Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

Success !

Maybe as a rainy day project, overhaul the original, but you can't beat that price and bolt-on ease.

Nice bonus getting the carb adjustments back E :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

After 27 years of maintaining the Hospital Gensets with never anything but Exemplary Inspection reports... the Federal Inspector gave me a Fail this week.

Inspector said we are deficient not having an Independent outside agreement for at least annual service and load banking...

No where in the code can I find this requirement and the standard allows the Load itself to be used for testing providing we meet the minimum load requirement... which we do... generator powers all the critical and life safety requirements including large vacuum pumps, HVAC, heat coils, etc...

For an expenditure of 3k annually I can initiate a Service and Testing contract...

Just another example of why health care costs continue to rise. Inspector said we are the only facility she has visited without a Generator Contract.

Health Care is very big on outsourcing and PM contracts and service agreements... and these all come with a cost...

It is ironic in that when I came on board 27 years ago my sole duty was the emergency hospital generators...

Here is an update...

So the highest levels of the organization had me contract with the Generator Manufacturer for the Load Test and Service and New Batteries... anyone need 9 month old 4D size batteries?

All went well... great personality and very methodical... this was 2 weeks ago.

So today I do my every other week load test and all **** breaks loose.

The 3-phase leads that were removed for the load bank were switched going back...

Running on Generator Power caused the building to shutter as dozens of motor loads on E Power were hit with Generator Power in the reverse direction... motors, pumps, vacuum pumps... 20 hp blower motors... the lights in the hospital dimmed and breakers started tripping...

In 27 years I have never had an issue... call in a professional third party vendor and all I could think is what would of or could have happened is power had been lost during a heavy surgery day...

 

[3930dave]

^ Corollary to If you Want it Done Right......

.... If you Want it Screwed Up, Hire a "Pro" !........ who is in too much of a hurry, or has a vested interest in condemning things, or is just an apprentice turned loose on something they shouldn't be touching......

If that "electrician" actually holds a license, it should be under suspension/review after that fiasco AT A HOSPITAL of all places.

I'd present these "Pros" with a bill for any damages, AND your time spent cleaning up THEIR mess.

Almost would have been less disruptive to get in a legal fight at the front-end with the inspector..... and I still think the relationship with these 3rd party firms is way too cozy......

Given what a Charlie Foxtrot this contractor was, obviously there was nothing wrong with the batteries ! Well, at least before the wiring was screwed up.

I'm pissed off just hearing this ..... and my only dog in this hunt is engineering integrity.

Rgds, D.

 

[cqaigy2]

Im with 3930dave, im not an engineer nor go to your hospital, but for crying outload! I can't imagine how much extra wear and damage to your gear after that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

And so in this direction, society continues to go! A few customers had new expensive complicated plants that failed to operate when the power quit. There is always an excuse and no one is ever held to account.

 

[Einthewoods]

I am looking for one of you to give me a "wow, what a great idea" responses. :laughing:

Here's the scenario:
I have a portable Generac 110v generator which does everything I need
We only lose power a couple times a year and when we do it is usually for hours or a day. Luckily, so far it has happened in the summer months.
When I do use it, it is mainly to run the freezers/fridge and maybe a couple power strips for charging things.

I do not have any interest in a fixed generator wired into the house.

Here's the opportunity for your great idea!

I run extension cords to the things I need to power. Being it has always been in the summer (or at least nice) months, I can just run them in a door and mostly close it. What I am looking to hear about is do any of you have any crafty ways that you run multiple extension cords into your house where you don't have to keep a door or window open?

I'd like to get something worked out so I can have the gen going and the house closed up like normal. Especially important if it were winter.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ritothebull]

I am looking for one of you to give me a "wow, what a great idea" responses. :laughing:

Here's the scenario:
I have a portable Generac 110v generator which does everything I need
We only lose power a couple times a year and when we do it is usually for hours or a day. Luckily, so far it has happened in the summer months.
When I do use it, it is mainly to run the freezers/fridge and maybe a couple power strips for charging things.

I do not have any interest in a fixed generator wired into the house.

Here's the opportunity for your great idea!

I run extension cords to the things I need to power. Being it has always been in the summer (or at least nice) months, I can just run them in a door and mostly close it. What I am looking to hear about is do any of you have any crafty ways that you run multiple extension cords into your house where you don't have to keep a door or window open?

I'd like to get something worked out so I can have the gen going and the house closed up like normal. Especially important if it were winter.

Thanks in advance!

I guss you've probably seen these before.

Amazon.com: JR Products 541-2-A Polar White Deluxe Round Electric Cable Hatch with Back: Automotive

 

[Einthewoods]

I guss you've probably seen these before.

Amazon.com: JR Products 541-2-A Polar White Deluxe Round Electric Cable Hatch with Back: Automotive

No, I hadn't seen those before. Looks like it could work out pretty good too. Maybe even cut some foam insulation to put in it when not in use.

I think I will order one in to take a look.

Thanks for the great idea!

 

[Industrial Toys]

I could not resist buying a few of these from the RESTORE for a buck or two. Home Depot Returns.

They can accomodate a twist lock plug. They are great for a generator, block heater, battery charger, or X-MAS lights. No need to have an outlet outside and you can have control modules safely inside.

They are compact and attractive (I think).

I have not used them on an insulated wall but you could put one on each side and put a pvc pipe between them. Fill it with insulation when not in use.

 

[ultrarunner]

^ Corollary to If you Want it Done Right......

.... If you Want it Screwed Up, Hire a "Pro" !........ who is in too much of a hurry, or has a vested interest in condemning things, or is just an apprentice turned loose on something they shouldn't be touching......

If that "electrician" actually holds a license, it should be under suspension/review after that fiasco AT A HOSPITAL of all places.

I'd present these "Pros" with a bill for any damages, AND your time spent cleaning up THEIR mess.

Almost would have been less disruptive to get in a legal fight at the front-end with the inspector..... and I still think the relationship with these 3rd party firms is way too cozy......

Given what a Charlie Foxtrot this contractor was, obviously there was nothing wrong with the batteries ! Well, at least before the wiring was screwed up.

I'm pissed off just hearing this ..... and my only dog in this hunt is engineering integrity.

Rgds, D.

Cummins Diesel Mechanic new to the ONAN side... same company but different division because the generator work which was just a small sideline due to the Cummins Engines has been growing by leaps and bounds.

Tech that came out had 3 months field experience... it was simply a novice mistake that did not surface until 2 weeks later when I cycled the unit.

Now that we are part of a huge 100,000 employee organization the decisions I have been making when we were a stand alone Hospital are no longer mine to make...

In other words... this was a created problem and I was told to stand-down and got paid OT to come in both for load bank and then yesterday... something that never happened in 25 years as management... but, still a hard pill to swallow because none of this had to happen...

My thoughts are on all of the 3 phase motors in the E circuit and what a jolt... I could smell burnt electrical in the Surgery Hallway... so to say the equipment was stressed would be an understatement...