There can be a little confusion when you call a generator an inverter generator.
Normally an inverter refers to a device that changes direct current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The most common inverters in the United States convert 12 Volt DC into 120 volt AC. Most of these inverter will plug into the Cigarette lighter plugin in your car and output to a low wattage 120v 60 cycle plug in. A regular Inverter does not have a power source so it will need to be plugged into a separate battery or power line of some sort.
Inverter Generators are an advanced design generator that produces DC current and then with an Electronic inverter converts the DC current into 120 Volt AC or 240 Volt AC. The better quality Inverter generators will adjust the speed of the generator depending on the load. This allows the motor to run much slower when there is a light load, saving significant fuel.
Often Inverter Generators are much lighter than conventional generators and much more expensive also.
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