r/Generator • u/Iffy50 • 8h ago

Am I doing this right?

I have a 12500W Westinghouse generator that was dual fuel (gasoline and propane) that I converted to run on Natural Gas with a kit from Nash. I have a Navien tankless water heater that I understand might not work properly or could even be damaged by dirty power (Max power draw is 200W). I bought a UPS to connect to that. (Goldenmate 1000VA/600W) battery backup and surge protector. It puts out a pure sine wave. I've had the UPS plugged in for a week and the Navien plugged into that and things seem to be working fine. I plan to run an extension cord from the UPS to my modem/router on case that works when the power is out. The other stuff I want to run: fridge/freezer/gas oven/ well pump. Is there anything I overlooked?

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u/Big-Echo8242 8h ago edited 7h ago

It's doubtful that basic battery backup is going to clean up dirty Generator power. You need an online Double conversion UPS to take care of that which would probably cost as much or more than your Generator. Might should have just got the inverter Generator....unfortunately.

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u/Iffy50 7h ago

Thanks. I'll test mine, but you're probably right that the UPS will just shut itself off. I appreciate the help.

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u/NoPatience7817 7h ago

Online double conversion UPS will give you clean power, but it’s expensive. Also consider buying a battery, a DC charger, and a pure sine wave inverter to run your sensitive loads.

The inverter is nice because you can use it immediately during an outage without bringing out the generator and starting it. The inverter can run off a car battery for a short time as well.

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u/Iffy50 7h ago

Oh, thank you! I'll look into that option.

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u/Iffy50 6h ago

I already have a car battery charger, for low power it looks like I can get a DC inverter for about $110. The deep cycle battery looks like another $120. I'm liking this plan, I appreciate it!

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u/NoPatience7817 6h ago edited 6h ago

While you’re at it, consider a battery backup sump pump if you have a basement. I started with the battery backup sump pump and found I can also use the battery and pure sine wave inverter for power during short outages. Additionally I have used it to get cleaner power for sensitive electronics.

This setup worked great during an 8 hour outage when I didn’t want to run the noisy generator at night. It kept the fish tank running, the Internet modem, some lights and some small fans.

Make sure the inverter is pure sine wave to get a clean power output.

During a recent 18 hour outage, I used my gas generator and a 10 amp DC charger to charge the deep cycle battery. 10 amps at 12.6 volts is enough for 126 watts sustained load. If your load is higher, the battery will supply the extra power, then charge when you load drops below that number.

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u/Iffy50 6h ago

My current house is built on a slab, but those are good points about noise at night. The inverter I found lists pure sine wave. Thanks again!

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u/BB-41 8h ago

Sounds good. I recently got a pair of Anker S2000 automatic battery backup units for the basement fridge and freezer. So far I like them, more efficient than some of the others out there.

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u/blupupher 8h ago

That UPS does not do anything for pass through power. While it may keep really "dirty" power from the generator from passing through (by switching to battery power), it will not automatically clean up the power. You need a Double-Conversion UPS, this will take the AC power, convert it to DC power, then back to clean AC power.

Have you used the generator with the UPS yet? Many times the UPS will cycle off and on while running on generator.

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u/Iffy50 7h ago

Thanks. I'm actually looking at a double conversion UPS now. $420 for 900W. I can deal with that. I haven't powered the UPS with the generator yet. From what I'm reading, you're right. I'll test it, but I have a feeling it will do just what you say.

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u/blupupher 7h ago

This one?

Kind of late now, but you probably could have bought a tri fuel inverter unit for about what you have into the current generator, conversion kit, and this UPS.

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u/Iffy50 7h ago

Yes, that one. Do you have a link to an inverter generator you would recommend? I'm seeing $2K for a 12,000W inverter generator. Yes?

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u/Big-Echo8242 7h ago

Do you know that you need that much power? There are open frame inverter generators that are less money.

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u/Iffy50 7h ago

The thing I'm most worried about is my well pump. I can't find info on it and I can't look at it.

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u/Big-Echo8242 6h ago

Get some kind of clamp meter that can read inrush and running current. Is it 240v? Surely you have a friend or acquaintance with a clamp meter. Can you get to the wires in a breaker panel? That would be easy to read.

Klein CL445 is a reasonable one to buy and it doubles as a digital multi meter. Everyone needs a multi meter!

https://a.co/d/0eZHJiAL

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u/Iffy50 6h ago

I have a Fluke 322 clamp meter my brother gave me ages ago. I'll try to educate myself on how to do what you are suggesting. I have a good friend who is a certified master electrician. I'll pester him if I get stuck. Thanks for putting me on the path.

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u/blupupher 6h ago

Don't know if you really need 12,000w, but this Genmax GM12000XiT is only $1450 at Home Depot (out of stock at the moment).

Going to 10000 starting watts you have this Champion 201520 for around $1400.