Cheap chinese generator safe for electronics?

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jonny,

It is an inverter generator, so it provides power that is possibly cleaner than what you get from shore power.

It may be unreliable or it might work just fine. They are totally inconsistent. Other than a spark plug, there are no parts available for repair.

inverter generator review

XG-SF3000

I had a Kipor that worked for 8 years. When I changed RV's I wanted something smaller--and I had extremely poor results with "off brand" inverter generators. The first one burned up (i.e. it caught on fire).

Then I had a Boily which I fought with and lost the battle. I finally sold it not working at a garage sale for $100.00

So, that first link to the review : I take it they weren't impressed???? hahahah.

Hi Jonny,

It is an inverter generator, so it provides power that is possibly cleaner than what you get from shore power.

It may be unreliable or it might work just fine. They are totally inconsistent. Other than a spark plug, there are no parts available for repair.

inverter generator review

XG-SF3000

I had a Kipor that worked for 8 years. When I changed RV's I wanted something smaller--and I had extremely poor results with "off brand" inverter generators. The first one burned up (i.e. it caught on fire).

Then I had a Boily which I fought with and lost the battle. I finally sold it not working at a garage sale for $100.00

There are indeed dual-conversion power line conditioners that can take a very dirty input and give you pure sine wave out... They cost more than a very good generator however.

If your Chinese model is an INVERTER unit, then I'd feed the trailer via a surge guard such as the Progressive Dynamics. it will sense most issues and shut you down BEFORE damage happens.

If it's an open frame type (Contractors type) GET A NEW GENERATOR or a whole bunch of earplugs for your neighbors.

WHile it is true that SOME portable generators are.. Rather nasty. the key word is SOME.. Generally small generators (Under 5,000 watts) with a motor that spins at 3000 (50 hz) or 3600 (60hz) RPM are the bad ones.. But even there there are exceptions.

The only way to be sure.. Is testing.

tandkj wrote:
Get rid of it and buy AMERICAN.

What generators are made in the USA?

Use the cheap generator to charge your batteries and use a pure sine wave inverter to operate sensitive electronics. That way your electronics will also work from battery when the generator is off.

Get rid of it and buy AMERICAN.

I don't have one and don't know much about them but, I have been told a Line Conditioner will clean up dirty electricity from generators.

There must be some doohickey that cleans up the "dirty power" before it gets to delicate equipment. Buy that and keep the genny, assuming of course it puts out enough power to fit your "camping" needs.