Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Popgadget]

I’ve installed several of the Hyper Sure Starts, and they work very well at reducing the start current, making motors much easier for a generator to start.

As far as the VFD for the blower motor, I would think that you would have to change the motor to a 3 phase motor. There are VFD’s that will work with a single phase motor, but the power is downgraded, and they tend to run hot, so it’s a kluge for variable speed, but a step backwards in efficiency.
There are plenty of cheap VFD’s with single phase input and 3 phase output.

 

[shaeff]

How pricey (cents/kwh) is your line power Shaeff ?

I know (indirectly thru my HVAC contractor neighbour) that big commercial/industrial applications have gone to VFDs, esp. for anything near continuous duty applications, but I don't know if the #'s would pencil out in favour of a 2T application.....

A few people have bought those Hyper units, but my lousy memory doesn't recall the last round of #'s..... then again, these days, price history doesn't necessarily mean much....

Nice gen ya have there !

Rgds, D.

Offhand, I can't remember. You'd think I should since I pay the bill every month. That said, summertime operating cost (electricity) at my house is usually around $85-$95 in the summer months, running the central air basically 24/7. Not too bad. I was just toying with the idea of the VFD, it intrigues me the more I learn about them. Seems that price history isn't the best judge of anything at all after the pandemic. Everything went up!

the 16/32 hyper unit runs about $245 including shipping at alot of places. havnt seen it much cheaper. if you found one at 225 including shipping jump at it.

ive installed quite a few of them. there a little bit confusing, but instructions are good. i believe there may even be a youtube video out there on install. they make a tremendous difference in ease of starting, but they need several start cycles to train the system.

ive had many ac units that absolutely would not start on a generator start and run just fine. on my own unit the ac installer could not get the compressor to fire off under utility power. its a new 4 ton unit. we thought it may have been over charged, but i added the hyper unit ant it runs great now. no more dimming lights. the generator can hardly know its turned on.


i have absolutely no working knowledge on VFD's for air handlers. ive installed them on wells and large paint booths in the past. but those were major start up loads. i wouldnt think an air handler would be much of an issue. and most units 10 yo and newer are dc drive fans i believe.... but i may be mistaking on that

I've found them on eBay for around $225 which I didn't think was too bad. I'll have to jump on it. The central air is the only real draw on my generator. Nothing else seems to bother it. You're the one that turned me on to the Hyper units. I've been lusting after one ever since! They're just a fantastic unit and I've read hundreds of solid testimonials about them. I plan on getting a standby generator in the future, the thought of me being on call and my wife and soon newborn home with no power bothers me. But the Hyper unit will still help a standby unit as well, so it's a win either way.

My well was the other place I was thinking about a VFD, but not until my current pump dies and I upgrade to the CV style pump. My HVAC system is about 6yrs old, but I'm not sure when the actual tech came about. Physical age vs technology age...

I’ve installed several of the Hyper Sure Starts, and they work very well at reducing the start current, making motors much easier for a generator to start.

As far as the VFD for the blower motor, I would think that you would have to change the motor to a 3 phase motor. There are VFD’s that will work with a single phase motor, but the power is downgraded, and they tend to run hot, so it’s a kluge for variable speed, but a step backwards in efficiency.
There are plenty of cheap VFD’s with single phase input and 3 phase output.

Dirty power output in single phase, no thanks. Apparently I have much more reading to do. Can't have heat buildup in something that runs for extended periods of time. This is a classic case of "shaeff went down the rabbit hole."

 

[3930dave]

Took out the JD AC-G8010S-E Subaru powered 404cc on sunday . Fueled it , keep it dry . I always keep it ready to go . My batt's dead . Gave it 3 yank's fired rite up . I have had this thing goin on near 15 years , low hrs though . Only have ran it in a couple canes and power outages , and power some corded tools here and there . To me it's been a fantastic unit . I could see it "outliving my old arsh " ! Still looks good after all these years . I don't keep it out of my site . BTW so far have not need to use it because of current "Elsa " .

Original battery ?

Some rough weather your way..... thinking of those rescuers in Miami having to work through that weather, on top of that disaster.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Offhand, I can't remember. You'd think I should since I pay the bill every month. That said, summertime operating cost (electricity) at my house is usually around $85-$95 in the summer months, running the central air basically 24/7. Not too bad. I was just toying with the idea of the VFD, it intrigues me the more I learn about them. Seems that price history isn't the best judge of anything at all after the pandemic. Everything went up!

