inverter generators
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From: hamilton on 22 Jun 2010 13:11 This may help: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electronics-3923/2009/1/Inverter-vs-non-inverter.htm h
From: amdx on 22 Jun 2010 13:16 "z" <z(a)yada.yada.com> wrote in message news:Xns9D9F5FC80EA45zyadayadayada(a)216.196.97.130... > "amdx" <amdx(a)knology.net> wrote in news:7e429$4c20a4ff$18ec6dd7$4746 > @KNOLOGY.NET: > >> Hi All, >> I want a definition of "inverter generator" >> >> Is it as simple as the generator generates a DC voltage and then >> an electronic circuit (inverter) uses the dc to make 60 hz AC? >> >> Or maybe the generator generates AC which is changed to DC and >> then back to (cleaner, inverter) AC. >> >> Mike >> >> > > Here is the EU2000 diagram > > http://www.homebrewhydro.com/eu2000/eu2000_diagram.jpg > > > with a paragraph at the bottom: Operating Principles describes what's > going > on in there. Ok that tells me what's going on. I didn't pay attention at the time but the Yamaha schematic Jim linked to was not an inverter generator. z, your Honda link is an inverter generator and does rectify AC to power an inverter. Thanks for confirming my hunch, Mike
From: Tim Wescott on 22 Jun 2010 13:30 On 06/22/2010 04:57 AM, amdx wrote: > Hi All, > I want a definition of "inverter generator" > > Is it as simple as the generator generates a DC voltage and then > an electronic circuit (inverter) uses the dc to make 60 hz AC? > > Or maybe the generator generates AC which is changed to DC and > then back to (cleaner, inverter) AC. I'm late to the thread but: Yes! an inverter generator makes DC then 'inverts' it to AC. I would expect that most use a 3-phase or more brushless AC generator, which is rectified and inverted to 120V, 60Hz (or whatever, depending on where it's sold). The nice things about them are that they are versatile for the manufacturer, and they save gas. The not-nice thing about them is that inverters burn up because of peak loads, where old-style generators burnt up because of long-term loads. So an inverter generator, unless designed with more inverter than necessary to meet the advertised specification, will just click off (or fry) on overload, instead of gracefully sagging. -- Tim Wescott Control system and signal processing consulting www.wescottdesign.com
From: Bob on 22 Jun 2010 13:36 On Jun 22, 10:30 am, Tim Wescott <t...(a)seemywebsite.now> wrote: > On 06/22/2010 04:57 AM, amdx wrote: > > > Hi All, > > I want a definition of "inverter generator" > > > Is it as simple as the generator generates a DC voltage and then > > an electronic circuit (inverter) uses the dc to make 60 hz AC? > > > Or maybe the generator generates AC which is changed to DC and > > then back to (cleaner, inverter) AC. > > I'm late to the thread but: > > Yes! an inverter generator makes DC then 'inverts' it to AC. I would > expect that most use a 3-phase or more brushless AC generator, which is > rectified and inverted to 120V, 60Hz (or whatever, depending on where > it's sold). > > The nice things about them are that they are versatile for the > manufacturer, and they save gas. > > The not-nice thing about them is that inverters burn up because of peak > loads, where old-style generators burnt up because of long-term loads. > So an inverter generator, unless designed with more inverter than > necessary to meet the advertised specification, will just click off (or > fry) on overload, instead of gracefully sagging. > > -- > Tim Wescott > Control system and signal processing consultingwww.wescottdesign.com Anyone know why someone chose to call this sort of device an "inverter" ? This seems counter-intuitive and has always puzzled me.
From: Joel Koltner on 22 Jun 2010 13:49
"hamilton" <hamilton(a)nothere.com> wrote in message news:hvqqrq$q10$2(a)news.eternal-september.org... > http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electronics-3923/2009/1/Inverter-vs-non-inverter.htm I tend to agree with the final result of the answer -- even for running "fancy electronics," a regular generator is generally just fine -- but I really have to wonder how much of an "expert" he is when he says things like: "The best power comes from a plain and simple generator. This is where commercial power comes from, a rotating magnetic field in a coil that generates a nice pure sine wave. Not sure why you seem to imply that electronics need something else - this is what they get out of a wall socket, what they are all designed for. I don't know why you need gfci or surge protectors, a home generator is pretty safe from transients that can come off the power lines from faults, lightning bolts, etc." Sheesh! How about: -- The stuff coming out of the wall is much more stable both in voltage and frequency than that coming out of a generator -- GFCIs are meant to protect people, not generators or connected electronic devices Also, he should replace "hard" in this sentence: "Most cheap inverters suck, because it's really hard to synthesize a good sine wave, so they cheat and make squarish waves." ....with just "more expensive." And I'd like him to find me the transformer in a ceiling fan ... or find a PC that doesn't use a "power transformer" in its power supply: "If you have equipment that can deal with these pseudo-sine waves, that's the way to go as they are very efficient. Most electronics have no problem with this, as they take the line and make it into DC right away anyway. Like a compact fluorescent bulb, or a PC. But some appliances have a problem with this, in particular anything with a power transformer in it, like an older microwave oven or stereo amp or fluorescent tube fixture or ceiling fan." I suppose I'm just being picky though. These days "experts" seems to mean "isn't *completely* ignorant on the subject," and its clear he does know at least a little more than the average bear on the subject. ---Joel |