Regular generator runs a fixed speed and makes a natural sine wave.
Inverter generators only run as fast as needed to make the power demanded. The variable output of the generator is fed into a sinewave inverter to keep the voltage and frequency in the proper range.
The inverter generator will run quieter and use less fuel when it can throttle back close to idle. They also generally have more sound insulation and the design is to limit mechanical noise so they run quieter. You cannot just redo the muffler on a load generator to make it quiet.
I noticed that the 'alton generator' wave form is from a 'Brushless' generator( this was not mentioned ) NOT one with brushes & AVR like the Onan's, Genirac's, Champions, etc.. and although they showed a scope form of the honda UI and various UPS units, they did not show utility line power or power from Brushed generators with AVR's
Options, always have options, and the journey goes much smoother ....
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I'm not saying a standard generator won't work; obviously they do ( I have one as a standby generator at home) just that the waveform from most non inverter generators is not as pure as that of the Honda & Yamaha inverter generators.
There are two major differences, I don't know if they have both been covered
A quality INVERTER generator SUCH as the Honda Eu#000i line supplies very clean power, Usually it is better than what comes out of the hole in the wall at home (I say usually because it is always possible for shore power to be clean,, RARE but possible). Many "Contractor" types have wave forms that look like a wolly caterpillar crawlling across the scope. and may have spikes well over 200 volts on the screen as well.. Quality inverter units are a very sweet sine wave and no spikes..
Second is noise.. Hondas inverter generators are one of the two Quietiest internal combustion generators made.. Yahams's are the other one, it's up to the listener to figure out which is #1.. I can't (1db difference)
NOTE: there are quiteter generators. but,, Sterlings are a bit rare and pricey, they are also not internal combustion.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
"Hondas inverter generators are one of the two Quietiest internal combustion generators made..."
Well .... not quite true. My portable NON-VERTER internal combustion generator runs at a sound level of only 54dB at it's full 3600 rpm. (Ooops ... it's a Honda ... but no longer in production - their obsolete EX650. So 3600 rpm generators can be made quiet.
FWI, probably Honda's sine wave only looks like a sine wave on a scope if you don't examine it at high enough magnification. I think they're most likely creating a simulated sine waveform using a whole bunch of digital steps that are so small that your equipment performs as if it was being powered by true sine wave energy. As mentioned above, sine waves from rotating generators have no "steps" so they are true continuous sine waves. However these true sine waves can be "dirty" with spikes, glithes, varying voltage amplitudes, etc. due to other factors.
pnichols wrote: "Hondas inverter generators are one of the two Quietiest internal combustion generators made..."
Well .... not quite true. My portable NON-VERTER internal combustion generator runs at a sound level of only 54dB at it's full 3600 rpm. (Ooops ... it's a Honda ... but no longer in production - their obsolete EX650. So 3600 rpm generators can be made quiet.
The decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit of measurement. A decibel is one tenth of a bel. An example is when equally-spaced divisions on the vertical axis of a chart are labelled 1, 10, 100, 1000, instead of 1, 2, 3, 4.
Simple terms, 1 dB is TEN times LESS than 2 dB. So, if your old generator is rated at 54dB, compared to the new Honda inverter types rated at 53dB on "Eco Mode" setting, your generator is TEN TIMES louder than the EU2000i series.
pnichols wrote: FWI, probably Honda's sine wave only looks like a sine wave on a scope if you don't examine it at high enough magnification. I think they're most likely creating a simulated sine waveform using a whole bunch of digital steps...
WHAAAT???? That's a new one I've never heard of. So an oscilliscope is lying??? Or is "mistaken???"
You're using the words like "probably," "I think...", "most likely," "whole bunch"... Come on, stop guessing. You're wrong. The Honda's and Yamaha new inverter types produce a pure sine wave at 60 Hertz. Pure and simple.
Quote: Simple terms, 1 dB is TEN times LESS than 2 dB. So, if your old generator is rated at 54dB, compared to the new Honda inverter types rated at 53dB on "Eco Mode" setting, your generator is TEN TIMES louder than the EU2000i series.
A 1db level change is barely noticeable. 3db is a doubling of power while it takes 10db increase to produce a perceived doubling of loudness. Decibels - Wikipedia & Decibels - HyperPhysics
Home AC is produced by a generator and is "clean". Just because an inverter makes the AC doesn't make more suitible for electronics. Get the facts.
You might want to take a look at the waveforms of an inverter generator compared to a standard one before making this statement: Power Quality form Various Backup Devices.
Thanks Jon, What a great webpage snag
For my home solar system I found a 2000w pure sine wave UPS, $895 delivered.
I'll be glad to back up his statement. I have both a Honda 3500 watt construction generator and a Magna 3000 digital/inverter. I have checked the output of both with my Fluke Scopemeter. I regulated the Honda to put out as near to 60 cycles as I can but it still varies according to the load and there are also harmonics that I've observed on the waveform. I checked my Magna and the voltage and cycles stay dead accurate with a clean sine wave.
While this won't be true of all generator comparisons, in my case I've found the digital/inverter much more friendly to electronics.
Bill J., Lexington, KY
2006 Starcraft 2500RKS 25' Travel Trailer
2000 Excursion Ltd. 7.3 PSD
Is it possible you or perhaps someone else, will show a scope view of the Honda k/o 3500w type and a Inverter like a Honda/Magna/Honeywell S/W. along with common out of the wall we all use. Would be interesting the see the three to compare.
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