Portable Inverter Generator

What is an Inverter Generator?

Portable Inverter Generator | Yamaha 2000 Watt Inverter Generator

A portable inverter generator works entirely differently than a portable standard generator by generating a 3-phase AC power at a high frequency. It’s than converted to direct current and then back to alternating current so it can be used by electronic equipment and appliances. Most of these portable inverter generators are easy to carry anywhere that requires electricity because they are lighter in weight verses the standard generators that are heavier and more difficult to move around even with the wheels.

The inverter generator provides output that is clean power and will not cause fluctuations in voltage which happens with traditional generators. A sudden fluctuation of power is dangerous to many high-tech and sensitive electronics such as computers, iPads and Tablets.

Video On Inverter and Standard Generators

A short video on differences between inverter and standard generators. Take a look!

The topics that will be covered here are listed below. Just click on the link for the topic of interest and you will be taken instantly to that section. Or, just scroll down to view them all.

Power Outages
Differences Between Inverter and Standard Generators
Inverter Generator Models
Common Household Wattage Chart
Inverter Generator Features
Inverter Generator Comparison Chart
Shop Now Purchase Links

Power Outages

Many home owners experience a power outage sometime during the year. If they should occur more often, you need to consider having a generator to fill the darkness when the outages happen. A generator can keep necessary appliances and lights on during these times. You can have a peace of mind in the future knowing you are covered if and when an outage happens.

The most important decision is to decide which appliances and important tools need to be used during a blackout. Some of the most important ones are: furnace, oven, microwave, refrigerator, sump pump, freezer, TV, and lights or a combination of these. Items that need to be running during an outage will vary from family to family.

Portable Inverter Generator | Champion 3100 Watt Inverter Generator

You also have to make a decision on which type of generator you need for your home or apartment. The choices are:

Inverter Generators
Standard Generators
Stationary Generators

Depending upon your specific needs will determine which type of generator you should buy. The goal is to secure a generator that will supply all of the running watts needed for the electrical appliances you want on during an outage.

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Differences Between Inverter and Standard Generators

A portable inverter generator is different than a portable standard generator in the following ways:

Inverter generators converts AC to DC and back to AC for “clean power” electricity for computers and any device using a compressor. Portable generators do not have a steady flow of electricity which can cause issues with sensitive equipment.
The motor on the inverter will adjust to the load which saves on fuel costs (on average of 40%) verses a regular generator that has the engine running at a constant speed of 3600 RPM’s, regardless of the load, which increases fuel consumption. To increase running time on a conventional generator, you need to either have a larger gas tank or lessor watts being cranked out.
You can connect additional inverters to an existing one (provided it’s the same model and a proper connector) to increase the power verses regular generators you cannot.
They are lightweight, compact and portable verses conventional generators that are bulky and heavier.
If you are concerned about the environment, inverter generators give off less carbon emissions than conventional generators.
Generally inverter generators give off less noise in decibels verses a conventional generator due to motor adjusting to the work load thus decreasing the noise.
Inverter generators models come between 500 to 4,000 watts verses conventional generator models that run anywhere from 500 to 50,000 watts.
Inverter generators are more expensive than conventional generators for the same identical wattage. However, as more of them come to the market, prices will be coming down.

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Inverter Generator Models

Inverter generator models come in various wattage outputs for your needs. Wattage outputs run from under 500 to 4000 watts of peak power. You will need to determine how much wattage will be needed during a power outage in your local area.

Below are some steps to help you:

First, determine which appliances will be running when an outage strikes. Be sure to do this prior to an outage so everyone in the family knows which appliances will be on when the power goes out.
Second, look on the tag of each item and sum up the electrical wattage needed (Refer to the wattage chart below for assistance).
Third, some appliances require additional wattage to start them. This is know as surge watts.
Third, look for an inverter that produces the surge and running watts needed.
Fourth, in some cases, you will need to know the surge watts for an appliance if they will be running when starting-up the generator when a power outage hits. (Review the common household wattage chart below).
Fifth, a vast majority of these generators use gasoline to run. Be sure to have a sufficient supply of fuel on hand in case the outage should last more than 12 hours. Add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel to keep it fresh longer than thirty days.

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Common Household Wattage Chart

Review the wattage chart below to determine the wattage requirements for some of the most common household appliances.

