Has anybody here tried running a PC/Laptop off a stand alone generator of any kind?

3    13 Jun 2021 17:20 by u/Lethn

I'm wondering what the results would be, could you do something as simple as get three crocodile clips and attach them to a solar generator or something then to the power supply socket and the PC would work with the right voltage? Or could that potentially damage the system and is an absolute no no? I do remember watching a video about a guy who powered a really basic PC from a few hundred potatoes and it sort of worked.

6 comments

2 u/RealAmerican 13 Jun 2021 17:26
I got a 3500 watt generator that connects to my travel trailer and then it runs everything even the power outlets and a/c does that count?
2 u/Lethn [OP] 13 Jun 2021 17:48
LOL I just wonder if you ever run into any issues with 'normal' devices that plug into sockets and so on that's all.
3 u/RealAmerican 13 Jun 2021 17:51
No. But I plug a surge protector and power conditioner into the generator. Then plug the trailer into that. Never had any problem. Family of four.. We have four tablets three laptops, a mini-itx and four smartphones. Never had a problem. My wife's laptop is her work laptop and it's a beast. Never had any problems.
2 u/Lethn [OP] 13 Jun 2021 17:54
Awesome thanks for the information, just curious because I keep wondering about having some kind of backup generator or something ready should I ever suffer a power cut, looks like the main thing is to just have a surge protector to be safe when you plug or connect stuff up.
2 u/RealAmerican 13 Jun 2021 18:02
Don't worry about finding a "quiet" generator. Save the 300 bucks and just get a regular one. They are basically the same noise level
2 u/SEELE 13 Jun 2021 18:34
Unless it's a more expensive generator, don't do it without a power conditioner https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-electricity-contractor-generator-clean-ac/