Backup Generator

[RoyKing]

That is MOST interesting that there are consumer load shedding systems available. I never knew. Having several Diesel Gensets, 3.7, 7.5, 7.5 Inverter and 12 KW units, BUT an electrically heated house, I was working on a system of my own to shut off resistive heating loads. I have to do that manualy now.

I wonder if any of these systems can be configured to run off a aux switch contact on my 200 amp asco ATS. It would save me designing a system.

Doesn't your heat strips run off a 24vac thermostat? If yes then have ATS cut that line when on Gen set. The generac ATS has a switch that can be configured to on or off when on Gen set. Was intended to sound alarm

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can't complain and shouldn't, but my Dad was a cheapskate and the strips only have local line voltage stats. A number, I have run wall mounted Line Voltage stats. But that's no help. I had got a bunch of GE latching Relays RR9, that run on 24 volts, that I was going to employ at the fuse box.

 

[RoyKing]

We have been using ugly, steel, 1200litre or so, tanks for almost half a century. in a very changeable climate. One is the original, and I am sure, the others just as old. The only trouble I ever realized, was when I had a pump pipe going right to the bottom of a tank and I wasn't aware of it.

I've worked with buried tanks with ancient fuel in them and the filter and water separators always worked, but I'm sure there is crud at the bottom. However your absolute humidity is much lower than Florida, a piece of paper towel left outside not in the sun near the ground is damp within hours. That's why we are so green everything molds especially if your inland, you would think being close to the ocean would be worse, but actually much drier. Every time I travel away from Fl my lips Crack, so used to the moisture. Visitors always complain, FL inland was really inhabitable till they invented AC

 

[Industrial Toys]

I visited San Diego years back. I found it strange that the humidifiers in so many of the stores were all spewing mist. You never see that here. I got sicker than a dog.

 

[RoyKing]

Denver has those things also, but you probably got sick because you visited a place that doesn't freeze and it had lots of bugs your system doesn't see. We didn't get a freeze this year of any value in North Florida so the bugs will be roaring this spring.

 

[techman]

The desiccant breather I used is the check valve type. The valves must have a very low cracking pressure so you don't starve the diesel's fill pump. While it is not intended to be regenerated, low temp baking does the trick. It is a Des-case DC-VG-1
VentGuard Desiccant Breathers | Des-Case
We have used them on hydraulic system tanks in Florida with good results.

Paul

 

[Zerk]

Reads bits and pieces of this thread. I have wondered about propane generators. Always have more propane on hand then fuel or gas, and lasts a long time. If you want to go somewhere with it, you can use 20lb tank. Have to come up with fittings to go back and forth.

I have heard propane is better on oil since it burns cleaner, though how much or I don't really know. One problem is, most of us, probably would not run it often. You may say you will run it once a month for maintenace, but we don't always do that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I drove two propane vehicles, ex cop cars. One retrofit, one OEM (Chrysler Diplomat). It always amazed me that the engine oil, looked like the day it came out of the bottle!

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

The main issue with propane or natural gas for generators is both these fuels have a very narrow air/fuel ratio in which they will run so any problem at all with fuel delivery or adjustment will cause hunting or make it nearly impossible to start. Gaseous fuel engines are extremely sensitive to intake leaks for this reason. This is the reason nearly all complaints you see for every brand of Nat Gas home standby generator revolve around intermittent no start or instability. They are finicky, particularly now that they need to meet tighter emissions.

If you’re handy and have no problem making adjustments this isn’t a huge issue but something that requires ongoing tweaking isn’t practical for the Mrs when I’m not home to deal with it.

Gasoline is much more tolerant and apart from choking to start will run a wide range of mixture with little effect on stability. Storage is an issue though, propane has a nearly unlimited storage life since there is virtually no oxygen contained in the tanks.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I never had a lick of trouble in cold temps with the OEM Diplomat. The Malibu retrofit was a problem when parking here on the road, because the 1000 foot lane wasn't open in the winter. I used to haul hot water out to the car to try and vaporize propane to get it running. If it flooded, you were in trouble.