COMMON HOUSEHOLD WATTAGES CHART
ITEM	RUNNING WATTS	SURGE WATTS
Furnace Fan Gas or Oil 1/8 HP	300	500
1/6 HP	500	750
1/4 HP	600	1000
1/3 HP	700	1400
1/2 HP	875	2100
Refrigerator	700	2200
Microwave Oven	625	800
Coffee Maker	1750	0
Toaster	1050 – 1600	0
Electric Range/Oven	12,500	0
Well Pump:
1/3 HP	750	1400
1/2 HP	1000	2350
Sump Pump:
1/3 HP	800	1300
1/2 HP	1050	2150
Lights	On bulb
Television	300	0
Garage Door Opener:
1/4 HP	550	1100
1/3 HP	750	1400
Portable Heater	100-1500	0
Hair Dryer	1100-1600	0
Iron	1200	0
Water Heaters:
Gas	500	1500
Electric	7000-7500	0
Computers:
Desktop	600-800	0
Notebook	200-250	0
Monitor	200-250	0
Printer	400-600	0
Fax Machine	600-800	0
Cordless Telephone	100	0

Keep in mind that tools and appliances with electric motors require additional surge wattage at startup that can be double or triple the normal running wattage requirement. Look at the surge watts required and make sure you choose a generator with enough additional wattage to start them. (And remember that you’re typically not starting more than half of the items at the same time.)

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Inverter Generator Features

Some of the basic features will be provided here and they include:

Warranty
Starting or Peak Watts
Running Watts
CARB Compliant

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Warranty

Portable Inverter Generator | Briggs and Stratton Inverter Generator Basically the inverter generators come in two warranties 2-years or 3-years. The following generator models come with 2-years warranties: Hyundai, Champion, Energizer, Briggs & Stratton, Westinghouse, and Powerhouse.

The following generators come with a three year warranty: Yamaha, Honda, Lifan Energy Storm, Ryobi.

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Starting or Peak Watts

The starting or peak watts is the maximum number of watts the unit puts out. If the wattage load is exceeded, the motor can burn out.

Generator models under 1,000 peak watts: Earthquake
Generator models with peak watts between 1,000 and 2,000: Yamaha, Champion, Honda, SMD, and Briggs & Stratton
Generator models with peak watts over 2,000 and under 3,000: Hyundai, Westinghouse, Lifan Energy Storm, Energizer, Extreme Max, Powerhouse, Ryobi, and Honda
Generator models with peak watts 3,000 and up: Champion, Lifan Energy Storm, Porta Source

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Continuous Running Watts

The maximum number of watts the generator puts out after initial start-up load:

Models with running watts under 1,000: Earthquake and Yamaha
Models with running watts under 2,000: Yamaha, Westinghouse, Champion, Lifan Energy Storm, Honda, Briggs & Stratton, and Ryobi
Models with running watts under 3,000: Hyundai, Champion, Energizer, Powerhouse and Extreme Max
Models with running watts under 4,000: Lifan Energy Storm, Porta Source

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CARB Compliant

Does the generator model comply with California emissions standards.

Generators that do: Hyundai, Yamaha, Westinghouse, Champion, Honda, Energizer, Powerhouse and Extreme Max
The following models do not meet CARB Standards: Hyundai, Earthquake, Porta Source, Lifan Energy Storm, Briggs & Stratton and SMD

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Inverter Generator Comparison Chart

Portable Inverter Generator |Honda 3000 Watt Inverter Generator
Below is a comparison chart for the most popular inverter model brands on the market. You will need to do your due diligence in reviewing all of the information before making a decision on buying one that will best fit your needs. Prices on these models are provided but will vary from time to time due to the discounts being offered at the time the order is placed.

We have also provided links to the reviews for each of the inverter generator models to Amazon. You can safely read the good and bad reviews for each product before making a commitment on purchasing. Just click on the number in the Reviews category for the generator of interest. The reviews begin with the newest review listed first.

Note: The number of reviews listed below are subject to change due to customers buying the product after publishing this article.

A SHOP NOW link is also available just by clicking on the model of interest. You will be taken directly to the ordering page for the model selected.

