Generators and PC / electrical equipment

[jimbouk]

Looking to buy a generator for home, already have the house wired up with a proper transfer switch from external mains to generator supply.

This one is tempting, not going to be used often (hopefully)

http://www.ukhs.tv/Workshop/Generators/Wolf-WP3100...

Normal load at home with some lighting is circa 2kw, avoiding high power appliances.

One of the main reasons for wanting one is to keep the pc and internet working (sometimes work from home on tight deadlines, power loss not helpful!. ill have them connected via a surgemaster 4way power strip be sufficent to protect them from voltage spikes and surges? Or am I asking for trouble using pcs off a generator. Guess I could use the laptops via their chargers...

Thoughts / advice welcomed!

[Liszt]

Think about putting them on a UPS and then no problem at all while the AC switches.

[Smiler.]

Laptops will be fine, as the battery acts as a UPS.

For PC's, a UPS is essential & will usually have surge protection for mains & CAT5 connections. I'd also consider surge protection for the phone line as well (many surge protected power bars also have an line-jack connection).

As for capacity, a 1kVA UPS will deliver 600 watts. I have 350 watts connected to mine & that is the recommended maximum (according to the status app). Computer equipment is generally 'messy' compared to a heater (power factor, harmonics etc) & usually draws more than is apparent.

The generator should be sized for the UPS kVA, not kW so a 2kW set leaves 1kW. For the laptops, check the output current rating & use that to get the VA.

Make sure that the installation is sound, where will the gen set be located - indoors (exhaust), outdoors (integrity of electrical connections.

[Wings]

If you are near to Bristol, I purchased from Stax Trade Centre some 3 years ago a Medusa Generator 2300 for about £69.00. Since then I have been surprised at how often I have had to make use of the generator due to power cuts.

[tenex]

Used to have regular power cuts up here, being the end of a line. The longest was 4 days.
So I bought a generator as insurance.
The following week SSE informed me that the line was due an upgrade.
There hasn't been a fking power cut since of any significance! That's 4 years!
bds !

[tubbinthug]

Does anyone know of a cheap diesel generator? I´ve always thought it would be far cheaper running one on Red Diesel than petrol, but the cheapest I have found are about a grand.

[tenex]

tubbinthug said:

Does anyone know of a cheap diesel generator? I´ve always thought it would be far cheaper running one on Red Diesel than petrol, but the cheapest I have found are about a grand.

Sell you mine!

No, that would be tempting providence.

[Adrian W]

I put one in the garage a couple of years ago, not had a power cut since! one thing though, I start it every now and then just in case, it was a pig to start on the pull cord, I took the cover off and underneath is a 19mm bolt, I cut an old socket extension in half and stuck it in a battery drill, it starts really easily now, nearly electric start.

[jimbouk]

Thanks for the advice, looks like a ups should be on the shopping list too.

Stax looks interesting too....