Both inverter generators and conventional generators do the same basic job, converting fuel into electrical power, but the way they generate that power, and how suitable each is for a given task, differs significantly. Conventional generators are generally the more affordable, higher-output option built for trade and construction use, while inverter generators produce cleaner, more stable power in a quieter, more compact package suited to sensitive electronics and noise-conscious environments. Crommelins Machinery has been supplying generators to Australian tradespeople, hire operators and households since 1958, and the right choice between the two comes down to what you’re actually running and where.
What Is a Conventional Generator?
A conventional generator uses an engine to spin an alternator at a constant speed, typically 3,000 RPM, producing AC power directly. This design is mechanically simpler and generally cheaper to manufacture, which is why conventional generators tend to offer more power output for a given price than an equivalent inverter model. The Crommelins and Cromtech ranges feature a number of conventional generators; Australian-assembled units with sturdy roll frames, built for hire fleets and trade sites where raw power output and durability matter more than portability or quiet running.
What Is an Inverter Generator?
An inverter generator produces AC power, converts it to DC, then inverts it back to a clean, stable AC output, a more complex process that allows the engine speed to vary automatically according to actual load rather than running at a constant speed regardless of demand. The Cromtech range covers this end of the market, from the compact 1.5kW Outback Inverter Power Station up to the 7000W Cromtech Inverter Generator 7000IA, alongside models like the Outback Platinum 2.4kW and the 4.5kW electric-start Outback Inverter Generator.
How Inverter Generators Produce Cleaner Power
Because of the AC-to-DC-to-AC conversion process, inverter generators deliver what’s known as pure sine wave output, meaning the power supplied is smooth and stable rather than fluctuating. This matters most for sensitive electronic equipment, such as laptops, phones, medical devices and modern appliances with digital circuit boards, which can be damaged or behave erratically on the less stable power a conventional generator produces. A conventional generator’s output is generally fine for power tools and basic appliances, but isn’t recommended for anything with delicate electronics.
Noise Levels: Why Inverter Generators Run Quieter
Because an inverter generator’s engine speed adjusts automatically to match actual load, rather than running flat out constantly, it typically operates at significantly lower noise levels than a conventional generator of similar output, particularly when running below maximum capacity. This makes inverter generators far better suited to residential areas, campgrounds, and any noise-sensitive environment where a conventional generator’s constant engine drone would be disruptive or, in some settings, simply not permitted.
Fuel Efficiency and Running Costs
The same load-responsive engine speed that makes inverter generators quieter also makes them more fuel efficient, since the engine isn’t burning fuel to maintain a constant high speed when demand is low. Over an extended period of intermittent use, such as a weekend camping trip or running a few appliances around a house during a power outage, this efficiency can add up to a meaningful difference in fuel costs and how often you need to refuel, compared to a conventional generator running at a fixed speed regardless of actual demand.
Power Output and Capacity Differences
Conventional generators generally offer higher maximum power output for their size and price than inverter generators, which is why trade sites and applications needing to run heavy tools, welders or multiple pieces of equipment simultaneously often lean toward conventional models like Crommelins‘ Workstation range. Inverter generators, while available in higher-output models like the 7000W Cromtech 7000IA, are more commonly chosen for lighter loads: running a few appliances, charging equipment, or powering sensitive electronics rather than heavy-duty trade tools.
Weight and Portability
Inverter generators are generally lighter and more compact than a conventional generator of comparable output, largely because their design allows for a smaller engine running more efficiently rather than a larger engine running constantly at full speed. This makes models like the 2.4kW Outback Platinum Inverter Generator genuinely easy to carry and store, which matters for camping, caravanning, and any application where the generator needs to be moved regularly rather than sitting in one place on a job site.
Not sure which type suits your load?
Talk to your nearest Crommelins dealer about output, power quality and where the generator will be running.
