alt.energy.homepower

On Feb 24, 12:50=A0am, "Daniel Who Wants to Know"
wrote:
> I am helping do an engine swap on a 91 Caravan and we are using the
> generator to power lights. =A0The problem seems to be that the gen really
> doesn't like inductive loads as it ran the fluorescent lights or a metal
> halide light separately but not both together. =A0With both on the voltage=

> drops and the lights just flash on and off while the engine just loafs wit=
h
> no signs of being bogged down at all. =A0I need to know if I can use some =
of
> the motor run capacitors I have laying around to power factor correct the
> lights and make them all work at the same time. =A0The total load should b=
e
> about half of the 750 watts continuous that this one claims to supply. =A0=
As a
> test I plugged in a small toaster oven and the engine bogged right down so=
I
> know the gen is capable of supplying good power.

Sorry, the whole thing makes no sense to me. Most electrical
appliances were designed for cheap and abundant electricity. An
automobile engine is one of the least efficient ways possible to
generate electricity. Efficient LED or fluorescent lighting, and a few
electronics are the only few things that have to be powered by
electricity. Nearly everything else can be done with gas, wood or
manually. All that's required is to lose the "switch-on convenience"
mentality.