Your last generator Maintenance Run

[grsthegreat]

On the topic of Generators and UPSs -
I have a Sportsman 9KW/7.2KW generator that I run on propane when the power is out (Like it was here from Last Thursday until Sunday).
I also run all of my electronics (2 routers, 2 computers, 1 monitor, 1 TV, 1 DVR) on UPSs - An APC BackUPS 550, a CyberPower 485 and a CyberPower 1000.

When running on the generator, with the electronics all on, the UPSs kick on and off and alarm almost continuously even when the generator has a constant load.

Apparently the UPSs "don't like" the stability of the power put out by the generator (?).

Anyone else experience similar?

when my generac 22 kw is running, the ups units do not cycle on and off. They engage only when power drops off, then they shut off and operate as normal after generator starts up.

 

[3930dave]

On the topic of Generators and UPSs -
I have a Sportsman 9KW/7.2KW generator that I run on propane when the power is out (Like it was here from Last Thursday until Sunday).
I also run all of my electronics (2 routers, 2 computers, 1 monitor, 1 TV, 1 DVR) on UPSs - An APC BackUPS 550, a CyberPower 485 and a CyberPower 1000.

When running on the generator, with the electronics all on, the UPSs kick on and off and alarm almost continuously even when the generator has a constant load.

Apparently the UPSs "don't like" the stability of the power put out by the generator (?).

Anyone else experience similar?

Not directly, but I know a UPS can be finicky about what it "sees" coming in. Most UPS manuals state that the UPS should be connected directly to line power, and not through a power bar - wise for anything moderately powerful, but that is partly because they don't want any "signal" conditioning going on in the power bar. In your case, your UPS may be seeing too much "signal"..... but I'd play around with eliminating power bars, or at least subbing in ones with no built-in suppression/protection.

For "emergency" use, I like to use a dedicated inverter, and use the generator with a separate charger to top up the batteries. Keeping the re-gen power on the DC side seems to work out, for me. 90cummns is doing similar, but on a larger scale than I.

Larger UPSs are provisioned already to connect to external batteries. (There are places that sell refurb ones cycled out of commercial IT service). If you often deal with multi-day outages, I'd be tempted to run one larger commercial UPS, and just charge the battery bank directly via the generator - with AC line power to the UPS disconnected till outage is over. Just be sure to remove (at least electrically) the emergency DC chargers from the battery, before restoring line AC to the UPS.

My :2cents:.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Have you measured your voltage and frequency while under load?
It doesn't take much for some of the ups's to kick in.
I have a kilo-watt power strip that I can look at while in the nice warm house while the generator is running.
It's nice in that it has several other functions, it will totalize the power drawn thru it and you can even input
a cost and it will totalize that for you also.

Sounds like a neat strip Lou.

Can you pls post Make/Model info, or a link to ?

Rgds, D.

 

[LouNY]

This is one link;
Electricity Monitors & Energy Savers | P3
I believe I got mine at Lowes or Home Depot several years ago.
They have several models I don't see mine on this site also Amazon lists several,
Kill A Watt.

 

[3930dave]

Thanks Lou.

I'm familiar with KillAWatt, but hadn't seen it done as a strip before.

Rgds, D.

 

[LouNY]

Mine looks to be a combination of the original and a 5 outlet strip.
I like them I have thought about getting another one to plug into a kitchen receptacle where its easy to see, either a 4400 or 4460.

 

[goeduck]

I dialed my generator governor into within 0.5V of my commercial power based on my Fluke meter and it has 6% THD so I do not notice anything any different than while on the utility company power. I do not know about frequency.

 

[LittleBill21]

Not directly, but I know a UPS can be finicky about what it "sees" coming in. Most UPS manuals state that the UPS should be connected directly to line power, and not through a power bar - wise for anything moderately powerful, but that is partly because they don't want any "signal" conditioning going on in the power bar. In your case, your UPS may be seeing too much "signal"..... but I'd play around with eliminating power bars, or at least subbing in ones with no built-in suppression/protection.

For "emergency" use, I like to use a dedicated inverter, and use the generator with a separate charger to top up the batteries. Keeping the re-gen power on the DC side seems to work out, for me. 90cummns is doing similar, but on a larger scale than I.

Larger UPSs are provisioned already to connect to external batteries. (There are places that sell refurb ones cycled out of commercial IT service). If you often deal with multi-day outages, I'd be tempted to run one larger commercial UPS, and just charge the battery bank directly via the generator - with AC line power to the UPS disconnected till outage is over. Just be sure to remove (at least electrically) the emergency DC chargers from the battery, before restoring line AC to the UPS.

My :2cents:.

Rgds, D.

the cheapy's don't like the hertz drift, they want .5 hz regulation, the non inverter gennys tend to float between 62-60.

i have 7 ups's sometimes you can adjust them via software to not care as much.

its a non issue for me with my inverter generators. hz is dead on 60

 

[3930dave]

the cheapy's don't like the hertz drift, they want .5 hz regulation, the non inverter gennys tend to float between 62-60.

i have 7 ups's sometimes you can adjust them via software to not care as much.

its a non issue for me with my inverter generators. hz is dead on 60

I can see that being an issue....... part of why my low-buck approach is to charge the batteries directly.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I dialed my generator governor into within 0.5V of my commercial power based on my Fluke meter and it has 6% THD so I do not notice anything any different than while on the utility company power. I do not know about frequency.

Nicely done..... you work in the field, or just have a healthy tool budget

Rgds, D.