New Diesel Generator

[Bigbear]

We live offgrid (solar panels) and use a generator quite often. I just ordered a new Amico AHR6000LN, diesel generator with remote start, just wondered if anyone has used this brand. We currently use a gas powered DeWalt 7000 that is pretty good on gas, but still uses alot. I hope it turns out to be a good investment. BEAR

 

[schmism]

hmmmmm

Based on your need, had it been me, i would have ponnied up the extra $$ for a 1800 rpm version built for more permant install (ie RV)

they have distinct advantages (you pay for)

1) quiet
2) fuel efficent 1800rpm
3) duty cycle (hrs of life)

So your going from a $2K 7KW dewalt (honda powered) to a $1400 6KW amico?

 

[mahlers]

Is your solar system battery based where you'll only need the generator occasionally, or will the generator be your prime source of power with the solar being a contributor? Are you running sensitive electronics?

My experience with most small generators is they eat up electronics like TVs and stereos pretty quick. If your solar system is battery-based and you're using good sine-wave inverters (Outback, Xantrex, Beacon, SMA), the best practice is to use a DC genset to directly charge the batteries and then let the inverters convert to AC cleanly.

 

[Bigbear]

My decision was based on price, the better diesel choices are about 3 or more times the cost. My generator, battery, inverter, etc, is somewhat underground, so noise is not an issue. I was trying to get the most bang for the bucks at hand. My inverter is true sinewave, no problem there. I also use the generator for the wood shop, and at the same time to run the Xantrex 40 battery charger. We use very little AC in the cabin, so therefore the batteries never drop below 12.4. BEAR

 

[mahlers]

Sounds like this generator will work fine for you. For the price, it seems like a solid unit. Made in China (I believe), but lately most of the Chinese diesel engines aren't bad at all.

 

[RonMar]

I am sure you will notice a significant change(for the better) in the ammount of fuel consumed over a gas generator. I agree with schmism though for the same reasons.

 

[Soundguy]

Reading the posts here at TBN.. some people must have huge runs of bad luck at finding horribly cheaply or shoddily built gennies, if you are eating electronics. In principle.. a geny should put out cleaner power than an inverter. Just got to keep the freq solid . IE.. rpm control needs to be solid. Voltage regulation is the easy part.

My genny puts out cleaner looking power than my utility does...

I also like to have more hp available for the genny/ load than needed. IE.. I usually have more than the 2hp/kw figure.. that way the engine rpm stays more solid, thus freq stays right on.. etc.

That's why i like a pto generator that uses your 'presumably' high-er quality tractor engine, vs a little chinese aluminum 1 banger running at a bazillion rpm at near max load to put out power...

Soundguy

Is your solar system battery based where you'll only need the generator occasionally, or will the generator be your prime source of power with the solar being a contributor? Are you running sensitive electronics?

My experience with most small generators is they eat up electronics like TVs and stereos pretty quick. If your solar system is battery-based and you're using good sine-wave inverters (Outback, Xantrex, Beacon, SMA), the best practice is to use a DC genset to directly charge the batteries and then let the inverters convert to AC cleanly.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

hmmmmm ....
1800 rpm genset, they have distinct advantages (you pay for)

1) quiet
2) fuel efficent 1800rpm
3) duty cycle (hrs of life)

As a blanket statement I'd take issue with the above.

My Onan genset does run at 1800 rpm, not particularlly quiet IMO. BIL's Onan is a newer model, single cyl runs much faster, 3600 rpm? and is much quieter.

Lots of variable in determining fuel efficiency. An engine is most efficient, fuel usage in for power out, when running at the engine's peak torque. That may or may not be 1800 rpm.

Expected life of a genset is more dependent on design and qlty of components chosen than engine speed.

 

[mahlers]

My bad experiences might have been due to the fact that I used industrial/commercial purpose generators (Makita/Robin) to power my house during long outages. They work great for large tools, but the output isn't very clean at all when large loads are being applied. For example, I could see my TV picture getting distorted all over the place every time a well pump would start up or a refrigerator would kick in. After enough of those power swings, the TV just plain crapped out. I'm sure that, if I had been running a really big (10kW+) generator, the distortion would have been much less and I might have been fine. Instead of going with a bigger generator, I went the route of a 14.4 kW grid-tied solar system with a 1690 AH 48v battery bank. Now the power can go out and I don't even notice it unless I look at the system monitor. Best investment I ever made - other than the tractor.

 

[Soundguy]

well.. yeah.. if you have a small genny, and are running near electrical load capacity and/or have no reserve hp.. then i can see a huge load like a pump kicking on really hosing the output of a genny. Motor starts can typically take as much as 2x power requirements for a short period. Really old ones can take as much as 3x.

if your genny is having to dip into that reserve past it's capability, then rpm is going to drop, and so will freq.. if the laod is too high.. votlage may dip.. etc.

Like I said.. i like having way more electrical generation capability than needed out of the gen head to prevent electrical overloading and voltage drops, and way more engine hp so that high demand laods don't cause rpm fluctuations. its a big difference looking at the sine wave at the onset of a heavy load when you are running the genny on 'just enough' hp, and then you swap it to 3x the rated hp... and test again... yet another reason why U don't like small gas powered portable gennies.

If I need low wattage AC.. I've got an assortment of inverters.. if I need high wattage AC.. then the tractor comes out...

soundguy