buying a gen. to run pc/router

[richjdavies]

So it doesn't matter how schitty a generator you get it will work just fine.

Yes for the first few times. But every second your putting in 190V rather than 230V you're killing the little fairies inside that make it work -- worse still if you're going 190V one moment to 300V the next -- which will happen with a cheap generator as loads switch on and off.
(and everytime something switches on and off on a little generator like that the voltage will shift down and up -- you'll basically be 'browing' out your appliances).

Electronics are pretty robust to different voltages because they have a power-supply between them and the mains, but then don't expect the capacitors etc. in the power supply to put up with it -- and when they blow they might take other things with them.

If you've just spent R10k on a Computer (I'm assuming gaming rig, why else R10k!?) then you don't want to kill it by being cheap on the generator/UPS etc.

Most UPS's are built to give PC's 10 minutes in which to shut-down, or start a generator. That would probably be your best bet.

Just Cheap UPS = no actual backup time (unless you chain on some more batteries, but then you need a bigger charger etc...)
Just Cheap Generator = backup but could damage what you're trying to use?!
Cheap UPS + Cheap Generator = reasonable solution

(FYI - there's a reason data-rooms -- admittedly it seems, outside of SA where most things are just cobbled together -- always have a UPS to clean the power before it enters the data-centre).

I've been having reasonable success with a UPS just running my router and monitor -- but computer/laptop charger isn't on the same lead. When it is the 'inverter' buzz a bit too loudly for my comfort.
I bought a Messner 1000VA UPS from Dion Wired (only one they had in stock) which has a 7 AH battery. It's been fine serving a little router for the past few months. I'm expecting that if/when I'm using my monitor (20W) -- I'm probably hurting the batteries, so I might stop . Still haven't got to a 'low battery' warning during a 'load shed' though.

 

[sybertiger]

"Cheap UPS + Cheap Generator = reasonable solution"

thats what i am gonna do

buying a 2.5kw with the cheapest ups i can find ,should o use that red surge protectors also or arnt those needed? just to be exsta save

also what is the out put of a cheap ups?
will it give out enoth power to power my pc at full load

 

[AstroTurf]

"Cheap UPS + Cheap Generator = reasonable solution"

thats what i am gonna do

buying a 2.5kw with the cheapest ups i can find ,should o use that red surge protectors also or arnt those needed?

also what is the out put of a cheap ups?
will it give out enoth power to power my pc at full load

2.5kw will be more than enough to run your pc, tv, few lights and fans.

 

[sybertiger]

i know that

but will a cheap psu put out enoth power to use my pc as normal?

 

[furpile]

i know that

but will a cheap psu put out enoth power to use my pc as normal?

No. The normal 600VA UPS (most of the small ones which cost around R600) has a power rating of 360W (the model I have). That is supposed to be the max power you draw from it. I assume your PC has a decent PSU (750W in your sig?), so you will need more than that to not damage the UPS.

Even an APC 550VA UPS (popular brand) only has 330W output. You will need at least a 1500VA UPS. And that is quite expensive unfortunately.

That's why I ended up just getting a UPS for the router, and use my phone/tablet while the power is off. Can still watch Netflix at least.

 

[sybertiger]

so ups is a no go,how will a normal surge protector plug be?
will it be enoth to keep the spikes down so i don't blow anything?

 

[AstroTurf]

so ups is a no go,how will a normal surge protector plug be?
will it be enoth to keep the spikes down so i don't blow anything?

no

 

[sybertiger]

and a Voltage Regulator for about R1k

so gen-wall-lead- surge protector -VR-pc

does that sound like a good setup?


edit: i got told i should get a inverter and those cheap gens at game are ****

so inverter+car bat+solar panel(for daytime chargeing)
will that run a pc and how long will a bat last?

like this add
http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-other-el...-ac-run-you-tv-dstv/1001268269340910406293909

 

[furpile]

and a Voltage Regulator for about R1k

so gen-wall-lead- surge protector -VR-pc

does that sound like a good setup?


edit: i got told i should get a inverter and those cheap gens at game are ****

so inverter+car bat+solar panel(for daytime chargeing)
will that run a pc and how long will a bat last?

like this add
http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-other-el...-ac-run-you-tv-dstv/1001268269340910406293909

It depends a lot on what you will do with the PC's. If you're just browsing each PC could use as little as 100W, but full out gaming and you could use over 500W. Do you want to run both PC's full out during load shedding? Then you probably need at least 1000W output with the monitors added. From a 24 V battery setup, that is about 42 A (52 A with inverter losses), so after 2 hours a 100 Ah battery will be flat. And you should only drain it 50%, so for 3 hours you need 3 battery packs with 2 each (series to get 24 V) so that is 6 100 Ah batteries. Roughly (anyone please correct if I'm wrong). It is just not worth it IMO.

 

[sybertiger]

yah seeing the price and how complicated this sounds

going for my other option,just run the router
how long will those R600 ups run a router for
and where can i get that converter cuz the ups dont have a 2point plug that the router needs

and use myphone/tablet for internet to kill time

 

[itareanlnotani]

Just plug a power bar into the UPS output, and plug your 2 pin plug into that so that you have the requisite connections you need (Do NOT overload the UPS though!)

This is reasonable - http://www.takealot.com/rct-2000va-line-interactive-ups/PLID32714413

add a takealot R100 off vouchers - 5HQ7-25U3-F6KU and you're at R1400, which isn't too bad.