Which Suits Sensitive Electronics and Appliances
If you’re planning to run laptops, phones, TVs, medical equipment or modern appliances with digital displays and circuit boards, an inverter generator’s pure sine wave output is the safer choice, protecting that equipment from the power fluctuations a conventional generator can produce. This is one of the clearest, least ambiguous factors in choosing between the two types: for anything with sensitive electronics, inverter is generally the right call regardless of other considerations like price or output.
Which Suits Trade and Construction Site Use
For running power tools, welders, and general trade equipment on a construction site, a conventional generator’s higher raw output and lower cost per kilowatt usually make it the more practical choice, particularly for equipment like Crommelins’ Workstation Hirepacks that combine generator, welder and compressor functions in one unit built for daily site use. Most trade tools and equipment aren’t sensitive to the less stable power output, so the efficiency and noise benefits of an inverter generator matter less in this setting than raw capability and durability.
Price Differences Between the Two
Inverter generators generally cost more than a conventional generator of the same power output, reflecting the more complex internal electronics required to produce clean, stable power. For buyers prioritising raw output and budget, a conventional generator typically delivers more power per dollar spent. For buyers prioritising portability, quiet running and safe power for electronics, the additional cost of an inverter generator is generally considered worthwhile for the specific benefits it provides.
Recoil Start vs Electric Start
Most generators, inverter and conventional alike, are available with either a recoil pull-start or an electric start, and the choice matters more day to day than it might seem. Recoil start keeps the generator simpler and cheaper, with nothing to charge or maintain beyond the pull cord itself, which suits occasional use or buyers wanting to keep costs down. Electric start models, like Crommelins‘ 4.5kW Outback Inverter Generator or the E-start Workstation Hirepacks, add genuine convenience, particularly for larger units where pull-starting a bigger engine repeatedly isn’t especially pleasant, or for anyone who’ll be starting the generator regularly rather than occasionally. It’s a smaller decision than inverter versus conventional, but worth checking against the specific model you’re considering rather than assuming every unit offers both options.
Servicing and Maintenance Differences
Conventional generators are mechanically simpler than inverter generators, which generally means servicing is more straightforward and can often be handled with basic tools and a good manual, particularly for the engine-side maintenance like oil changes, spark plugs and air filters. Inverter generators have the same engine maintenance requirements, but the additional electronic components involved in producing clean, stable power add a layer of complexity if something in that circuitry needs attention, and repairs are generally better left to a qualified technician rather than attempted at home. Neither type requires dramatically more maintenance than the other for routine use, but it’s worth factoring servicing access into your decision if you’re buying for a remote property or work site where getting a technician out isn’t straightforward. Crommelins‘ nationwide dealer network supports servicing and genuine parts for both ranges, which matters more than people often expect once a generator has a few years of use on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a fridge or sensitive electronics on a conventional generator?
It’s generally not recommended without additional protection. Conventional generators produce less stable power than inverter generators, and sensitive electronics like fridges with digital control boards, laptops and medical equipment can be damaged by that instability over time. An inverter generator’s pure sine wave output is the safer option for this kind of equipment.
Are inverter generators worth the extra cost?
It depends on what you’re running and how you’ll use it. For camping, home backup power involving electronics, or any noise-sensitive setting, the additional cost of an inverter generator is generally worth it for the safer power, quieter running and better fuel efficiency. For trade sites needing raw power for tools and equipment that aren’t sensitive to power quality, a conventional generator often represents better value.
Which generator type is better for camping?
Inverter generators are generally the better choice for camping, thanks to their lighter weight, quieter operation and cleaner power output for charging phones and running sensitive camping electronics. Compact models like Crommelins‘ 1.5kW Outback Inverter Power Station are specifically suited to this kind of intermittent, portable use where noise and weight matter more than maximum output.
Choose the Right Generator with Crommelins
Whether you need a conventional generator for trade site power or an inverter generator for quiet, portable use, Crommelins Machinery has supplied generators to Australian tradespeople and households for over 65 years, with a nationwide dealer network supporting the range. Get in touch with your nearest Crommelins dealer to talk through which generator suits your specific power needs.
