Generators and Protecting Electronics (e.g.,Sound Equipment)

Karma Khamalean · Post by **Karma Khamalean** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:24 am

Our camp has invested a great deal in sound equipment through the years. We are not a large sound camp but we have several parties where music is an important component. We need to replace our generator this year and given our financial constraints and that fact that we run it infrequently, it looks like we're opting for the cheap and noisy type (We've had the "green debate" extensively... this is just where we are")

The question is this: IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO ADD A POWER INVERTER TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH SINE WAVE OR IS IT SUFFICIENT TO USE A POWER CONDITIONER THAT JUST REMOVES RFI AND PROVIDES SURGE PROTECTION?

What's the risk to the sound equipment and other sensitive electronics by using a cheap Chinese generator that only produces a "saw tooth" curve?

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:43 am

So you're buying a cheap, Chinese, piece o' crap, noisy, obnoxious generator to run a sound system, and you want to know if you should risk your sound system by running it directly off the generator?

Or if, after buying this cheap, Chinese, piece o' crap, noisy, obnoxious generator to run a sound system, you should then spring for an inverter and power conditioner so the cheap, Chinese, piece o' crap, noisy, obnoxious generator to run the sound system doesn't wreck the sound system?

Do I understand the quandary?

Post by **mdmf007** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:10 am

What fill said -
also - generators arent known for their steady supply of power, they run out of fuel, get flipped off on accident etc.,

When we run any electronics we use a UPS / conditioner / surge protector. that way you can keep computers booted up while fueling generators.
but then again - its your electronics.

later

Tom.Jennings · Post by **Tom.Jennings** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:54 pm

It may be false economy to buy a crap generator.

The added cost of post-generator power conditioning adds to the cost, and it's not cheap. It also worsens reliability; more things to break, connect, haul. Plus cheap generators piss off neighbors, use more fuel, ...

Really cheap generators make worse-quality power; do you want to trust your nice expensive amps and gear to an alternator that might spike or load-dump 150V into it? Where's the savings there? Might be OK for power tools that would be more or less immune to a big spike for a fraction of a second, and that the manufacturer is relying upon that.

Maybe look for a used Honda or other decent gen, from someone sizing up.

Post by **trilobyte** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:28 am

Get a Honda or Yamaha whisper quiet. Aside from being not so noisy, they're good on gas (you'll save there) and you won't need to spend a fortune on power conditioners etc). Extremely reliable, too, it'll last you longer as well. Check ebay, you can hopefully save a few bucks on the purchase.

Good luck!

~Trilo~