Generator Dummy Load

[bdhsfz6]

How do you guys put load on your generators during maintenance runs?

I usually just use the house as a load but the momentary loss of power during the changeover causes problems with household electronics. I've been thinking of getting a couple of cheap electric heaters, but I'd like something that draws a bit more for my 11KW generator.

Maybe something like this:

Amazon.com

Any other ideas?

 

[groundcover]

I use the heater plan, easy enough.

 

[John0829]

I just plug in anything that is handy, fan, heater, lights old electric leaf blower. Just what is close by and will put a bit of a load on it, does not have to be much

 

[sixdogs]

I use a big floor fan---46"? Must work because I've been doing it for 25 years.

 

[ssgp2]

Call some of your local A/C repair companies. Ask if they have a used indoor fan coil from a change out with a 10kw heater. This setup will allow for you to check the +/-240v circuit. A simple tstat and you're in business. You're on the right track with the portable heater for the 120v circuit.
edit: what you're referring to is called a "load bank"

 

[bdhsfz6]

edit: what you're referring to is called a "load bank"

Correct. Dummy loads are used for RF applications.

 

[jonsstihl]

I use a couple base board heaters I mounted on two two by fours. I wanted more load than a 100 watt lightbulb for my 5000 watt generator. I am close to max load when I run it so it gets a workout.

 

[DarkBlack]

I just plug in anything that is handy, fan, heater, lights old electric leaf blower. Just what is close by and will put a bit of a load on it, does not have to be much

Air compressor… shop vac….wife’s hair dryer

 

[BleedingOrange]

I use an old 1/2 drill, and run it for at least 10 minutes in each direction. Very easy, just lock the trigger and set it down on some hard styrofoam so it doesn,t get scratched up while running.

 

[5030]

Something I have no answer for with either of my Generac standby gensets. I would presume they somehow load the heads but how, I don't have a clue. All I know is they each run every week for a pre determined amount of time and then go back to sleep. Over the years I've gotten so I pay no attention to them other than maintenance intervals.

 

[WranglerX]

Try a couple of heating element from electric water heater(s)... All that is required is to have elements suspended in water (not electrical connections) to absorb heat energy...

 

[5030]

How do you guys put load on your generators during maintenance runs?

I usually just use the house as a load but the momentary loss of power during the changeover causes problems with household electronics. I've been thinking of getting a couple of cheap electric heaters, but I'd like something that draws a bit more for my 11KW generator.

Maybe something like this:
View attachment 1988117

Amazon.com

Any other ideas?

Buy an American made one....

 

[bdhsfz6]

Try a couple of heating element from electric water heater(s)... All that is required is to have elements suspended in water (not electrical connections) to absorb heat energy...

That's a possibility. I have an old water heater with a rusted out tank waiting to be recycled. I could take the elements out first. Thanks for the suggestion.

The advantage of using a portable space heater is, I could put it in the shop to warm areas where I'm working. It's bad enough putting chains on the tractor, but doing it when it's hovering around zero really $ucks.

 

[Topzide]

You could thread the elements into an old propane tank that's be cut open and filled with water. Hole saw to cut holes and weld in a set of bungs. Could even put pvc boxes over connections to seal them. Just idea that rattled out from suggesting heater elements.

 

[docone]

As I am a generator maintenance technician, the best load is purely resistive. A 5kw shop heater is a good choice. JMHO

 

[07wingnut]

I have a few generators in the shop that need to be started up every once in a while, during the year. Running them with no load is not really a good way to exercise a generator. My load is a cut down kitchen range, with all the top elements in the oven, along with the oven elements and the oven is completely open at the front. Using the range switches will give loads from about 1kw to 12kw, and as a bonus, the elements will switch on and off if not put on high. This will give you a test for generator response to load variation. I will post a picture tomorrow.

 

[MossRoad]

We used to have a board with a bunch of light bulb sockets on it at my last job. And a bunch of high wattage incandescent bulbs. We could screw different bulbs in and out to tune the load to what we needed.

Wouldn't do much today with LED bulbs.

 

[bdhsfz6]

On a smaller scale, I have a similar rig I use to discharge my e-bike batteries:

Come to think of it, I do have a dozen old 600W incandescent bulbs I used to use in the barn before I converted to LED. They would give me a 7200 watt load with a setup like this.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[sandman2234]

I would consider buying a battery backup (APC) for your electronic devices, and then let the generator power the house. If you need the generator to run the house during an outage, how are you going to get on TBN if you have to unplug your electronics when operating on a generator?
Just seems like a better investment than buying/building a load bank to run the generator on an exercise day.
David from jax

 

[MossRoad]

On a smaller scale, I have a similar rig I use to discharge my e-bike batteries:

View attachment 2003534

Come to think of it, I do have a dozen old 600W incandescent bulbs I used to use in the barn before I converted to LED. They would give me a 7200 watt load with a setup like this.

Thanks for the tip!

Cool!