Engine Driven Inverter System or Variable speed AC Generator
A variable speed AC generator, like for instance a Dynawatt or a Dometic Travelpower generator, will produce a
constant voltage of 230VAC when mounted to the engine of a vehicle or boat. Due to a DC-AC converter
mounted to the generator both value and frequency of the generated voltage are (within limits) independent of
the engine's speed. A major drawback using this concept is that the power output of these units depends on the
engine's speed. In case the engine is running idle or at low speed , the alternator just does not generate power
at all (RPM<3000) or performs at a fraction of its maximum rating (3000<RPM<7000). So, when a large load is
switched on while the engine is at low speed, there just may not be enough power available.
Due to the resulting power shortage, these alternator systems may stall or even get damaged beyond repair.
Another issue within mobile applications is the charging of the DC battery in case the original DC alternator was
replaced by an AC alternator. One would then need additional equipment to provide solid DC power to charge
the vehicle's battery and/or feed other DC loads aboard. This equipment will draw power from the AC alternator
as well and using such equipment will therefore have a negative effect on the alternators performance.