Things to consider when purchasing a generator
Conventional (Condenser Type)
The conventional generator has a condenser type voltage control which is suitable for power tools and resistive loads such as a kettle, toaster, lights and other equipment not requiring great accuracy of power supply. These low-maintenance brushless generators are generally very sturdy, making them a great choice for tradies, farmers and builders wanting to power tools and equipment such as drills, saws pumps etc. However, because they don’t regulate the voltage, they aren’t suitable for equipment that will be sensitive to power surges, spikes or “brownouts” (partial blackouts). In other words, they’re not recommended for charging laptops, mobile phones or tablets. Also, no matter what load is connected, the conventional generator will run at one speed only, making them less fuel-efficient than other models. So even though they are typically cheaper to buy, they are not the most economical type of generators available.
AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation)
As the name suggests, automatic voltage regulation (AVR) generators regulate the voltage output. This makes sure the power supply is consistent, without brownouts or spikes. As a result, AVR generators are best for use to start electric motors, power tools and run basic appliances. However, it’s worth remembering that even though they regulate the voltage, they don’t generate the purest of sine wave power that today’s high-tech equipment requires. AVR generators put out a modified sine wave that are not compatible with high end dimming and lighting control systems. They are typically medium to large sized generators and are popular for home or backup purposes, coming in both portable and stationary formats.
Inverter (Electronic Voltage Control)
As a rule of thumb, the more advanced the technology, the higher the chance that it requires a pure sine wave. And that’s where the inverter generator comes in. The inverter control system maintains a consistently high accuracy level of voltage and frequency fluctuations with very low wave distortion. The result is power that is as smooth as what you get from the grid – often smoother. Not only do inverter generators deliver the purest of power, their other huge advantage is that they automatically adjust their engine speed in direct proportion to the load applied so you get the maximum fuel efficiency.
Inverter generators are designed to be very quiet, lightweight, and portable. On the flipside, they usually won’t put out as much power as conventional and AVR generators, so aren’t suited to heavy loads or industrial use. Most Inverter generators will be marked with an “i” in their model number, such as Honda Eu7000is.