Generator ???

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by Dragrad

When buying generators for camping etc.... take a read of this

Honda Inverter Produces Power Stability

Computers and power-sensitive testing equipment require what is referred to as "clean power." Clean power is electrical current that is consistent and has a stable "sine wave" or signal. If the lights or other basic appliances in your home were being powered by a generator and there was a fluctuation in the AC power, you’d probably see the lights dim and then return to full brightness—no problem! However, if your computer was being powered by a generator and the voltage fluctuated, chances are the computer would either shut down or at least interrupt the program you were working in.

In order to overcome this problem, Honda engineers developed a revolutionary form of inverter technology. This process takes the raw power produced by the generator, passes it through a special microprocessor that provides ultra-clean power that boasts a sine wave equal to or better than the current from your household AC wall outlet. This means that, you can operate a computer or laptop direct from a generator.

Link

Do not use a modified (or square) sine wave output generator.

Good quote!

Some inverters output a very raw waveform, sometimes almost a squarewave - which for some appliances can cause havoc. The mains and power from generators is always a fairly regular sine wave. An alternator, which is the correct name for a generator which produces AC rather than DC always produces a sine wave. Alternator are much more efficient than DC generators, which is one of the reasons cars switched from generators to alternators, yet a car needs DC power, so the 3phase AC from the alternator is converted to DC by a diode pack.

To produce the 50 Hz needed in a portable generator, the generator needs to run at a set 50Hz speed and the throttle opened or closed as more or less output power is needed - so always the same speed, irrespective of the power demand placed upon it, up to the maximum power the generator can produce. On reaching full throttle and maximum design demand, the portable generators output voltage will simply fall away if demand is increase if nothing trips.