What size of generator is neeed? what kind?

[Taranwanderer]

Has anyone heard anything about these units:

NEW Ryobi Portable 2000 Watt Superquiet Generator L@@K | eBay

Ryobi is a pretty common power tool brand, so I'm not worried about that, and it seems a little more price competitive than Honda and Yamaha...thoughts?

[ng2951]

Has anyone heard anything about these units:

Roybi 2000 Superquiet Generator

...it seems a little more price competitive than Honda and Yamaha...thoughts?

Its kind of comparing oranges and seedless oranges; the difference is the pits.

From a rough read on the web about these units they seem OK though they do not have a operational history like the Hondas and Yamahas. Whether they are as mechanically sound as Red or Blue we will have to wait until that history develops.

The huge reason they are cheaper is that they cannot be paralleled. Both Honda and Yamaha can be paralleled which allows them to deliver almost 4KW.

Ryobi's own literature does not readily lend itself to comparing these "oranges." On the db ratings, Ryobi seems to use a more realistic power setting, but this makes it more difficult to compare fuel consumption to seedless varieties available.

I may have missed it, but I did not see if the inverter is a PSW or MSW. I am assuming it is using at least a PSW inverter or they would not be retailing for $600.

Other than reliability, these types of gensets are probably OK as long as you are OK not having a parallel option. It still, buyer beware, but I would also be aware that there are other manufacturers that manufacturer similar units, and priced in the same range as the Ryobi, with a longer track record.

[cwray]

This discussion is very helpful. I think the discussion about "clean power" is not complete. The newer inverter type generators are more efficient, lighter weight and quieter. The need for "clean power" seems to be exaggerated. Most modern electronics incorporated circuits that will operate on a wide range of power. The major problem is more likely due to poor voltage regulation in cheaper generators not waveform distortion. One of the main considerations is that appliances such as the AC often require a much higher amperage at start-up than when running. This should be considered when sizing the generator requirement.

Oh and yes I do have a degree in electrical engineering.

[ng2951]

Yeah, I don't disagree with you for the most part. However, I can tell you after 35 years of working with computers in the process control environment, that hardware that was on super clean AC power gave us the fewest problems. They even did better than the systems on some very expensive and well engineered Lieberts and Topaz systems.

Really those inverter systems huge claim to fame is what you said it is...excellent voltage/frequency regulation. Compared to a non-inverter systems frequency can be off, and I have measure my genset as low as 105 volts.

To me the bigger question is whether you can tolerate the noise. If you can, get one of those Champions...they really are OK for a lot of applications.