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This is an issue where systems engineering comes into play. I live in
the Santa Cruz mountains, where we lose power for a few hours or a few days a few times a year. Causes include storms that drop limbs onto power lines, disruptions because sections of the grid are shut down to support fire fighting, or because line. So far, (8 years) we haven't encountered an earthquake, but that will set up longer outages and other issues. We heat and cook with propane and have no Air Conditioning -- our electrical loads are home appliances like refrigerators, lighting, home entertainment, computers, and well motors. I've moved everything but the well motors and big electrical loads (like a microwave) to one side of 120V, and can run it quite nicely from a Honda 2000i running in econo mode. That drinks very little petrol, and we let it rest when we're sleeping. Internet, local WiFi, and other crucial systems are backed up with batteries that are float charged with wall warts and can run for days. In my shack, everything but computers and power amps run on big batteries that are charged by solar. We have a much bigger 240V Honda that can handle the well motors and drinks a lot more gas. 90% of our outages are handled by the 2000i, and we fire up the big one only when we need more. The well has two pumps -- one that pulls water up 100 ft to the tank, and another that pressurizes the system. Our water tanks are a few tens of feet above the house and hold a lot of water, so we can go for a while without running the pressure motors and well pumps. Not a lot of pressure, but enough until we need to take a shower. Laundry can almost always wait. We haven't used A/C since we left Chicago in 2006. I suggest that anyone contemplating a generator do this sort of system engineering. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
I have a gasoline powered unit. Dismissed propane because of the cost
of the tank/tank rental and the minimum yearly fee for propane --whether you need any or not. These costs ended up being too high for a few days a year of generator use. We're in the sticks and don't have competition in the propane market. I suggest one look into the details of how propane is sold in your area before buying a propane fired generator. YMMV 73 de Brian/K3KO On 7/26/2014 05:41, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote: > Propane, in a sealed tank under pressure, tends to have good shelf-life. > > Gasoline, stored in a vented tank, tends to turn to varnish. > > A tank of diesel will support bacteria growth, which clogs the filter > (when you need it most). > > If we're talking about an emergency generator that is used infrequently, > then propane is a really good choice. > > 73 -- Lynn > > On 7/25/2014 6:40 PM, Acbross via Elecraft wrote: >> A friend of ours had a propane powered generator in his cab over. >> Didn't like it at all because it ran off the same tank as his heater >> and stove. Biggest problem with it was propane has less power per >> volume than gas. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3955/7410 - Release Date: 07/24/14 > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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I have used a 5500 w Honda for many years the only problems with it have
been gasoline related as with all gas models. The Honda has been an excellent choice and mine still has many years of use left, that said this fall we will be up grading to a propane Generac. I just bought a used 1000 gal tank to tie into my 500 gal line for house and generator. This is the cheapest and most dependable route to go for fuel and by far the safest to handle, store, keep fresh. My first choice would be natural gas if it were available to me. 73 & Good DX, Fred N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Brian Alsop Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2014 9:12 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT GENERAC generators I have a gasoline powered unit. Dismissed propane because of the cost of the tank/tank rental and the minimum yearly fee for propane --whether you need any or not. These costs ended up being too high for a few days a year of generator use. We're in the sticks and don't have competition in the propane market. I suggest one look into the details of how propane is sold in your area before buying a propane fired generator. YMMV 73 de Brian/K3KO On 7/26/2014 05:41, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote: > Propane, in a sealed tank under pressure, tends to have good shelf-life. > > Gasoline, stored in a vented tank, tends to turn to varnish. > > A tank of diesel will support bacteria growth, which clogs the filter > (when you need it most). > > If we're talking about an emergency generator that is used > infrequently, then propane is a really good choice. > > 73 -- Lynn > > On 7/25/2014 6:40 PM, Acbross via Elecraft wrote: >> A friend of ours had a propane powered generator in his cab over. >> Didn't like it at all because it ran off the same tank as his heater >> and stove. Biggest problem with it was propane has less power per >> volume than gas. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > [hidden email] > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3955/7410 - Release Date: > 07/24/14 > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by alsopb
Clearly YMMV, and we're all trying to solve different problems.
