Which is better inverter generator or conventional

Which generator to choose based on your goals?

As mentioned above, depending on your goals, we will choose between mobile and stationary versions of the units. Power and other characteristics are still fading into the background. Agree, if you, for example, chose an excellent generator, but it weighs 40 kg and takes up almost the entire trunk of a car, then it will not be very convenient to ride in nature with such one.

Mobile generators.

These types of mini-power plants are chosen primarily by those who often need to have autonomous electricity when leaving. This can be a trip to nature (hiking, fishing, etc.), the departure of craftsmen to carry out some short work on construction sites, etc.

Therefore, the most important characteristic of mobile generators is ease of transportation and low weight, but be prepared that in other characteristics they may be inferior to stationary options (aluminum winding or plastic parts).

For such purposes and conditions, inverter and push-pull power plants are well suited.

They wrote about the inverter power plant above with all the pros and cons, therefore, if you want to save money and are not afraid of minor difficulties (mixing oil with gasoline), you can take a closer look at two-stroke generators.

Two-stroke - very small engines where the oil must be independently mixed with gasoline. Cheap, simple, short-lived. Ideal for fishing, hunting, hiking. It wins over inverter ones due to its very low price.

Stationary generators

This type of power plant is needed for backup or constant power supply. at the construction site, in a private house or summer cottage, so quality and reliability are in the first place here. Immediately forget about mobility and light weight - this is not about stationary units.

It is worth choosing only four-stroke engines, and liquid cooling is also desirable.

How to calculate the required power

The choice of a generator in terms of power is a responsible matter. The reliability of the energy system of the house, as well as the acquisition costs, depend on the correct calculation of the parameter.

How to calculate the power of a generator for a home? It is required to add up the consumption of all devices that will be connected to it. This is not the main power source, so only the most essential devices are connected to it.

How much power is needed for the generator in this case? For an average house, 5–6 kW is usually enough. If there are fewer consumers, for example, there are no pumps, the refrigerator is not connected (modern models can be offline for up to a day), then 2-3 kW will be enough. If you only need to support volatile heating, 1 light bulb and recharge your mobile device, then 1 kilowatt is enough.

For example, what can be connected to a 3 kW generator? At the same time, he will pull a medium-sized refrigerator, a light bulb or modern TV, a heating system circulation pump. Such an electric generator is enough to power an inverter welding machine.

Work principles

In terms of its performance, this generator is similar to a simple gasoline generator. However, there is also a significant difference: the current enters the output not directly from the current collectors, but undergoes a double conversion. As a result, a sinusoid of an ideal shape is formed with equalized characteristics of force and standard voltage.

Inverter working principle

Thanks to such principles of operation, inverter gas generators provide devices with a current with stable characteristics, which significantly increases the service life of sensitive high-precision equipment.

Equipment device

The portable inverter station is based on the operation of a special unit, which consists of:

• Converter;
• Rectifier;
• Microprocessor.

The functions of the rectifier include converting an alternating current value into a constant one.

Further, with the help of special filters, the constant oscillation frequency is again converted into a variable and fed to the connected equipment. As a result of the operation of the inverter gas generator, the uninterrupted operation of any high-precision equipment is ensured, and the lighting devices will not flicker.

What to choose?

Having dealt with the parameters of different types of units and having determined the difference between them, we can say with precision which gas generator will be the best. The purchase of environmentally friendly and low-noise, compact and reliable inverter gas generators is the right decision, since they are clearly better than conventional counterparts in many respects. Their small size and ensuring a stable supply of electrical energy deserve very high marks. The cost of an inverter unit is quite high, but do not hesitate, it costs so much money, it will quickly justify itself.

In favor of inverter units is also the fact that they are purchased not only as backup equipment (if power is cut off), but also as a stationary power plant where there is no electricity. They are taken to connect sensitive electronics without a stabilizer.

The advantages and characteristics given and mentioned in this article make it possible to talk about very high performance and properties of inverter units. Their use in everyday life, at industrial enterprises, in offices, educational and medical institutions is more than justified, since they guarantee the stable operation of industrial installations, multimedia and computer equipment, security alarm systems, tools and other equipment that needs power supply. Having installed such a unit once, you can not be afraid of unexpected outages or power drops. And the long term of use of the device will make it possible to save money on repairing or replacing the generator.

Watch a video on which generator is best for your home: conventional or inverter.

