scsmith
Well Known Member
I'm sorry this is a stretch to call it RV-related, except that people may use portable generators for power in their hangars where their RVs are kept. But I wanted to try to tap into the expertise here.
I am shopping for a 8000W class portable generator for home use during power outage, as well as portable power for the barn. There are several products in the $1000 range, and a desirable feature of some of them is dual-fuel (LPG and gasoline).
A friend suggested I pay attention to the output waveform of these generators. But the vendors supply no specs or data.
For most things, I'm not sure if I care. The main power draw will be my well pump. I suppose motors run better, cooler, with cleaner power waveforms, but I don't know that it will effect pump performance or life for the limited time it will run off the generator. We would probably want to run the computer. Nowadays, they have pretty sophisticated power supplies, and my suspicion is that it would clean up any dirty power signal to keep the rest of the computer happy.
By comparison, a Honda gas-only 7000W generator is about $4000.
Other than the great reputation and brand loyalty for Honda, why so much? Does it produce a cleaner output waveform? How would I know?
Any insights appreciated.
I am shopping for a 8000W class portable generator for home use during power outage, as well as portable power for the barn. There are several products in the $1000 range, and a desirable feature of some of them is dual-fuel (LPG and gasoline).
A friend suggested I pay attention to the output waveform of these generators. But the vendors supply no specs or data.
For most things, I'm not sure if I care. The main power draw will be my well pump. I suppose motors run better, cooler, with cleaner power waveforms, but I don't know that it will effect pump performance or life for the limited time it will run off the generator. We would probably want to run the computer. Nowadays, they have pretty sophisticated power supplies, and my suspicion is that it would clean up any dirty power signal to keep the rest of the computer happy.
By comparison, a Honda gas-only 7000W generator is about $4000.
Other than the great reputation and brand loyalty for Honda, why so much? Does it produce a cleaner output waveform? How would I know?
Any insights appreciated.