Petrol generator damaging power tools?

[minilathe22]

Hi everyone

I am renovating a building that has no mains power connected at the moment, and I have a small petrol generator that I bought used. It can output mains 240v through a blue caravan style 16A connctor or via a switch 110v through a similar looking yellow connector.

Its almost identical to this model:
https://www.powertoolsdirect.com/clarke-pg3800a-3000w-max-petrol-generator

I have found two brand new power tools appear to have stopped working, having been used on "real" mains electricity without issue but after a few short uses on the generator they are now both dead. Fuse tested ok in the plug. Other devices still work on the generator so its not the output that has stopped. A Bosch angle grinder, and a Bosch chainsaw. Neither were the cheapest options.

When you start the power tool, you can hear the engine on the generator bog down briefly. I am wondering if some kind of power/voltage spike is being sent into the tools reducing their life? Is there any heavy duty filter I can plug inline to avoid this? Is it just a crappy generator?

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I have the wolf version of your gen set, though mine is 3.5 kw
As others have said that the gen will dip in revs (bog down) until the tool is running at full speed. Mine has an auto throttle that cuts in and ups the revs when I start a tool.
The only probs I have had with gen set(s) is that when recharging cordless tool it’s so easy to overcharge and cook the battery as the cutout relies on an earth that gen sets don’t have
NB same problem happens on inverters sometimes.... I cooked an expensive Bosch battery by leaving it on overnight on my solar/batter/inverter system

 

[minilathe22]

I had not considered the earth connection. I have been lazy and not used it, the generator does have a mounting on the frame to attach an earth rod.