Your last generator Maintenance Run

[daugen]

It's all 1995 equipment

24 year old generator in critical power spot. Hmmmm.
Guess it's all about maintenance and hours.
My memory is you have NatGas, but if that were a diesel, I bet emissions laws would give it the hook.
Lots of youtube videos about these big gens starting up, one was at a hospital I think, and all the smoke that came out,
often with comments below about why run the engine full speed so fast? Which you have covered before, you have to. Seconds count when
someone's oxygen generator fails. All I can think of is dry cylinder walls getting rust ground in for the first few seconds.

 

[ultrarunner]

Nope... all Diesel now since 1995...

Previous they were natural gas but the push to covert to onsite fuel after the 1989 Earthquake left few options to meet the requirement.

The 1995 units are on the target list and testing/maintenance is limited to 20 hours per calendar year... for years the gensets were tested weekly... not it is every other week to comply with the BAAQMD mandate...

Have a friend in Los Angeles that retired and then opened a business selling used California industrial generators removed from service... also boilers... he has done real well selling these units out of state and also internationally...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Two customers have brand new big units that have both failed when needed. And failed, each more than once. I will put my money on the 1995 stuff, thank you very much technology, but no thanks.

 

[daugen]

Two customers have brand new big units that have both failed when needed. And failed, each more than once. I will put my money on the 1995 stuff, thank you very much technology, but noi thanks.

good point, clearly all the bugs have been gotten out...

 

[3930dave]

good point, clearly all the bugs have been gotten out...

There's that, but I also think it's fair to say (with diesels at least), that some bugs never got in to begin with.....

I know you can relate d, (IMO, marine-diesel is a critical function area....).

Short of Primary power applications (really high hours), I'd say the older, less complex diesels inherently have fewer failure points - assuming golden design and build execution of both eras. And, assuming a consistently adequate maintenance program for both eras......

Tired right now...... ^ probably more what I meant is that most any mechanical part will eventually hour-out of spec, or service, but along the way, the less complex control and emission systems of the older diesels yielded higher uptime. Yes, there are costs to that too.... but what is the Greater Good benefit of a high-availability critical diesel in comparison ?

Rgds, D.

 

[Blaszer]

Another one of those projects that if I knew what was involved, I would have passed. Park the thing in the corner and if I need it, take the hour to get it going, would have been easier. Plus, the thing is not worth a dollar more than the basic generator unit.

I think the ASCO does have a cool down timer. It has a bunch of timers but I have never used it in an automatic, engine start mode. I don't need or want the thing running in my absense. This newest set is supposed to be my night time or low (summer) load system, and it will be nice if the ASCO shuts it down on Utility restoral if I am sleeping.

Industrial Toys, I have a ASCO 300 ATS. It is hooked to a 70KW Katolight 1995 Perkins Diesel which lives in the shop. It has a weekly "exerciser" of 20 minutes w or w/o load (mine is set to full load) and a 5 minute cool down. Also I do a manual power "failure" once in a while or so by turning off the service main breaker in the ASCO box.

When the power does go out, it is about a 7-10 second period of no power to full transfer (the generator is always at ~150F via a coolant heater). Once power is restored, it runs on a 5 minute cool down and auto shuts down. We will end up running on the generator anywhere from 3-10 full days a year.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Very impressive looking setup. I suffer from having my little 7.5 Onan/Kubota in the corner of the garage/shop from the noise level.

Thought about building a seperate generator building. As it is, our power doesn't go out to really even warrant the stuff I have.

Nice Shop! You have so much nicer panelling then me. lol Looks that that tire was freshly armour-alled with a toothbrush!

My 12KW ISUZU project has stalled out.

 

[Blaszer]

Very impressive looking setup. I suffer from having my little 7.5 Onan/Kubota in the corner of the garage/shop from the noise level.View attachment 604595

Thought about building a seperate generator building. As it is, our power doesn't go out to really even warrant the stuff I have.

Nice Shop! Looks that that tire was freshly armour-alled with a toothbrush!

The previous owner installed all after a 5 day run in the Snowmageddon storm of 2010 with no power. It runs the whole 400 amp house, and then some LOL :laughing:

Do you have an auto transfer, or do you manually transfer over?

YES! this was taken sometime during a snow storm, and I had been plowing with the tractor, that snow will make them look NEW!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Everything couild be automatic, and the transfer is, but I want to start the generator manually by remote control. I do have a second smaller manual transfer switch behind the main one to switch between generators or a 3000 watt inverter.

 

[daugen]

It runs the whole 400 amp house, and then some LOL

70kw will sure run your house just fine, my older brother put in a 70kw while I put in a 22kw. We both have 400 amp service.
I know how to shed load plus I have load shedding relays built in. Three HVAC units too.
But with 70kw you don't have to think, not much will slow that down, no funny noises when compressors kick in.
Yes dear, you can run the iron. And the waffle maker, and the toaster oven. All at the same time, kick on the electric clothes dryer too.
If anything that big gen needs some load put on it...