Your last generator Maintenance Run

[daugen]

Listers seemed to be one step above a hit and miss engine they ran so slowly, which
I'm sure helped produce their super long life reputation.
I think there were Listers put in early sailboats also and perhaps even powerboats.
They say for off the grid folks, Listers are legends for reliability and efficiency.

 

[shooterdon]

I added a second 500 gal propane tank this week. My little Champion dual fuel generator uses about 1 gal/hr. With a minimum of 400 gallons on tap, I can go a long time in an emergency, but the best part is no fuel storage problems. Paid $1.40/gal so to run 24 hours will cost less than $35/day, but we normally cycle, so actual is closer to 5 hours a day...or $7/day. It is currently cheaper to run on propane, but it is nice to have the dual fuel option just in case.

 

[3930dave]

90cummins, Very interesting numbers.

I am planning on doing a load test on our standby generator tomorrow. Going to let it start up on a transfer switch test and then cut the main breaker and go to full "Emergency" standby power. Then put an amp clamp right above the transfer switch. Going to attempt to keep it at 90-95% load for 2 hours, so around 275 amps (it is rated at 292 amps). I will take some photos.

I really would love to set up an electronic fuel meter to see how much it is consuming, as of now the best I can do is measure the tank depth before and after and get a close estimate of fuel usage per hour.

Pics :thumbsup: and details, esp. on load to hit that power level.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The porta potty is no joke... the simplest permits often require it.

I pull my own permits... mostly for new service, breaker boxes, water heaters and such... so far as owner builder I have been able to make it work.

Lots of business people get in trouble with city business license or lack of one.

Old Bill is a hand sign painter... he was touching up a sign his father originally put up decades ago... boy was there a bee in his bonnet.

City inspector noticed him up on a ladder with paint brush in hand motioned him down... Inspector wanted to see his sign permit... he didn't have one and successfully made the case it was only a repair to an existing... which it was.

Then came the kicker... Old Bill who rarely works in the city did not have a Business License... he was told he needed one and subject to penalties etc... so Bill was charging $250 for the work and the business license, fees, penalties etc.. were more than he made from the job... plus he has to account for all business in the city, open his books up to audit... said HE WILL NEVER Work another job here because of it...

He said how can a one man sign painter even be in business if every city and county required such in a place like the SF Bay Area... last I heard he was moving to Oregon...

Developed countries mostly "evolved" to this....

Guy digging a hole himself with multiple people watching : MemeTemplatesOfficial

A relative sent me a version of that image a few years back....... funnier if it was less close to the truth.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Listers seemed to be one step above a hit and miss engine they ran so slowly, which
I'm sure helped produce their super long life reputation.
I think there were Listers put in early sailboats also and perhaps even powerboats.
They say for off the grid folks, Listers are legends for reliability and efficiency.

Stopped in to see a guy about some solar stuff about 10 years back. He had a Lister set up at his shop, with something like a 5kw head on it. Also set up a heat-exchanger/circulating pump tied to that Lister. Ran it for a day or so straight, and got his shop up to something like 90F...... impressive, in Winter, with an immaculate but not-insulated Quonset building.

Best approach with these (buying new, overseas) seems to be take them apart when received and go through all of it...... get rid of casting sand, or other contamination from the factory. (Some of these are assembled on not much more than dirt floors).

Lots to be said for over-built simple designs, but even The Rock would have a time of it, lugging one around as a "portable" .

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I added a second 500 gal propane tank this week. My little Champion dual fuel generator uses about 1 gal/hr. With a minimum of 400 gallons on tap, I can go a long time in an emergency, but the best part is no fuel storage problems. Paid $1.40/gal so to run 24 hours will cost less than $35/day, but we normally cycle, so actual is closer to 5 hours a day...or $7/day. It is currently cheaper to run on propane, but it is nice to have the dual fuel option just in case.

Popular upgrade around here (dual tank).... can't go wrong with extra propane on hand..... pretty much keeps forever :thumbsup:

Cost is Cost, but often it takes a severe shortage to appreciate something..... was reading this yesterday:

Lebanon electricity crisis: Stealing power to survive - BBC News

I can't imagine having to rely on medical equipment and worrying about the electricity to drive it.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Thanks for those kwh/gal #'s 90, good data.

Rgds, D.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Serviced yesterday. 7500 watt dual fuel started and ran.
Honda EU2000! new plug and oil change. Ran it for 10 minutes and shut the fuel off. Has Hutch Mountain switch. Ran till dry..
Honda EU1000I new plug and oil change. Installed Hutch Mountain switch. ran for 10 minutes and shut off the fuel valve. Ran till dry.
Both generators pulled the starter cord till compression felt. Both filled with ethanol free gas treated with fuel conditioner and Seafoam.

 

[90cummins]

90cummins, Very interesting numbers.

I am planning on doing a load test on our standby generator tomorrow. Going to let it start up on a transfer switch test and then cut the main breaker and go to full "Emergency" standby power. Then put an amp clamp right above the transfer switch. Going to attempt to keep it at 90-95% load for 2 hours, so around 275 amps (it is rated at 292 amps). I will take some photos.

I really would love to set up an electronic fuel meter to see how much it is consuming, as of now the best I can do is measure the tank depth before and after and get a close estimate of fuel usage per hour.

I’m not sure how many GPH your generation consumes but the most of accurate method would be to weigh the fuel using a hanging electronic or spring scale.
Fill a 55 gallon drum attach your fuel hoses and suspend the tank.
Volume changes with temperature but with weigh (mass) there are no variables assuming scale is accurate.
You can also stick the drum level for comparison.
What is the kw rating of your generator.
You don稚 need to run 2 hours, 1 hour should give you good numbers.
I知 curious to see your results.
I have a spreadsheet I made for reducing the data, gph x time.
If I can find how to sent it as a working excel sheet I値l post it.
Good luck
90cummins

 

[90cummins]

Those spelling errors (not my fault) really bug me.
Only happens with this site and certain abbreviations.

90cummins