Driving with the generator on
Just curious if anyone knows the difference in MPG when riding with and without the generator on. Has anyone done any measurements on the gas mileage they get? Thanks
Forum Discussion
wwest wrote:
Non-inverter gensets MUST run at full RPM constantly.
Yes ... they must run at full RPM constantly ... but they do not necessarily run at full load constantly.
A non-inverter generator uses less or more fuel depending upon the load on it's crankshaft. For a given load range, the fuel usage advantage that an inverter generator brings to the ball game is reduced friction and reduced wasted-heat inefficiencies ... due to spinning less fast with small loads.
Also, FWIW, I have a small non-inverter Honda generator that is only 1 dB louder at idle than an inverter Honda generator is at idle. However, my small generator under full load is way below the noise level of an inverter Honda when it's under full load. My RV's non-inverter built-in Onan generator acts the same way - about the same low noise level all the time and with fuel consumption that goes up and down with heavy and light loads.
