Aldi Ł59 petrol generator and television

[D. T. Green]

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 11/07/2012 7:37 PM, D. T. Green wrote:

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

The generator probably has poor stability in both voltage and frequency.
Equipment that's senstitive to those may indeed break.

Sylvia.

 

[Gareth Magennis]

"D. T. Green" <greendt@mail.invalid> wrote in message
news:jtjhh2$doc$1@dont-email.me...

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting
to televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment;
would that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying
something like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator
with a portable television?

Blimey, if even the manufacturer is telling you its crap, it must be REALLY
crap.

No way I'd connect one to anything of mine.



Gareth.

 

[Martin Brown]

On 11/07/2012 10:37, D. T. Green wrote:

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Likely it is not just acoustically noisy but electronically noisy too
and the ignition system radio emissions will cause snow on a portable
TV. It might be so rough and ready electrically either voltage or
frequency wise that it could fail or wreck some old sets completely. I'd
expect most modern switched mode PSUs to cope with almost anything but
then you are taking a risk since the maker says it is unsuitable.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

I suspect your problem will be mainly electrical interference. Charging
up a battery to use with your TV would get around this and be quieter.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

 

[N_Cook]

D. T. Green <greendt@mail.invalid> wrote in message
news:jtjhh2$doc$1@dont-email.me...

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting
to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment;
would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying
something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

If I was using one I'd wire in permanently a baseload 100W mains bulb
(assuming you are allowed to start up with a pre-existing load) . If the
lamp flickers /wavers then no use with a TV but if a constant light output
I'd try only a sacrificial old TV with an old set-top box , if the picture
rolls from lack of frequency control then at least I tried.

 

[David WE Roberts]

"D. T. Green" <greendt@mail.invalid> wrote in message
news:jtjhh2$doc$1@dont-email.me...

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting
to televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment;
would that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying
something like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator
with a portable television?

Some of the extra money paind for more expensive generators goes towards the
extra electronics which ensure a stable a/c output similar to mains current.
This is generaly described as an inverter system

Believe the instructions.
It is not suitable.

There are warnings against these very cheap generators on caravan and mobile
home discussion fora, as they can damage the internal electrics of the more
sophisticated systems.

Cheers

Dave R
--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
[Not even bunny]

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

 

[The Other Mike]

On Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:37:31 +0100, "D. T. Green"
<greendt@mail.invalid> wrote:

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

After looking at the subject I thought, we've had gas powered fridges,
now a petrol powered telly...


--

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <jtjhh2$doc$1@dont-email.me>,
D. T. Green <greendt@mail.invalid> wrote:

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment;
would that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying
something like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the
generator with a portable television?

Sounds like you want it to use on a camp site, etc. You will not be
popular.

--
*What happens when none of your bees wax? *

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2012-07-11, D. T. Green <greendt@mail.invalid> wrote:

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

2 stroke is typically noisy, and often smoky, it's just the way they
work

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

CRT televisions need well regulated line frequency, as do clocks and
some other "sensitive equipment"

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

an AVR is more likely to help if there's voltage problems...

--
⚂⚃ 100% natural

--- Posted via news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to news@netfront.net ---

 

[F Murtz]

Jasen Betts wrote:

On 2012-07-11, D. T. Green<greendt@mail.invalid> wrote:
On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

2 stroke is typically noisy, and often smoky, it's just the way they
work

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

CRT televisions need well regulated line frequency, as do clocks and
some other "sensitive equipment"

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves? Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

an AVR is more likely to help if there's voltage problems...

If you want to run tv,a lot of small modern tvs run on 12v dc so use

your generator to charge a car battery and run the tv off that.

 

[Owain]

On Jul 11, 1:12 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:

Sounds like you want it to use on a camp site, etc. You will not be
popular.

Surely that depends on the choice of programme?

It might be extremely popular if it's showing the women's beach
volleyball ;-)

Owain

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:37:31 +0100, "D. T. Green"
<greendt@mail.invalid> wrote:

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

All 2 stroke engines are noisy. 4 stroke engines are much quieter.
Running "rough" could mean no regulation. This generator is a piece
of junk.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

That's because the voltage and frequency output is probably not
regulated. Light bulbs, heaters, and resistive loads might survive.
Anything electronic or that uses a motor, probably won't.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ? (Only
Ł59 ).

No experience. I don't need to stick my hand in the fire to know that
it's hot.

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment; would
that just be the manufacturers covering themselves?

Yep. Unsuitable for any purpose other than making lots of noise.

Would buying something
like a *surge- protector* make it possible to use the generator with a
portable television?

