Generator Selection?

[grsthegreat]

GENERAC COMPOSITE CABLE FOR 13-17KW HOME STANDBY GENERATORS

4/3C 8/1C 18/6C TC-ER UL1277

it has 3 of the #4 conductors in copper and 1 of the #8 in copper, plus 6 control wires.

be careful cause they also sell an aluminum version. if you go aluminum you have to upsize the wires.


if you had a 22 to 24KW unit you need the #3 copper wires.

 

[grsthegreat]

my wholesale house has #3 thhn copper for $0.62/ft.

 

[aczlan]

Looking online, it appears that you could piece the wire together at Lowes with stranded copper that is 600 volt rated for $6.04 a foot (using local prices).
If you go to a supply house, there's a good chance they could cut you pieces and have it all run out together and rolled up with the right colors and everything. Price would probably be very similar to the Lowes.

Aaron Z

 

[Diggin It]

GENERAC COMPOSITE CABLE FOR 13-17KW HOME STANDBY GENERATORS

4/3C 8/1C 18/6C TC-ER UL1277

it has 3 of the #4 conductors in copper and 1 of the #8 in copper, plus 6 control wires.

be careful cause they also sell an aluminum version. if you go aluminum you have to upsize the wires.

The listing I quoted above shows 3 #3s, 1 #6 and 6 #18, all copper.

 

[grsthegreat]

The listing I quoted above shows 3 #3s, 1 #6 and 6 #18, all copper.

thats even better. thats for the 22 & 24 KW units, but it never hurts to go bigger. i only stocked the 22KW cablew myself and used it on the smaller units i installed. im just saying you dont have to go that large.

more than likely they only stock the one size also. those rolls of wire take up alot of space.


one thing i SURE DONT miss is storing generators.

 

[Diggin It]

Also, this super elite pro dealer I talked to today mentioned having to run another line for the T1 battery charger connections. I asked him to clarify since I thought it was in the multi cable, but he insisted it was something separate for the battery charger to work. Said I'd see it called out in the install manual. I'm looking at it now and it looks like the blue wire does that.

 

[grsthegreat]

what? you run 6 control wires out to the unit. the blue T1 wire controls the power for the controller. you dont need to run anything except the 10 conductor control wire for an air cooled unit. the liquid cooled units need 2 additional separate 120V circuits run in addition to the 10 conductor cable.

control wires N1 & N2 yellow for sencing circuits
t1 blue for controller power
the other 3 are 12VDC transfer controls. Black (wire 0 ), Red (wire 194) and white (wire 23)

 

[Diggin It]

That's what I thought, but I asked him twice because I thought I misheard.

 

[Diggin It]

This is what that listing shows. I just need to be sure before I spend (another) $100

Specifications

Type: Power Composite Installation Cable - TC-ER (Exposed Run)

600 Volts, 90°C dry, 75° wet

TFFN Conductors (PVC/Nylon)

PVC Jacket

UL Listed 1277 Type TC-ER

FT4 / IEEE 1202, Sunlight Resistant, Direct Burial

This specification covers the construction requirements of multi-conductor power cables in accordance with UL, Inc. Standard 1277, (UL) Listed as Type TC-ER. (Exposed Run)

The construction consists of stranded, bare copper conductors with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulation and nylon jacket. The conductors are cabled together and have a sunlight resistant, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) jacket. - Sequential Marking

Use

These cables are suitable for use installed in cable trays and raceways or when supported by a messenger wire. Voltage ratings not to exceeding 600 volts and conductor temperatures not to exceed 90°C dry or 75°C wet.

Cables pass the UL 1277 Vertical Tray Flame Test and the IEEE 1202/FT4 flame test.

Size: 10 Conductors

Diameter: 1.024"

Area: .823 in2



- Conductor: Stranded Bare Annealed Copper made in Accordance with ASTM B-3, B-8, and B-174

- Primary Insulation: The conductors are UL Type TFFN (18 AWG) Type THHN/THWN (3 AWG, 6 AWG) per UL 66 with a PVC insulation and Nylon jacket

- Control Wire: The insulation shall be colored as follows: 1 Black, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Yellow/Black, 1 Blue, 1 Red, 1 White

- Generator Wires: 1 Black, 1 Red, 1 White, 1 Green

- Cable Assembly: The insulated conductors are cabled together with fillers as necessary

- Overall Jacket: A flame resistant and sunlight resistant PVC jacket is applied to the overall construction

- Cable Identification: Type: Surface print on jacket

Ink

Color: White

Legend: POWER & CONTROL TRAY CABLE 3 AWG (26.67mm2) 3/C & 6 AWG (13.3mm2) 1/GRND & 18 AWG (.82mm2) 6/C TC-ER E###### (UL) 600V 90C DRY/75C WET OIL RES I SUNLIGHT RESISTANT DIRECT BURIAL

Propane companies are giving me fits too. 'Too busy', 'ground is too soft', etc.

 

[grsthegreat]

welcome to the world of generators. last year you could not even find a propane tank here in Idaho.