Backup Generator

[RoyKing]

That is MOST interesting that there are consumer load shedding systems available. I never knew. Having several Diesel Gensets, 3.7, 7.5, 7.5 Inverter and 12 KW units, BUT an electrically heated house, I was working on a system of my own to shut off resistive heating loads. I have to do that manualy now.

I wonder if any of these systems can be configured to run off a aux switch contact on my 200 amp asco ATS. It would save me designing a system.

Doesn't your heat strips run off a 24vac thermostat? If yes then have ATS cut that line when on Gen set. The generac ATS has a switch that can be configured to on or off when on Gen set. Was intended to sound alarm

 

[Industrial Toys]

I can't complain and shouldn't, but my Dad was a cheapskate and the strips only have local line voltage stats. A number, I have run wall mounted Line Voltage stats. But that's no help. I had got a bunch of GE latching Relays RR9, that run on 24 volts, that I was going to employ at the fuse box.

 

[RoyKing]

We have been using ugly, steel, 1200litre or so, tanks for almost half a century. in a very changeable climate. One is the original, and I am sure, the others just as old. The only trouble I ever realized, was when I had a pump pipe going right to the bottom of a tank and I wasn't aware of it.

I've worked with buried tanks with ancient fuel in them and the filter and water separators always worked, but I'm sure there is crud at the bottom. However your absolute humidity is much lower than Florida, a piece of paper towel left outside not in the sun near the ground is damp within hours. That's why we are so green everything molds especially if your inland, you would think being close to the ocean would be worse, but actually much drier. Every time I travel away from Fl my lips Crack, so used to the moisture. Visitors always complain, FL inland was really inhabitable till they invented AC

 

[Industrial Toys]

I visited San Diego years back. I found it strange that the humidifiers in so many of the stores were all spewing mist. You never see that here. I got sicker than a dog.

 

[RoyKing]

Denver has those things also, but you probably got sick because you visited a place that doesn't freeze and it had lots of bugs your system doesn't see. We didn't get a freeze this year of any value in North Florida so the bugs will be roaring this spring.

 

[techman]

The desiccant breather I used is the check valve type. The valves must have a very low cracking pressure so you don't starve the diesel's fill pump. While it is not intended to be regenerated, low temp baking does the trick. It is a Des-case DC-VG-1
VentGuard Desiccant Breathers | Des-Case
We have used them on hydraulic system tanks in Florida with good results.

Paul

 

[Zerk]

Reads bits and pieces of this thread. I have wondered about propane generators. Always have more propane on hand then fuel or gas, and lasts a long time. If you want to go somewhere with it, you can use 20lb tank. Have to come up with fittings to go back and forth.

I have heard propane is better on oil since it burns cleaner, though how much or I don't really know. One problem is, most of us, probably would not run it often. You may say you will run it once a month for maintenace, but we don't always do that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I drove two propane vehicles, ex cop cars. One retrofit, one OEM (Chrysler Diplomat). It always amazed me that the engine oil, looked like the day it came out of the bottle!

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

The main issue with propane or natural gas for generators is both these fuels have a very narrow air/fuel ratio in which they will run so any problem at all with fuel delivery or adjustment will cause hunting or make it nearly impossible to start. Gaseous fuel engines are extremely sensitive to intake leaks for this reason. This is the reason nearly all complaints you see for every brand of Nat Gas home standby generator revolve around intermittent no start or instability. They are finicky, particularly now that they need to meet tighter emissions.

If you’re handy and have no problem making adjustments this isn’t a huge issue but something that requires ongoing tweaking isn’t practical for the Mrs when I’m not home to deal with it.

Gasoline is much more tolerant and apart from choking to start will run a wide range of mixture with little effect on stability. Storage is an issue though, propane has a nearly unlimited storage life since there is virtually no oxygen contained in the tanks.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I never had a lick of trouble in cold temps with the OEM Diplomat. The Malibu retrofit was a problem when parking here on the road, because the 1000 foot lane wasn't open in the winter. I used to haul hot water out to the car to try and vaporize propane to get it running. If it flooded, you were in trouble.