Looking for a decent generator.. 5000 watts

[liberty2701]

If Generac told him "all of their generators are between 3-6 %", you both could be right. Maybe their worst ones are in the 5-6% range, and all their XP and Inverter models are less than 5% (3-4%).

I called and verified. The GP line which is their most popular gen is 10% or higher. Like I said earlier the only portable model with an acceptable Thd for electronic devices or thd sensitive electrical components are the Xp and inpverter lines. All of their home standby units are less than 5%.

 

[Ford850]

I called and verified. The GP line which is their most popular gen is 10% or higher. Like I said earlier the only portable model with an acceptable Thd for electronic devices or thd sensitive electrical components are the Xp and inpverter lines. All of their home standby units are less than 5%.

Thanks for following up.

 

[TomSeller]

Any easy way to measure the THD?

 

[3930dave]

Any easy way to measure the THD?

Power Meter | Power Monitor | Power Meters ? Fluke® Corporation

Fluke is usually a safe bet.

Not as pricey as in days past, but probably still outside of what most people want to spend - unless you earn a living with 'em.

Rgds, D.

 

[TomSeller]

Power Meter | Power Monitor | Power Meters ? Fluke® Corporation

Fluke is usually a safe bet.

Not as pricey as in days past, but probably still outside of what most people want to spend - unless you earn a living with 'em.

Rgds, D.

I guess I should have said "any inexpensive ways to measure THD? ".

 

[newbury]

Well just looking for a device I ran across this:

Power requirements for
furnaces
Furnaces, unlike consumer electronics,
do not have a built-in
regulated power supply (which
would add about $1500 to the
cost). They rely on a clean, consistent
sine wave to power an
IFC (integrated furnace control)
and establish clock timing and
synchronization of integrated
circuits.
A simple IFC may only
control furnace functions such
as turning line or low voltage
switches on and off, controlling
fan-timing circuits, and monitoring
flame rectification circuits.
More advanced IFCs also control
voltage to igniters, ECM and VFD
motors, and variable frequency
drives.
Even the simplest IFC may not
operate when supplied with poor
quality power.
Furnaces have a minimum
basic electrical requirement for
voltage, frequency and power
quality. The accepted standard
is:
120 V ｱ 10 % (108 V to
132 V)
60 Hz frequency ｱ 3 % (57 Hz
to 63 Hz)
Harmonic distortion <5 % THD
Furnaces supplied with voltages
that have harmonic distortion
greater than 8 % THD may not
operate or will operate with
possible damaging consequences
for the electronic circuitry and components.

from http://support.fluke.com/find-sales/Download/Asset/3497420_6112_ENG_A_W.PDF

Think I might need cleaner power for my $3,000 furnace.

 

[kenmac]

I called and verified. The GP line which is their most popular gen is 10% or higher. Like I said earlier the only portable model with an acceptable Thd for electronic devices or thd sensitive electrical components are the Xp and inpverter lines. All of their home standby units are less than 5%.

Ok,, I had a chance to call back today.. This time the person put me on hold for quite some time.. Said they were trying to contact a generator tech.. After a while on hold, the person tells me, that don't have that info available for my generator model. I have no idea why they wouldn't have that info available to them.. My generator is probably 8 -10 yrs old

The problems I have read about the new / inverter generators, is with the GFCI breakers tripping when connected to the house.. To prevent this.. the jumper wire from the neutral and ground within the generator wiring would need to be removed..
it is said some generator manufactures will instruct you how ,and where to find this jumper wire, while others won't

 

[liberty2701]

Ok,, I had a chance to call back today.. This time the person put me on hold for quite some time.. Said they were trying to contact a generator tech.. After a while on hold, the person tells me, that don't have that info available for my generator model. I have no idea why they wouldn't have that info available to them.. My generator is probably 8 -10 yrs old

The problems I have read about the new / inverter generators, is with the GFCI breakers tripping when connected to the house.. To prevent this.. the jumper wire from the neutral and ground within the generator wiring would need to be removed..
it is said some generator manufactures will instruct you how ,and where to find this jumper wire, while others won't

What model do you have?

 

[buickanddeere]

To prevent neutral current from flowing in the ground conductors .

 

[kenmac]

WEN 2,000-Watt Inverter Generator-56200i - The Home Depot

Cheaper than the northern tool branded power house generators