E-Bike Charger to Generator Power

[QuietKat-Tech]

Hello everyone! I have a question that I cannot figure out the answer to. I'm sure it is easy enough and I'm just a fool.

Question: We are trying to figure out how much power would a generator have to be (ACV and ACA) in-order to charge 3 E-bikes simultaneously.

The chargers in question outputs 54.6V DC at 2A DC. Draws AC100-240, Rate of 50/60Hz, at 2A. Is there a conversion or a simple answer?

My best guess is a generator that outputs 240VAC at 10A circuit.

Let me know what you think! Thank you so much!

 

[MadRhino]

If the chargers are drawing 2A each and you want to plug three at once, then they will draw 6A. Simple enough?

 

[QuietKat-Tech]

MadRhino, that is what I figured as well. I just wanted a few others opinions on the subject to make sure I wasn't missing something. Thank you for the reply!

 

[dogman dan]

And to finish the calculation, 6 amps x 120v is 720 watts. 10 amps of 240 would be 2400w

So one of those very affordable 800w 2 stroke generators will do er right? uh, not so fast. First you have the difference between peak start up watts, and continuous watts. Some cheaper generators will put out a lot less than rated start up watts continuous, and will pretty severely overstate continuous watts spec.

So here is what I have seen, from experience. The cheap 800w harbor freight generator is good for about 500w continuous, but is happier with about 400w. So I'm saying that one, it will charge two bikes, not three. And you might even have to start one, charge a while, and then start the second later when the first one is drawing less amps.

The next size up at harbor freight is a 2000w generator. They really did overstate that ones real world capability in my opinion. Its more like 1500w start up, and 1000w continuous. That is the smaller predator generator. But at 1000w continuous, it will charge all three for sure. You do pay more though, for quiet.

One the bright side, mine has been a good gennie for my RV. Very quiet, very much less stinky that the 2 stroke. But if I want to run my microwave or the AC on the house, no go. But its fairly cheap compared to a honda, reliable, and quiet. It will run all three at once for sure.

Your cheapest possible option is of course, the loud stinky 800w, and it will pull two chargers. Later on in the charge, when the chargers are only pulling one amp each, you could add the third one. Or, two of these cheap generators is still cheaper than the 2000w predator.

There are also larger, loud, but cheap 4 stroke generators. Those generally start at about 3000w, and cost less than the quiet generators. I run my RVs air conditioner on one, but its mighty loud.

 

[QuietKat-Tech]

dogman dan - That is a good observation, I think the customer that asked me this question was more concerned with what will suffice for 3 units being charged than the cost. We would be close to 1000w continuous draw for the charger side(6A x 163.8V = 982W). I will relay this information as it was extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

 

[MadRhino]

Consider that one of them bikers may replace his lame charger with a faster one some day. :wink:

Better have a safe margin.