How to buy a gasoline generator correctly

When choosing a generator, it is important to correctly determine the power of the unit you need. Conventionally, they can be divided into three groups in terms of power:

• up to 5 kilowatts. Structurally, it is made in the form of a small suitcase, easy to carry. Such a generator will provide power to household and lighting devices for a short time at the dacha, during repair and construction work, it can be taken on a fishing trip and even on a hike;
• up to 10 kilowatts. Such units are much larger than the previous group and are mounted on wheels. They are used at facilities with average power consumption;
• up to 20 kilowatts. Such a unit is capable of providing a large object.

The type of load for which the selected generator is intended is of great importance. If it is lighting, household appliances and power tools, then you can use a synchronous-type generator, if high-tech equipment (computers, computer or video complexes, etc.), then an inverter-type generator.

Simple Gas Generator.

The most popular are gas generators: GMGen, Fubag, Prorab, Huter, Honda.

The principle of operation of inverters

You should not purchase an inverter generator, the operating principle of which is unclear to the user. The same applies to other appliances.

The inverter generating set is based on the corresponding block. This unit consists of a microprocessor, rectifier and converters.

1. High frequency alternating current is generated;
2. The rectifier converts the received current into direct current;
3. There is an accumulation of current in the capacitive filters (batteries)
4. Oscillations of electric waves are stabilized;
5. With the help of an inverter, the constant energy from the capacitive filters is converted into alternating current of the required frequency and voltage. This alternating current is supplied to the end user.In the process, we see a perfect sine wave, confirming the highest quality of the received power.

Such a device of an inverter generator allows you to get a very stable voltage at the output and connect any sensitive devices. The device operates in automatic mode.

Thanks to constant monitoring of fuel, oil and engine speed, the cost of refueling a mini-power plant is halved.
The built-in air cooling system protects the generators from overheating.

When the load drops below the minimum, the unit automatically switches to economy mode. Thus, the wear of the generator is reduced and the service life is increased.

Additional information on generators

But it just so happens that any advantages are accompanied by disadvantages. And the difference between an inverter and a conventional generator is not only in the quality of the generated electricity, but also in the price. In addition, there are power limitations, inverter generators do not exceed 7 kVA in this indicator.

Therefore, the choice of a backup power supply system must be approached very carefully. Most importantly, it is necessary to determine the requirements for its quality. To power incandescent lamps and hand-held power tools, the best voltage is not needed, for these purposes it is quite you can use the usual gas generators.

But the power supply of a refrigerator, a heating circulation pump or gas boiler controllers requires a high-quality source of electricity. In this case, an inverter generator is the best choice. You can get more information about him here:

The issues of providing autonomous power supply are not as simple as they seem at first glance. First of all, this concerns the resulting voltage, which is largely determined by the type of gas generator. In most cases, conventional devices can be dispensed with, but for particularly critical units it is necessary to use inverter generators. Let them be more expensive, but the reliability of the operation of some products directly depends on the quality of electricity.

Welding power station

In the event that it is planned to purchase a generator and a welding machine, it makes sense to consider the possibility of purchasing a welding power station that combines these two devices. It is logical to expect that the cost of purchasing one multifunctional device will be less than the cost of two separate ones.

Fig 7. Welding stations of the BlueWeld Motoweld brand are popular.

The welding power station is an autonomous electric generator combined with an electric arc welding machine. The power plant is designed to carry out welding work in the field, as well as to provide consumers with electrical energy. There are various modifications of such stations:

• combination of a generator with a step-down transformer for performing manual AC arc welding with a stick electrode;
• station with a rectifier providing direct current welding;
• station with built-in inverter welding machine.

The AC welding machine belongs to the most budgetary options, however, welding of critical metal structures, as a rule, is not performed with alternating current.
Welding with direct current has great capabilities, the weld seam when using it turns out to be of better quality.

The best is the combination of a generator with an inverter welding machine, but this option is the most expensive, in addition to them, there are both gasoline and diesel options.

General characteristics of generators

Let's analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each of the samples.

The usual

In fact, this is a small power station in the house: the fuel burns out, the motor turns the generator, the energy of mechanical movement and interaction of the system is transformed into electrical energy.

Advantages:

• an extensive selection of units of various capacities: from "babies" for 1 kW to solid units for 8-10 kW or "giants" for 20-40-100 kW, which are already intended for industrial use;
• simplicity of use and relative reliability, subject to the conditions of use;
• low cost in comparison with inverter installations.

There are also many disadvantages.

• The unit must operate with a constant load. Operating a generator with less than 25% load will result in premature failure.
• High fuel consumption with insufficient workload.
• Motor noise. The operating unit should be located away from home or in a sound-absorbing box.

