Your last generator Maintenance Run

   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,312  
It seems like your state forces you out on a limb and then proceeds to cut it off. Probably requires a permit to cut off the limb though.

So far pruning is open season as long as the tree doesn't die... reminds me of a tree that blocked view and removal permit denied... it looks more like a telephone pole now!

Regulations continue to evolve and the pendulum does swing both ways... especially after devastation.
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,313  
Glass half full, or....... You've got about 2 million more people than Canada does, crammed into one State..... not small, in terms of energy needs.

If you want to accelerate that trip down the drain, then, continue to de-stabilize the grid - the weakness of pure Grid-Tied is that you are still dependent on the grid being Up.

Even people with no previous concerns or interest will start looking at alternatives, and the people with the financial muscle will likely step up and upgrade accordingly.

When the grid was stable and affordable, it was only hobbyists and dedicated off-grid people who paid attention to Alt NRG.....

Rgds, D.

Lots of interest in Battery Walls... thing is those that install with solar at the same time get the tax credit on the entire cost... those that want to install after the solar are finding no tax credit...which has stopped some cold.
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,314  
Second run of my MEP-952b military APU in my new powerhouse.

Second run of my MEP-952b APU in my new powerhouse.
On the first run yesterday the building was vibrating and the door latches were rattling.
Today I installed an insulated thimble for the exhaust and put 4 foam isolators between the Generator and floor which made a huge difference.
The generator is powering the entire house during this video.
My power consumption is in my opinion low.
4Kw is sufficient for everything except the clothes dryer.
I primarily heat with wood (hot air) which consumes 300 watts.
Oil hot air then propane for quick heat in the am and those days where either furnace is too much.
LEDs throughout house.

90cummins

Farymann Diesel in my new powerhouse. - YouTube
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run
  • Thread Starter
#3,315  
Re: Second run of my MEP-952b military APU in my new powerhouse.

Second run of my MEP-952b APU in my new powerhouse.
On the first run yesterday the building was vibrating and the door latches were rattling.
Today I installed an insulated thimble for the exhaust and put 4 foam isolators between the Generator and floor which made a huge difference.
The generator is powering the entire house during this video.
My power consumption is in my opinion low.
4Kw is sufficient for everything except the clothes dryer.
I primarily heat with wood (hot air) which consumes 300 watts.
Oil hot air then propane for quick heat in the am and those days where either furnace is too much.
LEDs throughout house.

90cummins

Farymann Diesel in my new powerhouse. - YouTube

Thanks for posting that 90 !

Not far off, you will be totally ready for "whatever" happens :thumbsup:.

Direct to DC, high capacity (on this scale) smart inverter, tuned for efficiency right-sized diesels.... there is a lot I like in the approach you took on this system.

Once you get the other steps executed you listed recently, that pipe exit point would tempt me to test running the exhaust down into a water barrel as touched on recently......... hey, if that yielded good results, then maybe add a heat exchanger to the exhaust water :D.

Soooo easy to get carried away with somebody else's project list.... :laughing:

Rgds, D.
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,316  
Looks like I can skip the maintenance run as this week is another PSPS... already received several recorded messages from Power Company of pending Power Safety Power Shutoff...

As a side note it does look the last round was not without generator caused problems...

Several fires which resulted in structure losses... carbon monoxide poisoning and CO2 although the CO2 is from using BBQ indoors...

The Carbon Monoxide came from running generators inside attached garages mostly and the fires are suspected on one case from a faulty rubber fuel line... which is no surprise... the 90 year owner bought the generator back in 1989 earthquake and had it stored... the good news is he was able to start it without much fuss... the bad news is ethanol attacks rubber fuel lines.

I had to replace a bunch of rubber lines when ethanol first came out... cars from the 70's and old mowers...

Another fire was started when utility lines were reenergized... seems the generator was bootlegged and blew up when utility power restored...

One commentator said we are trading one set of problems for another...

Full page in the newspaper said make sure generator is operated at least 25' from any structure and the next line said never operate in an area with vegetation... store fuel 10' away and only in approved containers... guess there were some people using glass bottles and 2 liter soda bottles for gasoline...
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,317  
Looks like I can skip the maintenance run as this week is another PSPS... already received several recorded messages from Power Company of pending Power Safety Power Shutoff...

As a side note it does look the last round was not without generator caused problems...

Several fires which resulted in structure losses... carbon monoxide poisoning and CO2 although the CO2 is from using BBQ indoors...

The Carbon Monoxide came from running generators inside attached garages mostly and the fires are suspected on one case from a faulty rubber fuel line... which is no surprise... the 90 year owner bought the generator back in 1989 earthquake and had it stored... the good news is he was able to start it without much fuss... the bad news is ethanol attacks rubber fuel lines.

I had to replace a bunch of rubber lines when ethanol first came out... cars from the 70's and old mowers...

Another fire was started when utility lines were reenergized... seems the generator was bootlegged and blew up when utility power restored...

One commentator said we are trading one set of problems for another...

Full page in the newspaper said make sure generator is operated at least 25' from any structure and the next line said never operate in an area with vegetation... store fuel 10' away and only in approved containers... guess there were some people using glass bottles and 2 liter soda bottles for gasoline...

Let us be clear.... PG&E is not shutting off power to reduce fire risk. They are shutting it off to reduce their risk. Also to try to force the legislature to allocate funds to improve the grid.
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,318  
Thanks for the kind words Dave.
It has been a slow process but now I can taste it ��
I’d like to give credit for 90% of the building to my nieces husband Jason.
Great guy, very smart & a talented builder.
He works in the oil industry as a directional driller guiding the drill bit that’s at the end of a 15 to 20,000 foot string to hit a target no larger than 40 feet while also missing nearby wells.
On the home front I spent yesterday tweaking the powerhouse.
I added a lift beam that spans across the interior so I can lift the generators.
I wanted to improve on vibration isolation further so I picked up the generator and slid a radial tire under it (BINGO)!
Absolutely no vibration transferred to building.
That was the extent of yesterday’s efforts.

90cummins
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,319  
Very resourceful on the tire. I sawzalled a tire to make rubber isolation dampners
 
   / Your last generator Maintenance Run #3,320  
I had mounts built for a two cylinder air cooled Diesel years ago in an Argo. Surprised how quickly it snapped off bolts.
 

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