Champion voltage fluctuation

nowgrn4 wrote:
I snagged a Champion Mod. #46598 3500/4000 genny from TS for $250 on black Friday. With a Craftsman digital meter my voltage varies 12-13 volts every second or so. It will read 113,118,122,126 all in around a seconds time. It does the exact same thing on each 120volt leg when switched over to 240volts or the 30 amp RV plug or regular 120volt plug. The analog meter on the genny stays rock solid on 120 or 240volts when switched.

This is over a 10% fluctuation. I'm afraid to plug anything into it.

Ideas?

Your craftsman meter digital meter is most likely not a true RMS type of meter and the analog to digital IC inside the meter is seeing fluctuations in frequency, waveform along with any small fluctuations in voltage.. This is creating large swings in voltage errors reported on the screen.

I would recommend trying an analog meter or a better quality digital meter which is true RMS.

Just keep in mind, a non inverter generator WILL have some voltage, frequency and even waveform distortion. In most respects not much worse than the noise which is on the utility lines.

For the most part even with 10% voltage fluctuations that is not really all that far off the mark for a generator. Equipment designed for 120V use typically will operate perfectly fine from 108V-135V without any harm.. Most manufacturers will give a acceptable voltage range of your electrical items.