Found this advice for when running a converter off a generator (including inverter gens presumably)"•Do not run out of fuel! When fuel levels get low the generator will splutter causing the voltage to surge up and down, if this goes too high it will damage components within the Converter"This could easily happen in my case with my P2200 gen that has no fuel gauge, so I am wondering if the advice is correct about the voltage spikes. Must be others on here who might care too.--Also, Mex has suggested doing this on purpose as a timer limit for how long to be in Absorption, so that wouldn't fit with this advice. So what think? Thanks.

I thought inverter gens didn't produce spikes due to fluctuating rpm.

With a conventional generator, the change in RPMs will cause the frequency to shift, and the voltage to vary. Since the RPMs won't increase drastically, I wouldn't expect the voltage to spike high very much. Not so much an issue with an inverter type generator. The waveform is created electronically, and the engine speed varies to meet load demands anyway.I'm not too worried about this. Most RVs with generators have a conventional type, and they quit under load for a multitude of problems. I've been the RV community for a very long time, I've yet to read a post where someone had damage due to a generator unexpectedly shutdown. I have had damage due to a massive power spike (fallen power line) at a campground, but that's a different topic!

Inverter generators do sag the voltage when they run out of fuel. They also do it when they are shut down. My yamaha has a disconnect switch on it. I'd love to use the Pinella remote to do the switch off, before shutting down, but the relay is only rated for 15 amps.

The quote is from what make and model number?

I can’t see a genset with a voltage regulator or an inverter type giving high voltage spikes- not sure about the cheap contractor type that use a capacitor for regulation.The big problem with a voltage regulated set is it is trying to keep putting out ~120 vac, so the voltage regulator is boosting the rotor voltage, while the frequency drops.IOW, I’d be more concerned with the genset than the converter, most of which can handle a wide range of input voltages.

Voltage Spikes as Gen Runs out of Fuel? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 21, 2019
Inverter generators do sag the voltage when they run out of fuel. They also do it when they are shut down. My yamaha has a disconnect switch on it. I'd love to use the Pinella remote to do the switch off, before shutting down, but the relay is only rated for 15 amps.
2manytoyz
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2019
With a conventional generator, the change in RPMs will cause the frequency to shift, and the voltage to vary. Since the RPMs won't increase drastically, I wouldn't expect the voltage to spike high very much.

Not so much an issue with an inverter type generator. The waveform is created electronically, and the engine speed varies to meet load demands anyway.

I'm not too worried about this. Most RVs with generators have a conventional type, and they quit under load for a multitude of problems. I've been the RV community for a very long time, I've yet to read a post where someone had damage due to a generator unexpectedly shutdown.

I have had damage due to a massive power spike (fallen power line) at a campground, but that's a different topic!
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2019
I thought inverter gens didn't produce spikes due to fluctuating rpm.

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Voltage Spikes as Gen Runs out of Fuel?

13 Replies

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