Specifications and Features
Quick Shop & Compare
Inverter Generator Comparison Chart Inverter Brands: Hyundai, Yamaha, Champion, Earthquake, Westinghouse, Honda, Lifan Energy Storm, Porta Source, Robi, Powerhouse, Briggs & Stratton, Extreme Max & SMD
Manufacture:	Hyundai	Hyundai	Yamaha	Earthquake	Westinghouse	Champion
ASIN:	B004919NEK	B00P9R4NRK	B002RWK9N2	B00FL89I2W	B00NHACROW	B00BBDCE1S
Cost:	$545.18	$675	$989.10	$285	$599	$850
Model:	HY200si	HY200si	EF2000iS	IG800W/11613	WH2000iXLT	75531i
Starting Watts:	2,200	2,200	2,000	800	2,200	3,100
Running Watts:	2,000	2,000	1,600	700	1,800	2,800
Volts:	120	120	120	120	120	120
Rated Amps:	20	20	16.7	5.8	15	30
HP/CC	3.8 HP/125cc	3.8 HP/125cc	79cc	40cc	79cc	5.5 HP
Low Oil Shutoff	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Powered By:	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas
Tank Size:	1.2 Gal.	1.2 Gal.	1.1 Gal.	.6 Gal.	1.3 Gal.	1.58 Gal.
Runtime 50% Load:	5.5 Hrs.	5.5 Hrs.	10.5 Hrs.	8.2 Hrs.	13 Hrs.	4 Hrs.
Fuel Gage:	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
Hour Meter:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Volt Meter:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Amazon Rating:	3.7	3.7	4.6	4.3	3.7	4.5
Reviews:	143	143	292	83	15	106
Origin:	China	China	Japan	China	China	China
CARB Compliant:	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Weight:	70.6 lbs.	74 lbs.	44.1 lbs.	21 lbs.	43 lbs.	80 lbs.
Dimensions:	22x19x26″	22x19x26″	19x11x18″	16x8x14″	18x20x13″	24x19x20″
Warranty:	2-Years	2-Years	3-Years	N/A	2-Years	2-Years
Noise:	64 dB	64 dB	51-61 dB	58 dB	59 dB	58 dB
SHOP NOW	Hyundai	Hyundai	Yamaha	Earthquake	Westinghouse	Champion
Specifications and Features
Manufacture:	Champion	Lifan Energy Storm	Yamaha	Lifan Energy Storm	Honda	Porta Source
ASIN:	B0041K09D8	B006P1V5TS	Boo2RWK9LY	B004Y74TXO	B005ND19AE	B00P2FOX60
Cost:	$588.49	$1,016.64	$791.10	$376	$1,250	$999.99
Model:	73536i	ESI 3600iER	EF1000iS	ES2200sc	EU2000i	IG3200W
Starting Watts:	2,000	3,500	1,000	2,200	2,000	3,200
Running Watts:	1,700	3,300	900	1,800	1,600	N/A
Volts:	120	120	120	120	120	120
Rated Amps:	8.3	30	8	8.3	16.7	N/A
HP/CC	80cc	177cc	50cc	3 HP	98.5cc	149.5cc
Low Oil Shutoff	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Powered By:	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas
Tank Size:	1 Gal.	3.5 Gal.	.66 Gal.	2 Gal.	1.1 Gal.	3.4 Gal.
Runtime 50% Load:	5 Hrs.	7 Hrs.	8 Hrs.	7.5 Hrs.	4 Hrs.	8.5 Hrs.
Fuel Gage:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Hour Meter:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Volt Meter:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Amazon Rating:	4.3	3.8	4.4	3.6	5.0	5.0
Reviews:	74	9	54	14	2	2
Origin:	China	USA	Japan	China	Japan	China
CARB Compliant:	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Weight:	70.6 lbs.	74 lbs.	44.1 lbs.	21 lbs.	43 lbs.	84 lbs.
Dimensions:	22x19x26″	22x19x26″	19x11x18″	16x8x14″	18x20x13″	24x13x20″
Warranty:	2-Years	3-Years	3-Years	3-Years	3-Years	N/A
Noise:	53 dB	57 dB	47-57 dB	65 dB	53-59 dB	60 dB
SHOP NOW	Champion	Lifan Energy Storm	Yamaha	Lifan Energy Storm	Honda	Porta Source
Specifications and Features
Manufacture:	Energizer	Briggs & Stratton	Powerhouse	Ryobi	Extreme Max	SMD
ASIN:	B00NSMI6AS	B00CB9U6V6	B004RCQ05Q	B00BJOBWV2	B006DB9EB6	B00LH4N1K4
Cost:	$746.99	$649	$673.55	$555.66	$799.99	$799.99
Model:	eZV2800	30553	PH2100PRi	RYI2200	EXT3000	SMDIG-0012
Starting Watts:	2,800	2,000	2,100	2,200	2,800	2,000
Running Watts:	2,600	1,600	2,000	1,800	2,600	N/A
Volts:	120	120	120	120	120	120
Rated Amps:	N/A	13.3	16.7	20	N/A	N/A
HP/CC	5.3 HP/149cc	N/A	4.35 HP	106cc	N/A	N/A
Low Oil Shutoff	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Powered By:	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas
Tank Size:	1.85 Gal.	1 Gal.	1.3 Gal.	1 Gal.	1.9 Gal.	N/A
Runtime 50% Load:	8.2 Hrs.	4 Hrs.	7.5 Hrs.	5 Hrs.	10 Hrs.	N/A
Fuel Gage:	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Hour Meter:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Volt Meter:	No	No	No	No	No	No
Amazon Rating:	N/A	3.9	3.7	3.7	3.5	N/A
Reviews:	N/A	7	46	26	11	N/A
Origin:	China	China	N/A	USA	N/A	N/A
CARB Compliant:	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	N/A
Weight:	83 lbs.	50 lbs.	73 lbs.	51 lbs.	70 lbs.	31 lbs.
Dimensions:	22.2×20.1×13.8″	21x14x17.4″	22x11x19″	15x13x24″	21x22x12″	N/A
Warranty:	2-Years	2-Years	2-Years	3-Years	N/A	N/A
Noise:	65 dB	59 dB	N/A	60 dB	58 dB	54 dB
SHOP NOW	Energizer	Briggs & Stratton	Powerhouse	Ryobi	Extreme Max	SMD