For what it's worth........
.........It was running......
Dish sattellite
TV
Computor
26 watt light
sump pump
I never did the math on what each took, but when the sump pump kicked on,
the TV would power off.
Once I shut off the computor, the TV volume would go way low when the sump pump would kick on.
I'm wondering if I'm getting the rated output of my generator?
If I am, that sump pump is a quite a large draw.
Maf, your generator has plenty of capacity for what you were running. The starting current for electric motors, especially ones starting under load, like your sump pump, is very high for that first second or two when the motor comes up to speed.
When the motor starts, the voltage drop across the building wiring, and the generator itself drops very low for that first instant the motor starts.
Basically the motor "appears" to be almost a short circuit, during that first momemt of motor starting. Ohms Law says that the voltage drop across a "short" (low, or zero Ohms) is very low, or theoretical zero volts
Your generator has enough capacity to supply current to the motor under those start-up conditions, or the motor would not have started at all.
Now, about the TV and computer.
Most have a "soft-start" method, which means you can click a remote control to turn on, or when pressing the "start" button on a desk top computer, just tells electronic solid state switch circuit to "power-up." No mechanical switch contacts involved.
Along comes a instantaneous voltage drop from the pump starting and the electronic devices "see" a low, or zero, volts for that instant, and interpret that as a shut-down command.
Variation on that is if there were a over-voltage "spike" (transient voltage) just after the motor starts, the electronic devices may go into a self protection mode and shut down as well.
So-ooooo, what to do?
You could plug in a "UPS" un-interruptable power supply, between the wall outlet and your TV and computer. These are readily available at computer stores, or home centers perhaps, and don't have to cost too much.
Or another approach to clean up voltage surges would be a "constant voltage isolation transformer, that the TV and computer would plug into.
(Examples of UPS)
http://www.upsforless.com/?gclid=CIjettXYiZoCFQVinAodCyp0Pw
(Example CVT)
http://www.recycledgoods.com/item/24998.aspx
Anyhoo, what you are experiencing is "normal" given the conditions.
I digress, LOL.
