Generators compatability with computer??????

Chaz · January 31, 2011, 07:58:24 PM

Hey Folks,
I did a little electronics work back in the stone age but today's stuff is a bit over my head...... to say the least!

(I was still taught "Tube Theory" along with that "new fangled" transistor theory in High School. And the Navy wasn't much better.

) I have seen several threads on here discussing sine waves, etc. and if certain generators were compatible with computers. I "think" mine is since I have a 4024.

So this is a question along those lines but with the computer is in my house. With this snow/ice front coming thru, I got thinking of using my baby to help run my shop and office. (brilliant huh. I thought it up myself.

) If the bad weather hits, it may be time to maybe run the "juice", the other way!

Otherwise,I keep her plugged into the shop 24/7 for batteries, etc.

On my bus, I have a Onan/Cummins 6500 diesel gen and a 4024 Zantrex. I "THINK" that the Zantrex makes using a computer on my bus, OK. I'll be trying it one day, but haven't yet. But, could I just run an umbilical cord from the generator, not the inverter, back to my breaker box in the shop and run my computer, etc., straight off of it? Is it possible it could hurt my computer if it doesn't "match"??

Now please, I understand the issues of safety and all that so please, let's not get into that. I just want to be able to use my bus to help with my work - kinda like a little payback, as it were.

Any ideas?

Thanx a bunch,
Chaz

(I think this can still be a "Bus Related Topic".

If not, "Can I run my computer straight off my Generator?" And, can it hurt it??

TomC · January 31, 2011, 10:12:29 PM

Chaz-if your generator is a constant speed type (rather than the variable speed inverter type generator) then the electricity produced is no different then the electricity from the utilities. Your inverter produced electricity may not be suitable for the computer. My wife uses her MAC lap top on the inverter with no problems-but I think that's because the battery in the computer is filtering the incoming electricity. I don't think anything will happen-just that the computer will not boot up. Good Luck, TomC

Mex-Busnut · January 31, 2011, 10:49:10 PM

Chaz:

If you are talking about a laptop, there are also a lot of 12-volt DC adapters on Ebay where you can connect them direct to your vehicle battery.

I also studied tubes back in those days. We still use them in ham radio kilowatt amplifiers. Did you ever try for a ham license? I am licensed as XE1UFO in Mexico and XE1UFO in the U.S.

white-eagle · February 01, 2011, 05:03:23 AM

i don't see why it would hurt your computer system. they're not quite as delicate as you might think. there is a pretty good variance in voltage. i used a standard 10kw, industrial type genset to power the house in an outage. wired it into the panel. when the power was out, turned off the main to the utility power, turned on the breaker to the genset. i usually flipped off a few things to make sure i diddn't overload anything, but i ran 2 servers and about 8 desktop/laptop computers as well as all the lights, fridge, etc. usually, the util came back on before we had to try the stove, water heater or dryer.

to be clear, the genset was the same type used for temp power at a construction site.

Chaz · February 01, 2011, 06:56:44 AM

Hey, thanx folks! Hopefully I won't need it but we do have about 1/4" of ice this morning and the "storm" isn't here yet. $:-\$
I guess if I need it, I'll just try it. I'm glad to hear that it won't hurt it. I have enough troubles with the normal stuff.

Nope, it's a desk top. I'm always lagging behind.

I don't play with electronics, as it were, anymore. I like the more physical world - blacksmithing, coppersmithing, sculpture, welding, fabrication, etc. BUT< I do have an old tube radio that I was wondering if someone had use for the tubes. My guess is they may be hard to find.

Yeah Tom, it's an 1800 RPM constant. I was just thinking it had something to do with "true sine wave" or something to that effect.

On a lighter note, you should have seen Roo (my Australian Blue Heeler) go out to go "potty" this morning!

FEET EVERYWHERE!!!! LOLOLOLOL He hit the ice, got all outta shape, gathered it back up looked back at me with the "WHAT THE %#$@ is THAT!!!!!

But, then he was right back in the "let's play, let's play" mode!!!

Thanx again folks!!!
Chaz

rv_safetyman · February 01, 2011, 07:20:36 AM

Laptops are very forgiving. You can plug them in in Europe to their 220V(?)/50 cycle systems with no problem (just need the mechanical -as opposed to electronic -adapter).

I am not so sure about desktops. Tom seems to think they are no problem and with your generator, I would agree (assuming it is running correctly). If someone were to push the envelope and try an older gas unit, or a contractor type generator, I would be concerned.

The best answer for a desktop would be a UPS unit. They have come down in price quite a bit over the last few years:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=72&name=UPS

We no longer use a desktop for our personal and business computers. If we did, we would use a UPS without question. We have power interruptions and power spikes due to lightening several times a year and it just would not be worth the risk.

Jim

Chaz · February 01, 2011, 07:34:11 AM

Thanx for the tip and the link, RV!
Chaz

Sean · February 01, 2011, 03:04:32 PM

Quote from: Chaz on January 31, 2011, 07:58:24 PM
But, could I just run an umbilical cord from the generator, not the inverter, back to my breaker box in the shop ... ?

Now please, I understand the issues of safety and all that so please, let's not get into that.

Sorry, we are going to get into it anyway.

Household backup generators are not bonded -- ground and neutral are separate inside the generator, because they are already bonded at the main panel in the house. Bus generators, however, ARE bonded.

Hooking a bus generator to your house main panel as you suggest is a huge safety hazard, because you will energize the ground system. Don't do it.

If you need to use the bus generator to power things in the house like computers, fridge, etc., run extension cords and/or plug strips back to the bus to do it. Keep the bus system and house system separate, for safety's sake.

FWIW.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

buswarrior · February 01, 2011, 04:18:36 PM

I am going to start a new thread for this diversionary idea of using the coach generator as a power station for the house.

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=18850.0

happy coaching!
buswarrior

somewhereinusa · February 01, 2011, 05:09:19 PM

I have been running desktop computers for years, in a semi, in a camper, all different makes of inverter from cheap to expensive. Never a complaint from about 6 different computers. I lose hard drives due to heat more than anything else. I have also ran them off of 4 or 5 different generators, including one that coudn't seem to keep cycles right. That drove my microwave nuts, but didn't bother the computer.