miamicanes
October 28th, 2005, 03:20 AM
It's slightly off topic, but possibly of interest to others here since I suspect more than a few are still sans-FPL. I just discovered that my DSL *HAS* been restored... but it only works if I connect the DSL modem to a UPS. If I plug it into the generator, no trabaja. Looking at the power supply for it, it appears the modem uses 24VAC, not 24VDC. As a result, it's probably sensitive to bad power (and I suspect I have enough stuff running from the gen right now that it's at perpetual brownout level).
So... if you're still trying to get back online by some means other than dialup or your cell phone... try plugging your DSL modem into your UPS.
Another tip... low-cost UPSes don't like generators. They'll just ignore the AC and run off the battery until the battery dies. I learned THAT yesterday afternoon. Sigh.
UPDATE: I finally came up with a more sustainable solution to use while waiting for FPL (cheap undergrounding-opppsed bastards!) to restore my power....
What you'll need:
* Generator (duh)
* Adapter from Radio Shack that plugs into an extension cord or wall outlet and converts 120VAC into 12VDC and provides a fake cigarette-lighter socket.
* 12VDC cigarette-lighter to 120VAC inverter (mine is 90 watts)
Plug the adapter from radio shack into the extension cord leading to the generator. Plug the inverter into the adapter. Plug the DSL modem into the inverter. Voila! Local loop!
Why it works:
Cheap generators produce really, REALLY shitty power. The frequency isn't stable at 60hz, and the voltage dips and surges from moment to moment. They also introduce incredible amounts of electrical noise into the power.
The adapter converts the generator's sloppy AC into nice, clean, filtered DC. Unlike AC, DC is easy to filter and regulate.
The inverter uses that clean DC to construct a brand new AC sine wave from scratch.
The catch: your DSL modem will likely end up consuming a hundred watts or more of your generator's power, because there are losses and inefficiencies at every step of the way between the generator and your DSL modem's power supply.
As a practical matter, this is basically the same thing that EXPENSIVE generators designed explicitly for running computers and medical equipment do... generate sloppy AC, convert it to DC, filter & buffer it, then use it to make nice clean AC from scratch.
So... if you're still trying to get back online by some means other than dialup or your cell phone... try plugging your DSL modem into your UPS.
Another tip... low-cost UPSes don't like generators. They'll just ignore the AC and run off the battery until the battery dies. I learned THAT yesterday afternoon. Sigh.
UPDATE: I finally came up with a more sustainable solution to use while waiting for FPL (cheap undergrounding-opppsed bastards!) to restore my power....
What you'll need:
* Generator (duh)
* Adapter from Radio Shack that plugs into an extension cord or wall outlet and converts 120VAC into 12VDC and provides a fake cigarette-lighter socket.
* 12VDC cigarette-lighter to 120VAC inverter (mine is 90 watts)
Plug the adapter from radio shack into the extension cord leading to the generator. Plug the inverter into the adapter. Plug the DSL modem into the inverter. Voila! Local loop!
Why it works:
Cheap generators produce really, REALLY shitty power. The frequency isn't stable at 60hz, and the voltage dips and surges from moment to moment. They also introduce incredible amounts of electrical noise into the power.
The adapter converts the generator's sloppy AC into nice, clean, filtered DC. Unlike AC, DC is easy to filter and regulate.
The inverter uses that clean DC to construct a brand new AC sine wave from scratch.
The catch: your DSL modem will likely end up consuming a hundred watts or more of your generator's power, because there are losses and inefficiencies at every step of the way between the generator and your DSL modem's power supply.
As a practical matter, this is basically the same thing that EXPENSIVE generators designed explicitly for running computers and medical equipment do... generate sloppy AC, convert it to DC, filter & buffer it, then use it to make nice clean AC from scratch.