For every question, there's an answer -- and you'll find it here!


Printer-friendly copy
Top The PC Q&A Forum The Computer Forum topic #339
View in linear mode

Subject: "Backup generators" Previous topic | Next topic
poppabullThu Dec-13-01 10:59 AM
Member since Nov 17th 2001
10 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
"Backup generators"


          

I have been advised that use of a generator with a square wave form will damage my computer. Is this true and if it is how can I tell what type of waveform a generator has?
Brian

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

Replies to this topic
Subject Author Message Date ID
RE: Backup generators
Dec 13th 2001
1
RE: Backup generators
Dec 13th 2001
2
RE: Backup generators
Dec 13th 2001
3
RE: Backup generators
Dec 14th 2001
4
RE: Backup generators
Dec 16th 2001
5

old dudeThu Dec-13-01 11:12 AM
Charter member
7641 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#1. "RE: Backup generators"
In response to poppabull (Reply # 0)


          

There are some other things too and I want to hear what Shelly and some of the others say. But one thing I can think of might be frequency 50/60 hz. I remember running electronics in the field with a 10Kw generator and the filtering and frequency were a very important part of it.....

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

SonnyThu Dec-13-01 02:19 PM
Charter member
12005 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#2. "RE: Backup generators"
In response to poppabull (Reply # 0)


  

          


I have 4 accounts with backup generators. 3 were setup by qualified companies and the 4th was juryrigged by the owner. All use a UPS between. A UPS is mandatory to control the sudden surges/drops in power and all the other stuff that Shelly can tell you about. I am aware of another site who did not use a UPS and it fried his server. A home generator worked for a friend of mine. Combined with a UPS, he was able to continue working for 2 hours until he got to the point where he could shut down properly. His power came back on 20 minutes later and everything checked out properly. A generator alone will not work. I personally use a UPS alone and able to shutdown quickly or if away, the controlling UPS software will powerdown in 1 minute. Need to upgrade UPS software sometime to better control shutdown.




  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

ShellyThu Dec-13-01 10:34 PM
Charter member
58338 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#3. "RE: Backup generators"
In response to poppabull (Reply # 0)


  

          

Who ever told you that a generator puts out a square wave? They do not. A generator, even the cheapest, simply rotates an armature in the field of a magnet this results automatically in a sine wave. It is actually a motor in reverse.

The only thing you need to worry about is output fluctuation, and that is why God invented UPS's

Shelly

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

JPFri Dec-14-01 05:10 AM
Charter member
9570 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#4. "RE: Backup generators"
In response to poppabull (Reply # 0)


          

I do use a generator in my RV, an Onan Microlite. The generator does surge slightly when it is under a light load, but it settles down when about half loaded. The surging is noticable simply by watching the ceiling lights, I can see them dim.

My laptop runs just fine from it, although laptops are buffered by the built in battery. Like others have said, I would suggest a UPS, especially if it is in a business situation where the computer is mission critical. It takes time when the power goes out for an autostarting generator to fire up and reach a stable operating speed. If it's like my Microlite, the circutry prevents output for about 60-90 seconds until the speed is stable. Then the circut is turned on for use.

JP

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

    
poppabullSun Dec-16-01 11:14 AM
Member since Nov 17th 2001
10 posts
Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
#5. "RE: Backup generators"
In response to JP (Reply # 4)


          

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I think I now have what I need

  

Alert Printer-friendly copy | | Top

Top The PC Q&A Forum The Computer Forum topic #339 Previous topic | Next topic
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.27
Copyright 1997-2003 DCScripts.com
Home
Links
About PCQandA
Link To Us
Support PCQandA
Privacy Policy
In Memoriam
Acceptable Use Policy

Have a question or problem regarding this forum? Check here for the answer.