Generator Chinese diesel genset, or PTO generator??

[jas67]

The specific model that I'm using is the Xantrex DR3636, 120V @ 30A (3600W). They can be connected in series, so I get 240V @ 30A with a center tap (thus providing two 120V legs, just like your typical household wiring). There is a control signal between them to keep them in phase. I can connect this to my household wiring just like a typical 240V/120V generator.

I need 240V for my well pump. 240V/60hz inverters are no common, I've seen 220V/230V units, but they are 50 Hz for Europe and other markets. This was the easiest way for me to get 240V and 120V.

Sorry, I see you did post the type of inverters. Any reason you decided to use two smaller rather than one larger inverter? Can you get 240v and 120v simultaneously with your set up?

 

[jas67]

I'm using two 120Ah marine-type deep cycle batteries. The 8 hour run time is assuming intermittent loads only, such the small motors on my pellet boiler, the heating circulator (hot water), fridge and freezer. Under heavier use, it won't run that long on just batteries. I can just start the generator as needed, and will even run it a lower speed, since it is DC, and the inverters convert to AC (this is for the DC generator I'm building). Think of it as a hybrid-powered house.

I've only had the system for less than a year, but I assume the batteries will last about 4-5 years. These inverters automatically float charge, and also have a equalizing charge cycle that should be run monthly.

Yea, with larger batteries such as golf-cart, you could run the system for longer cycles and/or heavier loads.

Sounds like a marine set up. What type of batteries and inverter are you using. I'd imagine you have at least a few golf cart batteries and a pretty heavy duty inverter to run all that equipment. How much did that cost and how often do you need to replace the batteries?

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Are there anyone on this thread that has added solar panels to their house?

I have solar panels for my camper and have been thinking about trying some at home.

 

[jas67]

Wow, your Onan must be completely rebuilt with a new generator head on it. I have 2 of the orange 6KW 2 cylinder Onan generators. They leak oil like crazy, make as much noise as a freight train and put out terribly 'dirty' power. I happily sold both during our last power outage due to the ice storm. I had stainless steel half barrel beer barrels for fuel supplies and 2X2" square tubing with wheels on each. They were okay back in their day, mostly designed to run lighting, but are incapable of running any modern electronics.

I have only running lighting and motors from the Onan, no electronics. I use the inverter system for that.

I don't know where you get 25 hour oil changes on gas units either. I can post pages from my Honda generator and my Yamaha powered generator and they both have 100 hour oil change intervals. The very first oil change is due much sooner due to the break in process, but after that it's 100 hours for standard oil and 200 hours for PAO synthetics. My Honda generator ran 24/7 for almost 14 days straight and would run right at 14 hours per tank of fuel. I only shut it down to refill the fuel and check the oil (which it never used any). I did go ahead and change the oil at about 100 hours. It took all of 3 or 4 minutes to change.

I also have a cheapo Troybilt with a Briggs engine. It calls for a 25 hour oil change. I need to doublecheck the manual, it might be every 50 after that. The Hondas that you run are a higher quality (and more expensive) engine.

I think you're a bit overboard on busting the guy's chops who had to buy some sort of generator in recent disasters.

No busting intended. I purchased the previously mentioned Troybilt under the same circumstances. After seeing how much fuel it uses, and knowing what I know about the life expectancy of some these light-duty gas engines, I got the Onan, and the inverters (and then the stuff to make the DC generator). I'm a control systems engineer by trade, so, as my wife says, I over do everything. I wanted to go diesel, because with an oil furnace, I have plenty of fuel on site if there is an extended wide-spread outage, and I can't get fuel.

Hey, I just noticed that I had a good head for one sitting in my garage. Look familiar? This is a good head with the heating grid for one of those Onan generators.

Hopefully, I won't be needing anything that major. I did have to put a fuel pump on, which I bought from a nice fella over on smokstak.org.


Regards,
Jay

 

[Dargo]

Hopefully, I won't be needing anything that major. I did have to put a fuel pump on, which I bought from a nice fella over on smokstak.org.


Regards,
Jay

But I gots lots and lots of parts. About the only thing I'm really missing besides the block is the sheet metal. It seems about the only premature problems with the Onans were when people left sheet metal off that, as you know, is required for proper cooling. I have 2 sets of windings for the gen head too. Dang if they aren't heavy!

Oh, and yes, the Honda generator was considerably more than the names I didn't recognize.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

FREE SHIPPING GUARDIAN Air-Cooled Automatic Standby Generator 17 kW (LP)/16 kW (NG), Steel, Model# 5504 | 17,000 Watts + above | Northern Tool + Equipment

I would buy this if the fuel wasn't so high.

 

[LBrown59]

I keep 30 to 40 gallon of fuel at all times, because you never know what is going to happen with the electric.

The most I ever have on hand is 85 gallon but usually it's under 50 gallon.

I also have and extra 55 gallon drum if i need to store more during a power outage.

 

[Gittyup]

FREE SHIPPING GUARDIAN Air-Cooled Automatic Standby Generator 17 kW (LP)/16 kW (NG), Steel, Model# 5504 | 17,000 Watts + above | Northern Tool + Equipment

I would buy this if the fuel wasn't so high.

I was thinking LP too. I have a buried 500 gal tank and a convenient tap ready for hookup. Because it would be used so seldom, fuel cost isn't such an issue. What I don't know is what kind of LP-related maintence problems would I be buying into. Anyone have experience with the portable LP units? How long will they run on a 20 lb tank?

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I was thinking LP too. I have a buried 500 gal tank and a convenient tap ready for hookup. Because it would be used so seldom, fuel cost isn't such an issue. What I don't know is what kind of LP-related maintence problems would I be buying into. Anyone have experience with the portable LP units? How long will they run on a 20 lb tank?

I haven't really researched about doing any kind of service on that type.

I liked the fact that it will run on LP or natural gas and that it has auto. start up and auto. shutdown.

I don't have natural gas, but about 200ft. from my property is a gas well, it would probably cost big money to have a well put in. But i have never checked to see how much it would cost.

 

[Dargo]

I don't have natural gas, but about 200ft. from my property is a gas well, it would probably cost big money to have a well put in. But i have never checked to see how much it would cost.

I'm sure it varies wildly, but way back in 1992 when I ran a NG line back to where I was building my home our utility company charged $1.35 a foot. We were not allowed to touch anything, dig the trench, bury the line after it was put in etc. Basically I could take their price or do without. I thought it was a ripoff, but really didn't have any choice but to run about 1000 feet back to my home sight. I guess the only place where I got a break was that they forgot that they had to cross a creek and go under a 20' wide section of concrete driveway. Since I was paying so much anyway they 'gave me a break' and didn't charge extra for that.