Generator Questionds

roadjunkie wrote:
Thanks kerrlakeroo.... They're also twice the price of the open frame units and I can't think of any reason that I would want to convert 120V to 12V. Isn't that the only difference in a generator/inverter combo. If I had deep pockets, which I don't, I'd go for the smaller, enclosed units like the Honda or Yamaha. Even Champion has some of the smaller enclosed inverter combos but they're quadruple the price for half to wattage.

I'm really hoping to hear from those who have used a generator similar to this one; open framed and around 3500W to 4000W.

kerrlakeroo wrote:
Unless you want lots of noise and to burn twice as much gas as needed look at inverter generators. In eco mode engine speed is controlled by demand to conserve fuel, which also minimizes noise.
Also the inexpensive models such as you listed have open frames, which makes them even louder.

The inverter units advantage as Mr wizard stated is that they throttle down as demand for power decreases.
If you run both a 3600 watt open frame and a 3400 inverter unit from champion side by side with both under a full load, as he stated they will both function, although the power from the inverter is supposedly a little cleaner. But where the fuel savings shows up is in real world usage, your ac is not a constant full load, and the open frame unit will still be running full throttle even when only your interior fan is running. The inverter unit will reduce its rpm's to only enough to make sufficient power for the fan, hence it uses less fuel and makes less noise.
You can use an open frame unit, it will work fine, but if you ask the folks using inverter genny's why they switched, the reasons I stated jump to the forefront, thats why I changed my mind when buying to the closed frame inverter unit, the little champion remote start is especially nice since it sleeps in the truck bed and starts in the morning from inside the TT.
Happy motoring.