Hybrid generators - an interesting concept but do they actually exist?

[Crossy]

Whilst looking for something else I came across this http://www.pgen.ru/en/

 

Basically an inverter generator with an energy storage battery. The theory is that the engine only runs to re-charge the battery and does that at peak efficiency saving fuel and reducing noise. Similar idea to a hybrid vehicle.

 

I'm not convinced about the claimed savings. How much better than a regular inverter generator (that throttles the engine on low loads) is it in reality?

 

Anyone actually seen one (anywhere not necessarily in Thailand), the site seems to be some sort of Kickstarter only, no actual photos.

 

If you get the urge it shouldn't be too difficult to DIY something.

 

[carlyai]

Isn't there something like always load up a generator so the cylinder bore doesn't glaze? So shouldn't you always run a generator (diesel) at 80 % or so load? (Seem to remember this from engineering college).

Maybe it's not a diesel generator.

 

[Crossy]

10 minutes ago, carlyai said:

Isn't there something like always load up a generator so the cylinder bore doesn't glaze? So shouldn't you always run a generator (diesel) at 80 % or so load? (Seem to remember this from engineering college).

Maybe it's not a diesel generator.

 

It's petrol or LPG according to the site, but yes collective wisdom is that diesels don't like running off load.

 

The idea of this thing is that the load runs off the battery pack until it reaches minimum charge then the engine starts to re-charge the batteries and shuts down again when they are full. So you get full power (or close) runs where the engine efficiency is best.