My gasoline generators were a constant maintenance hassle because the AC power was so reliable that they were very rarely used, and I was constantly cleaning varnish out of the fuel system. My loads were small enough that a portable (100 pound) propane tank was more than adequate. If you have an outage every couple of months, then you aren't going to have trouble with stale gas. Also, if you plan on siphoning fresh fuel from your car, make sure you can get past the anti-siphon baffle. My favorite solution for intermittent backup is at http://priups.com. Enough to make me think about buying a Prius. 73 -- Lynn On 7/26/2014 7:12 AM, Brian Alsop wrote: > I suggest one look into the details of how propane is sold in your > area before buying a propane fired generator. YMMV ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by ve1js
Gasoline storage is easy....use fuel stabilizer...one oz to 2-1/2
gallons of gasoline. But you should run any gasoline engine regularly to keep it in good working order. Once/month long enough at least to reach operating temperature. This keeps oil in bearings and seals in good shape. I know most just park their lawn mower over winter with gas in the tank. But an expensive gen set needs a little TLC to keep running well...like changing the oil and filters (oil and gas). We have enough outages that fuel is not stored longer than a few months (and I use stabilizer). 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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While this is getting to be long, I think this excerpt from a generator manufacturer sums it up best.
Generator set exercise Generator sets on continuous standby must be able to go from a cold start to being fully operational in a matter of seconds. This can impose a severe burden on engine parts. However, regular exercising keeps engine parts lubricated, prevents oxidation of electrical contacts, uses up fuel before it deteriorates, and, in general, helps provide reliable engine starting. Exercise the generator set at least once a month for a minimum of 30 min. loaded to no less than one-third of the nameplate rating. Periods of no-load operation should be held to a minimum because unburned fuel tends to accumulate in the exhaust system. Whenever possible, test the system with actual building loads in order to exercise the automatic transfer switches and verify performance under real-world conditions. If connecting to the normal load is not convenient for test purposes, the best engine performance and longevity will be obtained by connecting it to a load bank of at least one-third the nameplate rating. Be sure to return the generator control to AUTO at the conclusion of any maintenance. Mel, K6KBE On Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:10 PM, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> wrote: Gasoline storage is easy....use fuel stabilizer...one oz to 2-1/2 gallons of gasoline. But you should run any gasoline engine regularly to keep it in good working order. Once/month long enough at least to reach operating temperature. This keeps oil in bearings and seals in good shape. I know most just park their lawn mower over winter with gas in the tank. But an expensive gen set needs a little TLC to keep running well...like changing the oil and filters (oil and gas). We have enough outages that fuel is not stored longer than a few months (and I use stabilizer). 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
On 7/26/14 at 10:52 AM, [hidden email] (Lynn W.
Taylor, WB6UUT) wrote: >My gasoline generators were a constant maintenance hassle >because the AC power was so reliable that they were very rarely >used, and I was constantly cleaning varnish out of the fuel system. Our generator dates to the great northeast ice storm of 2008. That is the first and last time it was used "for real". Since then it has had its oil changed once a year after running it for 1/2 hour. We run it until the gas tank is dry and have had no problems with starting or running. Fuel for the generator is kept in 5 gallon gerry cans and cycled through our vehicles regularly. The house was built in 1793, so can be used without electricity. During the ice storm we had one room just above freezing and one below -- walk in refrigerator and freezer. Two wood stoves and 5 fireplaces cover the heating and cooking needs. Candles and oil lamps provide light, and we can go to bed earlier than usual. :-) The XYL likes indoor plumbing, which requires running the well pump. The oil burner also helps keep the house more livable for less work than the two wood stoves. During the 5 days we were without power after the ice storm, the well pump and the furnace were the two loads we "had" to run. We also ran some lights, a coffee grinder etc. The local gas stations were open, making filling the gerry cans easy. We are still trying to nail down our real needs to prepare for the next extended outage. In addition to ice storms, hurricanes happen, and tornados have taken out the power lines from a major generating station leaving Huntsville AL without power for several days. (My XYL arrived in Huntsville with an inverter and was very popular because she could help people charge cell phone batteries from autos.) 73 Bill AE6JV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | Re: Hardware Management Modes: | Periwinkle (408)356-8506 | If there's a mode, there's a | 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com | failure mode. - Jerry Leichter | Los Gatos, CA 95032 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Our last major ice storm left us without electricity for 17 days and we used
