2nd 2020 PGE Blackout Prep: AVR/UPS to Clean Up Generator Power for Home Electronics

[riprap]

First 2020 prep was to buy a dual fuel (LP/gasoline) generator.

I’ve read through a number of AVR and UPS threads here and elsewhere.
There doesn’t seem to be a consensus on the value and/or compatibility of running an AVR and UPS in series when fed by a generator. I would like 5000 watt capacity, therefore CyberPower isn’t a viable homeowner option.

If I’m not worried about having a UPS, is a generator to AVR to quality surge protector series of any value? If so, what surge protector do you recommend?

What are your 2020 PGE pre-blackout preps?

Mods, if this need to be booted to Technology and Internet, kick it!

[vmonkey]

I wish I bought a dual fuel generator, but when I bought my little Honda EU1000 it was unplanned (during a camping trip). It will run my chest freezer but not my fridge in the house.

I have a 160W solar panel, a Renogy folding 100W suitcase style system, a 12V Trojan deep cycle battery, and 1000W inverter that I plan to set up later this summer to try out. Again, I don’t think this will run my inside fridge but I can run my chest freezer and freeze/re-freeze ice packs probably indefinitely as long as there is sun.

[cudakidd]

just installed 12k propane generac. whole house auto on. plus 7500 and 3500 watt dual fuel generators. installing windmill if cost effective with battery.

[jamie404]

solar is the way to go.

[1911RONIN]

Let me know when you want solar


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[luckylogger6]

Has anyone actually had issues with dirty generator power damaging "sensitive electronics"?

[Librarian]

Originally Posted by luckylogger6

Has anyone actually had issues with dirty generator power damaging "sensitive electronics"?

Why wait for the genny to run? I have long had an APC 'back-UPS' for my cameras and DVR, and my wifi router. A little power flicker will crash those but will not start the generator, and a complete fail takes a couple seconds to start the generator; battery backup keeps those up.

Most everything electronic is plugged into a surge protector.

In fact, the whole house has a surge protector, a Siemens FS140.

Overkill there, maybe; CG is not known for a lot of lightning.

Anyway, these days the only evidence of a power failure is I have to reset the clock on my microwave.

[kenl]

12kw dual fuel portable, and wired in a main circuit lockout switch installed this year. No automatic switchover, but it does the job. Have UPSs' on the main computer and internet connection, and surge protectors on tv/entertainment and game systems.

Last year we used a 5.5kw; using extension cords to feed directly into the various systems, with the same protection for the electronics. Outside of not having enough power to run the entire house, and unable to charge the batteries on the UPS's, didn't have any issues with the old, cruder setup.

That said, we are looking into better power conditioners for the electronics

[riprap]

Originally Posted by kenl

That said, we are looking into better power conditioners for the electronics

What are your thoughts on this unit, aside from the wattage rating being too low for your needs?
LiteFuze 5000 Watt Voltage Converter Transformer Heavy Duty Regulator Meter
*Up to 5000 Watt Maximum Capacity Auto Input Voltage Selection, Voltage Regulator with Transformer
*Circuit Breaker Protection, converting box Technology (Lighter Weight)
*Thick Industrial Heavy Detachable Grade Cord
*Weight: 24.70 lbs, Dimensions: 12.25" x 7.75" x 12.37"
*CE Certified
*Multiple Sockets (US standard & Universal Sockets)
*Full LiteFuze 3 Year Warranty and Expert Support

[twinfin]

Originally Posted by luckylogger6

Has anyone actually had issues with dirty generator power damaging "sensitive electronics"?

Not "damage" per se but this is what I experienced using a non-inverter generator that produced dirty power via a modified sine wave. Using this old generator, I could only get my ceiling fans to turn on or off. The wall switch that allowed additional functions like fan speed, direction, light dimming etc. would not work while on generator power.

When I switched over to a Honda EU6500i inverter generator, the ceiling fans would work flawlessly while on generator power. It seem that the circuit board on the ceiling fans couldn't cope with dirty power but once I started using the true sine wave power from the Honda EU6500i, all functions worked flawlessly.

I did not have that older generator long enough to experiment with other devices like computers since I only used it on one or two power outage before I upgraded. It came with the rural house I bought at the time but it was super loud, was a gas hog and drove me crazy listening to it during my first power outage and the dam ceiling fans wouldn't work properly. So I bought the nice quiet Honda with clean, inverter power and saw right away the difference a true sine wave inverter made in a device with a sensitive electronic circuit board.