Generators, sizes and fuel options?

[t1kilo]

I have to agree with the recommendation for the military gen sets, but nothing larger than 10k. The 15k units are 3 phase only, and rewiring them for single phase isn’t worth the hassle. I have a MEP-803A which is 10k single or 3 phase switchable. It sips less than 1 gallon per hour at full load, runs at 1800 RPM (most homeowner units run at 3600 RPM), is water cooled, and is incredibly quiet. You can actually stand right next to it while it’s running, and have a conversation with someone.

Unfortunately, it has gotten somewhat expensive to put your hands on one these days. People tend to get crazy with the bidding. I’ve seen units go for more than 6 grand in the past 2 years. If you’re patient, one can be had for less than $3500.

You can set these up with an automatic transfer switch, but its not that difficult for me to run out and fire it up and switch the input source. Yes, I have an interlock to prevent back feeding.

Sorry for the long post. Can you tell that I’m a big proponent of these things?

 

[Hoss710]

I have to agree with the recommendation for the military gen sets, but nothing larger than 10k. The 15k units are 3 phase only, and rewiring them for single phase isn’t worth the hassle. I have a MEP-803A which is 10k single or 3 phase switchable. It sips less than 1 gallon per hour at full load, runs at 1800 RPM (most homeowner units run at 3600 RPM), is water cooled, and is incredibly quiet. You can actually stand right next to it while it’s running, and have a conversation with someone.

Unfortunately, it has gotten somewhat expensive to put your hands on one these days. People tend to get crazy with the bidding. I’ve seen units go for more than 6 grand in the past 2 years. If you’re patient, one can be had for less than $3500.

You can set these up with an automatic transfer switch, but its not that difficult for me to run out and fire it up and switch the input source. Yes, I have an interlock to prevent back feeding.

Sorry for the long post. Can you tell that I’m a big proponent of these things?

Actually the 3 phase can be wired double delta for even loaded single phase. at 100% rated power.

 

[robstaples]

I was hoping with it being an inverter I could do a smaller propane tank. Otherwise going to just use gas. I will borrow a 100# to try when it is cold out to see what will happen. Then if it works go that route. Otherwise gas can and a syphon from my Jeep…

Here is a web site with your answer about testing with a 100 lb tank. Check you fuel rate btu/ ht of your Gen against the table. Also, I copied the table in a picture below.

Propane Information

Propane Vaporization Chart, Properties and Combustion Data VAPORIZATION RATE - 100 lb. Propane Cylinder (Approx) Pounds of propane in cylinderMaximum continuous draw in BTU/hr at various temperatures in degrees F. 0° 20° 40° 60° 70° 100 113,000 167,000 214,000 277,000 300,000 90 104,000 152,000...

flameengineering.com

 

[RSKY]

Bought my first 4K generator in 2009 during a three week outage due to the "ICE STORM OF 2009". Ruined it by not running the carb dry and letting it sit for two or three years. Was given another larger B&S pullstart during the next outage. Wife couldn't start it so I purchased a larger electric start from Sam's Club (they were on sale). After the 2021 tornado and running extension cords all over the house and all the hassle of that. And with our ages nearing seventy, we bit the bullet and had a whole house natural gas 22K unit installed. Power goes off, unit cranks and runs automatically. If something were to happen to me my wife would not have been able to manhandle the large heavy generator around and move stuff around in the house to get power to things like freezers and refrigerators. This ensures that as we get older we will have power in case of an outage.

I do not regret spending the money for the professionally installed unit.

RSKY

 

[RalphVa]

It seems the power is not something that can be relied upon as much as it used to be. Seems like in bad weather getting the power back on takes longer than it used to. So I wanted to get some ideas of what people are using to keep critical items running to survive a bad storm. I already have the needed wiring etc to run “most“ of what I think I need and will be pulling some romex to make sure I get what I need on the correct circuit.

I like the idea of tying into my 300 gallon propane tank for fuel since that allows me to run for multiple days and not store fuel. But that means I need to modify connectivity to the house and lose a little efficiency of power generation, especially at my 8K elevation. So not sure which way to go.

Also I would like to understand the math on what size I need. Biggest draw for my set up is the well pump and pressure tank. Other items on the circuit are electric stove, fridge, propane boiler/pumps, outdoor boiler and microwave. So I think 10000 watts should be plenty. But not sure what considerations I need to figure in.

thanks for any insight.

We've a 12.5 kw Isuzu diesel generator that does the whole house except for 1 of the 2 hot water heaters, big 4 ton heat pump and swimming pool pump. It worked great during a 5 day power outage last winter. Have had it over 10 years now. Did the 10 year maintenance of oil and filter changes in 2022. The Isuzu is a gem. Bought from Central Maine Diesel.

It ran the upstairs heat pump and the two ductless units here in the basement. Kept the whole house warm. Do not have gas.

 

[AnotherBueller]

I have to agree with the recommendation for the military gen sets, but nothing larger than 10k. The 15k units are 3 phase only, and rewiring them for single phase isn’t worth the hassle. I have a MEP-803A which is 10k single or 3 phase switchable. It sips less than 1 gallon per hour at full load, runs at 1800 RPM (most homeowner units run at 3600 RPM), is water cooled, and is incredibly quiet. You can actually stand right next to it while it’s running, and have a conversation with someone.

Unfortunately, it has gotten somewhat expensive to put your hands on one these days. People tend to get crazy with the bidding. I’ve seen units go for more than 6 grand in the past 2 years. If you’re patient, one can be had for less than $3500.

