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Thread: Generator Damage to electronics

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Manheim PA
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    Generator Damage to electronics

    A year ago I purchased a Generac GP6500 generator. Recently someone said I could have problems with some electronic devices like a computer. Do I need to replace it or is that not necessary. I'm sure we have some electrical engineers on here.

    Thank you.
    Last edited by Dick Adair; 11-02-2012 at 5:12 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Get a scope and take a look at the quality of the power coming out of the generator... it's much nastier than the smooth stuff coming from the local plant. The easiest / cheapest solution is to get a power conditioner installed... if you have a small subset of circuits you'd like to power for electronic equipment, you can get away with a smaller conditioner (read, less expensive). Motors and such don't care too much about the line quality, so an old A/C unit might be just fine, but newer ones with heavy control electronics would have more issue. A good electronic piece will have some heavy conditioning on its own... some computer power supplies might be okay, cheaper units might not handle the nastier issues on the line.

    YMMV...
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Monroe, MI
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    We had problems with that with our old Generac portable. I had two UPS's fail shortly after using the generator and a microwave. It also made my alarm clock run fast--gaining about 5-10 minutes per hour. Most portable generators have a pretty bad waveform. If you want something clean, look to Honda's inverter generators ($,$$$) or a stationary standby unit ($,$$$-$$,$$$)

    Our standby is working awesome. We haven't had a single utility failure lasting more than 10s since we put it in this spring Last several years we had them regularly.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Mid Michigan
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    3,559
    I bought the Honda 6500 watt portable inverter generator and love it. It puts out a clean waveform and it runs very quietly. It cost me a little over $3000. It is very heavy but I can take it with me if I move.
    David B

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