Generator compartive field study

By: Justin Kitson  

Generators are essential for fieldwork done by consultants often exposed to remote areas where electricity is not available.

A Goscor Engines customer recently did an intensive study to establish which generators are suitable for use with sensitive equipment such as the Cedip product range where spike and dips in power supply are very unhealthy for the equipment used.

Prior to doing the comparative study the customer, working in the field as a logistics consultant, used battery supplies as equipment power source. He found battery supply as power source extremely limiting due to limited battery life.

Subsequently the consultant tried using UPS as a power supply especially when he did demonstration work but also found that time is a factor as the UPS also ran out of power, often at crucial points during a demonstration.

Traditional generators were not suitable either as dips and spikes occurs damaging the sensitive equipment used during demonstrations.

New generation (Inverter technology) generators were therefore considered as it includes power saving mode, are capable of delivering increased power on demand and are also equipped with a built in inverter circuit that protects sensitive electronics. These generators also have a 12V output, which is great especially when batteries have to be charged. Light-weight, compact in size and low noise levels are also an advantage especially when field demonstrations are done.



"Based on price and performance if I was looking for a system to operate my field set-up, I would opt for the Robin Subaru Generator. I did a demo for our Department of Environmental Affairs (Marine and Coastal Management - Anti-poaching task force) using the Robin, and it performed beautifully" said the client.

The set-up included:
1 x JADE LR
1 x pc (laptop)
1 x 21" LCD TV screen
1 x Video recorder
1 x light fitting
Robin Subaru R1700i generator

The generator did not switch up to provide additional power. It remained in low power mode, thus providing more than 5 hours continuous use with no need to top up the petrol. The demonstration took place less than 10 meters from the generator, and could hardly be heard above the conversation level.

The only advantage of the more expensive generators, is that if you require a higher power rating than offered by the single generator, you can purchase an optional extension that allows you to connect two generators of the same model and rating in parallel, thus putting out double the power rating of a single generator. The output remains clean, spike-free and in phase.

Having taken all features and price into consideration the Robin Subaru R1700i generator holds its own in the market place as it is seldom that higher power ratings are required.

Author biography:
Justin Kitson is manager at Goscor engines, generator and pumps based in South Africa distributing Robin Subaru engines, pumps and generators in Southern Africa.


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