12kw Isuzu Diesel Generator

[Greenhorn18]

How about a large UPS for backup? Go crazy and get the Tesla battery!

Is solar an option?

Btw everyone with a RV or gen should have one of these-

P3 P44 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor - Low Temperature Alarms - Amazon.com

Solar Isn't an option right now due to the sheer cost for the setup I'd need to run. Something like 20k at least I found.

 

[Greenhorn18]

One problem with diesel generators is the need to KEEP them loaded. Run too long under a light load and you stand a chance of wet stacking the engine.

I have a 10KW diesel backup generator we use during power outages. For prolonged outages like the hurricane we just had I find myself searching for ways to keep it loaded. It will run my 3.5 ton package AC with the rest of the house but the outside temps during the outage were 65 degrees so we didn't need it. After I had the water heater warmed up and all the laundry done we had to resort to baking cookies. I would not want to search for ways to keep it loaded 24/7.

For an off grid house I would definitely look into solar with a backup generator. Most of the research I've done on this indicates it won't be cost effective if utility power is readily available. If it was going to cost 20K plus to connect to the grid I would rather spend that plus to stay off.

So by the knowledge your presented I should go with the smaller 8kw Isuzu and keep it under probably half load 24/7..I could do that no problem. I don't think an 8kw gen runnin at 4kw could cause wet stacking but I could wrong.

I appreciate everyone that's shed light on the subject

 

[techman]

Wet stacking should not be a real concern. Even running under a light load, the exhaust temps stay high enough to keep things clean. Most diesel gen sets never idle which is the biggest cause of wet stacking (like trucks sitting all night idling).

paul

 

[Greenhorn18]

Wet stacking should not be a real concern. Even running under a light load, the exhaust temps stay high enough to keep things clean. Most diesel gen sets never idle which is the biggest cause of wet stacking (like trucks sitting all night idling).

paul

Thanks for clearing that up, Paul

 

[Sawyer Rob]

How much per hour do you think a gen set will cost you to run, in fuel cost??

I have several generators now and I've had several others in the past... I have yet to see a generator that will run any where near what grid electric cost...not even close, especially with a 4.5kw load!

SR

 

[TractorGuy]

I dunno. My generator runs at or below a gallon per hour. More like .7 GPH. My electric bill this month was $277 but it is higher than our usual bill. Funny thing is that comes to exactly what I paid for a gallon of off road diesel at $2.59 per hour.

 

[wagne223]

I dunno. My generator runs at or below a gallon per hour. More like .7 GPH. My electric bill this month was $277 but it is higher than our usual bill. Funny thing is that comes to exactly what I paid for a gallon of off road diesel at $2.59 per hour.

Your math is way off. No generator , gas, diesel, natural gas or propane is even close to as cheap as grid power.

In your example, .7 gals per hour is 504 gals in a 30 day month. At $2.59/gal that is $1305.13

 

[aczlan]

Your math is way off. No generator , gas, diesel, natural gas or propane is even close to as cheap as grid power.

In your example, .7 gals per hour is 504 gals in a 30 day month. At $2.59/gal that is $1305.13

If he's one of those people who got a multi hundred-thousand-dollar quote to bring power up to his house I can see where it would be cheaper then going on the grid.

Aaron Z

 

[wagne223]

If he's one of those people who got a multi hundred-thousand-dollar quote to bring power up to his house I can see where it would be cheaper then going on the grid.

Aaron Z

That is something I had not considered.

 

[TractorGuy]

Your math is way off. No generator , gas, diesel, natural gas or propane is even close to as cheap as grid power.

In your example, .7 gals per hour is 504 gals in a 30 day month. At $2.59/gal that is $1305.13

You are right! I divided the hours by the cost. I should have divided the cost by the hours. that comes out to 38 cents per hour. DOH!