You can set these up with an automatic transfer switch, but its not that difficult for me to run out and fire it up and switch the input source. Yes, I have an interlock to prevent back feeding.

Sorry for the long post. Can you tell that I’m a big proponent of these things?

The MEP 802, 803 & 804 gen sets all put out both single and 3 phase power, its just a matter of changing how 1 wire is attached to changed from one to the other.

 

[5030]

I have a 32 KW diesel powered unit plumbed to my 500 gallon bulk tank. It's a JD powered Generac 3 phase and single phase unit. Runs the entire farm if required. Not cheap but necessary.

 

[newbury]

We've a 12.5 kw Isuzu diesel generator that does the whole house except for 1 of the 2 hot water heaters, big 4 ton heat pump and swimming pool pump. It worked great during a 5 day power outage last winter. Have had it over 10 years now. Did the 10 year maintenance of oil and filter changes in 2022. The Isuzu is a gem. Bought from Central Maine Diesel.

It ran the upstairs heat pump and the two ductless units here in the basement. Kept the whole house warm. Do not have gas.

Have you tried putting a "soft start" on the pumps?

 

[t1kilo]

The MEP 802, 803 & 804 gen sets all put out both single and 3 phase power, its just a matter of changing how 1 wire is attached to changed from one to the other.

Based on what I know, I have to disagree about the MEP804. The 802 and 803 units have built in controls to switch from single to three phase. I have an 803 and can attest to this. The 804 does not have that ability, and rewiring it is questionable. Here is a link to a recent discussion on the steelsoldiers.com website discussing this very thing - Steel Soldiers. The guys on that forum are much more knowlegable than most with regards to the MEPs. In addition, using a larger diesel gen set without proper loading will most likely result in wet stacking.

 

[Hoss710]

If I remember correctly ( I use to own a mep002 and a mep003 ) they did have a switch for single and 3 phase. I have a mep004a right now it doesn't have that feature ( yes these are way older then the 8 series) but I remember friends of mine wiring them double delta for balanced 3 phase to single phase.

 

[Hoss710]

here is a video on how to do so on a mep004a and mep005a.

 

[wawajake]

For those of you that have 10k gasoline electric start generators, how trustworthy have your start battery been. My one year old 10k Generac gas generator gas a small 4× 5 x 2 inch lead acid battery, and once again today with temp at 18 deg F , that battery won't turn starter and needs a boost from a car battery. I am not impressed with battery they provide. Thinking I will leave spare car battery in house for winter months. Yes the little battery does work in summer maintenance tests. Anyone else ditch the little battery ? And sub with what ?

 

[grsthegreat]

Are you keeping the battery on a trickle charger?

 

[wawajake]

It is on a trickle charger now (25%) but if I need to leave it all winter on trickle charger, I might as well buy it a car battery ! Have others been dissatisfied with the battery that comes with new Gens ?

 

[ponytug]

It is on a trickle charger now (25%) but if I need to leave it all winter on trickle charger, I might as well buy it a car battery ! Have others been dissatisfied with the battery that comes with new Gens ?

Yes...and no. For me they die pretty quickly for something that I only use for standby.

Rather than have my battery live on a battery minder, I put a waterproof 100A circuit breaker/switch on the positive line. (I wouldn't trust that model to be waterproof without some additional sealing) With the battery disconnected between uses, the battery remains strong enough crank over the diesel generator even when the battery is only charged up once a year.

I still check on it before major storms, but not all of our outages are storm related. YMMV

All the best,

Peter

 

[LittleBill21]

i went a different way, I just use a li ion jump pack, when I need to start it, I have enough batteries in UPS's to add another one

 

[newbury]

re:failing battery
What do you guys run for oil during and after break-in?
My Duromax manual recommends 10W-30 but also has a chart indicating full synthetic 5W-30 is acceptable.
Based on my experience with my diesels a 5W-30 Rotella would do great for cold weather start.

 

[stumblinhorse]

re:failing battery
What do you guys run for oil during and after break-in?
My Duromax manual recommends 10W-30 but also has a chart indicating full synthetic 5W-30 is acceptable.
Based on my experience with my diesels a 5W-30 Rotella would do great for cold weather start.

Something I do know something about!
Not many 5W-30 in diesels. Probably meant 5w-40 T6. Rotella makes a 5W-30 full synthetic for gas trucks. But in the case of your Duromax. You just have to decide when you are going to change the oil, annually, by hours or never. Decided what it is worth to you. If you change the oil annually the difference in the oils will make no difference really. If you want to go a couple years then synth is good. But unless you plan to start it in negative temps, the 10w and the 5w won’t make much difference.

 

[newbury]

But unless you plan to start it in negative temps, the 10w and the 5w won’t make much difference.

My comments were for those with low, probably negative, temps. I found that my 7.3 cranked a lot better with 5W in Northern Va. during those few times of below 0°F.

/edit Rotella 5W30

 

[stumblinhorse]

My comments were for those with low, probably negative, temps. I found that my 7.3 cranked a lot better with 5W in Northern Va. during those few times of below 0°F.

/edit Rotella 5W30

Most diesel run 15w-40 stock and yes there is a big benefit in switching a diesel to 5W-40. It is all I use in every vehicle and tractors except my jeep. We get really cold here and big difference, and it doesn’t stink like the 15w-40 rotella. Again oil is up to you and you wallet And your maintenance schedule. But in reference to 10 vs 5 synth you won’t see much difference in startup until you are well into the negative degrees in A small engine. In fact I run straight Dino 30 in all of mine. They start when they need to.