Question How do I use a petrol electric generator, to power a laptop?

[Bill745897]

So how does this work for off grid scenario's it seems like the combustion engine simply doesn't work well with a lap top because the engine produces alot of electricity very fast using up fuel fast and the laptop only needs a small amount of electricity but for a long time.

How exactly does this work because alot of other electrical appliances "off grid" have the same issue.

Thanks bros!

 

[USAFRet]

So how does this work for off grid scenario's it seems like the combustion engine simply doesn't work well with a lap top because the engine produces alot of electricity very fast using up fuel fast and the laptop only needs a small amount of electricity but for a long time.

How exactly does this work because alot of other electrical appliances "off grid" have the same issue.

Thanks bros!

The generator is providing what it wants to.
The fact that the laptop only uses a little, does not matter to the generator.

 

[stonecarver]

because the engine produces alot of electricity very fast using up fuel fast and the laptop only needs a small amount of electricity but for a long time.

That absolutely correct. Off grid is a balance. For 90 % of our daily items with very well thought out power usage per item with a solar + battery back up system will run your fridge , computers , lights and only on the big stuff like microwave kick on the gas generator and when done with heavy load cut it back off.

 

[Eximo]

Or get a more advanced battery backup system that has generator starting options, and a generator with remote start capabilities. Set a threshold for when you want the battery to be charged by the generator vs slower inputs like solar, or set a demand limit.

Really depends on how automatic you want it to be.

 

[LordVile]

The generator is providing what it wants to.
The fact that the laptop only uses a little, does not matter to the generator.

Kinda does because generators can change their power output by altering their RPM and fuel consumption. Though I would look into a diesel generator as they are more efficient and last longer.

Or you can get a massive power bank like anker sell.

 

[BFG-9000]

Inverter generators are generally better for electronics as they produce DC as an intermediate step + the AC output is created exactly like how a UPS does it, so spikes and dips are much less likely. SMPS power bricks generally do not care if they receive sinewave or a stepped-approximation of one and may actually be somewhat more efficient with the latter.

Conventional generators must run at exactly 1800rpm or 3600rpm (depending on how they are wound) in order to produce 60Hz AC and an auto-throttle must be used to maintain that regardless of load. Needless to say this throttle takes time to work and if large loads are switched on or off with these you get voltage sag and spikes, respectively until the throttle can adjust. And that can toast your electronics.

Even at a constant RPM, with less of a load less throttle is needed so less fuel is used. But inverter generators can idle much more quietly as they can actually reduce RPM while maintaining 60Hz AC.