I wasn’t sure where to classify this…


So this isn’t specifically audio focused, but people here understand things like

power management, THD and so on.

 

I moved from So-Cal where all I had to worry about was having a UPS for a 30 second or less power outage.  Now I live in So-Alabama where hurricanes could potentially take power out for up to 2 weeks!

in said situation, whole house backup generators are extremely

pricey!  I have a regular construction generator I want to use as an emergency backup, as well as a battery backup UPS on my computer.

this is a non-inverter generator, so it’s dirty power.  lol my

UPS protect my computer etc, and regulate the large THD issues, or do I need something to help adapt?  Since this is for backup, and I don’t plan to run my high end theater equipment on it, it’s merely asking advise on equipment that would help me not fry my computer in a 5-10 day power outage with dirty power.  Is the UPC enough?  Do I need more?

maverick3n1

Showing 2 responses by mwjones

Let me paint a worst case hurricane picture based upon my experience of living in south Florida for 20 years (yes, through Andrew), and my "cat duty" with my then employer, an insurance company. The means I got to exist in an area devastated by a natural disaster and process insurance claims.

Your 1988 house is not built to the current hurricane building code written after Andrew showed how weak the pre-1992 building codes were. Since you are on the top of a hill, storm surge may not get you, but winds can peel your roof like a grape. And if the roof is gone and the windows on the top two floors are blown out, water will be everywhere in the lower floors from the windblown 12" of rain. Hurricanes also spawn tornados, so you want to be able to access that below ground portion of the lowest level.

Internet for your computer? Try no cell service either. Water & sewer will be off line. Two cases of water? Think 20. Freezer full of food, eh. Are you going to feed all the neighbors you let into the garage who no longer have a home?

Where are your valuable papers (birth certificates, passport, bank records, insurance policy), inventory of the household goods for an insurance claim? How much cash is on hand? Banks and ATMs will not be working and neither will any online payment systems. No cash-no gas/food/water. Got flashlights, batteries and a radio? How about a gun? You may be the only lights for miles and bad guys roam after natural disasters. There was a great Twilight Zone episode about this...

Pop the $10,000 for a 27.5 KVA automatic generator and a 500 gallon propane tank (you can bury it it you don’t like the looks). Stock up on water and seriously consider evacuating if a hurricane is coming.It’s just stuff.

If you are in an area hit by a hurricane and remain in place, realize your goal will be survival, not whether your internet or cable comes on and what frozen steak you’ll prepare.

I said worse case scenario. Please understand  I was not referring to your shingles; I meant losing the entire roof down to the rafter. 

And you are correct; storms miss most people. But you cannot prepare after the storm.

I hate to sound too cynical, but a cat two; who cares unless you live in a mobile home? It's a cat 3 and above. In Tennesse where I now live, we're had remnants of of hurricane wash out the interstate between Tennessee and North Carolina merely from the rain .It looks months to repair. And those trees are not your friend; for as you have noted they fall on houses. Distance from the storm is your friend.

Standing your ground is great... if you are prepared. But please do three things; get more water, realize trees do not break up 150 mile per hour winds and you are in Alabama, not California. Like Florida, the rules are different.

Good luck.

Mike