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Using generator to power computer?
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Posted by horton (My Page) on Wed, Feb 3, 10 at 9:10
| I'm planning to set up a standby power supply using a gasoline fueled generator that I now own, to power up a computer, plus a couple of lights, during a brown out or extended power loss.
I have been looking for UPS devices that would function from using a gasoline fueled generator as the emergency power source and I'm not sure which of them will be suitable, having read that there are some UPS whose internal electronics will not handle possible power amplitude variations from some generators.
One UPS device that has been suggested to me to "clean up" the generators power to the computer, is linked below.
http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/model.cfm?txtSeries
Anyone who has experience with emergency generator via UPS to a computer, could they please share their knowledge and experience on the subject with me.
Thank you. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Using generator to power computer?
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| Look up the generator specs. See if that UPS can compensate for worst-case scenario from the generator. I'd imagine that just about any UPS should do the job, unless it's a real crappy generator. We have a 250 kW diesel generator to power the entire building, and even that causes a noticeable flicker in the fluorescent bulbs. But the computers work fine with the UPS's during the generator startup time and while on generator power. (Various APC models.) |
RE: Using generator to power computer?
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| I've got no problems with a cheap $80 APC UPS on my generator. As HRAJOTTE says, computer switching power supplies can take pretty crappy power. They just run it into a diode anyhow and adjust for a wide range of voltages in the output regulation. |
RE: Using generator to power computer?
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Thank you everyone for your input.
From what I have read here and other places, though there isn't a great deal of information to be had on the subject, most opinions opt for the use of a UPS device, to handle stray voltage spikes etc.
I will go along with that.
Thanks again. |
RE: Using generator to power computer?
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| A UPS can provide filtering, but you have to watch the specs of the units very carefully. Many are a straight pass through as long as the voltage in is above ~120 V. More expensive units have filtering added. The most expensive units are 'always on.'
They turn the incoming AC into DC for battery charging, and at the same time use generate an output 120 V waveform.
These units usually have the heaviest filtering.
The input AC is never available on the output directly. |
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