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Started By
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Generator safety for electronics question
Posted on 8/31/21 at 5:32 am
Posted on 8/31/21 at 5:32 am
With so many baws using generator power after the storm, there are certainly concerns about portable generators producing power that isn’t safe for electronics. Does anyone know of any solution or product to make generator power safer for powering computers or a tv?
6
Posted on 8/31/21 at 6:24 am to TBoy
You need one with an inverter
Posted on 8/31/21 at 5:17 pm to TBoy
Use a UPS on your electronics.
Posted on 9/1/21 at 11:30 am to TBoy
what dou you think is unsafe? use a surge protector if concerned. im pretty sure you're just assuming these concerns. generally a device is going to pull the current it needs. a computer power supply has built in protection from minor spikes.
Posted on 9/1/21 at 11:43 am to TBoy
I have a whole home generator. My PC handles things just fine.
When the AC kicks on, there is enough of a temporary voltage drop that my living room surge protector kicks in and cuts the power to my gear so I have it unplugged right now.
I may look at a UPS for the living room stuff in the future
When the AC kicks on, there is enough of a temporary voltage drop that my living room surge protector kicks in and cuts the power to my gear so I have it unplugged right now.
I may look at a UPS for the living room stuff in the future
This post was edited on 9/1/21 at 12:06 pm
Posted on 9/1/21 at 4:27 pm to TBoy
I try not to run them directly. I’ll charge a portable battery charging brick and then charge my device from that. I don’t run computers etc…
Posted on 9/2/21 at 6:01 am to zippyputt
Get an inverter generator and you have no worries powering all your electronics. My Honda is one of the best investments I ever made. It sips gas and is quiet as hell too.
This post was edited on 9/2/21 at 6:05 am
Posted on 9/5/21 at 9:47 am to TBoy
surge protector. this is a must.
generator must be Inverter.
generator must be Inverter.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 12:54 pm to LsuFan_1955
quote:
Use a UPS on your electronics.
My UPSs refused to be charged by the generator. Tried at least 4 of them and the battery just keeps draining.
Posted on 9/5/21 at 3:16 pm to arcalades
quote:
what dou you think is unsafe? use a surge protector if concerned. im pretty sure you're just assuming these concerns. generally a device is going to pull the current it needs. a computer power supply has built in protection from minor spikes.
Generators put out THD/total harmonic distortion. Most electronics are designed to withstand low THD, and higher % will cause them to overheat. Short term it’s not really an issue but long term exposure could cause some failures. Most portable generators have a high THD, like up to 20%. Inverter generators are generally designed to keep it below 3%.
This post was edited on 9/5/21 at 3:17 pm
Posted on 9/6/21 at 8:10 am to junkfunky
I haven't had that issue with my UPS units. If I had to guess your generator isn't outputting the correct, or within range, frequency when under a load. Engine speed is the culprit for this. If you have a decent multimeter that will measure frequency you need to test your generator. You can do this with no load. The frequency should come in around 62-63 hertz. If it isn't there adjust your governor to increase or decrease the engine speed until you reach that frequency range. Ideally the generator should hold your setting, unloaded. Once you've done that introduce just the UPS units to the generator and see if they work/charge the batteries. If they do, then start introducing other loads to see if the frequency wanders and the UPS units stop charging the batteries. If that occurs try and adjust the engine speed, if possible. If you can't make it work you probably have something wrong with the generator, or you are pushing it's limits and may need to consider upsizing the generator.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Posted on 9/6/21 at 9:08 am to LsuFan_1955
Nice post. It's certainly not undersized. Luckily we got power back already but I'll keep in mind to check the frequency next go round. 
Posted on 9/6/21 at 7:56 pm to junkfunky
Some UPS units are compatible with generators. Most small cheap home units are not.
The ones I am finding that are specifically generator compatible are like $800 and up
The ones I am finding that are specifically generator compatible are like $800 and up
Posted on 9/6/21 at 8:58 pm to SG_Geaux
I haven't run into the problem, yet. All my UPS units are APC home units, and my generator is brand new this year.
ETA: My most expensive UPS units were just over $200.
ETA: My most expensive UPS units were just over $200.
This post was edited on 9/6/21 at 9:00 pm
Posted on 9/7/21 at 10:15 am to SG_Geaux
quote:
Most small cheap home units are not.
These are not small cheap ones.
quote:
The ones I am finding that are specifically generator compatible are like $800 and up
Ok, maybe they are small cheap ones.
Posted on 9/7/21 at 12:56 pm to junkfunky
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