Inverters produce non sinewave output with many harmonics that are bad. The
good onces will filter much of that out, better ones can eliminate most of
it.

Generators produce sinewave output but as metioned are poorly regulated at
the low end.

Another problem is surge current. Depending on what you are powering you
will awnt to size the generator for any start current requirements for
inductive loads, otherwise the startup voltage drop you will encounter if
such a condition happens can shorten and/or burn up a motor.

Probably more exsessive than most will need, but I have a good 12000 output
Gen to handle all the fridge/freezers and small motor loads and if careful I
can even run the AC. I also feed into a good size UPS to regulate and
further protect all my elcetronics and computers in the home office. Most
electronics like a clean power on and power off, when using a generator one
can have a condition sometimes when power will come up slower and if the
generator is shutoff will cause the voltage to slowly drop, this can be bad.
Best to have a auto disconnect that will only allow output when the
generator is ready to produce full output and disconnect cleanly if the
voltage drops to a preset minimum for a specifc amount of time.



"m Ransley" wrote in message
...
Unregulated voltage gens start at a high voltage and usualy reach 120
60 hz at load. Start voltage is usualy around 135, but cheap low powered
units easily swing 35 v ++. Even Coleman in their manual says if
electronics are to be used buy a separate regulator and they even give
you a telephone #.
Those regulators can double cheap generators cost. Regulated units
usualy swing only 10- 15v.
Honda has a line of " clean power" stable signwave generators that are
as clean or cleaner than your utility co. And they have a line that is
voltage regulated. And are very quiet in sound noise.
Whatever you get test it before you need it to full load with a meter
to be sure it will do what you need. You should look for voltage
regulation and find out the % volt swing the unit is desiged for and see
if your equipment can handle it. HZ varies with voltage , many motors
wont start if Hz is off. Look for a good motor with steel sleeve and
pressure oiled. The cheapest unit that does this is a Generac 4000exl
for 700 at HD it also has electric start and an oil filter, but it stil
swings apx 10v. For better go Honda , their inverter line is the best
but at 2.5 x the price of Generac. Some Colemans use techumpsee motors
some models which only last 350 hrs Pressure oiled steel sleeve can go
3500 hrs.
With generators you really get what you pay for