dumb*ss question I've got for the EEs.

[GatorGreg]

Hey all, I was seeing on the news how the people in the ice storm are without power and it reminded me of how I had no power for several days after the hurricanes hit a few years ago and how I've been putting off buying a portable generator. Then I got to thinking about the little plug in the back of the GX and T4R

Hypothetically, what would happen if I start up the GX and run an extension cord into the house and plug my fridge, microwave, big screen and DirecTV box into it. Would it blow up the GX?

 

[Thai]

Your battery will die a quick death. I am sure that your alternator will follow suit shortly thereafter.

 

[Mike07SE]

Yeah you would kill your electrical system real fast doing that.

 

[SCRunner]

that would still be better than watching a regular sized tv while drinking luke warm beer!

 

[riverwolf]

I'm not an EE...

but literally, almost nothing would happen. That's what fuses are for. They blow to prevent drawing too much current from a circuit, in this case your power outlets.

-Brent

 

[tarheeltp17]

Yea you would have power for about a split second...

You could however more than likely power on your tv and direct tv box.

You could give your microwave juice, but don't expect to actually use it.

And your fridge.. ha. Yea right.

You could essentially make your own generator out of a couple deep cycle batteries and a power inverter. You could get 2 deep cycle batteries for around $100 each, and use a boat/RV inverter such as the Xantrex XM1800 and you could easily power your tv, microwave, and fridge for a little while. That setup would run you about $600... so at that price you'd be better off just buying a generator.