So I'm sort of new to this project I'm doing. I made a miniature hydro-electric generator a few days ago, and to test it, I've just spun it as fast as possible by hand. It made 1 Volt, and the wire I used tested for 15 Ohms of resistance. Using Ohm's Law, I calculated about .06667 Amperes, and from that, I got .06667 Watts. So since I'm new to this, I was wondering, does this mean that it's like, .06667 Watts per second, or am I misunderstanding the definition of Watt?

Also, if I haven't misunderstood (which is doubtful), does this mean that after approx. 4.16 hours, I'd have made 1 kiloWatt?

[4.16 gotten by taking 1000 watts/1kW, divide by .06667 watts/1 second (not sure if the "second" part is right), take that, and divide by 3600 seconds/1hour]

so once again, that formula probably isn't right, but any help is appreciated.

Thank you very much.

-Foralis

The power is

P = V x I = volts x amprs = watts

P = 1 x 0.6667 = 0.6667 watts

The energy is:

E = P x Time

The time is in seconds or in hours, but not used 3600 seconds to converts. There are per definition.

E = P x Time = watts x hour = watts-Hour

E = 0,6667 x 4,16 = 2.77 watts-Hour

E = [ 2,77 / 1000 ], KWh = Kilowatts-Hour

E = 0,0028 KWh

I am planning to purchase a portable electric generator, and would like to know how to convert the known volts and amps that my refrigerator draws to watts that the generator puts out in order to know if the generator that I am buying will handle the load that I am putting on it in an emergency situation..(electric goes out). I am planning to purchase a 1000 watt generator and the refrigerator pulls 110 volts at 6.5 full load amps. I could get another 1000 watt generator for my furnace that pulls 110 volts at 10.8 amps. would a 1000 watt generator handle these loads seperatly? (one 1000 watt generator per load?)

A 1000 watt generator can support a total of 110 volts at 9 amps. The formula is Watts = Volts x Amps. If I were you, I would just purchase one larger generator around 5000 watts. Another idea is to purchase a small bank of solar panels and batteries. Use the panels to charge the batteries for when the power goes out.

I am currently running a Honda 5000 while we're without power. I'm just wondering -- does it make a different if I run 1000 watts of power from it or 5000 watts? Will I use less fuel if I hook up a smaller amount to it?

Thanks.

More power out will require more fuel going in. As the load increases the engine will consume more gasoline.
Efficiency is another issue. With no load attached, output power is 0 watts. Efficiency will be 0%. As the load increases fuel consumption will increase, but efficiency will be higher. Often maximum efficiency will occur at full rated power, even if this is the highest consumption point.
Read through my home generator page listed below for other ideas on safe and proper connection of your generator.

How many watts of electricity does the standard home vaccume cleaner use ? Will a 1000 watt portable generator run it ?

There is no "standard" figure.

Looking at an on-line catalogue I saw a range of machines which drew between 1100W and 2500W.

...to power my travel trailer?

this is a list of the appliances I will use, and aproximately for how long each day:

4 cu ft mini fridge nonstop
1000 watt microwave 15 mins
20 inch tv/satellite equip 5hours
laptop 5 hours
2 "standard" square fans nonstop
3 15 watt lights 8 hrs
stereo equipment 8 hrs
300 watts for whatever 2 hrs

considering that the place will be used year round, I personally figure that I should get two generators in case of a break down in one.

also, for the generator sixe that you recommend, any idea how much gas this will use in a day?

thanks a lot!
I was a bit worried about using ac because of the amount of power it would consume. In the area, the temp gets no hotter than 90 on the hottest day of the year, yet can get to -20 in the winter....guess i forgot to add that in...oops. I would stick with a model that would both heat and cool, that could easily do so in a 6 by 10 by 4.5 foot space

thanks for all of the responses!
also, I would have loved to use solar power, however thats too expensive at the present, although I am aware that i am just screwing myself by using a generator. my budget is no more than $1,000 inital cost for the generator itself...and I would hope that it wouldnt be more than $150 a week to gas up.
and at max load, everything may be running for 3 hrs a day however, either the tv or laptop would be off

General rule of thumb is buy a generator with twice the needed power.

Your math works out to a minimum 3000 watt generator. If you can afford it, I recommend a 5000 watt gen set. The reasoning is for future use besides the camper. Power tools require usually (depending on the tool) use approx 1500 watts, with a peak of 2500 when initially turned on.

I recently purchased a 7000 watt generator so that I can use 230 volt equipment, and it works great.

I don't see why I couldn't use my car's engine as a power generator. I would only need maybe 1000 watts.

The car is a 1990 Ford F350 diesel.

You'd be wasting too much fuel, though it "is" possible.

1) replace the existing alternator with some super-heavy-duty ones, ones that go in minibuses and such. As you aren't going to power any AC or such, you can probably power two of them together or with a Y formation.

2) Disconnect the trans and anything else not needed (AC, etc.) This is to make sure th engine run at max efficiency, minimal drag.

3) Get a high-cap inverter, to convert the 12V DC back into 120V AC. This will need to have some serious cooling for itself.

Depending on your setup, you should be able to generate 500-1000 watts depending on the capacity of your alternators and capacity of your batteries. I'd recommend you replace the batteries w/ some industrial-sized ones like 8D (about 120 LB each) and feed your power inverter from the battery. Don't forget a good UPS / surge protector "just in case".

I have frequent power cuts . my primary use is my computer.
I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of a generator
and inverter. my requirements are 1000 watts.

It depends on how long your power cuts happen and for the time length they happen for. If the are short, like 1 or 2 hours once a day or a couple days. if so us you look at getting an UPS(Uninterruptible power supply). If your power is drop for a more then 4 hours a time then you look at the Generator.

But for most people will just need an UPS. An Ups will give u more then the time u need to save any info you need. Generators willl cost a lot more and not as good for just a computer as an UPS will be.

No matter what u use. you need to make sure your router/modem for your intenet is also on the UPS. If it isnt' then when your power drops then so will your net.

There are a lot of different UPS out there for 250watts to 5000watts make sure u get one for the time lenght and watts needed.

I have a small 1000 watt generator that's never been used. In the manual it says that I should lubricate the engine by pouring a tablespoon full of SAE 10w30 or 20w40 motor oil into the spark plug hole and pulling the recoil several times before storing it. Should I also do this before I start it up for the first time? Also, what tips do you have for maintaining a small 2-stroke engine.

Yes, that would be good.
Run it under a full load periodically, then drain the fuel out that you don't use.

I have a 2 stroke 2 H.P 1000 watt generator (genmate).
I wan to operate it in the engine compartment of my 26 ft boat.
The exhaust port is a small diamter maybe 3/4 ".
If I connect a metal flex pipe with pipe strap and increase the diameter directly behind that connection my thought is to connect it to the bilge vent pipe while I'm stationary and using the generator. Does anyone see this as a problem with carbon monoxide or any other potential issues.
The other option is to just run it on the swim platform but I'm trying to avoid the noise.

Its a bad idea. besides the heat it makes since it is air cooled, the gas tank is vented directly into the bilge if you do this. That is a danderous situation. Metal flex pipe is not marine rated and also poses a high risk. Don't do it.

I have a pump unit that is 110 volt, 1/2 hp. Will a 1000 watt generator be enough to power it? It only needs to run for about 15 minutes at a time.

The rule of thumb for motors that have to start on generator power
is 100% of load + 100% of largest motor for generator capacity.
Your 1000W. generator can carry the running load of that pump,
but unless the pump starts 'unloaded', it might have trouble starting it.
If it's a centrifugal type pump you're probably OK, but it's a bit
'close to the edge'.