[rancher2244]

Do to the possible power outages in our area in the winter time down here in Arkansas,I have purchased a gas generator.
This is a large one,7000 watts, and will power most of my house.
I have heard that it may damage my flat screen tvs and computors.
If this is so,does anyone have any cheap ideas of how to fix this?
I thank you for helping me on this.

[hfcarson]

Where did it say that generators damage computers and TV's?
If you're still concerned you can use a UPS to filter and protect these
Items although I would not expect that to be a "cheap" solution...
Was there a better description of what parameter would likely cause
This damage?

[Kyle_in_rure]

I don't know what brand you use, but my Coleman 5000 watt has been used with different CRT TVs and a flatscreen over the years, with no problems, as well as a VCR, DVD, set top box, etc. The usual concern is voltage drop that can occur when large appliances (fridge for example) start. Also, most generators produce a dirty frequency that some electronics don't like (my dishwasher would stop intermittently when we tried to run it off the generator). I would (at least) put electronics on a surge protector, and when you use your generator turn on large appliances (fridge, furnace,etc) FIRST, before connecting any electronics. Hfcarson is right, a good UPS system would prevent this issue, although it wouldn't be cheap.

[rancher2244]

Where did it say that generators damage computers and TV's?
If you're still concerned you can use a UPS to filter and protect these
items although I would not expect that to be a "cheap" solution...
Was there a better description of what parameter would likely cause
this damage?

First off, thanks for you interest.
On the top of the generator there are a number of stickers and one of them reads like this. Warning,this generator is not intended to power sensitive electronic equipment withou the addition of an appropriate line conditioner. And it goes on to tell me that is sold separately.

This generator is sold by Duro Max and I bought it off EBAY. It is an XP8500E.

Can you tell me what a UPS filter is and where I should look for one. Thank you

[rancher2244]

I don't know what brand you use, but my Coleman 5000 watt has been used with different CRT TVs and a flatscreen over the years, with no problems, as well as a VCR, DVD, set top box, etc. The usual concern is voltage drop that can occur when large appliances (fridge for example) start. Also, most generators produce a dirty frequency that some electronics don't like (my dishwasher would stop intermittently when we tried to run it off the generator). I would (at least) put electronics on a surge protector, and when you use your generator turn on large appliances (fridge, furnace,etc) FIRST, before connecting any electronics. Hfcarson is right, a good UPS system would prevent this issue, although it wouldn't be cheap.

First,thank you for you help on this. I am trying to find out what a UPS system is and maybe I can just use surge protectors, I do have them already. What do you think?

[hfcarson]

First.. I don't think common computers and TV's qualify as "sensitive electronic equipment"...
That term is more often used to describe diagnostic and imaging equipment such as MRI's and CAT scan equipment.
If computers and TV's were that sensitive they would be failing far more often than they do as most utility companies don't have the cleanest of power...
Since the 80's and 90's computers and TV's are no longer as susceptible as they used to be to power anomalies.
Either way, surge suppression is always a good idea. If your computer is part of your business or holds critical information a small UPS from a company like APC in my opinion would be a good investment.

[rancher2244]

First..I don't think common computers and TV's qualify as "sensitive electronic equipment"...
that term is more often used to describe diagnostic and imaging equipment such as MRI's and CAT scan equipment.
If computers and TV's were that sensitive they would be failing far more often than they do as most utility companies don't have the cleanest of power...
Since the 80's and 90's computers and TV's are no longer as susceptible as they used to be to power anomalies.
either way, surge suppression is always a good idea. If your computer is part of your business or holds critical information a small UPS from a company like APC in my opinion would be a good investment.

Thank you very much,I just never thought about those kinds of things. I guess you would call them life support items. We have none and do have the surge protectors and will use them of course. Thanks again

[shuntripper]

7000 watts might sound like a lot but it's really not.

And I suspect that is a "peak" rating, what does your manual say about "continuous rating"?
Continuous ratings can turn out to be about 80% of an advertised peak rating.

For a 7kW genset, 80% would be 5600W (5.6kW)
At 240V that is only 23.3A--not enough to run an electric range, but would probably handle most water wells.

At 120V , 5.6kW is 46.667A, good enough for a refrigerator, and most of your lighting load. Add up the rated amperage draw on what you really need the genset to run.

UPS means Uninterruptible Power Supply, they usually have some power conditioning function built in, Like Carson said, APC is one of the better brands, they make huge ones for critical equipment in Hospital settings and the like.

[rancher2244]

7000 watts might sound like a lot but it's really not.

and I suspect that is a "peak" rating, what does your manual say about "continuous rating"?
continuous ratings can turn out to be about 80% of an advertised peak rating.

for a 7kW genset, 80% would be 5600W (5.6kW)
at 240V that is only 23.3A--not enough to run an electric range, but would probably handle most water wells.

at 120V , 5.6kW is 46.667A, good enough for a refrigerator, and most of your lighting load. add up the rated amperage draw on what you really need the genset to run.

UPS means Uninterruptible Power Supply,, they usually have some power conditioning function built in, Like Carson said, APC is one of the better brands, they make huge ones for critical equipment in Hospital settings and the like.

When I said 7000 that was the continuous rating,the peak is 8500. I think Carson is correct and I will just use the surge protectors. I sure thank you for your help

[Kyle_in_rure]

You might get a multimeter, and run some of your loads on the generator and test the voltage out of the generator (make sure it stays around 120) as appliances start and stop, if you don't want to spend the money on a UPS. If everything checks out okay, try a TV. Like I said, my flatscreen handled the generator fine, even though the lights would dim as the fridge started. (I never tried running our PC off it)
Surge protectors really don't do that much, but they're better than nothing.

[rancher2244]

You might get a multimeter, and run some of your loads on the generator and test the voltage out of the generator (make sure it stays around 120) as appliances start and stop, if you don't want to spend the money on a UPS. If everything checks out okay, try a TV. Like I said, my flatscreen handled the generator fine, even though the lights would dim as the fridge started. (I never tried running our PC off of it)
Surge protectors really don't do that much, but they're better than nothing.

Thanks,Kyle. This generator does have a voltage gauge on it,it tells what is being sent out. It is not a cheap one. Thanks again

[Kyle_in_rure]

Not a problem.