Generator Advice

[werfie]

So with the mass Eskom hysteria raging around us, we invested in a generator in December. A 5.5 Petrol, Grip is the brand.

I have tested the generator and it pulls my inside/outside lights, alarm system, 3 fridges, 3 fans, cellphone chargers, 2 laptops & monitor, ADSL router, 2 Tv's and 2 Dstv's quite happily.

My question howerver is, which of these things may get damaged when running it on the generator?

I have smart Tv's and one fridge is a new Samsung air cool something or the other fridge and DSTv Explora's etc... in other words I have spent a good couple of bucks on them in the last year or so and wouldn't want to damage them by running them on a generator.

1. Should I avoid running certain things on the generator?
2. Should I add equipment to the mix, i.e. will a UPS connected to the fridge be an adequate safety mechanism?
3. Can I assume that all things that work with adapters, i.e. Laptops, Cellphone Chargers, Computer Monitor, DSTV Explora's are protected against the fluctuating current from the Generator already?

Some general advice would be much appreciated. I am quite stupid with this and can't rule out burning out everything during a period of 2 hour load shedding.

 

[agentrfr]

Is the genny a pure sine wave or modified sine? If it is pure then it wont damage the sensitive devices. If it isnt pure sine (i.e. modified sine or sawtooth), then you might have issues.

If you dont know, a quick way to test is to plug a large speaker/amp into it and if there is a buzzing sound then it is a modified sine genny and you should go get some upses.

TVs and computers (incl things like DSTV decoders) are generally the only things that'll get damaged. Lights/motors should be okay

 

[Sinbad]

Generators are pure sine.
The thing to check is that it has AVR.

 

[werfie]

Is the genny a pure sine wave or modified sine? If it is pure then it wont damage the sensitive devices. If it isnt pure sine (i.e. modified sine or sawtooth), then you might have issues.

If you dont know, a quick way to test is to plug a large speaker/amp into it and if there is a buzzing sound then it is a modified sine genny and you should go get some upses.

TVs and computers (incl things like DSTV decoders) are generally the only things that'll get damaged. Lights/motors should be okay

I am not sure, we bought it from someone else, so no box/manual etc. And I don't really have any speakers/amps around. Do you things like laptops that runs through a battery that is charged from an adapter will get damaged?

Generators are pure sine.
The thing to check is that it has AVR.

I know it has AVR.

 

[agentrfr]

Generators are pure sine.
The thing to check is that it has AVR.

You'd be surprised...

I am not sure, we bought it from someone else, so no box/manual etc. And I don't really have any speakers/amps around. Do you things like laptops that runs through a battery that is charged from an adapter will get damaged?

I know it has AVR.

If it has an external voltage regulator then it is likely to be pure sine and you should be okay

 

[werfie]

Ill check, but I decided to be safe, I will get a couple of UPSes just for peace of mind. Thanks for the input.

 

[Jola]

Ill check, but I decided to be safe, I will get a couple of UPSes just for peace of mind.

Most UPS's are modified sine and are not suitable for fridges, etc.

Pure sine wave UPS's are very expensive. Check to make sure.

 

[werfie]

Most UPS's are modified sine and are not suitable for fridges, etc.

Pure sine wave UPS's are very expensive. Check to make sure.

You see, these are things I don't know. And to find a store where you can find someone who will be able to tell you these things and give good advise, is almost impossible. If you are lucky enough to find someone, they will often only try to sell you the most expensive thing they have.

 

[maumau]

Aaaaaaaaannndddd.......... that's why we like myBB

 

[Sonic2k]

You see, these are things I don't know. And to find a store where you can find someone who will be able to tell you these things and give good advise, is almost impossible. If you are lucky enough to find someone, they will often only try to sell you the most expensive thing they have.

So some of us do know the answers... just ask.
Stores generally hire mouth breathers to do sales.

 

[pedruid]

Anyone with experience of power trolley battery backups?