MEP-016D power quality

[stoneburner]

I haven't been able to find any discussion on power quality on these forums - specifically from the MEP-016D. I don't have the equipment to do any analysis, and I don't know that I'd be able to make any sense of it if I did. So has anyone done any power analysis on these gensets, or know of a thread where this is discussed? Of course, they're fine for running lights, fans, refrigerators, freezers, well pumps, etc., but is the power of high enough quality to reliably run a computer or other sensitive electronics without damaging them, considering that the generator head was manufactured in the early 70s? I have been hesitant to back up the circuit that the computer and television are on for this reason, but it would be nice to plop the kids in front of the flat-screen TV to watch Nemo or Monsters Inc. on a DVD during a prolonged outage.

 

[Isaac-1]

Modern televisions, computers, and most other higher end electronics use switch mode power supplies, which easily accept a wide range of wave form distortions and frequency variation. The things that are more likely to have problems with power from any generator are cheaper electronic devices, like lower end microwave ovens as well as computer battery backups. As to the output of a MEP-016D it should have a fairly good waverform, and reasonably good frequency stability for a mechanically governed generator, being a brushless generator end you should not have too many noise spikes, and the electronic voltage regulator should do a fairly good job limiting voltage sags and spikes when large loads are added or removed. It's only real downside is it is a 3600 rpm 2 pole generator vs the 1800 rpm 4 pole found on the MEP-002a, etc. as such you will tend to have more waveform distortion, but this is a relatively minor issue for most applications.

Ike

p.s. The number of models of generators in its general size class that will outperform a MEP-016 on output waveform quality could probably be counted on one hand, and even then there would be some debate depending on what factor is more important. Remember while these may be 40 years old, they were not built trying to shave every penny.

 

[stoneburner]

Thank you, Ike...once again, a perfectly worded, technical, no-B.S. answer.

Appreciated!!

Mike

 

[Triple Jim]

Ike speaks the truth. I've run many different computers on old square wave inverters with no problems at all. I used to run my main work computer on a square wave inverter full time, powered by a car battery that was kept charged with a 13.8V power supply. Being so isolated from 120V power, I'd keep working right through thunderstorms. This was before UPSs were so cheap.