Anybody ever power an arcade (games) using a generator?

[mrbill2084]

I use an apc1500 ups to power games in my storage when I want to work there. It will easily run a game for 3 hours. I have had 4 games running on it. It beeps running off the battery, but you could always cut the speaker.

back in the early days of cax, they ran the games off a generator. the bookstore did not have nearly enough juice to power the games.

 

[Larzzzz]

I can't see a decent quality generator being an issue with the core and coil power supplies. Switching power supplies on the other hand, I've seen have issues with cheap generators.

That being said, I've also installed variable frequency drives for motors, PLCs for process control, UPSs, and building automation system's that were connected to panels fed from transfer switches without issues.

If you go the inverter route, avoid the modified sine wave type.

2500w on the DC side is quite the load and will require some upgrading to the vehicles electrical system to accommodate that.
Think high output alternator, 2nd battery, isolator, upgrade the wiring...

For the time, effort, and materials involved to install the inverter, I'd get a generator. Get something big enough so that you can use it at home as well during power outages.

 

[Azure Oz2]

Remember that the games will draw a lot more current during startup while both the power supply hv caps charge up and the monitor degauss is active. So you would need to start them one by one.

Also inverter generators are sold as their peak power, not their continuous running power. If you run it over it's continuous rating you will not do the generator any good and the voltage may fluctuate if it tries to keep providing maximum power for too long.