No. If the generator goes into over voltage, even for a few fractions
of second, the MOV (metal oxide varistors) in the "surge protector"
will explode, catch fire, and eventually blow a fuse. Surge
protectors also don't do anything for changes in frequency.

Look into various "inverter generator" offerings. They're quiet,
efficient, low RFI, and have a fairly clean and regulated output.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Wed, 11 Jul 2012 05:19:21 -0700 (PDT), Owain
<spuorgelgoog@gowanhill.com> wrote:

On Jul 11, 1:12 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
Sounds like you want it to use on a camp site, etc. You will not be
popular.

Surely that depends on the choice of programme?
It might be extremely popular if it's showing the women's beach
volleyball ;-)

I don't think the program matters much if the viewers need a gas mask
and ear plugs in order to watch the TV. Last time I checked, many
small LCD TV's run nicely on 12V battery power. No need for
generator. For example:
<http://www.capitalstores.co.uk/12v-tv>

I guess going camping with a TV is ok, as long as one leaves the
screaming kids, barking dogs, ATV's, motorcycles, and boom box at
home.

I'm impressed that the question was cross posted to a repair
newsgroup. That suggests that the generator or the TV will soon
require some manner of repair. Planning ahead is a good thing.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[Arfa Daily]

"Martin Brown" <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qEcLr.48899$iI7.13731@newsfe03.iad...

On 11/07/2012 10:37, D. T. Green wrote:
On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we
have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting
to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Likely it is not just acoustically noisy but electronically noisy too and
the ignition system radio emissions will cause snow on a portable TV. It
might be so rough and ready electrically either voltage or frequency wise
that it could fail or wreck some old sets completely. I'd expect most
modern switched mode PSUs to cope with almost anything but then you are
taking a risk since the maker says it is unsuitable.

I would have said the exact opposite of that. Linear supplies with a nice
big chunk of L in the way, are pretty much unconcerned about such nasties as
spikes, whereas switchers will fail if you just look at them wrongly on a
day with a Y in it ...

However, that said, I would agree with everyone else that using this with
modern electronic equipment would not be a good idea. OK to run a few lights
(but not CFLs or electronically ballasted linear flourescents), and maybe
power tools, which is probably what Aldi had in mind for it. I've actually
found Aldi to be pretty honest in this respect. It's cheap, and they know
it, hence the warnings.

Arfa

 

[The Natural Philosopher]

Arfa Daily wrote:

"Martin Brown" <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qEcLr.48899$iI7.13731@newsfe03.iad...
On 11/07/2012 10:37, D. T. Green wrote:
On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we
have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for
connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Likely it is not just acoustically noisy but electronically noisy too
and the ignition system radio emissions will cause snow on a portable
TV. It might be so rough and ready electrically either voltage or
frequency wise that it could fail or wreck some old sets completely.
I'd expect most modern switched mode PSUs to cope with almost anything
but then you are taking a risk since the maker says it is unsuitable.



I would have said the exact opposite of that. Linear supplies with a
nice big chunk of L in the way, are pretty much unconcerned about such
nasties as spikes, whereas switchers will fail if you just look at them
wrongly on a day with a Y in it ...

No. they just rectify teh peaks.

But iron transformers dont like odd waveforms.

Having said that, ive used a genny to power a laptop for watching TV on
in a camper.

However, that said, I would agree with everyone else that using this
with modern electronic equipment would not be a good idea. OK to run a
few lights (but not CFLs or electronically ballasted linear
flourescents), and maybe power tools, which is probably what Aldi had in
mind for it. I've actually found Aldi to be pretty honest in this
respect. It's cheap, and they know it, hence the warnings.

Arfa

--
To people who know nothing, anything is possible.
To people who know too much, it is a sad fact
that they know how little is really possible -
and how hard it is to achieve it.

 

[Jules Richardson]

On Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:43:49 -0700, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

All 2 stroke engines are noisy.

Although the bigger they are, the quieter they seem to be for their size.

 

[Bob Engelhardt]

The Other Mike wrote:

After looking at the subject I thought, we've had gas powered fridges,
now a petrol powered telly...

Eh ... after looking at the subject I thought it was about a device that
would generate petrol, maybe it was seen on TV.

 

[Rod Speed]

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote

D. T. Green <greendt@mail.invalid> wrote

On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from
Aldi, we have heard from someone who says that he has got
one; and that his is running very roughly, and is really noisy.

All 2 stroke engines are noisy. 4 stroke engines are much quieter.
Running "rough" could mean no regulation.

This generator is a piece of junk.

Not necessarily, it may be quite adequate.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for connecting
to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

That's because the voltage and frequency output is probably not regulated.

Yes.

Light bulbs, heaters, and resistive loads might survive.

The last two certainly will.

Anything electronic or that uses a motor, probably won't.

That's just plain wrong if it has modern switch mode power supply.

