[OT] Generator testing

[michael miller]

Sounds like a good explanation, but doesn't fit with my experience.
Several years ago I had a problem with my UPS refusing to let the
generator take over.  It was a high quality (Honda) generator with more
than enough capacity and both 120 and 240 output.  I suspected that the
problem was related to the waveform but was to lazy to troubleshoot the
problem.  I just took the UPS out and let the generator do its job.
Bottom line is that you should actually test your UPS/generator
combination together to make sure that they are compatible.

Mike Miller

On Thu, 2009-09-10 at 08:25 -0400, Ben Scott wrote:
> Bruce accidentally sent this off-list, but said I could forward it
> here for benefit of all...
> 
>   Thanks again, Bruce, for the good info!
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Bruce Dawson <jbd at codemeta.com>
> Date: Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 10:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [OT] Generator testing
> To: Ben Scott <dragonhawk at gmail.com>
> 
> Ben Scott wrote:
> >   I know many UPSes don't like the output from some generators, for
> > example -- they stay on battery (which runs down and then drops the
> > load).
> 
> My experience has been this is because the UPS doesn't like the phase
> output of the generator. This can usually be resolved by using a
> generator that has sine wave output. Another (probably easier to find)
> solution is to use a generator that has a 220 socket. Some of the better
> UPSs don't like the phases output by "single-coil" generators, and
> getting a generator with a 220 socket tends to generate a better waveform.
> 
> Note that you don't have to use the 220 receptacle, just find a
> generator that has the capability.
> 
> Keep in mind that generators will tend to raise or drop voltage whenever
> the load changes, however, all of our UPSs (mostly APC) tend to cope
> with that. They'll beep until the generator is able to come back up to
> speed. If the generator doesn't come up to speed, then you're probably
> loading it beyond its capacity - or have a really cheap one that doesn't
> auto-throttle according to the load (or have a governor controlled
> throttle).
> 
> --Bruce
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