[grc] [Stubblefield] How 'clean' does the power from a back-up/emer generator need to be?

[John Anderson]

On Fri, 2015-03-20 at 00:50 -0700, shhhhh wrote:
> Hey tech/elec/engr people!
>  we need to build a resilient radio station with redundant 
> systems-- but, like most of us, we don't wanna spend money if we don't 
> hafta. So, we need expert advice!

then for the most part, you want systems that you have control over
> 
> 1) We're thinking of having a single POTS/landline *and* GSM-to-analog 
> service (or maybe VoIP service, but the only telco ISP here is somewhat 
> unreliable) and run 'em both into our office and studio, and in the 
> studio, connect both into our brand-new Allen & Heath XB2-14 board, so 
> we can use either. Too complicated? impossible? doesn't solve potential 
> problems?

I don't know how far your studios and transmitters are located from each
other, or if they are co-located.  having both types of lines are fine,
also since you indicate rural, it may be fairly easy to do a data radio
link between locations.  That way, if you have internet at the studios
and transmitters, get them from two different providers, and at the same
time create a local network that is links all of your location together.

Use the internal local network as the backbone, and ride the links from
the two providers on top of that. If one fails, you still have some
services, internet/phones/whatever, and hopefully they won't both fail
at the same time.   (make sure they don't take their feeds from one or
the other though)... (if you have one provider at the studio, another at
the transmitter, this works well, if you have a radio link between them,
if the link fails, you can use the single internet connections as a
backup link

> 
> 2) We need back-up power at the studio and txmtr site-- how 'clean' does 
> the power supply need to be at each place? Do we need a pricey Honda 
> inverter generator in our little txmtr shack? What about electromagnetic 
> 'noise' as well as regular ol' auditory noise there in that tight space? 
> What about heat buildup in there? (I guess we can always install a small 
> fan....) How important are the same concerns for the studio backup? 
> We're thinking we'll install it in a separate room, of course, and vent 
> the exhaust to the outside. We think propane or natural gas is better 
> than gasoline or diesel, but "bi-fuel" (e.g., runs on propane or 
> gasoline) might be best?


In any case, a generator needs to be properly installed, do just put it
inside a  (usually unmanned building) and poorly vent it, as someone
(your tech person, in a hurry to find out why a transmitter isn't
working), doesn't think, and runs into a building full of carbon
monoxide... Instant dead technician or person, if the concentrations are
high enough...

what's your transmitter...the higher the sophistication of the
electronics, the more you need the higher cost inverter style generator.
if everything you have is solid state, YES, then you will have
considerable less problems short and long term..(and make sure you also
have a UPS at the site.)...Key thought, If you don't blow it up, you
don't have to pay to fix in, and you are not off the air...so in the
long run, the Honda is cheap!

Studio Building?...are you in town, is there natural gas, are there
UPS's on critical equipment.  get a home standby generator, if you are
in an area prone to failures.  I still like Honda's but find what is
supported and liked in your area.  The home standby units sit outside,
and as long as proper surge/transient protection is there, you'll be
happy..(and you can't keep gas in routinely occupied buildings, and 95%
of your folks likely wouldn't know how to cope with a power outage
emergency anyway!

> We've received differing advice, so we're gathering more opinions-- 
> hopefully, based on experience.
>