Generator Use

I assumed Harman's could be hooked up to the UPS and the UPS would tell the stove to go into shut down mode like it would your computer.......or perhaps Harman control board can sense the modified sine wave (that's why they recommend them????) And that tells the stove to go into shutdown....does anyone know for sure how it works??

 

Nah, didn't look into it! I see it's something new and sounds promising. Shut down mode is not my cup of tea but could be beneficial for others, I rather the stove continues operating until I get home. Smoke in the house when power goes out wasn't a issue with the vent I have but could now be with my newly installed OAK!?!?

 

If that was the case, I would think that all Harman stoves would shut down when connected to a generator. Mine doesn't shutdown, just keeps on running.

 

Modified sine waves are those that are made by an inverter converting dc to ac (looks like steps)......more expensive inverters labeled pure sine waves will make them close to a true sine wave.

Regular generators do not do this.....there wave form is already an ac sine wave....albeit the look of them can vary but are definitely different then the modified waves from inverters.

 

These pics are from Hondas website. The first three describe some typical regular generator wave forms. The fourth is a pic of a modified sine wave.

 

Those pics look like crap.....here is the link: http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/selecting-a-generator

 

Now I'm really confused.

 

I was under the impression that the opposite was true, Inverters have a better wave than AC generators.

 

Those labeled as "pure" sine wave inverter generators are better....they make a very stable sine wave at 60hertz.
I would guess most inverter generators nowadays are 'pure" sine waves.
There are numerous inverters used to convert dc from a battery that are not "pure" , my first UPS was not and my motors on the pellet stove let me know.
My opinion is first option would be an pure inverter generator. But a new regular descent generator should be fine as well. They are used all the time in mobile homes and emergencies and I have never heard of anyone having an issue using them properly.

 

IHATEPROPANE is correct. The sine wave that comes from your power company generator is a pure sine wave.....that's the best you can get. The next would be an good inverter generator.

 

i found this article and read about halfway through.
it does address induction motors and the effect of harmonic distortion on them.
http://sound.westhost.com/lamps/technote3.pdf

i'm running a non inverter genny with copper wound heads and thd of less than 5%
the voltmeter on the genny stays rock solid.
as far as i can tell, the motors on the stove sound the same as on wall current.

 

I havent tried this, as when my power is out i resort to kerosene to keep the house warm (it works very well), but
If you have a generator that doesnt run the stove, rather than investing in another generator that does, why not invest in a small pure sine inverter and 2 batteries. the genset can charge one battery while the other powers the inverter and thus the stove?

seems like it would be cheaper than 2 generators.

The generator at my mom's house is a large generac propane powered automatic deal and it powers the pdv just fine, as well as the entire house. That is def. the way to go if you dont already have a genny. I would love to upgrade to that kind of setup in the next few years. imagine - oh powers out. 10 seconds later and things are back to normal.

 

I mentioned some of this in another tread, but here goes again. We lost power a few weeks ago and tried to use a borrowed traditional 5500w non-inverter genny to run the P68. Wasn't happening, the fans and auger sounded like they were dying a slow death and I was afraid the stove parts were going to fry. We ended up getting through that outage with a wood stove. Did a bit of research here, learned about inverter generators, pure sine wave power, etc and ended up picking up the Champion 75531i 2800w/3100w generator. We lost power again last week, so I was able to use it for the first time. Ran 2 refrigerators and both pellet stoves including full igniter startup sequence with no issues. It is also very light, easy to move, and super quiet (I didn't know a generator could be this quiet). Can't say enough good things about it, wish I had bought one years ago.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Champion-Power-Equipment-75531i-Generator/dp/B00BBDCE1S
very nice.

and then this -
uses listed on amazon...

• Quiet - Only 58 Dba, great for campsites, Raving, cabins and more
  
  heh, now that's funny.
  actually, several tow behind diesel gennys are what you'd see at an outdoor event for the sound systems.

 

I have a 2800 watt Honda genny that I use and I haven't had any issues with my stove.

 

Not surprised. Honda generators are some of the best made.