$370 in gasoline for the generator being used concretively. Most gas stations were without power for the first week. Fred/N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill Frantz Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2014 5:07 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT GENERAC generators On 7/26/14 at 10:52 AM, [hidden email] (Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT) wrote: >My gasoline generators were a constant maintenance hassle because the >AC power was so reliable that they were very rarely used, and I was >constantly cleaning varnish out of the fuel system. Our generator dates to the great northeast ice storm of 2008. That is the first and last time it was used "for real". Since then it has had its oil changed once a year after running it for 1/2 hour. We run it until the gas tank is dry and have had no problems with starting or running. Fuel for the generator is kept in 5 gallon gerry cans and cycled through our vehicles regularly. The house was built in 1793, so can be used without electricity. During the ice storm we had one room just above freezing and one below -- walk in refrigerator and freezer. Two wood stoves and 5 fireplaces cover the heating and cooking needs. Candles and oil lamps provide light, and we can go to bed earlier than usual. :-) The XYL likes indoor plumbing, which requires running the well pump. The oil burner also helps keep the house more livable for less work than the two wood stoves. During the 5 days we were without power after the ice storm, the well pump and the furnace were the two loads we "had" to run. We also ran some lights, a coffee grinder etc. The local gas stations were open, making filling the gerry cans easy. We are still trying to nail down our real needs to prepare for the next extended outage. In addition to ice storms, hurricanes happen, and tornados have taken out the power lines from a major generating station leaving Huntsville AL without power for several days. (My XYL arrived in Huntsville with an inverter and was very popular because she could help people charge cell phone batteries from autos.) 73 Bill AE6JV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | Re: Hardware Management Modes: | Periwinkle (408)356-8506 | If there's a mode, there's a | 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com | failure mode. - Jerry Leichter | Los Gatos, CA 95032 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list
That makes sense and I actually like to run with the house load on
the gen. I have a manual transfer switch so I run about 5-minutes to allow engine to warm up before applying a load in test runs. Tend to be shorter if there is an actual power outage. 73, Ed - KL7UW At 11:29 AM 7/26/2014, Mel Farrer wrote: >While this is getting to be long, I think this excerpt from a >generator manufacturer sums it up best. > > > > >Generator set exercise > > > >Generator sets on continuous standby must be able to go from a cold >start to being fully operational in a matter of seconds. This can >impose a severe burden on engine parts. However, regular exercising >keeps engine parts lubricated, prevents oxidation of electrical >contacts, uses up fuel before it deteriorates, and, in general, >helps provide reliable engine starting. Exercise the generator set >at least once a month for a minimum of 30 min. loaded to no less >than one-third of the nameplate rating. Periods of no-load operation >should be held to a minimum because unburned fuel tends to >accumulate in the exhaust system. Whenever possible, test the system >with actual building loads in order to exercise the automatic >transfer switches and verify performance under real-world >conditions. If connecting to the normal load is not convenient for >test purposes, the best engine performance and longevity will be >obtained by connecting it to a load bank of at least one-third the >nameplate rating. Be sure to return the generator control to AUTO at >the conclusion of any maintenance. > >Mel, K6KBE > > > > > >On Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:10 PM, Edward R Cole ><[hidden email]> wrote: > > >Gasoline storage is easy....use fuel stabilizer...one oz to 2-1/2 >gallons of gasoline. > >But you should run any gasoline engine regularly to keep it in good >working order. Once/month long enough at least to reach operating >temperature. This keeps oil in bearings and seals in good shape. > >I know most just park their lawn mower over winter with gas in the >tank. But an expensive gen set needs a little TLC to keep running >well...like changing the oil and filters (oil and gas). > >We have enough outages that fuel is not stored longer than a few >months (and I use stabilizer). > >73, Ed - KL7UW ><http://www.kl7uw.com/>http://www.kl7uw.com > "Kits made by KL7UW" >Dubus Mag business: > <mailto:[hidden email]>[hidden email] > >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: ><http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:[hidden email] > >This list hosted by: <http://www.qsl.net/>http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: ><http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >Message delivered to <mailto:[hidden email]>[hidden email] > 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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If you want to assess the quality of a generator's output, take a look at
