The Pitfalls of Generators

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Ridge Runner:
Having owned a few Generators at one time or another I have found that there are some things that people need to be aware of,

If you want to use them for running power tools or use them as a Battery Charger then just about any model will do the job. But where things go wrong is when you want to use them to power things like Computers and AC/DC Fridge/Freezers, Then you really need to buy a model that had a pure sine wave Inverter that has a built in AVR system (Automatic Voltage Regulator) As I found out lately the These Fridges DO NOT fair well when it comes to unregulated Voltage Generators,

If you own such a thing and you are using it for or with your Camper/RV then you need to run your fridge from the 12 volt supply system of the Camper/RV and NOT from the 100-240 volt supply from the Generator, because most folks let them run until they run out of fuel and although a lot of these models have built in throttle control systems The problem comes from just at the point that they are about to run out/shut off because the Generator Revs up causing a power surge in voltage and this is the number one Killer of one of the Toughest Fridges in the World in Australia which is the Proving Ground for Engel Australia, ARB Australia along with a few other brands, Engel is the company with the record to beat because there are many of there fridges that are still running in the back of 4x4s after 30 to 40 years of Service but at one of their show rooms they have a collection of fridges that have been killed by their owners using Generators who do not keep an eye on the fuel level and the end result means buying a new fridge costing netween $1000 to $2000+.

So please bare this in mind when you are wanting to buy a Generator, You can use either Type as long as you only power your fridge by the Campers/RV's 12 volt supply and use the Generators DC supply to charge the batteries OR use the AC supply to power a separate AC Battery charger if you want to hard wire it in to as part of the on board electrical system if you do not already have one built In,

Most Campers and RV's come factory fitted with a Pure Sine Wave Inverter IE 12volt to either 100 or 240 volt supply so they are fine for running most things and the Adverts always claim that you can run computers and such from them and you can BUT I would always recommend fitting a surge protector between it and your computer because for the sake of a few Bucks they are cheap Insurance and give you peace of mind,

You will here many stories from people saying well mines alright I've never had a problem, BUT It takes less than a thousandths of a second for it to wreck your computer or your fridge.

Some Generators have a voltage regulator that is stable to within 1% of it's out put, But like I said that is not the problem it is when they run out of fuel where the voltage can rise to as much as 300 volt on a Generator that puts out 240 volts or on a 120 volt model it can rise to as much as 150 volts and that will not only cost you in repair Bills, but all your info on your computer is going to be lost forever, So just remember this when you are ready to purchase your new Generator, and That you can use any model as long as you run your valuable Items from the 12volt system and DO NOT plug you 4x4 fridge in to the AC out let of your Camper or RV,

Computers (Lap Tops) are different because the come with a step down Box that Turns AC in to DC and are a dedicated supply for that Computer so they will work fine with your Camper/RV's AC system but still use a surge protector, But Fridges do not have the same luxury, Ok,

Hope this Helps,, RR.

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Karl:
Good read , RR. Mine has a built-in generator and my fridge is 2way gas or electric with built in surge protector .
The generator has an automatic stop when the RV's fuel tank gets to 1/4 of a tank.

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Ridge Runner:
Quote:Posted by KarlGood read , RR. Mine has a built-in generator and my fridge is 2way gas or electric with built in surge protector .
The generator has an automatic stop when the RV's fuel tank gets to 1/4 of a tank.

Thanks Karl, that is the Beauty of a Dedicated system such as yours because they have thought of every thing where as a few folks like me are just feeling their way around and trying to piece together something that resembles normality, lol.

That's a clever Idea about the cut off I have not seen that type before, that makes a lot of sense  [great]  I have seen a few RV's on YT and the power supplies are in some cases big enough for a 4 Bedroom House, But Impressive just the same,

RR

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GoldDigger1950:
Almost all generators are pure sine wave. Almost all inverters are a stepped square wave, not a pure square wave. I have never seen a pure sine wave inverter that really was pure sine wave when you measured it. They are always chopped sine. Generators, on the other hand, use permanent magnet generators or DC alternators which can only output a sine wave or DC. The real key, like RR says, is to KNOW what you have and to KNOW what is needed for the equipment you will be running.

Posted on: March 16, 2016, 08:59:54 pmOne other item that is recommended is Ground Fault Interruption (GFI) circuit. I forgot what they call it over in your neck of the woods, RR. Since you have no earthing or ground with rubber tires, you have to have a safety circuit if you accidentally touch the hot lead. GFI disconnects the power on any fault so you don't electrocute yourself. Be advised that a handheld hair dryer can accidentally trip that GFI circuit.

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Karl:
We have  GFI in kitchen and bathroom in our Motorhome.

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Ridge Runner:
Quote:Posted by KarlWe have  GFI in kitchen and bathroom in our Motorhome.

We have them fitted in campers over here and they have been standard on all new home over here for the past 15 or 20 years, and you just press a restart button or switch them back on and they have to be on all Building sites as well. They are a great Idea because the slightest change in voltage or earthing and they shut everything down.
Even 240 Volt power leads have them fitted I have one with one on the main real and one on the end where it plugs in to the wall outlet.

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Karl:
The 2 portable generators we have we use with powerstrips that have built in replaceable fuses..

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Ridge Runner:
Quote:Posted by KarlThe 2 portable generators we have we use with powerstrips that have built in replaceable fuses..


Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the Circuit breakers I have that are part of the power leads we buy over here, we also have fuses in the plugs them selves and have had since the 60s the normally range from 3 amp to 13 amps. for house hold power supplies.

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Homefire:
How can they sell these this cheap ?   You are not allowed to view links.
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Ridge Runner:
That's why they are worth getting at that price if they get you out of a jam once they have paid for them selves.

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