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Another generator question
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:28 pm
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:28 pm
If I wanted to plug electronics into a regular generator, non inverter type....... would a surge protector protect the electronics? Or would using an inverter generator be the only way to go for electronics?
11
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:29 pm to SelaTiger
Surge protectors need to be grounded. That’s all I’ve got.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:30 pm to SelaTiger
I believe the trick with inverters is that they regulate voltage. A regular genie can fluctuate and brown out motors and electronics.
That said, flip the breakers before you power down the genie. I fried a $60k+ commercial phone system making this mistake.
That said, flip the breakers before you power down the genie. I fried a $60k+ commercial phone system making this mistake.
This post was edited on 8/30/21 at 9:32 pm
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:34 pm to SelaTiger
The power supply in the electronics can probably handle whatever your generator is going to throw at it.
Inverters usually have far worse power quality output.
A surge protector is always a good idea if you have one though. It’s a passive device so there’s no extra load on the generator, no need to avoid using it.
Inverters usually have far worse power quality output.
A surge protector is always a good idea if you have one though. It’s a passive device so there’s no extra load on the generator, no need to avoid using it.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:42 pm to SelaTiger
A surge protector can't hurt but most devices can handle anywhere from 110 volts to 130 volts AC.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:45 pm to SelaTiger
Sorry no input but I love the fact that we are all becoming generator gurus
Posted on 8/30/21 at 9:47 pm to SelaTiger
asked this question to an electrical engineer and electrical designer last night. Both of them said they've been using dirty power generators on their electronics for years.
I have now been using dirty power generator on my electronics for hours and no problems
I have now been using dirty power generator on my electronics for hours and no problems
Posted on 8/30/21 at 10:19 pm to jamiegla1
For the most part the switching power supplies in almost all modern electronics don’t give a crap about the quality of the power. As long as it’s somewhere between 100 and 130 it should be fine. If you measured the sine wave from almost any affordable generator with an oscilloscope you would see just how dirty the power is from those things. Switching power supplies, for the most part are not all that clean on the power they put out either.
You generator will not be capable of putting out a large enough spike in voltage to trip a regular old surge protector. Best bed if you wanted to be paranoid would be to use a UPS. At least it would kick in on under and over voltages, but it’s voltage tolerances will be much narrower than your power supplies anyway. Chances are the ups will have a cheap modified sine wave inverter in it, unless you bought a pricy one. It’s power will be cleaner, but uglier than the generators power.
You generator will not be capable of putting out a large enough spike in voltage to trip a regular old surge protector. Best bed if you wanted to be paranoid would be to use a UPS. At least it would kick in on under and over voltages, but it’s voltage tolerances will be much narrower than your power supplies anyway. Chances are the ups will have a cheap modified sine wave inverter in it, unless you bought a pricy one. It’s power will be cleaner, but uglier than the generators power.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 10:24 pm to SelaTiger
Been through a shite ton of storms lately. Ran everything from mini fridges to Directv and PS-4s off a 5500 watt generator using just surge protectors. Haven’t ever had an issue.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 10:27 pm to SelaTiger
Running a whole home generator.
When the AC kicks on, there is enough of a voltage drop for a second or two that my home theater surge suppressor says NOPE and cuts the power to my home theater equipment.
When the AC kicks on, there is enough of a voltage drop for a second or two that my home theater surge suppressor says NOPE and cuts the power to my home theater equipment.
This post was edited on 8/30/21 at 10:28 pm
Posted on 8/30/21 at 10:32 pm to SelaTiger
No. You would need a UPS to clean up the dirty power a generator can produce, especially a non invertor type. I personally would limit what electronics I plug in because of this.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 10:35 pm to SelaTiger
Better question? What do these engineers win for making the loudest generator? I love this thing, but damn STFU already.
Posted on 8/30/21 at 10:37 pm to td1
quote:
For the most part the switching power supplies in almost all modern electronics don’t give a crap about the quality of the power.
Lol no. Just no. The improvements have been on the generator side. If anything the electronics have gotten more sensitive.
quote:
As long as it’s somewhere between 100 and 130 it should be fine.
While voltage drop could be a major problem, it’s not the only thing what is referred to with “dirty power.”
If it isn’t invertor type, it can have frequency variations that are just as damning as voltage variations.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:15 am to Volvagia
Well shite I came to post this question it decided to search first. I have this generator and was planning on running the fridge, small window unit, TV, and charging some phones and a Nintendo Switch. Now I’m nervous about plugging in electronics
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:21 am to SG_Geaux
quote:The Horror!
Running a whole home generator.
When the AC kicks on, there is enough of a voltage drop for a second or two that my home theater surge suppressor says NOPE and cuts the power to my home theater equipment.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:25 am to soccerfüt
quote:
Running a whole home generator.
When the AC kicks on, there is enough of a voltage drop for a second or two that my home theater surge suppressor says NOPE and cuts the power to my home theater equipment.
Not acceptable. You need to upgrade to a 2700kw liquid cooled generator. With a fortified and storm proof solar panel array as a supplement.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:34 am to Volvagia
Well thanks to all of y’all for the responses. I think I’ll play it cautious and not plug electronics in to it. As soon as I get a chance I’ll buy a little 1000w or 2000w inverter generator to plug electronics into. Thanks again to all who responded.
This post was edited on 8/31/21 at 7:35 am
Posted on 8/31/21 at 7:52 am to SelaTiger
The ups suggestion is all you need. We’ve got 4-5 ups in the house for electronics. They are good ideas to always have.
That said, I’ve run electronics on generator for hundreds of actual user hours and no problems.
That said, I’ve run electronics on generator for hundreds of actual user hours and no problems.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 8:15 am to SelaTiger
quote:
Well thanks to all of y’all for the responses. I think I’ll play it cautious and not plug electronics in to it. As soon as I get a chance I’ll buy a little 1000w or 2000w inverter generator to plug electronics into. Thanks again to all who responded.
You don’t need to put it on its own generator. Just pass through the power of the generator through a quality UPS. It will clean up whatever noise is in the supply.
Posted on 8/31/21 at 8:20 am to Volvagia
Can someone link a UPS?
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