Your last generator Maintenance Run

[grsthegreat]

The generator runs a self-diagnostic routine unloaded, meaning it does not activate the automatic transfer switch to the house load. The monitoring system on-board the generator does look at the unloaded voltage and frequency. As for loading the generator when it runs during a power outage, I have no idea what the average load is. I do, however, get nasty-grams in the mail from the power company telling me that my household uses xxx more power than the "average consumer." For the life of me, I have no idea why they care about how much power I use since they're selling it to me and make a profit from my usage. Must be all those parasitic loads from the myriad of LED status lights on appliances, power strips, LED nightlights, etc. --- or, their average consumer lives in a tent with only a single 100-watt incandescent lightbulb and a toaster as the load...

Its probably from your grow operation

 

[3930dave]

The generator runs a self-diagnostic routine unloaded, meaning it does not activate the automatic transfer switch to the house load. The monitoring system on-board the generator does look at the unloaded voltage and frequency. As for loading the generator when it runs during a power outage, I have no idea what the average load is. I do, however, get nasty-grams in the mail from the power company telling me that my household uses xxx more power than the "average consumer." For the life of me, I have no idea why they care about how much power I use since they're selling it to me and make a profit from my usage. Must be all those parasitic loads from the myriad of LED status lights on appliances, power strips, LED nightlights, etc. --- or, their average consumer lives in a tent with only a single 100-watt incandescent lightbulb and a toaster as the load...

Sound like your load is significant..... should provide adequate load-cycling, given regular actual outages.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Doing some MTCE on one of my diesels (non-generator) I was updating a file on my old laptop, and noticed this pdf in that folder.

It's one of the better summations of wet-stacking I've come across. Likely a re-post by me, but not recently..... unless my memory is totally going ....

Rgds, D.

 

[TheMan419]

Short outage.... that worked out well.

My big generator would use a similar amount, so I try and keep at least 22 gal on hand (not a fan of crowded gas stations, or long drives to same...). Years ago, I decided that all cans get fuel stabilizer, ALL the time.... cans are tagged, but Stabil etc buys me a little extra time, if I get lazy/sloppy about rotation......

.... I've cleaned carbs and changed floats over the years, but it's not a favourite pastime, and definitely not something I want to be doing during a major outage.....

Rgds, D.

I go through enough fuel during mowing season not to worry about rotation. Fuel going into generator gets a dose of stabil.

Cans get filled for the winter and get stabil.

 

[3930dave]

I go through enough fuel during mowing season not to worry about rotation. Fuel going into generator gets a dose of stabil.

Cans get filled for the winter and get stabil.

I get kind of Belt+Suspenders on this stuff (helps me sleep @ night ), so some of what I do is deliberate overkill.

I am the only one doing fueling here, so I should be able to keep the cans straight , but as my overall consumption is not that high, it was easier/safer for me to just dose everything....

I'm convinced that regional fuel formulations are a factor..... people have good success with varied treatment and storage practices of gasoline/engines....... Whatever Works for Yerself, Stick With It .

I want Stabil 360 esp. in my metal gas tanks. When they launched the product, they had a good video showing protection via vapour deposition @ the top of the tank. I don't see that video anymore..... they might have gotten tired of dealing with people thinking it was going to fix (Mechanic In a Bottle) already rusted-out tanks .....

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

I like Swine's approach. I made do with a 22kw, 400A and three hvac systems and takes planning and a lot of modules to make that work.
Problem was the bump to next step. My memory was over 5k more. And since my older 20kw Generac had been so reliable, I stuck with the lawn mower engine.
Swines has a small car engine likely.

And now I have a portable which I did get fixed btw. Bad on/off rocker switch; dosed the new one with DeOxit and it fired right up.
There is just something very cool about laying in bed at 3am and with the wind howling, snow or no snow, your gen comes on automatically and your wife
thinks you are a hero.

 

[swines]

I like Swine's approach. I made do with a 22kw, 400A and three hvac systems and takes planning and a lot of modules to make that work.
Problem was the bump to next step. My memory was over 5k more. And since my older 20kw Generac had been so reliable, I stuck with the lawn mower engine.
Swines has a small car engine likely.

And now I have a portable which I did get fixed btw. Bad on/off rocker switch; dosed the new one with DeOxit and it fired right up.
There is just something very cool about laying in bed at 3am and with the wind howling, snow or no snow, your gen comes on automatically and your wife
thinks you are a hero.

The generator is a Kohler 30RCLA (single phase, 240 Vac). It has an in-line, four-cylinder, 2.2 liter (134 cubic inch), naturally aspirated 40 hp motor that runs on natural gas. The sound level is between 54 dB(A) and 62 dB(A) depending upon the load at 1800 rpm. The same motor is turbocharged (64 hp) and used for the 48 KW generator. The motor has a block heater integrated into the cooling system that turns on at 40F.

 

[daugen]

naturally aspirated 2.2 liter 40hp engine is seriously understressed. Reminds of me of old Cat 3208Ns in old trawlers that would routinely
go past 10,000 hours. Pulling 20hp a liter out of a modern engine sure sounds like a reliable solution to a long run gen.
Nice system.

GRS, fair to say, entry level heavy duty?

Manufacturer Kohler
Engine: model, type Residential Powertrain
KG2204T, 2.2 L, 4-Cycle
Turbocharged
Cylinder arrangement In-line 4
Displacement, L (cu. in.) 2.2 (134.25)
Bore and stroke, mm (in.) 91 x 86 (3.5 x 3.4)
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Piston speed, m/min. (ft./min.) 310 (1016) 258 (847)
Main bearings: quantity, type 5, plain alloy steel
Rated rpm 1800 1500
Max. power at rated rpm, kW (HP)
LPG 47.8 (64.1) NA
Natural Gas 47.6 (63.9) NA
Cylinder head material Cast Iron
Piston type and material High Silicon Aluminum
Crankshaft material Nodular Iron
Valve (exhaust) material Forged Steel
Governor type Electronic
Frequency regulation, no-load to
full-load Isochronous
Frequency regulation, steady state r1.0%
Frequency Fixed
Air cleaner type Dry

 

[3930dave]

I made do with a 22kw, 400A and three hvac systems and takes planning and a lot of modules to make that work

First World Problems..... ...... Sorry d, just couldn't resist......

Nice motor (restating obvious) Swines. Natgas, cast iron head, de-rated..... at my stage (+ lottery win), if I could properly plate an experimental chassis, I'd be tempted to drop that in front of a manual transmission.

Rgds, D.

 

[90cummins]

Came home last night to no power fortunately the battery backup was doing its job and the remote garage door opener worked as it should so we could get into the house.
I have only a few critical circuits on the battery backup to maximize battery life. Went into power house and started up the MEP-952b 28 volt generator then threw 1 breaker to energize the entire house so we could take our showers. Everything worked as it should while sipping fuel at the rate of 3~4 hours per gallon.
Shut the generator down when we went to bed and used the battery backup for selected lights in the house.
The beauty of a diesel generator is that regardless of how long it sets it always starts the same.
Still struggling to get the AGS to monitor battery voltage and start/stop the generator as needed.
90cummins