Running PC off a generator...a Bad Idea?

[wahnula]

Hello,

I am a victim of Hurricane Ike, it will be several weeks before AC power is restored. In the meanwhile, I'm using a ~7,000-Watt generator to power a few devices like a 42" plasma, small wall A/C, and a few lights. Just for giggles I connected the cable modem today and the cable connection is intact! Surprising when it rides the same pole as the power, just lower. The falling trees took out the power lines, the cable is the lowest line and somehow it still works.

I tested the power strip before I connected the PC, it was a stable 113 volts. It did not change when I turned the PC on. The PC is fine, but I'm wondering if I am setting myself up for disaster by using it for brief periods. It is a midrange unit, Core2Duo, 375-watt PSU, ATI x1900, 3 HDDs and some fans & lights and a 22" LCD monitor. Is this a Bad Idea?

I have it running through a new APC UPS/surge unit and I figure worst case I damage my PSU, best case I retain my sanity and connection with the world. I'm hoping the electronics folks out there will offer some sage advice on why I shouldn't do it or shouldn't worry. Thanks folks.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[SkipCox]

First, I'm sure a lot of older household electrical (not running off a generator) is in much worse shape than yours is.

Modern generators provide pretty clean power and the UPS/Surge would help in the event of a spike or surge. Basic precautions would be to plug everything into a power strip and switch the power strip off when you're not using the machine. Frankly, I'd do the same as you are...you do need to keep in touch with the world.

Hope your world is not too badly damaged and y'all are all well.


Skip

 

[edfair]

Although the best would be a continuous operation UPS, what you have is the next best. Shouldn't be any problem.

UPS outputs, when the input power is missing, is pretty nasty on those not converting full time. And computer switchers handle it well.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[wahnula]

Thanks guys. I do have the UPS connected to a power strip (two of them actually) as my house is a maze of every type of extension AC cord known to man . I now have a reason to explain to my wife why I never throw anything out...I've got two 100-foot orange cords that must be 25 years old, they have been repaired (properly) many times along with newer orange cords, brown jap cords, triple-taps and a plethora of power strips going back to the 70's.

My world is not too damaged (see thread1229-1499191 for pictures) except for a small hole in my roof and no power. Finding out the cable was intact was next-best to finding out the DirecTV dish still worked, although it does need to be re-aimed as one of the HD satellites does not work...but an enormous tree that was in the way of line-of-sight is now gone, so it shouldn't be too hard to re-orient. I might try it myself.

And yes, I am using the PC briefly, no Crysis, just a quick browse of the Internet and checking email. Thanks again.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[edfair]

If the old power strips were surge suppressors they have probably used up their protection. The MOVs generally are good for about a year of continuous duty.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[wahnula]

No worries Ed the older power strips are basically being used as extension cords, the PC is plugged in to the newer APC UPS/surge. I was plagued by XP's "Critical Battery" popups until I shut that feature off...I'm still running the PC (and UPS) part-time and the battery will never charge fully.

I don't need to tell you that back then power strips were a New Idea and not many of them were "surge protectors". They did mostly have re-settable circuit breakers that many modern strips lack.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[JimInKS]

During an ice storm last December I ran on generator for 7 days. In my case I used my wireless router and notebook computer. Figured that would give me better isolation. I also only had a cheap 3.5KW generator. Yours, being 7KW, is probably a much better unit.

Anyway, I think you will be fine. The benefits sure outway the risk. And, in your case, when you get your power back on it might be much dirtier than the generator as your whole power grid will probably be pretty unreliable for quite some time.

 

[orypecos]

I think your main danger is all those power cord causing a fire.
Also remember that power cords soak up some of the voltage so U aren't getting full voltage to your machines connected to it. This can cause motors to run hot and burn out sooner due to low voltage.
I hope that U don't have any younger kids in the house that could spill soda on a cord and electrocute themselves.

 

[wahnula]

No kids in my house...and I'm not Chevy Chase in "Christmas Vacation". I'm not ganging up stuff unsafely, there's a method to my madness. Some folks are tying their generators into the breaker panel, now THAT is unsafe.

TNMP posted a notice that all homes will be back up by Sunday night...we shall see.

A curious event happened yesterday, I turn everything off before I leave for work every morning. Everything was off except the generator itself. While waiting for my ride, I thought I'd surf the 'Net a bit, but the UPS/surge was beeping and would not power up. I took a reading with my handy multimeter before the UPS and it was 130 volts, I guess past the UPS's "safe zone". I fired up the window A/C and the power dropped to 120 volts and the PC powered up fine.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[rmw2]

I ran a laptop for 12 days in the NW Houston area off of two different generators. No problems. My only connection was via a laptop connect card and the circuits were very busy in the first days but eased up later that first week.

rmw2

 

[wahnula]

Well I got my power back Saturday, back in the real world again, able to use a toaster, microwave and coffeemaker at the same time.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[orypecos]

When using a backup generator it is best to use it to power a battery, such as used with a laptop. Then the battery absorbs the spikes, sags, and surges. Many phone systems use a battery bank for power with AC continually charging the batteries.
With a home generator, it usually isn't cost effective to have a battery backup to be charged and then using inverters to supply power for the AC. Batteries are incredibly expensive and have to be replaced even if never used.

If I had both a laptop and desk top I would use the laptop to avoid subjecting the desktop to such power changes such as U described during power outages. The laptop won't see the power problems because its' power supply converts the AC to DC and then sends it through the battery that absorbs the power problems.

 

[BadBigBen]

able to use ... coffeemaker

the most important thing!!!

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."