Glossary of terms.
Absorption is once the battery reaches its set voltage (normally 2.4VPC) the charger enters the next stage. The voltage is now held constant and the battery is left to absorb the remaining current. The batteries resistance is now much higher so the current flowing to the battery is much less. This stage is usually times between 4-6 hours after which the charger will enter its final stage.
AC energy is an abbreviation of Alternating Current energy.
Alternating Current (AC) is a term used for a flow of energy that's direction does not remain constant such as is that from 'direct current'. AC is the most efficient energy transmition and is a sine wave circuit.
Alternator is a word used to describe a device that converts energy created by a machine into AC energy.
AMF is an abbreviation for Automatic Mains Failure.
Automatic Mains Failure panel is wired into your house mains. This panel constantly monitors the mains power that is feeding into the house and when it detects that there is a lack in power it sends a signal to the generator. The generator has a panel mounted onto it (roughly 4" square and flat to the side) and this detects the signal from the AMF panel to start. The generator starts up when it receives this signal and feeds the power to the household. While this is in motion, the AMF panel continues to monitor the power from the mains electricity and when it detects that there is power back again, it sends a signal to the generator to stop and flicks back over to receiving power from the mains grid once again.
Bulk / Boost is the first stage of battery charging. The batteries internal resistance is low and the charger will provide its maximum output current. This will bring the battery up to approsximately 80%.
Butane is a form of LPG and is mainly used outside of the UK.
dB(A) - also known as decibels, is an English and American standard of noise measurement.
DC is an abreviation for Direct Current, is the alternative to AC and most commonly produced by batteries etc.
Direct Current (DC) is produced by batteries and solar cells to name a few. DC can flow through wire conductors, semi conductors, insulators etc. DC flows in a constant direction unlike Alternating Current (AC).
Eco throttle is a load dependant speed setting that slows down the revs of the engine to provide you with just the power that you need. Therefore, this switch will save you on your fuel costs as the engine is not working as hard as it can all the time. Also this results in less ware and tear on the engine and will reduce the volume that comes from the generator. These are usually found on small, genuine EU series Honda generators.
Float is the point that a battery will be deemed fully charged after having absorbed the remaining current. The charge voltage is now dropped to approximately 2.25VPC. This will not charge the battery but will stop the battery from self discharge. If any load is applied to the battery then the whole process will start again.
Horizontal downwind a generator shaft that is positioned horizontally where wind hits the tower first then blade
Horizontal upwind a generator shaft that is positioned horizontally where wind hits the blades before the tower
Horse Power is a term used to measure the power of an engine and is abreviated to HP sometimes.
HP is an abreviation of Horse Power. This is a term used to measure the power of an engine.
Hydroelectric power is another term for water power.
Inverter/charger (Combi unit) has all the benefits of a fully automatic charger along with the added benefits of an inverter built in to one box with an automatic transfer switch.
Killowatt is a measure of power and is equal to 1000 watts.
kW is an abreviation of killowatts where 1 killowatt is equal to 1000 watts of power.
LPG is an abbreviation for Liquid Petrolium Gas. This is a form of fuel and comes in propane and butane.
Lwa is a European standard measurement of sound.
Photovoltaic device is another term for what is generally called a solar cell which is used in solar power.
Propane is a form of LPG and is most commenly used in the UK for powering engines and barbecues.
Pure Sinewave is basically 'Clean Power' such as an AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator.) This makes generators suitable for sensitive equipment such as TV's and computers.
Renewable Energy is a term used to describe energy that is created from a number of natuarl sources such as water, wind, and sun.
Solar Cells are used to capture the solar energy and are part of the solar panels that do just that.
Solar Energy is the light that is produced from the sun and is used in our industry to produce solar power.
Solar Panels are what is used to collect the solar energy from the sun to generate solar power for us.
Solar Power is the term used of which we can take the solar energy from the sun and focus it into solar panels in order to generate electricity and power.
Vertical Axis is a generator shaft that is positioned vertically with the blades pointing up with the generator mounted on the ground or a short tower.
Water Power is the term used to generate electricity from a water wheel or dam system. This is also knows as Hyroelectric power.
Wind Energy Converter is the scientific name for a wind generator, which is used to create wind power.
Wind Power is the term used to generate electricity for us by using a wind turbine.