I've found them on eBay for around $225 which I didn't think was too bad. I'll have to jump on it. The central air is the only real draw on my generator. Nothing else seems to bother it. You're the one that turned me on to the Hyper units. I've been lusting after one ever since! They're just a fantastic unit and I've read hundreds of solid testimonials about them. I plan on getting a standby generator in the future, the thought of me being on call and my wife and soon newborn home with no power bothers me. But the Hyper unit will still help a standby unit as well, so it's a win either way.

Your $ cost/mo sounds low to me, for that much AC use..... not sure I'd bother with a VFD, based on cost.

Where I know VFDs are often installed here (second-hand knowledge, I didn't install them) is for water booster pumps in high-rise buildings. Old school pumps were high capacity, and ran flat-out all the time - fine, until electricity prices+fairy-tale fees went past top of the high-rise.

I can see where a VFD would pay back fairly quickly in that high-rise booster application. High peak + variable loads, and 24xInfinity operation.

Learning about quality products like the Hyper unit, directly from folks with plenty of hands-on time like grs is one of my favourite reasons for hanging out here.....

Rgds, D.

 

[bullbreaker]

Original battery ?



Rgds, D.

Naw on it's second battery . Genny's been a beast !!! ......... Seems like you don't see many of these JD branded Subaru's out there . 404 cc motor has no oil filter either , just quick drain fill and go .

 

[3930dave]

Naw on it's second battery . Genny's been a beast !!! ......... Seems like you don't see many of these JD branded Subaru's out there . 404 cc motor has no oil filter either , just quick drain fill and go .

Still, that's not bad.

I keep my 7kw Briggs on the OE trickle charger all the time. How do you keep yours topped up ?

I didn't come across many of those Subaru engines here, but I'd expect they were very well designed/built. PRC production flooding the market has taken out many names, not just Subaru.....

Rgds, D.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I didn't come across many of those Subaru engines here, but I'd expect they were very well designed/built. PRC production flooding the market has taken out many names, not just Subaru.....

Rgds, D.

It was Subaru that killed the Subaru market, not china... In fact Subaru sold out most of it's engine like to china, so now they are made in china.

Subaru sold the rest of the line to Yamaha and Kubota.

SR

 

[shaeff]

Your $ cost/mo sounds low to me, for that much AC use..... not sure I'd bother with a VFD, based on cost.

Where I know VFDs are often installed here (second-hand knowledge, I didn't install them) is for water booster pumps in high-rise buildings. Old school pumps were high capacity, and ran flat-out all the time - fine, until electricity prices+fairy-tale fees went past top of the high-rise.

I can see where a VFD would pay back fairly quickly in that high-rise booster application. High peak + variable loads, and 24xInfinity operation.

Learning about quality products like the Hyper unit, directly from folks with plenty of hands-on time like grs is one of my favourite reasons for hanging out here.....

Rgds, D.

For the most part, yep. Would be even lower if the "delivery fee" which is included in my quoted number wasn't half or more of the total cost. Makes sense about skipping the VFD, but that won't stop me from learning more about them and their practical uses. Rabbit holes lol.

And as far as learning from folks with direct, hands-on knowledge, I couldn't agree more. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I love this forum, y'all are just a fantastic group of people to learn from.

 

[bullbreaker]

Still, that's not bad.

I keep my 7kw Briggs on the OE trickle charger all the time. How do you keep yours topped up ?


Rgds, D.

Thats been my fault , keeping the batt/ electric start part of it fully charge not the units I must admit . It just starts so easy when I go to yank on the recoil I'am on my second battery . However when not useing I do keep the gas tank completely drained . On its second plug in near fifteen years only because I chose to put a new one on . For the most part I keep it locked in a 14 x 7 cargo trailer . Gonna check battery level this weekend and give it a trickle charge and see if second batt , holds its charge and report back . Funny thing I know Honda makes great units for the most parts but in my life I have only owned Subaru and Yamaha powered portable generators . Which have been fantastic to me .

 

[3930dave]

It was Subaru that killed the Subaru market, not china... In fact Subaru sold out most of it's engine like to china, so now they are made in china.

Subaru sold the rest of the line to Yamaha and Kubota.

SR

I know a little about competing in an industry primarily defined as a Race to the Bottom.

Selling Before Bottom... it's not the worst strategy......

Rgds, D.