I'm brand new to using generators. A few months ago I bought a new Yamaha EF2000ISV2 generator. When I hooked it up to my travel trailer and try to run the microwave, the light in the microwave flickers and I can hear the sound from the microwave is lower and fluctuate compared to when connected to a outlet. I tried both the smart throttle setting and the full setting, both result in the same thing. I also noticed when the microwave is on, the generator's motor's pitch and frequency seems to be lower. The microwave also doesn't seem to heat up food much. Is there something wrong with the generator or am I not using it correctly? n

The micro and battery charger (if batts are down) both have large inrushes of current upon startup. Gen is working hard so what you see is to be expected.I would monitor the voltage to make sure it doens't dip too much, which will kill the mocro.

Depends on what else is on at the same time.

I'm curious what this thread comes up with. I get the same thing with my Honda eu2000i and the generator. I can hear the microwave running slower than normal and the interior light is dimmer as well. It doesn't matter if I switch the eco throttle off, nor does it seem to matter if I flip the breaker on the charger. I'm boondocking at the time so everything is on propane.

Voltage does sag a bit toward maximum output on these generators.To isolate the issue turn ALL breakers off except the main and dedicated microwave circuit.Measure and post the voltage at the breaker. Might need true RMS meter.

"the time so everything is on propane"The converter is not on propane. So that plus the MW can overload the generator.TV sets that are "off" are actually still on, but on standby, which can add a little. Electric heater? Hairdryer? Wall warts? It all adds up.

Yamaha Generator question | Good Sam Community

BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2019
Interesting. The PD converters, same as the others, do need about 105v AC minimum to do their amps according to their specs. They will still do some amps at voltages a bit below that.

What that "105v" means for how the converter would "see" the AC with different types of generators is all new to me, but would be good to know since lots of RVs have those non-inverter gens.

Xantrex used to warn about running their chargers on some gens where it was like they had MSW and wouldn't run right.
road-runner
Explorer III
Dec 13, 2019
I only have a single 9610 to gather data from and am taking the risk of making a general statement from it. Posts over the years from other members confirm what I see at a circumstantial evidence level. The spec I see on the PD web page is "Input voltage tolerance", not "Minimum voltage for full output" or something similar. Maybe it's stated elsewhere that I haven't seen. What I've seen for myself is that the 9160 needs a 120 volt or higher sine wave to achieve its rated output. Like a conventional microwave oven, it appears to rely mostly on the peak voltage of the input power. If the sine wave is below 120 volts RMS, or the waveform is flattened as happens with many conventional generators, the peak input voltage is too low for maximum DC output. This is opposite of a WFCO converter that (when it's working) provides its full DC output when driven by lower voltages and/or lousy waveforms.
BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2019
Here are some PD specs that show 105-130v. Good to see them showing 11.4 amps input required for a 60 amper!

https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/power-centers/inteli-power-4000-series/#specifications
gatorcq
Explorer
Dec 14, 2019
MSW Vs PSW is the issue.
road-runner
Explorer III
Dec 14, 2019
gatorcq wrote:
MSW Vs PSW is the issue.
If I can redefine the "M" to mean mangled, I'll agree. My PD9160 will not supply its full power when powered by the kinda-sorta sine wave from the Onan microquiet. Driven by an eu2000i, it meets the specs.

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