it on the oscilloscope, The cleanest waveforms will come from generators using a brushless alternator, or perhaps one of the sine-wave inverter generators like the extremely quiet Honda and Yamaha units. I know that, at least in the past, Generac used brush type alternators. These typically had rather dirty waveforms when I scoped them, with THD well above the 5% that is considered good. While most appliances are fine with this higher distortion, a waveform rich in 3rd harmonics makes motors run hotter/less efficiently. Whether significant harmonics extend into the RF zone, I don't know - maybe not an issue with our radios. I was able to find a 6500 watt Porter-Cable unit on wheels with a brushless alternator which I converted to use natural gas in addition to gasolne if necessary. This has worked well for me, though now that I have it power failures have become rare. Go Figure! Chip AE5KA On Sat, Jul 26, 2014 at 11:27 PM, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> wrote: > That makes sense and I actually like to run with the house load on the > gen. I have a manual transfer switch so I run about 5-minutes to allow > engine to warm up before applying a load in test runs. Tend to be shorter > if there is an actual power outage. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > At 11:29 AM 7/26/2014, Mel Farrer wrote: > >> While this is getting to be long, I think this excerpt from a generator >> manufacturer sums it up best. >> >> >> >> >> Generator set exercise >> >> >> >> Generator sets on continuous standby must be able to go from a cold start >> to being fully operational in a matter of seconds. This can impose a severe >> burden on engine parts. However, regular exercising keeps engine parts >> lubricated, prevents oxidation of electrical contacts, uses up fuel before >> it deteriorates, and, in general, helps provide reliable engine starting. >> Exercise the generator set at least once a month for a minimum of 30 min. >> loaded to no less than one-third of the nameplate rating. Periods of >> no-load operation should be held to a minimum because unburned fuel tends >> to accumulate in the exhaust system. Whenever possible, test the system >> with actual building loads in order to exercise the automatic transfer >> switches and verify performance under real-world conditions. If connecting >> to the normal load is not convenient for test purposes, the best engine >> performance and longevity will be obtained by connecting it to a load bank >> of at least one-third the nameplate rating. Be sure to return the generator >> control to AUTO at the conclusion of any maintenance. >> >> Mel, K6KBE >> >> >> >> >> >> On Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:10 PM, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> >> wrote: >> >> >> Gasoline storage is easy....use fuel stabilizer...one oz to 2-1/2 >> gallons of gasoline. >> >> But you should run any gasoline engine regularly to keep it in good >> working order. Once/month long enough at least to reach operating >> temperature. This keeps oil in bearings and seals in good shape. >> >> I know most just park their lawn mower over winter with gas in the >> tank. But an expensive gen set needs a little TLC to keep running >> well...like changing the oil and filters (oil and gas). >> >> We have enough outages that fuel is not stored longer than a few >> months (and I use stabilizer). >> >> 73, Ed - KL7UW >> <http://www.kl7uw.com/>http://www.kl7uw.com >> "Kits made by KL7UW" >> Dubus Mag business: >> <mailto:[hidden email]>[hidden email] >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>http >> ://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >> >> This list hosted by: <http://www.qsl.net/>http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to <mailto:[hidden email]>[hidden email] >> >> > 73, Ed - KL7UW > http://www.kl7uw.com > "Kits made by KL7UW" > Dubus Mag business: > [hidden email] > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] > Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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I'm sure we're about to get shut down by the moderator, but I couldn't
let this go unquestioned, so I called Generac. They say that the THD spec for their stationary generators is <3%, so they must be using one of the better technologies. Mine is a 14KW propane unit with a whole-house switch. It runs automagically every Saturday afternoon for about 15 minutes, though with no load. We've hasd a couple of multi-hour outages since we've had it, and I've been on the air on HF, and never noticed any noise.. 73, Pete N4ZR Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com. For spots, please go to your favorite ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node. On 7/27/2014 10:24 AM, Chip Stratton wrote: > If you want to assess the quality of a generator's output, take a look at > it on the oscilloscope, The cleanest waveforms will come from generators > using a brushless alternator, or perhaps one of the sine-wave inverter > generators like the extremely quiet Honda and Yamaha units. > > I know that, at least in the past, Generac used brush type alternators. > These typically had rather dirty waveforms when I scoped them, with THD > well above the 5% that is considered good. While most appliances are fine > with this higher distortion, a waveform rich in 3rd harmonics makes motors > run hotter/less efficiently. Whether significant harmonics extend into the > RF zone, I don't know - maybe not an issue with our radios. I was able to > find a 6500 watt Porter-Cable unit on wheels with a brushless alternator > which I converted to use natural gas in addition to gasolne if necessary. > This has worked well for me, though now that I have it power failures have > become rare. Go Figure! > > Chip > AE5KA > > > > > On Sat, Jul 26, 2014 at 11:27 PM, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> That makes sense and I actually like to run with the house load on the >> gen. I have a manual transfer switch so I run about 5-minutes to allow >> engine to warm up before applying a load in test runs. Tend to be shorter >> if there is an actual power outage. >> >> 73, Ed - KL7UW >> >> At 11:29 AM 7/26/2014, Mel Farrer wrote: >> >>> While this is getting to be long, I think this excerpt from a generator >>> manufacturer sums it up best. