2Kva Inverters.

Bob,

This issue of generators/ inverters is a little outside the parameters of my electrical knowledge. When I last looked at these units the salesman told me what we would previously have classified as a generator(HONDA) was now an inverter. This he said was due the fact that whilst it still produced electrical power the sine wave was different and so the classification an inverter. I am after a 2 Kva Honda Power Unit and I'm trying to find out what is an acceptable price.

I'm not surprised you were confused - so was I!

http://www.kiporgenerators.com/why_kipor.htm

These units are generators - basically if it has an engine it's a gen.

What Kipor have done is to use a microprocessor to control the feedback loop from the electrical output to the engine control - good idea, it will probably do a better job than a mechanical governor.

Next they have, essentially, included an inverter (much like you buy from Jaycar to run from your car battery) between the alternator and the final output socket. I suspect the reason they have done this (it's complicated and expensive) is because they could not get sufficiently fine control of the engine to prevent output fluctuations when applying/removing load. An inverter should allow them to produce a very accurate voltage/frequency/sine wave purity output.

Downsides (as I see them): more complicated and difficult to repair if it goes wrong, inverter semiconductor output is much more susceptible to damage than a direct alternator output, more expensive.

Do your _really_ need power that clean? Most things won't care very much.

Mike Harding

I am just another believer in the superior performance of the HONDA. I have had several over the years and no complaints. The info from Mike is helpful but the problem seems to be: If you want a 1 Kva or2Kva gen for multiple use and this includes camping etc, the low noise capacity of these units is a definite plus. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think they are all made as inverter/generators. The option would be to choose a true generator but you would need to forgo the noise reduction.

Honda gens. are good, no question. I have no idea if they have an inverter included in the gen. set too.

I cannot see why there would be any relationship between the noise levels of the gen and the presence/absence of an inverter? Surely noise is a function of engine and exhaust/intake silencing?

The term "inverter" is a complete misnomer and should never have been used (although I fear it is now entrenched). An "inverter" doesn't invert anything it's simply a switch mode power supply and by using fast switching electronics can convert one voltage (AC or DC) to either a higher or lower voltage (again AC or DC).

Mike Harding

Thanks for all the info. As a point of interest HONDA do an industrial generator which is about 6 Kva and actually costs about $400 less than the 2Kva inverter generator. Decision time soon !!!!!