RE: Failover generators

["Nigel Giddings" <nigel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul,

=20

Using generators can open a whole can of worms...

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I have a 'medium' size generator which I have incorporated in my self
build=
. It is rated at 11KVA and should allow the house to function normally if
I=
lose the grid connection. We use Gas for Heating and Hot Water.

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Things to consider:

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Noise - I have a full acoustic canopy

Fuel - Petrol (Highly flammable loses it punch after 6 - 12 months), Gas
(e=
asy to handle bottles or connect to local mains supply) diesel (red diesel
=
cheaper, less volatile, doesn't go off with age)

Fuel Storage - (How long before refuelling, I have 400 Litres, fuel
deliver=
ed in 205 litre drums. Genny can run for 2=BD to 3 days)

Location - Mine is 30 Metres from the house in the garden which helps deal
=
with Fuel, Storage and noise.

KVA - You may need to run things as well as computers (monitors, routers
et=
c. Lighting, cooling?) Gennys like to run at 80 - 90% load. A Genny at no
l=
oad uses 50% of the fuel used at 100% load. A light load will lead to
carbo=
n build up.

RPM - 3000 is typical for smaller sizes, mine included. 1500 for large
unit=
s this gives less wear.

Stability - Small gennys can be noisey on the o/p and this upsets some
UPSs=
. I have heard it said no more than 50% of load should be UPSs due to
harmo=
nics created by SMPS and effects on frequency stability circuits of Genny.
=
I have 6KVA of UPS with no issues.

Self Start - Definitely the way to go. By using a small genny you will
need=
to split the wiring between protected load and un-protected load at a cost=
.

Maintenance - Annual Oil and filter change or after a number of hours of
us=
e. Air cooled reduces fluids to monitor.

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My install was second hand from E-Bay (less than 100 hours) and cost =A33K
=
fitted (by me).

HYPERLINK "http://photos.corbenic.co.uk/photos/photo213.html"http://photos.=
corbenic.co.uk/photos/photo213.html

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Depending on load and duration a UPS may be a cleaner, quieter, more
easily=
maintained solution....

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HTH

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Nigel

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_____=20=20

From: Paul Gale [mailto:groups@xxxxxxx]=20
Sent: 24 June 2006 09:10
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Failover generators

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Anyone have a small generator with automatic failover start? Does it cost
m=
uch to put something in place for say enough power to run a small amount
of=
computer kit?

Paul.

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