Generator question


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Old 10-28-05, 06:53 AM
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Generator question

Is there any reason a television don't work when using a generator? I hooked a television up inside a camper, everything else worked fine..even from the same receptacle.
 
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Old 10-28-05, 07:15 PM
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Much can depend on the generator... Electric motors, heating elements and light bulbs really don't care that much what the frequency of the AC current is. Many electronic devices need ~60Hz before they will consider working. Other considerations may include the power output of the generator. If there isn't sufficient output, the load of the device (or combined load of the device and other loads) may draw the system voltage down below a "thresh-hold".

While these aren't the only considerations, they offer a place to start.
 
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Old 10-31-05, 06:09 AM
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thanks everyone
 
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Old 11-01-05, 02:13 PM
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It may also be worth considering the type of generator. Not all of them produce a/c power the same way. Some of the newer gensets use an inverter. In a nutshell they produce d/c power and lots of it, then an inverter switches that to a/c power. If your gen runs at a constant speed regarless of how much power you are usuing its likely a standard "old stlye" genset that produces a/c power straight away. If your genset changes speed with load then it is likely a gen that uses an inverter. Don't confuse the sound of the engine working harder with faster. Side by side it is easy to hear the difference. Anyway the reason this is a possibility is that some electronic devices don't work well or even work at all on inverter power. Without getting too complicated "true sign wave" inverters produce a/c power that is almost just like what the power company sends to your outlet, only the most sensitive devices can tell the difference. Modified and switch mode inverters produce a/c power but it is not the same. They are less expensive usually but dont work as well with some items. if you understand sign wave then the modified steps up the voltage up and down kinda like steps going up and down above and below zero voltage. part way up, then all the way, then part down, then all the way back to zero, then part way down ect. The switch mode simply switches back and forth all up then all down. Each has its advantages but some devices don't work on that kind of power. check out what type gen you have and if it is a type that uses an inverter try a different tv. You might even check with xantrex web site. they make inverters and i believe that they have a list of some items that do or dont work on inverter power.
 
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Old 11-02-05, 05:11 PM
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thanks for the info
 
 

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