New Inverter/putt putts other than honda powering 4k PFC

[heathfranklin]

There have been a number of new entrants to the 'silenced' inverter genny field lately. Hondas have been great but I recently was intrigued by champion's 3400w (3100w continuous) genny @ $1k-ish. I saw that they have a parallel-kit that will give a single 50amp 120v twist lock for $60 or so. Two of those in parallel are around half the price of the honda 7000 with the flexibility of breaking the two apart to use as singles. Yes, the champion is a bit louder. We put one through hell on a feature and it has been rock solid.

I have a latest-gen MR 4000/2500 head with a MR-branded power gems 425 PFC ballast. I have the 240v 30 amp twist lock to 60 amp bates paddle pigtail for running off a honda. But I'm wandering if two of these champions will work to strike the 4k @ 120v.

- does turning the dimmer all the way down (50%) reduce the current draw when striking? then i can ramp up to 4k without the draw of striking at 100%?
- the champions are rated for 3100w continuous each but the 50amp receptacle from parallel-ing is only 120v which is 6000watts (theoretical) max.

Should I pick up another champion and the parallel kit? Will this work? i am really only looking to power the 4k.

or - are there other, better alternatives to 4k power? i'm working out of a sprinter these days and the honda 6500/7000 route is tough.

 

[Ulf Krentz]

I´m not sure how power gems handles this, but usually electronic ballasts will power up the lamp to full working specs and release the dimming function after reaching this condition. Your option might be to use the 2500W lamp, it will probably work but still close to the edge. Have you already read this?:http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?160632-2x-Arri-M18-s-amp-1x-Honda-7000