AL wrote:

You snipped too much of my previous statements.

As I said, a cheap generator obtains 240V using a cost reduced method of
connecting two 120V circuits in series. As a consequence of this cheap
method of obtaining 240V, each 120V circuit is only capable of half of the
max output of the generator.

A fancy generator has a different type of winding, which allows max output
to be delivered to a single 120V circuit. In addition, it also has 240V.

"Richard J Kinch" wrote in message
. ..
AL writes:

Sorry, I mean to say "Cheap generators provide two separate 120V
circuits which are connected in SERIES to get 240V."

What has that got to do with being cheap? Some applications call for both
120 and 240.

I think you need to peruse the docs available on some of the major
generator manufacturers sites (Onan, Kohler, Generac, etc.) as you seem
to have a number of misunderstandings of the way alternators
(generators) are constructed.

All 120/240V single phase generators are composed of two 120V windings
in series which is the same as a 240V winding with a center tap. Some
120/240V single phase generators wind one of the 120V windings with
heavier gauge wire or with doubled up wire to allow that winding to be
loaded to the wattage capacity of the generator (the other winding must
be unloaded or you overload the engine).

Suggest reading up on 2 pole and 4 pole alternator designs (6 + pole
exist as well but are not usually found in small generators). Explore
single and three phase winding configurations including the 12 lead
reconnectible three phase design. Look at brush and brushless designs
and the different excitation methods.

Pete C.