[californiadisasters] Re: Portable Generators Pose Problems in Disaster Preparedness Plabe ns

--- In californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com, Rick Bates <HappyMoosePhoto@...> wrote:
>
> Inverter type generators produce a very clean MSW (Modified Sine Wave)
> signal which is highly compatible with electronics (computers are notorious
> for being picky).
>
> Rick

Rick and All
Good Inverter Generators like Honda and Yamaha produce a TRUE SINE WAVE, not modified sine wave. Actually, the term 'Modified Sine Wave" is a falsehood used to sell cheaper Inverters that "invert DC to AC and the correct term is, "Modified Square Wave or, Stepped Square Wave" All Engine powered generators produce a sine wave, you can not get a square or modified square wave from an armature winding spinning in a magnetic field.
With that said, many many generators produce dirty or distorted sine wave power, some of which reacts strangely under load, and some better ones the Stator is wound non symetrical to accopmodate this and produce a better sine wave. Also some cheaper generators the voltage regulation is poorly done and when going from no load to heavy load the voltage can drop below 100 or 90 volts and when going the other way it can exceed 130 volts untill they stabilize, Before the Inverter Series, Honda had what they called Cycloverter Technology that produced quite good power. I have an ONAN 4KW and ONAN 6.5KW and have spoken to Onan and Certified Onan Tech's about them, The 4KW recovers faster going from no load to load to no load than the 6.5KW because of more inertial force in the larger and the allowable voltage drift id 10% to 12% meaning 108 volts to 132 volts and 58HZ to 63HZ
As for computers being notoriously picky on power, most home use smaller Computer UPS Systems from APC and many other well respected UPS Manufacturer's, when running on battery, produce a Modified Square Wave and computers are just fine with that.
The modern Inverter Style Generators are better for 3 main reasons, sound, cleaner more regulated power and, better use of fuel because they increase and decrease engine rpm depending on power requirements. Older generators must maintain usually, either 1800 or 3600 RPM, depending on how many poles in the Stator, to get 60HZ and the engines work harder with increased load.
If any of you out there can prove me wrong I would be happy to see but, PLEASE send real actual pictures from your own scope of the output of good and bad generators because I have spent hundreds of hours over the years researching this on the internet and there is TONS and TONS of bad and inaccurate information out there.
AQlso, any of you who mess with older engines, generators, cars and trucks, tractors or, anything like that, look up the Smokestak Forums.
John Stevens
KI6FKP
Topanga Canyon, CA



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