Generator vs inverter

[RGV Hunter]

Question...

Besides the noise level, what is the difference between a generator and an inverter? I have a generator that can run everything in my RV but my inverter cannot because it has less capacity in watt output.

[powderburner]

https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/generators/pros-and-cons-of-inverter-generators-a1104840654/

[Greenheadless]

Op, I think you answered your own question. Huge limitations on load capacity with inverters. Also, the power quality is typically not good unless you want to spend some $$$$$. If you have some sensitive electronic as, it can wreak havoc on them.

[Dejashoot]

I have a Westinghouse iGen5000. It runs the whole RV. Uses propane so you don’t have strong exhaust or smell like gas if you don’t want to. Light so you can get it in and out of the truck easily. It sips fuel. Is very quiet.

drawbacks to me are it only does 110 so I can’t run a water well if power goes out at the house. It’s about 30 percent more expensive than a regular generator (but you make that up in fuel savings if you use it a lot).

[RGV Hunter]

I am thinking of buying an inverter that powers my entire RV. Only problem is that my RV has a 50 amp plug. I have only seen inverters with 30 amp capacity.

[Chase4556]

I’m not smart enough to know the science behind HOW they work. But an inverter will give you clean energy, something to do with a sine wave.

Regular generator gives you “dirty” energy. Again with the sine wave thing.

Some electronics don’t like dirty power. All electronics like clean power.

That is the biggest difference. How an inverter produces that clean power is what leads them to being so quiet, but again that’s out of my brain bubble.

[Slicefixer]

I’m not smart enough to know the science behind HOW they work. But an inverter will give you clean energy, something to do with a sine wave.

Regular generator gives you “dirty” energy. Again with the sine wave thing.

Some electronics don’t like dirty power. All electronics like clean power.

That is the biggest difference. How an inverter produces that clean power is what leads them to being so quiet, but again that’s out of my brain bubble.

Correct...

I have 2 Honda eu2000i's (bullet proof) and link them together then to the camper via a 30amp plug. 3600 watts continuous runs everything on my camper with no issues. I also integrated a 6 gallon marine tank to feed the 1 gallon generator tanks for a total of 8 gallons. Depending on the load they'll run for several days on 8 gallons.

[Stolle]

Basically the the voltage being created by the engine is DC that powers the inverter which creates pure sign wave AC voltage. In the past they only made small wattage inverters that produced 120 volts. Now Duromax makes a 16000 watt tri fuel inverter that is much quieter than a 16000 watt open frame generator.

[Greenheadless]

OP are you asking about inverters vs generators or inverter generators vs regular generators?

[Txhunter3000]

I'm gonna take a wild *** guess and say the later.

[RGV Hunter]

OP are you asking about inverters vs generators or inverter generators vs regular generators?

Inverter vs a mobile generator, for RV use.

[sharpstick35]

An inverter runs an alternator like your vehicle does and generated 12VDC, then it converts that voltage to 120AC. A conventional generator creates its own AC voltage, that's how you get 120/240 volts and more amps.

[Greenheadless]

Inverter vs a mobile generator, for RV use.

Ok, then my response stands. Seeing the sine wave is modulated, power quality can be concerning issue.

With the introduction of solar and portable power banks, I am sure things are vastly better than they used to be. You want to look for something that has a ‘pure sine wave’ if going inverter.