running off a generator : why the UPS?

Inevitability

Inevitability

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I've tried reading some of the threads here regarding buying a generator to power up a home during loadsh***ing.

Thing is: Everybody seems to mention having a UPS hooked up to the generator.
A quick Google search showed me that UPSs are expensive

So ... if you don't mind me asking: What's the need for the UPS?

And, would there be a need for the UPS if I wanted to get a generator to power:
- lights (200W?),
- TV (250W?), and
- PC (250W?)

Even on a 4-hour serving of loads***ing, I'd easily be able to live with just lights and TV, which exclusively runs video from the PC.
 
The important part is the "U" in "UPS".

The UPS is there so there is no interruption of power. Generators generally require time to start up and get going before the provide power.

There are other reasons people would use UPSes but that's the main reason.
 
The UPS ensures both no drop of the appliances when the power goes down, it supplies juice during the gap it takes you to start the gennie, and also cleans up surges and spikes that might damage your toys. Generators can be very noisy when it comes to spikes and surges, especially if unmaintained, and the UPS can keep you from going boom.

For your load, a 1.5kVA should suffice to give a runtime long enough to get the gennie going. You can get a decent make for under 2K. E.g. http://www.upsdirect.co.za/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_62&product_id=52
 
A generator may produce fluctuating power which can damage electrical equipment. One of the main reasons for a UPS is to even out those fluctuations and provide clean power to your devices. So besides giving you time to turn on the genny its important to find out what type of ups you have. on-line, line-interactive or standby?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply#Technologies

Needless to say the cheaper ones are standby which is useless for evening out power fluctuations. The line-interactives only come in bigger UPSes that look like like tower PCs. :( At least that is my understanding.
 
Most UPSs are not pure sine wave though. Newer inverter type gennies are cleaner than these UPSs
 
Ok so let's say I don't care about the interruption bit and I just want power during loadsh***ing (...power that won't blow things up!)...
Isn't there a cheaper alternative to a UPS that would "clean up" the power coming out from the generator?

tRoN said:
Most UPSs are not pure sine wave though. Newer inverter type gennies are cleaner than these UPSs
Click to expand...
Amazing! Do they cost a hell of a lot more? Do you know of an example of a 1000W one?
 
tRoN said:
I paid about 12k for the eu20i in Durban.
Click to expand...

You won't find stock anywhere until end of March.

I got a ryobi rg2000 i today from Makro but also scarce. Cheaper then the Honda and probably not as good but all that's available.
 
Dam my generator has suffered a temporary reduction in generating capacity due to unforeseen circumstances as Eskom would say. I ran out of petrol :( But sorted now after a trip to the petrol station.
 
I wonder whether I should abandon the idea of keeping the TV on and just get something for the lights only... maybe then a solar setup will be worth investing in... something that works all the time, not just during loadsh***ing, so it can pay for itself over time.
I'll create another thread for it.


ok ... done ... here
 
mxc said:
Dam my generator has suffered a temporary reduction in generating capacity due to unforeseen circumstances as Eskom would say. I ran out of petrol :( But sorted now after a trip to the petrol station.
Click to expand...

I am trying to one-up Eskom by stockpiling 25l of fuel in my garage.
 
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