12-Volt Dc Loads; Power Output And Demand - Westinghouse 2400i Instruction Manual

OPERA TION
A - 15 Ampere
Figure 12 – 240-Volt AC Three-Pin Plugs
NOTICE
DO NOT connect any 240-Volt AC device that is
fitted with a three-pin 20 A plug. This can overload
the generator.
See 240-Volt AC Extension Cords on page 21 for
detailed instructions concerning their selection and
use.

12-Volt DC Loads

12-Volt DC devices can be connected either directly
or via an electrical extension cord not exceeding
3.5 m in length into the 12-Volt DC outlet on the
generator's control panel. Pull out the weather
resistant stopper on the outlet for access to connect
the electrical device or cord, and re-insert it after
use.
NOTICE
The generator's 12-Volt DC electrical output
is unregulated. DO NOT connect any 12-Volt
DC device that may be damaged by voltage
fluctuations.
12-Volt DC devices or extension cords must be
fitted with a cigarette lighter plug for connection to
the generator as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 – 12-Volt DC Cigarette Lighter Plug
20
B - 10 Ampere
WARNING
Never insert an automotive cigarette
lighter into the 12-Volt DC outlet. The
heated lighter may ignite the fuel
causing an explosion or fire.

Power Output and Demand

There are two limits to the amount of electric power
that the generator can usefully provide: (a) its total
240-Volt AC or 12-Volt DC electric power generating
capacity or power output and (b) the electric current
or power output capacity of each individual 240-Volt
AC or 12-Volt DC outlet.
The generator's total power output measured in
Watts is listed in the Specifications (see page 39).
Two 240-Volt AC power outputs are specified for
the generator, namely the running power and the
starting power. A single 12-Volt DC power output is
also specified.
NOTICE
DO NOT overload the generator's 240-Volt AC or
12-Volt DC circuits beyond their rated capacities.
This can result in damage to the generator or to
the connected devices.
The generator should not be run completely
unloaded for extended periods otherwise the engine
may be damaged. It is recommended that the
generator should always be operated with at least
one-third of its rated 240-Volt AC power output.
240-Volt AC devices have two different electric
power demands that must be taken into
consideration, namely the running power and the
starting power. Both are measured in Watts (typically
abbreviated as "W").
The steady state continuous load is the running
power demand and this is often marked on the
device near its model number or serial number.
Sometimes the device might only be marked with
its voltage (i.e. 240 Volt or 240 V) and current draw
(e.g. 6 Ampere or 6 Amp or 6 A), in which case the
running power demand in Watts can be obtained by
multiplying the voltage times the current, e.g. 240 V
× 6 A = 1,440 W.
Simple resistive 240-Volt AC devices such as
incandescent bulbs, toasters, heaters, etc. have
no extra power demand when starting, and so
their starting power demands are the same as their
running power demands.
More complex 240-Volt AC devices containing
inductive or capacitive elements such as electric
motors have a momentary extra power demand
when starting, which can be up to seven times the
running