 

[grsthegreat]

The main issue with propane or natural gas for generators is both these fuels have a very narrow air/fuel ratio in which they will run so any problem at all with fuel delivery or adjustment will cause hunting or make it nearly impossible to start. Gaseous fuel engines are extremely sensitive to intake leaks for this reason. This is the reason nearly all complaints you see for every brand of Nat Gas home standby generator revolve around intermittent no start or instability. They are finicky, particularly now that they need to meet tighter emissions.

If you’re handy and have no problem making adjustments this isn’t a huge issue but something that requires ongoing tweaking isn’t practical for the Mrs when I’m not home to deal with it.

Gasoline is much more tolerant and apart from choking to start will run a wide range of mixture with little effect on stability. Storage is an issue though, propane has a nearly unlimited storage life since there is virtually no oxygen contained in the tanks.

I can fully back this statement. Nearly every issue i get called on for a standby not starting revolves around fuel issues. Alot of time its bad installation issues such as the wrong sized regulator or undersized fuel lines. This winter ive seen a few that refused to start because the fuel regulators were buried in snow. probably froze the valving inside unit. I repaired one unit because a heating contractor moved the generator to make room for a larger heat pump, and kinked the fuel line. The guy had 2 different techs come and look at the unit, and both threw parts at it and didnt fix the issue. first thing i noticed was a crushed fuel line and a propane regulator off of a BBQ unit. Heres a generator sucking down 225,000 BTU being fed off a 85,000 btu regulator. I felt bad for the guy.

My own propane unit has fired up every week without issue for past 3 years. I have battery and oil heat kits on the unit.

 

[Zerk]

If you have a heat kit on the propane generator, don't you need power?

 

[grsthegreat]

If you have a heat kit on the propane generator, don't you need power?

yes, the heat kits are 240 volts and they get power thru sencing circuit n1 and n2 on geneac unit

 

[Toyboy]

yes, the heat kits are 240 volts and they get power thru sencing circuit n1 and n2 on geneac unit

You seem to be very knowledgeable with Generac units, wish you were in my zip code.
I do have a question for you though. How often do you recommend replacing the flexible rubber gas line? My 20k has been in service longer then I thought, 7yr. Your thoughts.

 

[grsthegreat]

You seem to be very knowledgeable with Generac units, wish you were in my zip code.
I do have a question for you though. How often do you recommend replacing the flexible rubber gas line? My 20k has been in service longer then I thought, 7yr. Your thoughts.

Now days, we use stainless gas flex lines. The rubber ones were affected by cold and sun. Depends on how much direct weather the line is getting. Ive seen 10 year old unit where the rubber hose still looks ok. I guess it all depends on how it looks.

 

[Toyboy]

Now days, we use stainless gas flex lines. The rubber ones were affected by cold and sun. Depends on how much direct weather the line is getting. Ive seen 10 year old unit where the rubber hose still looks ok. I guess it all depends on how it looks.

Thanks, I'll have that looked into later this spring. I never really liked the idea of the rubber hose anyway even though it's probably reinforced.

 

[Zerk]

yes, the heat kits are 240 volts and they get power thru sencing circuit n1 and n2 on geneac unit

For me I want a generator for when the power is out. I get it for facilitaties that will start up the generator on loss of power. But for me in a long term outage i may not run it all the time, and I might not turn it on as soon as power goes out.

Need to research propane. Worked with big generators, but not small stuff.

 

[TheMan419]

For me I want a generator for when the power is out. I get it for facilitaties that will start up the generator on loss of power. But for me in a long term outage i may not run it all the time, and I might not turn it on as soon as power goes out.

Need to research propane. Worked with big generators, but not small stuff.

Also for older folks who are unable to futz w a portable generator. I壇 love to have a whole house natural gas. Would love for it to kick in automatically for the wife but have the ability to turn it off when we don稚 need it.

 

[grsthegreat]

Also for older folks who are unable to futz w a portable generator. I壇 love to have a whole house natural gas. Would love for it to kick in automatically for the wife but have the ability to turn it off when we don稚 need it.

all auto start units can be shut down manually . I turn mine offwhen i go to sleep ... dont need to waste gas while we sleep

 

[Zerk]

all auto start units can be shut down manually . I turn mine offwhen i go to sleep ... dont need to waste gas while we sleep

If it is an issue about temps and propane, by morning it will be cold.

I am not looking for auto transfer switch.