OT: Generators, what all do you have?

[boviac]

One thing to note with the auto-start generators. There's still a startup/warmup phase of the generator and there is not instantaneous transfer. You will loose your energy source once the grid goes down and until your generator automatically comes online. So beware of that if anything needs to be restarted or tends to have trouble restarting upon resumption of power. It may be wise to somehow be notified when away and the generator kicks on to have someone swing by to check that everything is still operating normally.

Other than that, they about the best thing you can have if you expect (and after this, who doesn't) a power loss.

Further, I'm not sure how they sense that the grid power has resumed, switch back to the grid, and shut down the generator. So it is nice to have the generator but what if power only went out for say 30 minutes at your location, would the generator continue to run until you return to turn it off? That would be a bit costly to have 3-4 days of 24hr natural gas use on the generator when it wasn't needed. I suppose just as you had somebody check after the generator starts. You could have them shut it down and manually flip the switch back to the grid. (sounds like it is getting confusing again)... :rolleye1:

 

[boviac]

To that matter further, a solar photovoltaic system (which I am ALL For BTW), wouldn't be much help as you can see it is our generally winter weather that causes the power to go out. Winter = cloudy, dark, and wet usually. So for those that think a Solar PV system will save you when the power goes out...

That being said, I'm referring to the lower cost, Grid-Tied systems(i.e. battery-less).

 

[funman1]

Ok..
Yes Generators take usually about 5-10 seconds to click over after a power outage.
For items that you know have problems with outages you could put a very small UPS on it. It would only have to use the UPS for like 10 seconds so no big deal.

Yes, auto transfer generators know when the grid comes back on, and the grid must remain stable for 5 mins before the system transfers back over to grid and shuts down the generator.

Solar actually requires grid power to operate. I know that sounds really BACKWARDS!!
but unless your system is Pure solar (IE: does NOT feed back into the grid) Then the system needs grid power to run.

It has to do with phase matching the grid, and if there is no grid to match then it assumes the power is out, and since they do not have auto transfer switches to disconnect the house from the grid, it would try to backfeed the grid and burn up or, pop breakers.

So solar wouldn't even really save you even if it was SUNNY

 

[kevin95695]

Honda eu2000i -- Inverter style.

Powered the reef, aquapod, one lamp, and fridge for 27hrs no problems, well other than fueling it at 3am but that's really just my paranoia.

 

[Reefugee]

Kevin - how much fuel did you go though in the 27 hours?

 

[mike1962]

Great info everyone, I appreciate it. Still haven't decided whether to go the cheap route or not. I'll have to follow up on some of those RV links bored4long posted.

Kevin, when you say it ran your reef, do you mean the lights as well? Sounds like the EU2000i is ample enough! Also curious how much fuel you used.

 

[WarrenG]

I've been looking hard at the Champion at Kragen that's $300, plus another $60 or so to make a good sound-absorbing box. 3500 running watts. 4 gallon gas tank that can last 12 hours at half that load. It can also do 240v for washers and dryers.

Half load would cover all night with a gas furnace (~700-1100w) on occasionally, fridge (~400-600w), reef tank stuff (300w), water heaters, clocks, some lights, etc.

 

[kevin95695]

I don't know for sure how much fuel, but my best guess is 1.5-2.0 gallons since I started with a 5 gallon container that was not all the way full...

It ran everything with the exception of the halides, I unplugged those. Also, I ran the gen on eco mode, so it was extremely quiet unless the 500w heater cycled or the house fridge turned over. The gen cranked up pretty good each time those fired. Out of courtesy to the neighbors I put it in the garage overnight and left some ventilation. Couldn't even hear it in our house, let alone the neighbors.

 

[boviac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11561279#post11561279 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
Ok..
So solar wouldn't even really save you even if it was SUNNY

Yup... unless you've got a battery backup (i.e. NOT a sole, grid-tied system).

Glad to hear Auto-Start Generators will switch back. Thanks for the info Steve - you are the true MARS electrictian go-to guy!!!

One thing that can pose a problem with generators is hot refueling (refueling while generator is running or is still hot). News Story: A guy near here nearly burned his garage down as he was refilling late one night, spilt fuel on the hot exaust which cause a fire, which caused him to drop and break his kerosene lantern, which also caught the floor and other nearby items on fire. He ran out, on fire, yelling call 9-1-1. Then, of course, did the stop, drop, and roll. :eek1: :eek2:

From the comfort of our computers, this seems all too silly. But say the power's out, your flashlight's are dead, you're tired after the third day of no power, haven't showered, your grumpy, and at 3am you sleepily stumble out to refill the generator and this could easily have happened to me at least.

Keep your wits about you! And don't qualify for the Darwin Award.

 

[WarrenG]

I think the run time is important and might be overlooked. I saw a nice-looking 2500w Coleman generator, but it's run time is an hour!

So, a 1500w that lasts 7 hours at half load will get you through the night IF the load is 750w, but if the load is 1000w you 're going to be out there refueling at a time when you should probably still be in bed or at work.

 

[JahReefster]

I too got the Champion for $300 from Kragen. 4000 peak watts and 3500 running watts. Ran everything great and started up like a champ with absolutely no problems but, of course, can't run it when I'm at work. Kept most of my tank alive and my 16 year old son sane during an 80 hour power outage during the last storm, but the sucker is loud. I live out on the backside of nowhere and have 5 acres so don't really have to worry about the neighbors too much, but it was pretty loud even for us. Warren, how do you build the sound box you were describing, and how effective is it in cutting the noise?

 

[WarrenG]

The foam doesn't block the sound. It absorbs the sound. This is important.

I haven't done a generator yet, but I have made a couple of boxes for compressors, including a large one. I make an enclosed box from plywood and leave the bottom open and one side open. Then I line the inside of the box with the sound-absorbing foam. IME the sound is reduced to about 25% of the level without a box, i.e. a 75% reduction in the sound.

At my old shop we had a compressor that was 15 amp/20 gallon and it was about as loud as a lawn mower, but with the box you could be 10 feet away and have a conversation with normal voices.

 

[carb850]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11590564#post11590564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JahReefster
I too got the Champion for $300 from Kragen. 4000 peak watts and 3500 running watts. Ran everything great and started up like a champ with absolutely no problems but, of course, can't run it when I'm at work. Kept most of my tank alive and my 16 year old son sane during an 80 hour power outage during the last storm, but the sucker is loud. I live out on the backside of nowhere and have 5 acres so don't really have to worry about the neighbors too much, but it was pretty loud even for us. Warren, how do you build the sound box you were describing, and how effective is it in cutting the noise?

These are loud enough to disturb your neighbors? If is it that loud, can you sleep in your own house?

I'm sitting up my first reef tank and following this thread closely. Once this thing is up and running I will be looking to get one.