Elec scales and generators

[mikecockcroft]

Will using a gasoline generator cause issues with the functioning of electronic scales, namely a rcbs charge master?
What about using an inverter connected to my truck battery?
Will electricity from either source cause functioning issues, namely inaccuracies in measuring weight of charges?
Need any type of "filter" between power source and scale?
Thanks
Mike

 

[Lapua40X]

Everything that generates a spark (e.g. small gas driven generators) will produce stray RF energy that can interfere with electronic devices. If you're going to use a generator you should consider some form of shielding (even electronic ignitions can produce stray RF signals) to intercept and ground the RF. A "filter" may help but most filters are designed for in line use and that may not be enough. If you have to use auxiliary power for your scale I'd suggest you find a pure DC source (I believe the Chargemaster is 9VDC) to do the job.

 

[savagedasher]

Honda inverter generators . No RF Computer friendly . I load all the time while camping . Larry

 

[DRNewcomb]

I attribute the messed up display on our microwave oven to running it on a generator after Hurricane Katrina. I'd either go with the DC source or at least use a line conditioner.

 

[spclark]

Here's why some generators are better than others for running electronics.

 

[wholman]

Have been using a Honda inverter generator for four
years at a remote cabin and have had 0 electronc problems.

 

[ED3]

I have a Generac ix2000.
Performance mimics the equivalent Honda.
True Sine Wave Output
About 1/2-2/3 the price of a Honda. A bit louder than the Hondas

 

[gunnermhr]

I wouldn't use an Inverter, no reason, just use batteries in series to get the voltage required. An inverter takes DC and converts it to a AC but it's a modified square wave not a pure sine wave, at least unless you spend a fair amount of money, which may or may not wreack havock with your equipment.

 

[msinc]

Honda inverter generators . No RF Computer friendly . I load all the time while camping . Larry

This!!!!...and in fact just about all {maybe not some of the el cheapo chinese gen sets} produce what is called "filtered" or "clean" power. Just about all portable generators made and certainly the name brand ones produce better {cleaner} power than what comes into your house. When it says 120 volts you have that and when it says 60 cycles you have 60 cycles. I would not hesitate to use any electronic device, no matter how sensitive it may be, with power produced by a good generator.

 

[normmatzen]

It really gets back to the type of scale we are talking about.
An inexpensive electronic scale will be a strain gauge balance
and that includes the auto charge systems made by many companies.
There is no problem with their accuracy as long as you realize they automatically auto-zero all the time due to their inherent drift. But most are plastic enclosed scales where quality (read-expensive) balances are enclosed in metal boxes that do a very good job or excluding RF interference. They also have external power supplies carefully filtered to exclude noise. Not so with the strain gauge models, they have absolutely no enclosure designed to keep out RF and their AC supplies are simple wall worts that have poor if any RF filtering.
That is why they work some what better with Batteries.

Can't make a silk purse out of a Sow's ear!

 

[mikecockcroft]

Thanks all. Lots of good information
Mike

 

[Macropod]

Honda inverter generators are pretty clean in terms of output but newer skewed rotor design generators work very well too. Linz generators are of that design and I've found them pretty clean in terms of output. Cheaper inverter types seem to have more harmonic issues. The unfortunate situation where I live is that a lot of homes export power back onto the grid via solar arrays and inverter set ups. There are cheaper solar inverters in use that really are poor in terms of clean output and unfortunately dump a fair amount of noise back on the local grid. Older style generators could easily spike and fry electronics on sensitive equipment. Found that out the hard way years ago.

 

[savagedasher]

All a person has to do is find the voltage the scale is designed to use and make a D.C. Power source . You can use it any place you go. Larry

 

[spclark]

The unfortunate situation where I live is that a lot of homes export power back onto the grid via solar arrays and inverter set ups.

Interesting observation that. Similar where I live now, may explain some things I've noted but not quite wrapped my head around since moving here ~ 4 years ago other than a change from major metro (nuclear & gas turbine peaker) supplier to more rural (coal, some wind & solar) grid power.

 

[savagedasher]

Interesting observation that. Similar where I live now, may explain some things I've noted but not quite wrapped my head around since moving here ~ 4 years ago other than a change from major metro (nuclear & gas turbine peaker) supplier to more rural (coal, some wind & solar) grid power.

It is still 60 cycle ac Make a separate D.C. Power pack . Larry