[Nut-upsuser] Slightly OT: Generators & UPS

[Doug Parsons]

I think that you will find that the Halogen lights did the trick. The
"dirty" part of the power often comes from the unloaded generator having
fluctuations or overvoltage. Cheaper designs tend to have a higher unloaded
voltage and often a deformed wave pattern until loaded with a resistive
load. The Halogens fit that bill and helped smooth things out as well as
slightly lower the voltage levels. As for the compact fluorescent  lights,
they can often introduce a lot of noise into the system. It will depend on
the design if the ballast.

Another approach that may solve your issue is to use a 1:1 transformer.
These are often used as filters to help drop the noise level and can
actually smooth out small spikes and dips in the power. You can often find
these cheap from surplus suppliers.

Unless the generator is rated for computer grade power, I would never
recommend connecting directly to it with the PC. The chance of a spike is to
great and no telling how much damage it could cause.

If you know anyone that has an Oscilloscope that you could use, it would be
a good way for you to see the condition of the power from the generator. I
would even recommend looking at you main supply from time to time. I once
found a loose connection on the power companies transformer by watching the
scope. The voltage would shift about 1-2 volts and then shift back. They
thought I was crazy until I caught the arching of the connection on video
and played it back for them.

Good luck.

My $0.015



-----Original Message-----
From: nut-upsuser-bounces at lists.alioth.debian.org
[mailto:nut-upsuser-bounces at lists.alioth.debian.org] On Behalf Of Basheer
Noorgat
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 1:52 AM
To: nut-upsuser at lists.alioth.debian.org
Subject: [Nut-upsuser] Slightly OT: Generators & UPS

Hi,

Can anyone shed some light on this:

My PC's are on a separate power circuit. Each PC has its own UPS.

I have an old Honda generator. When the power goes out, I fire up the 
generator. However, the UPS's still run on battery. If I connect the 
PC directly to the socket and bypass the UPS, the PC works.

I was told by a UPS supplier, that the power output from the 
generator was "dirty" hence the UPS's preferred to remain on battery 
power.

Recently, the power went out and fired up the generator. 
Surprisingly, all UPS worked and accepted the generator power.

This time the only difference was that we also powered off some 
halogen spotlights and some energy saving compact flourescent 
lighting from the generator.

Can anyone shed some light on what happened?

When I get a chance, I will try and repeat what happened and see the 
outcome...

Regards




Basheer Noorgat 
NMC EXQUISITE
23 Bauhinia Rd., Stanger, 4450, South Africa
P.O.Box 2449, Stanger, 4450, South Africa
Ph: (032) 551 3300     Fax: (032) 551 4414 
Cell: 082 5510 227     Int. Code: +27 (32)
Web Site: http://www.nmcexquisite.com
Basheer Noorgat 
NMC EXQUISITE
23 Bauhinia Rd., Stanger, 4450, South Africa
P.O.Box 2449, Stanger, 4450, South Africa
Ph: (032) 551 3300     Fax: (032) 551 4414 
Cell: 082 5510 227     Int. Code: +27 (32)
Web Site: http://www.nmcexquisite.com



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