An analog meter, an AC voltmeter large enough to easily see the difference between 100 and 110 volts can work. An analog meter has a NEEDLE and a back scale.
If I start a roof air ON HIGH HEAD and the needle drops like a stone to or near 100, that's the end of the game for me.
With a larger correct generator, the stutter load to start a roof air on high head is barely noticeable. If the generator bogs, even for a second (1000 milliseconds) that is too much sag. Time to get better measuring equipment.
If the "penalty" was losing a nickel and dime item it's a lot different than what a camper moaned to me on a remote Mexican beach. "The air conditioner started slower and slower, and now my generator is dead. I borrowed the big worksite generator from Fred, and when I try the AC, it clicks the breaker on the generator".
How much do you think that ended up costing him? I haven't a clue. I do not want to find out. I'll let somebody else do that.
