Inverter generator

A standby generator comprising:

• a standby housing defining a cavity;
• an internal combustion engine comprising:
• an engine block including a cylinder comprising a piston;
• an engine housing at least partially covering the engine block;
• a crankshaft configured to rotate about a vertical crankshaft axis in response to movement by the piston;
• and
• a spark plug configured to periodically generate a spark to ignite fuel in the cylinder to control the movement of the piston;
• an alternator positioned within an alternator housing and comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor configured to rotate with the rotation of the crankshaft to generate alternating current electrical power;
• and
• a controller positioned within the alternator housing and including a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and an inverter configured to convert the direct current to a clean alternating current electrical power;
• a transfer switch configured to receive the clean alternating current electrical power from the controller and at least one of grid power from an electrical grid, solar power from a solar panel assembly, or battery power from a battery, and configured to supply power to an electrical load
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• control spark generation timing of the spark plug;
• receive an indication of a fuel type;
• and
• adjust the spark generation timing of the spark plug based on the indication of a fuel type, and
• wherein the internal combustion engine, the alternator, and the controller are positioned within the cavity of the standby housing for protection from the external environment.

A standby generator comprising:

• a standby housing defining a cavity;
• an internal combustion engine comprising:
• an engine block including a cylinder comprising a piston;
• an engine housing at least partially covering the engine block;
• a crankshaft configured to rotate about a vertical crankshaft axis in response to movement by the piston;
• and
• a spark plug configured to periodically generate a spark to ignite fuel in the cylinder to control the movement of the piston;
• an alternator comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor configured to rotate with the rotation of the crankshaft to generate alternating current electrical power;
• a battery configured to supply power to the alternator;
• and
• a controller including a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and an inverter configured to convert the direct current to a clean alternating current electrical power;
• wherein the rotor is further configured to rotate the crankshaft using power from the battery to start the internal combustion engine,
• wherein the controller is configured to detect an electrical load and wherein the starting speed is determined based on the detected electrical load, and
• wherein the internal combustion engine, the alternator, and the controller are positioned within the cavity of the standby housing for protection from the external environment.

A standby generator comprising:

• a standby housing defining a cavity;
• an internal combustion engine comprising:
• an engine block including a cylinder comprising a piston;
• an engine housing at least partially covering the engine block;
• a crankshaft configured to rotate about a vertical crankshaft axis in response to movement by the piston;
• and
• a spark plug configured to periodically generate a spark to ignite fuel in the cylinder to control the movement of the piston;
• an alternator comprising a rotor and a stator, the rotor configured to rotate with the rotation of the crankshaft to generate alternating current electrical power;
• a battery configured to supply power to the alternator;
• and
• a controller including a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and an inverter configured to convert the direct current to a clean alternating current electrical power;
• wherein the rotor is further configured to rotate the crankshaft using power from the battery to start the internal combustion engine,
• wherein the controller is configured to adjust spark generation timing of the spark plug based on the determined starting speed, and
• wherein the internal combustion engine, the alternator, and the controller are positioned within the cavity of the standby housing for protection from the external environment.