For household lighting and individual appliances, minor voltage fluctuations are not particularly critical. However, for certain expensive systems (smart home systems, control units for gas boilers, forced circulation pumps or refrigerators), any change in the quality of electrical energy can lead to equipment failure or premature failure.

Inverter

Most often, inverter power generators are used for irregular use in the event of an unexpected power outage. They are practiced in homes outside the city or for household needs at a permanent place of residence, in offices where high-frequency equipment operates. Such an installation can be purchased once and for a very long period. The reliability of the device provides a set of functional properties.

• The alternating current generated by the generator is transformed into direct current, and the resulting wave oscillations become stable. This makes it possible to receive high quality electricity at the output.
• In principle, the operation of the generator lies in the possibility of a rapid start, which is activated by a special ignition system.
• The generator is controlled by an autoregulation system, which monitors the engine speed, characterized by the load parameters. This principle makes it possible to practically consume fuel (consumption can be reduced by almost 40%).

However, it has many benefits:

• has a wide power range (2-8 kW) with an economical consumption of liquid fuel;
• economical, since it is able to correctly balance the engine speed based on the real load and thereby save fuel consumption;
• lightweight and compact (in comparison with other models);
• almost no noise during operation, since its design includes specialized mufflers and a double soundproof casing;
• produces high-quality electrical energy, along with this, almost without emitting harmful compounds into the surrounding atmosphere;
• extremely reliable and durable: all its elements and connections are adapted to external loads and are resistant to negative environmental factors.

With excellent electrical performance and high economy, the inverter generator has disadvantages that must be taken into account when purchasing:

• high price: a solid inverter has a price 2-3 times more than that of an ordinary modification;
• the power of the unit is limited: the permissible maximum power of the bulk of common modifications will be no more than 5 kW (you can find models for 7 kW, only they are not yet very common, and their price exceeds reasonable limits);
• the complexity of repair work in case of failure;
• it is problematic to replace the battery if it loses its functionality.

Benefits and differences

Inverter petrol generators create a stable variable frequency current, the quality of which is ensured by an integrated microprocessor. At the same time, the power plant operates in an economical mode, thanks to the electronic regulation of the engine speed.

Let's take a look at a number of advantages:

1. Stable output voltage;
2. Preservation of high-precision sensitive equipment;
3. No fuel problems;
4. Low noise effect;
5. Economical fuel consumption;
6. Compact dimensions.

Unlike diesel and conventional gasoline generators, which operate on the principles of electromagnetic induction and cannot create the necessary current characteristics, they do not need additional voltage stabilizers. Inverter-type gasoline generators fully provide full power to the equipment connected to them.

We watch the video, their types and features:

Compact portable power stations can easily fit in the trunk of a car, they can be transported and connected to work on their own. Unlike bulky gasoline or diesel-type installations, this advantage has a huge plus.

Economical fuel consumption is provided by an inverter module that coordinates the operation of the engine according to the principle of power distribution depending on the load on the power plant. That is, the inverter gasoline generator does not work at all its power constantly, like other similar stations, but regulates the process by automatically decreasing or increasing the speed.

The reduced noise level, thanks to the built-in casing, is another indisputable advantage of inverter gas generators over stations of this type. These generators can be installed directly in the working area.

The high degree of protection of the power plant housing allows them to be placed outdoors without using a canopy. The device is not threatened by water and dust getting inside. Due to its similar qualities, the inverter-type gasoline generator has become popular in the professional and domestic sectors.

Output

• For the organization of backup (emergency) lighting, power / supply of construction / sites or buildings that do not have complex electronic equipment, it is better to purchase a generator assembled according to the classical scheme. Or, as they call it, ordinary. In such situations, no one makes increased demands on the quality of voltage, and given the lower cost of such power stations, they are the best option.
• But to connect to the electrical circuit of a residential building, literally stuffed with various household appliances, it is better to opt for an inverter-type installation. The advantages of such generators are indicated, therefore, in principle, it makes no sense to comment on this recommendation. The main thing is to make accurate power calculations.

Helpful advice
If the country house is large, and it is necessary to provide electricity / energy not only to it, but also to the personal plot, outbuildings, then it makes sense to combine. That is, to make the layout of the lines. Some connect to a conventional generator, others to an inverter. With a competent drawing up of a power supply scheme, you can optimize costs and obtain a stable voltage in those circuits where it is necessary, depending on the specifics of the load.