Your last generator Maintenance Run

[cqaigy2]

What problems with frequency? I run 60 hz motors on frequency drives from 25 to 90HZ! Some UPSes may not like it and won't accept it. Beyond that, are you running scientific equipment? Maybe a Hydron Collider? sp? Not too sure how modern TVs handle, out of band frequency. They probably have switching supplies so they would not care. As far as voltage goes. 95 to 130 wouild work most stuff here. Some motors may not like the low voltage. Most importantly, you are not syncing up with anything.

If you read his post, it said "At that point all of our dimmer based lights decided to flicker like crazy". They are probably phased controlled so maybe they had a problem with frequency.

 

[ultrarunner]

What problems with frequency? I run 60 hz motors on frequency drives from 25 to 90HZ! Some UPSes may not like it and won't accept it. Beyond that, are you running scientific equipment? Maybe a Hydron Collider? sp? Not too sure how modern TVs handle, out of band frequency. They probably have switching supplies so they would not care. As far as voltage goes. 95 to 130 wouild work most stuff here. Some motors may not like the low voltage. Most importantly, you are not syncing up with anything.

I've had trouble with electronic battery chargers for power tools... not all but some makes especially with inverters and also with a cheap not Honda generator...

 

[90cummins]

Check to see if there is a floating ground in the generator tha needs to be attached (bonded) I think may be the term.
When i ran my PTO gen the first time I had the same problem.
My stereo started buzzing and promptly blew an internal fuse.
I attached the wire and problem solved.
The instructions that came with my generac pto 25 said the wire Was shipped disconnected for some reason and may need to be attached depending on use??
90cummins

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would guess, the newer tool chargers have switching supplies. I would guess, they should care less about frequency. I have seen switching supplies that have crazy wide voltage and frequency specs. 0 to 300 volts, DC to daylight. Well, almost! It would be most interesting to take a freq drive and see what things in the average house will work at what frequencies. Dimmers? I can't see why running them at wide frequency variance would bother them either. Now, if they don't have a good sign wave, no they would not work properly.

I'm always impressed and amazed that any generator I have and use will allow troublefree operation of X-10 wireless powerline control. That's the last stuff I would would have expected to work.

 

[vvanders]

Check to see if there is a floating ground in the generator tha needs to be attached (bonded) I think may be the term.
When i ran my PTO gen the first time I had the same problem.
My stereo started buzzing and promptly blew an internal fuse.
I attached the wire and problem solved.
The instructions that came with my generac pto 25 said the wire Was shipped disconnected for some reason and may need to be attached depending on use??
90cummins

Yeah, the connection to the transfer switch is via NEMA 14-50 and the ground for the house is right there at the panel. The instructions do call for grounding but I figured that wouldnt make a huge difference there. Good idea, I may pull the panel and make sure the neutral and ground are actually connected.

 

[3930dave]

Check to see if there is a floating ground in the generator tha needs to be attached (bonded) I think may be the term
90cummins

Good point.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I've had trouble with electronic battery chargers for power tools... not all but some makes especially with inverters and also with a cheap not Honda generator...

I haven't gone looking for it recently, but Dewalt used to publish a spreadsheet on this issue.

Certain Dewalt 120Vac chargers were fine, but there were some that were clearly listed as NOT to be used on an inverter.

For any big$ major cordless-tool purchase, I'd check with the manuf. on that issue, or provision for DC charging.

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My friend installs all kinds of Inverters (Probably Pure Sine, Zantrax) for Utilites to charge their tool batteries. Stupid if you ask me. Why don't the tool manufacturers all make 12 volt chargers?

 

[3930dave]

I'd expect any major tool line to have DC options, at least as a special-order item.

Not pushing Dewalt..... just an example....

12V MAX* - 2V MAX* Lithium Ion Vehicle Battery Charger - DCB119 | DEWALT

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

I haven't gone looking for it recently, but Dewalt used to publish a spreadsheet on this issue.

Certain Dewalt 120Vac chargers were fine, but there were some that were clearly listed as NOT to be used on an inverter.

For any big$ major cordless-tool purchase, I'd check with the manuf. on that issue, or provision for DC charging.

Rgds, D.

I did go with a 12 volt charger and it worked fine... just one more thing to buy.