should be sufficient.

57v * 18amps / .95 efficiency % / .80 Generator Load = 1,350 watts minimum generator running watts.

 

[hwy17]

Yeah, and with some overhead left to lose some watts on the 50 or 100ft extension cord too. (12awg, before anyone asks)