Your last generator Maintenance Run

[RoyKing]

Generator overload condition is determined by generator frequency. Loads are shed when frequency is less than 58 Hz for three seconds or less than 50 Hz for ½ second (for 60 Hz systems). The SACM can be used in conjunction with individual SMMs to manage a combined total of eight loads.
• Use Priorities A/C 1-4 on the SACM as the top priorities, then up to four SMMs as Priorities 5-8.
• Use only select A/C priorities on the SACM as the top priorities, then use additional SMMs as the remaining priorities.
• A SMM can share a priority with an A/C priority on the SACM provided the generator is sized to handle the combined surge load from both appliances. Sharing priorities can allow up to 12 loads to be managed in a properly sized system. In any combination of modules, the recovery times after a loss of utility power or shutdown due to overload are shown in Table 1: Priority one is 5 minutes then every 15 seconds

From Generac auto transfer manual, this switch is half dumb, can't switch itself on Utility loss but has staged starts that can interrupt the low voltage leads to thermostat. So if your genset controller can monitor the utilities line then this is the cheapest transfer switch and it has 200amp main so can serve as main disconnect.

 

[daugen]

was working on pc, printer started going through some clean cycle. ??? Ghosts?
Then I got a call from a neighbor, is your power out? Hmmmm.
That sure shows you what a good UPS will do. The LED light on my desk plus all the hardware ran so perfectly through the interruption I never knew the
gen was on, I'm upstairs in an office, pretty good distance from gen and can't hear it. So downstairs I went and as I got close to the garage, could hear
the gen running. Plus of course all the clocks in the kitchen were flashing. Power was off for about two hours, widespread, called it in to utility office and they said their answering machine was full.

A little bit of flicker when power was restored, but nice when everything works. I immediately turned all three hvac systems up to 78 to take load off, and used only the microwave or the stove at one time and it was a non event. Except for the wonderful couple of inches of rain we got, badly needed. If the outage was going to be prolonged, I would have started cycling the two electric hot water heaters off, they certainly will hold hot water a long time, just like the fridge/freezer holds cold.

Maybe I'll go check on the Generac today. Always the same. No change in oil. Air filter looks like new. No critters in box. Back down the lid goes.

 

[BRMyers]

I ran the backup generator today. I try to run it every 3 months for 30 minutes to an hour.

 

[90cummins]

I exercised my battery backup system yesterday for approximately 11 hours which brought the charge down to 70% capacity.
I’m doing it again today so I can set the water levels and then perform an Equalize function which charges at a high rate and stirs up the electrolyte.
The capacity of my battery bank is 570ah.
After the battery maintenance I’ll hook up my small L70 Yanmar 3.5kw and run it for a couple hours supporting the entire house.
My inverter is programmed to assist the generator when loads exceed 3000 watts. At loads less than 3.kw the inverter will charge the batteries.
This system is very fuel efficient allowing 3~4 hours per gallon.
90cummins

 

[3930dave]

Generator overload condition is determined by generator frequency. Loads are shed when frequency is less than 58 Hz for three seconds or less than 50 Hz for ｽ second (for 60 Hz systems). The SACM can be used in conjunction with individual SMMs to manage a combined total of eight loads.
Use Priorities A/C 1-4 on the SACM as the top priorities, then up to four SMMs as Priorities 5-8.
Use only select A/C priorities on the SACM as the top priorities, then use additional SMMs as the remaining priorities.
A SMM can share a priority with an A/C priority on the SACM provided the generator is sized to handle the combined surge load from both appliances. Sharing priorities can allow up to 12 loads to be managed in a properly sized system. In any combination of modules, the recovery times after a loss of utility power or shutdown due to overload are shown in Table 1: Priority one is 5 minutes then every 15 seconds

From Generac auto transfer manual, this switch is half dumb, can't switch itself on Utility loss but has staged starts that can interrupt the low voltage leads to thermostat. So if your genset controller can monitor the utilities line then this is the cheapest transfer switch and it has 200amp main so can serve as main disconnect.

Great data :thumbsup:.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

was working on pc, printer started going through some clean cycle. ??? Ghosts?
Then I got a call from a neighbor, is your power out? Hmmmm.
That sure shows you what a good UPS will do. The LED light on my desk plus all the hardware ran so perfectly through the interruption I never knew the
gen was on, I'm upstairs in an office, pretty good distance from gen and can't hear it. So downstairs I went and as I got close to the garage, could hear
the gen running. Plus of course all the clocks in the kitchen were flashing. Power was off for about two hours, widespread, called it in to utility office and they said their answering machine was full.

A little bit of flicker when power was restored, but nice when everything works. I immediately turned all three hvac systems up to 78 to take load off, and used only the microwave or the stove at one time and it was a non event. Except for the wonderful couple of inches of rain we got, badly needed. If the outage was going to be prolonged, I would have started cycling the two electric hot water heaters off, they certainly will hold hot water a long time, just like the fridge/freezer holds cold.

Maybe I'll go check on the Generac today. Always the same. No change in oil. Air filter looks like new. No critters in box. Back down the lid goes.

Nice when a plan works. Period.

Strange times....... areas seem to either be parched or fields are floating in water !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I ran the backup generator today. I try to run it every 3 months for 30 minutes to an hour.

I need to run mine soon. (!).

Today was a much needed (Dave maintenance) 200km+ run on my motorcycle, riding with a good friend since my teens, and meeting up with another good friend I haven't seen in 5 years. People need maintenance runs too !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I exercised my battery backup system yesterday for approximately 11 hours which brought the charge down to 70% capacity.
I’m doing it again today so I can set the water levels and then perform an Equalize function which charges at a high rate and stirs up the electrolyte.
The capacity of my battery bank is 570ah.
After the battery maintenance I’ll hook up my small L70 Yanmar 3.5kw and run it for a couple hours supporting the entire house.
My inverter is programmed to assist the generator when loads exceed 3000 watts. At loads less than 3.kw the inverter will charge the batteries.
This system is very fuel efficient allowing 3~4 hours per gallon.
90cummins

Killer_Hybrid_Setup...... I'm loving that, for both the execution, and efficiency ! :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[check]

Hydro One Had a “planned” power outage on the weekend. Generator fired up OK, but no power transferred to the house. Went out, shut off the generator, and toggled the 70 amp breaker off and on again. Then turned the generator on to standby again, whereupon it started as it should. This time, however, power was transferred to the house. Very worriesome.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Hydro One just showed up here unexpectedly in a New F550 bucket truck. They wanted a sample of oil from my transformer. Nice guys. Even trimmed a couple of branches I have been meaning to do, away from the transformer pole. They had a Stihl Cordless saw.