Nice clear post-frontal #weather after the “Bomb Cyclone” passed with rain and reasonable wind. Beforehand, I got the generator out for a 6mo run, it fired right up and I ran it for 20min to flush the carb. As a test, I tried operating the fridge on #generator . This “1800W” Pulsar can run in non-power saving medium rpm mode & governs up as load increases, BUT! not fast enough for fridge compressor to not stall. I would see 1000W for 3sec and then fridge would give up :/ #diy …continued…

followup:

… Without hacking the generator to allow for manual throttle, I hooked up 500W heater to get the rpm up. Once ready, the fridge starting procedure is: plug it in, then when hearing rpm change due fridge compressor starting, turn off the heater! The generator would not stumble, the voltage would not sag, compressor starts and then draws a measly 95W. Once in steady state, power saving mode on generator can be enabled. Works for me to pre-cool the fridge twice a day in an emergency!!

followup:

@skua 1000W was the compressor startup load, but with generator slow throttle response, the voltage would sag and fridge would give up. When gradually ramping up load, I tested this unit to 1800W continuous. There are kits for refrigerators and AC units to lower the rush current, but I don’t own this fridge nor wish to spend $300 on a retrofit.

followup:

@skua Appliances made for RVs (campers) are engineered to start with lower rush current and be compatible with generators - look for “soft-start” feature.