Home Generators

Inverter vs conventional, running vs starting watts, and dual fuel.

Inverter generator on concrete pad with transfer switch panel in background, product photography

Buying a generator without understanding the running vs starting watt distinction is the most common way to get a unit that won't start your refrigerator. This page explains the specs that determine whether a generator can actually handle your critical loads during an outage.

2guides live
$0cost to use
No signuprequired
⚡

Guides

Generator buying guides focused on the specs that matter — load math, power quality, fuel options, and transfer switch basics.

Troubleshooting Why your generator won't start — or runs but makes no power. It's the fuel, not the engine A generator is two machines: an engine and an alternator. "Won't start after sitting" is almost always stale fuel gumming the carburetor; "runs but no power" is usually a tripped breaker or lost residual magnetism. How to tell which failed — and fix most cases free. Buying guide How to choose a home generator — inverter vs conventional, watts, and dual fuel Running vs starting watts, inverter power quality for sensitive electronics, dual-fuel flexibility, noise levels, and what a transfer switch actually does.

Why this page exists

Generator listings lead with peak wattage numbers that don't reflect what the unit can actually sustain, and rarely explain the starting watt surge that determines whether your refrigerator or sump pump will start. The running vs starting watt distinction, why inverter generators cost more but matter for computers and medical equipment, and what connecting to your home actually requires — those are the decisions that determine whether your generator is genuinely useful in an outage.

This page explains those specs clearly so you can size a generator to your actual needs rather than a number on a box.

Plain note about money. Links below go to eBay searches with an affiliate tag. If you buy through one, a small commission comes to this site. Your price is identical either way. The searches are ones we'd actually run — not sponsored placements.

Home generators worth searching on eBay

Inverter and conventional generators plus transfer switch equipment. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales; your price is unchanged. Full disclosure.

🔍 Shop Home Generators on eBay →
6000W Gas Inverter Generator Electric Start 110V&220V Generators Portable Quiet Inverter Generator Clean sine wave output safe for sensitive electronics. Fuel-efficient at partial loads. Quieter than conventional at comparable wattage. Best for camping, tailgating, and powering computers or medical equipment. EcoFlow RIVER 2 Portable Power Station 256Wh Generator LFP Certified Refurbished Portable Generator Conventional open-frame generators at 3,500–10,000W. Higher wattage per dollar than inverters. Runs at fixed RPM regardless of load. Verify running watts, peak watts, and outlet configuration. Westinghouse iGen4500DFc 4500W/3700W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator Dual Fuel Generator Runs on gasoline or propane. Propane stores indefinitely (no ethanol degradation), making it better for emergency preparedness. Wattage typically 10–15% lower on propane vs gasoline. 2350W 15kg Portable Gasoline Inverter Generator Eco Quiet For Camping RV Travel Quiet Inverter Generator Low-noise inverter models (typically 51–58 dBA at 25% load). Best for neighborhoods with noise ordinances, camping within earshot of others, or running overnight. Manual Transfer Switch 50A Generator Transfer Switch Kit NEMA 3R 12500W 120/240V Generator Transfer Switch Required for connecting a generator to your home's circuits safely. Manual transfer switches require a licensed electrician to install. Never back-feed grid power — it endangers lineworkers.
Browse all Home Generator listings on eBay →

Can't find what you want?

Suggest a niche, calculator, or article. We read every submission — the operator picks one a week to turn into a real page.