Electricity Generators & Battery Chargers

Generators & Battery Chargers

During winter, many, if not most, customers may experience an energy production shortfall. While a 5kW solar array can yield 50kW on a sunny summer day, this output can drop to as low as 2.5kW during winter, even under optimal sunny conditions. While the issue is less severe for installations with angled panels, it poses a significant challenge for those with flat roofs.

For boats equipped with propulsion engines, owners can start them to generate electricity and heat water, provided it doesn’t disturb neighbors. However, installations without engines will usually require a generator.

It’s crucial that your generator produces pure sine wave electricity. At our company, all our products generate pure sine wave electricity, ensuring compatibility with our hybrid inverters and power stations. Recognizing its superiority in battery charging, we also offer a select range of French-made 48V battery chargers.

For detailed guidance on product selection, please refer to the sections below.

Generator Capacity

Nerator inverters are readily available with nominal capacities ranging from 2 to 10kW at 230V. We anticipate that the majority of our customers, excluding those on sailing yachts and perhaps some narrowboats, will possess domestic battery banks of at least 5kW. However, it’s crucial to consider the recharge time when selecting a generator. For instance, a 2kW generator would require 25 hours to recharge a flat 48V/50A battery. Opting for a 3kW generator reduces this time to 16 hours. Yet, it’s essential to verify the maximum output amperage allowable.

It’s worth noting that utilizing a battery charger is more efficient (albeit pricier) than connecting your generator directly to the hybrid inverter. If connecting to the hybrid inverter, ensure it’s configured for a maximum main battery charge amperage lower than what the generator can supply. These considerations can be daunting, and few suppliers are equipped to provide comprehensive answers. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us for personalized advice.

For reference, a 2kW generator can either power a 25A battery charger or provide equivalent power to the hybrid inverter, which subsequently charges the batteries.

Technical Considerations

FUEL for generators can be
  • Diesel
  • Petrol
  • LPG
  • Petrol or LPG

Many boat owners are deeply reluctant to allow petrol on board, but have gas for cooking and diesel for propulsion. However most smaller (under 5Kw) generators are petrol powered only.

STARTING can be

  • Manual, or
  • Electric

Electric starting is confined to larger diesel powered sets. Some have the option of being started automatically by the hybrid inverter if the battery charge level falls below a set threshold. (Dry contact)

Charger Capacity

If you need a battery charger, then we assume that you have a generator, although the same battery charger can also be plugged into the grid. A 2Kw generator can supply a maximum of 30A to a 48v charger. We therefore recommend just 2 inverters – one of 20A and the other of 25A. There are 10A chargers readily available, but our experience is that the net charge rate (charge – current consumption) is insufficient to charge a domestic battery bank of 5Kw or more.

Our Suppliers

The Honda and Hyundai brands are well known in this market, not generally very brand sensitive. We have had good personal experience of Sheppach and Konner Sohnen. Those therefore are the manufcturers the products of whom we offer here.