Re: OT-portable generator question

Posted by downsouth on August 25, 2011 at 07:29:00 from (64.12.116.74):

In Reply to: OT-portable generator question posted by Nancy Howell on August 25, 2011 at 06:29:56:

Google is your friend......I thought James taught you that!!!

First, definition of inverter (websters.com): A device used to convert
direct current into alternating current

Inverter generators are an inexpensive way to produce low wattage
(under 5000 watts) and sometimes even low rpm generators. This is done
by utilizing a small engine - a dc alternator - an inverter.

Engine could be of any type, but the smaller they are, the cheaper
they are to operate, especially when fed gasoline, and the quietness
is a bonus.

The DC alternator is not any larger than what you will find on a car.
As long as you can get 12 - 24 - 36 volts out of the unit, you are
okay.

Inverter can be of any type or brand. The modern inverters are what
they term as "modified sine wave". (A "real" sine wave inverter will
throw everything out of the ballpark.)

So why is this type of machine manufactured? The answer is simple.
CHEAP to manufacture and CHEAP to ship. Reducing costs increases
profit and if you market correctly, increases profit even more.

Honda was the first to market an inverter generator. They claim that
it is safer for electronics and so forth. Todays electronics are so
much improved in regards to technology and ac current that I see it as
hardly necessary. (Unless we were talking about some kind of critical
testing equipment, this issue is not an issue.)

In the USA we operate on electricity with 60Hz. The power company has
a fluctuation of +/- 8% (or similar). Electronics manufacturers know
this. Therefore manufacturers build products with this in mind.

Here are more example to further the point.

Go to www.rrindustry.com - they are distributors of diesel generators,
tractors and other industrial equipment (soon to offer inverters, I
believe)

-These generators are 4-pole generators.
-A 4-pole generator must turn at 1800 rpm, to produce 60 hertz. 1500
rpm to produce 50 hertz, as in Europe.

The only way a generator of today's manufacture, with electronics of
today, will cause any damage is if you have a generator that has a
"runaway" engine. In other words it does not or cannot maintain a
constant speed of 1800 rpm. When the engine speed increases
dramatically, more than 300 rpm on a 4-pole generator, then the hertz
increases beyond design limits. The opposite is true also.

Inverters look at input voltage, not rpm's. If you were to go out of
range with respect to the input voltage, then an inverter just shuts
down.

What are design limits, electronics manufacturers will not say but
common sense tells us that US products are not meant to be used at
50Hz, so it would most likely be safe that they are not designed to be
used at 70Hz.

The power companies are always fighting this factor and that why
surges cause electronic failure.

In closing, if you are looking at buying a generator, falling for the
marketing trick of "you will damage your electronics" just simply is
not necessary. Save your money. If you feel you have something
extremely critical, then buy an inverter for that product to use in
conjunction with a generator. Still cheaper.

By the way, for computers, battery back ups are a great way to
"condition power", for the computer. One time they were a must to
protect against surges but compute power supplies have improved
drastically over the last 15 years.

Replies:

• Re: OT-portable generator question MarkB_MI 08:42:34 08/25/11 (0)
• Re: OT-portable generator question pete black 08:33:36 08/25/11 (1)
  • Re: OT-portable generator question pete black 08:34:49 08/25/11 (0)

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