Honda
develops LPG -powered portable generator
(April 30, 2012) In what
will be welcome news to many electricity-challenged Asian communities, Honda
Motor Co has announced a portable generator capable of generating electricity
by using propane gas which is far cleaner than the standard diesel or gasoline
powered units.
The company
will start to provide the generator to businesses that deal with liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) gas apparatuses in the summer of 2012.
Honda
developed the generator based on the "EU9i," the company's existing
generator that uses gasoline as fuel and has a rated output of 900VA. Consumer
needs for private power generators that can be used in a time of emergency are
increasing, particularly in Japan and China where a huge increase of power
outages are expected this year.
The new generator
uses propane gas, which is used for gas apparatuses in households throughout
Asia and does not deteriorate much even when left unused for a long period of
time. A gas container can be easily attached to the generator in emergency
situations.
With 50kg
of LP gas, the generator can be operated for about 100 hours. It is possible to
connect two generators in parallel and realize a maximum output power of
1,800VA. Also, it can be used even in low-temperature environments (external
temperature: -15°C) such as winter and nighttime.