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Generator set exercise >>> >>> >>> >>> Generator sets on continuous standby must be able to go from a cold start >>> to being fully operational in a matter of seconds. This can impose a severe >>> burden on engine parts. However, regular exercising keeps engine parts >>> lubricated, prevents oxidation of electrical contacts, uses up fuel before >>> it deteriorates, and, in general, helps provide reliable engine starting. >>> Exercise the generator set at least once a month for a minimum of 30 min. >>> loaded to no less than one-third of the nameplate rating. Periods of >>> no-load operation should be held to a minimum because unburned fuel tends >>> to accumulate in the exhaust system. Whenever possible, test the system >>> with actual building loads in order to exercise the automatic transfer >>> switches and verify performance under real-world conditions. If connecting >>> to the normal load is not convenient for test purposes, the best engine >>> performance and longevity will be obtained by connecting it to a load bank >>> of at least one-third the nameplate rating. Be sure to return the generator >>> control to AUTO at the conclusion of any maintenance. >>> >>> Mel, K6KBE >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:10 PM, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Gasoline storage is easy....use fuel stabilizer...one oz to 2-1/2 >>> gallons of gasoline. >>> >>> But you should run any gasoline engine regularly to keep it in good >>> working order. Once/month long enough at least to reach operating >>> temperature. This keeps oil in bearings and seals in good shape. >>> >>> I know most just park their lawn mower over winter with gas in the >>> tank. But an expensive gen set needs a little TLC to keep running >>> well...like changing the oil and filters (oil and gas). >>> >>> We have enough outages that fuel is not stored longer than a few >>> months (and I use stabilizer). >>> >>> 73, Ed - KL7UW >>> <http://www.kl7uw.com/>http://www.kl7uw.com >>> "Kits made by KL7UW" >>> Dubus Mag business: >>> <mailto:[hidden email]>[hidden email] >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>http >>> ://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >>> >>> This list hosted by: <http://www.qsl.net/>http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to <mailto:[hidden email]>[hidden email] >>> >>> >> 73, Ed - KL7UW >> http://www.kl7uw.com >> "Kits made by KL7UW" >> Dubus Mag business: >> [hidden email] >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to [hidden email] >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Well after hurricane Sandy I was out for well over a week. And I'm 50 miles
inland in the NW corner of NJ. A big issue was gas. Even gas stations that had gas had no power to pump it. I had an old Dayton with a Briggs & Stratton engine.rated at 2.5kw. Ran fine for duration but killer was 25 hour oil change interval and pull starting. It like many small engines had a "splash" oiling system. Generac has generators at many price points. I settled on an 8KW unit with electric start but the more important feature was a full pressure oiling system with filter and 100 hour change intervals. Just another consideration if looking at generators especially smaller ones. Since purchase it has more testing than generating hours. I hope it stays that way. 73, Bob K2TK ex KN2TKR & K2TKR On 7/27/2014 1:04 PM, Walter Underwood wrote: > One side topic was “how long could power be out?” > > At the Carleton Complex fire in Washington, power is being restored after seven days. > > I grew up in Baton Rouge. After Hurricane Betsy in 1965, our phones were out for seven days and power for ten days. We lived in a suburban area in the middle of town. > > wunder > K6WRU > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by ve1js
FWIW.
Replenishing gasoline that's been depleted by emergency motor generators may not be as easy as going down to the local Service Station. Most often if you have lost power, so have they, and not only will their pumps not work but neither will their cash registers or credit card charging systems. The same may be true at the local markets and hardware stores ! I spent a day waiting for a Baja Mexico gas station to be able to pump, when they'd lost power. I had to spend the night, in their parking lot, beside my off road motorcycle, that I was touring on . In the N. CA earthquake of, I believe '85, we were without power at home for 10 days. Fortunately the power company prioritized getting power again first to the hospitals and their other commercial customers, W7CS ex WA6MGZ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by ve1js
it depends where, as you say… Here in South Florida, all gas stations are required to have backup power. Lessons have been learned from our previous encounters with hurricanes and himacanes.
73 Gil, W1RG From: Chuck Smallhouse Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 5:34 PM To: [hidden email] FWIW. Replenishing gasoline that's been depleted by emergency motor generators may not be as easy as going down to the local Service Station. Most often if you have lost power, so have they, and not only will their pumps not work but neither will their cash registers or credit card charging systems. The same may be true at the local markets and hardware stores ! I spent a day waiting for a Baja Mexico gas station to be able to pump, when they'd lost power. I had to spend the night, in their parking lot, beside my off road motorcycle, that I was touring on . In the N. CA earthquake of, I believe '85, we were without power at home for 10 days. Fortunately the power company prioritized getting power again first to the hospitals and their other commercial customers, W7CS ex WA6MGZ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10
Well, in this case I will suggest you to buy Honda eu3000is generator. I am also using it and that is why I know that it is perfect for long electricity power cuts. Its super silent features are also wonderful.
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