You can always use larger capacity batteries to get more runtime if needed (according to the other threads that UPS is running 2 x 12v 7Ah in series for 24V @ 7A = 170W odd, or about 50W of usable capacity if you don't want to kiss the batteries goodbye within a short period of time..

 

[lestoran]

Useful thread, learned a few things.

Just to clear up: Is AVR needed at all when running through a UPS? And what kind of UPS? Line interactive good enough to clean the power or must it be online? Other than the light I want to keep up my server, router and maybe a laptop (old and battery dead) + led monitor.

I'm assuming if I want to power the lights as well they need neither UPS or AVR?

 

[westom]

so ups is a no go,how will a normal surge protector plug be?

A surge protector to 'cure' spikes will cost so much money that the better generator ends up costing significantly less. Best solution to spikes must be in the generator.

YingYang has provided a best reply, in part, because he has also provided numbers.

The UPS recommendation should have obviously been bogus. Since those UPSes are made as cheaply as possible. And 'dirty' power from a generator would only confuse it - cause it to constantly switch to battery power. Furthermore, some of the dirtiest power seen by electronics is generated by a UPS in battery backup mode.

Best solution, that also costs less money, is to use a better generator. Generaor that does not create those spikes. And that will not cause massive voltage swings as other appliances power cycle. Cheapest solution should already exist inside the generator.

 

[Oooompie]

I have bought myself an inverter generator. It uses true sine wave and is safe to use for delicate electronics unlike a conventional generator. It is more expensive than a conventional generator but is much quieter and uses less fuel.
Mine is a Power Master 1.2kv which I got on special for R4000. I power a 40" Samsung Smart TV, PC with 18.5" monitor, WiFi router and 2x20 watt lights simultaneously for 2.5 hours (Not fully utilized but on economy mode still) and it uses 600ml for the period and I am 100% at ease that no damage will occur to my electronics as current stays constant. Here is some reading on Inverter Generators which is fairly new technology.

http://blog.briggsandstratton.com/portable-generators-inverter-generator-vs-conventional/

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/inverter-generator-advantages

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

I have bought myself an inverter generator. It uses true sine wave and is safe to use for delicate electronics unlike a conventional generator. It is more expensive than a conventional generator but is much quieter and uses less fuel.
Mine is a Power Master 1.2kv which I got on special for R4000. I power a 40" Samsung Smart TV, PC with 18.5" monitor, WiFi router and 2x20 watt lights simultaneously for 2.5 hours (Not fully utilized but on economy mode still) and it uses 600ml for the period and I am 100% at ease that no damage will occur to my electronics as current stays constant. Here is some reading on Inverter Generators which is fairly new technology.

http://blog.briggsandstratton.com/portable-generators-inverter-generator-vs-conventional/

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/inverter-generator-advantages

4k? :wtf: Where did you get it for that price? That's like a third of the price its being advertised at.

 

[KinsZA]

Why not just plug a UPS that has AVR already into a generator that does not ?
1100VA UPS with AVR = +- R1000, + 1kw generator without AVR = UPS + generator at less than the cost of without.

To those worried about needing massive UPS's try borrow a multimeter to see just how much power your hardware uses. For example my core i5 first gen work pc with two LED screens and a voip phone at idle use 150watts @ 0.88 amps, 220w if it needs to start working. If I calculate VA its about 220VA.

Edit: Obviously if the fluctuation in voltage is great enough the UPS will start to care about it

 

[furpile]

Why not just plug a UPS that has AVR already into a generator that does not ?
1100VA UPS with AVR = +- R1000, + 1kw generator without AVR = UPS + generator at less than the cost of without.

To those worried about needing massive UPS's try borrow a multimeter to see just how much power your hardware uses. For example my core i5 first gen work pc with two LED screens and a voip phone at idle use 150watts @ 0.88 amps, 220w if it needs to start working. If I calculate VA its about 220VA.

Edit: Obviously if the fluctuation in voltage is great enough the UPS will start to care about it

Well it depends what you want to use it for. Your work PC is not the same as 2 gaming PC's like the OP described, they can easily use 500W each if they have hungry GFX cards in. If its just a small PC for browsing the net you don't need much.

 

[KinsZA]

Well it depends what you want to use it for. Your work PC is not the same as 2 gaming PC's like the OP described, they can easily use 500W each if they have hungry GFX cards in. If its just a small PC for browsing the net you don't need much.

Agreed just saying everything doesn't always use as much as expected, measuring with a meter would be the best option (Not sure how much they cost as I am borrowing but could save a lot of cost/hassle)

There is also the option of altering usage patterns, your graphics card plays a massive role in power usage. Do you have to play the game that maxes your graphics card during those 2 hours ? If not may save cash.

I am going to get a 1kw(run time not peak) generator with AVR myself, willl see how I can spread the usage around.

 

[Oooompie]

4k? :wtf: Where did you get it for that price? That's like a third of the price its being advertised at.

Brights Hardware in Cape Town R3999. Also have bigger ones. One week ago. Boston branch had like 6 still available then.
Do a search on their website for Inverter Generators. http://www.brights.co.za/

Fragram inverter generator 800w sine wav R2699.95

Inverter generator power master 1.2kva R3999.95

Inverter generator power master 2.5kva R6899.95

Inverter generator power master 3.5kva R8999.95

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

Brights Hardware in Cape Town R3999. Also have bigger ones. One week ago. Boston branch had like 6 still available then.

Nice. A minute away from my work