Plenty of those are very happy to operate over a range of 80-260V and
couldn't care less about the frequency because they rectify the mains.

Has anybody any experience with one of these very cheap generators ?
(Only Ł59 ).

No experience.

That's obvious.

I don't need to stick my hand in the fire to know that it's hot.

But you don't understand about modern switch mode power supplys.

Also saying they are not suitable for sensitive electronic equipment;
would that just be the manufacturers covering themselves?

Yep. Unsuitable for any purpose other than making lots of noise.

Wrong.

Would buying something like a *surge- protector* make
it possible to use the generator with a portable television?

No. If the generator goes into over voltage, even for a few fractions
of second, the MOV (metal oxide varistors) in the "surge protector"
will explode, catch fire, and eventually blow a fuse. Surge
protectors also don't do anything for changes in frequency.

If the TV has a switch mode power supply, it wont care about the frequency.

Look into various "inverter generator" offerings. They're quiet,
efficient, low RFI, and have a fairly clean and regulated output.

 

[Rod Speed]

"Arfa Daily" <arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:AbhLr.750174$4v3.303421@fx08.am4...

"Martin Brown" <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qEcLr.48899$iI7.13731@newsfe03.iad...
On 11/07/2012 10:37, D. T. Green wrote:
On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we
have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for
connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Likely it is not just acoustically noisy but electronically noisy too and
the ignition system radio emissions will cause snow on a portable TV. It
might be so rough and ready electrically either voltage or frequency wise
that it could fail or wreck some old sets completely. I'd expect most
modern switched mode PSUs to cope with almost anything but then you are
taking a risk since the maker says it is unsuitable.



I would have said the exact opposite of that. Linear supplies with a nice
big chunk of L in the way, are pretty much unconcerned about such nasties
as spikes, whereas switchers will fail if you just look at them wrongly on
a day with a Y in it ...

Like hell they do.

However, that said, I would agree with everyone else that using this with
modern electronic equipment would not be a good idea.

That's just plain wrong with modern switch mode power supplys.

OK to run a few lights (but not CFLs or electronically ballasted linear
flourescents), and maybe power tools, which is probably what Aldi had in
mind for it. I've actually found Aldi to be pretty honest in this respect.
It's cheap, and they know it, hence the warnings.

But it may well be fine if the device has a switch mode power
supply that's happy with an input voltage of 80-26V and couldn't
care less about the frequency because it rectifys the mains.

 

[Arfa Daily]

"The Natural Philosopher" <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:jtk772$396$2@news.albasani.net...

Arfa Daily wrote:


"Martin Brown" <|||newspam|||@nezumi.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qEcLr.48899$iI7.13731@newsfe03.iad...
On 11/07/2012 10:37, D. T. Green wrote:
On just buying a 800 watt 'two' stroke petrol generator from Aldi, we
have
heard from someone who says that he has got one; and that his is
running
very roughly, and is really noisy.

Also it says in the instructions that it is *not* suitable for
connecting to
televisions or other sensitive electronic equipment.

Likely it is not just acoustically noisy but electronically noisy too
and the ignition system radio emissions will cause snow on a portable
TV. It might be so rough and ready electrically either voltage or
frequency wise that it could fail or wreck some old sets completely. I'd
expect most modern switched mode PSUs to cope with almost anything but
then you are taking a risk since the maker says it is unsuitable.



I would have said the exact opposite of that. Linear supplies with a nice
big chunk of L in the way, are pretty much unconcerned about such nasties
as spikes, whereas switchers will fail if you just look at them wrongly
on a day with a Y in it ...


No. they just rectify teh peaks.

Yes. In my experience into bloody great voltages that destroy the switching
FETs ...

But iron transformers dont like odd waveforms.

Agreed, but the waveform has got to be very odd before nasties like core
saturation start taking place. OTOH, transient crap tends to just be slugged
by the considerable L of the primary winding. The fundamental waveform of
this generator is still likely to be a pretty fair sine wave, irrespective
of its voltage and frequency stability, and how much spiky garbage is
floating on the top. Of far greater concern with iron cored trannies, is
their response to being hung on the end of a non sinusoidal inverter

Having said that, ive used a genny to power a laptop for watching TV on in
a camper.


However, that said, I would agree with everyone else that using this with
modern electronic equipment would not be a good idea. OK to run a few
lights (but not CFLs or electronically ballasted linear flourescents),
and maybe power tools, which is probably what Aldi had in mind for it.
I've actually found Aldi to be pretty honest in this respect. It's cheap,
and they know it, hence the warnings.

Arfa




--
To people who know nothing, anything is possible.
To people who know too much, it is a sad fact
that they know how little is really possible -
and how hard it is to achieve it.