Re: Whole house generators (slightly OT)

["BruceR" <razrbruce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert:  I've been trying to send you an email for a couple of days but
it bounces back. Can you send a good address to me at razrbruce AT gmail
DOT com?

 Robert L Bass wrote:
>> That's exactly what I have now, 6250 watts feeding a 6 breaker
>> transfer panel but I want to be able to run AC and more things as
>> well.  It looks like this endeavor will cost around $12,000 but with
>> the frequency of problems that our antiquated power company has, I
>> think it's worth it.
>
> A few thoughts:
>
> That's what we did in our home in CT many years ago, Bruce.  Our BP
> was only 100 Amps at the time.  I installed a Winco 8kW auto-start,
> auto-transfer genset.  The Winco worked ok using NG only.  There were
> too many service problems for me to recommend another Winco though.
> Poor design had the electronics too close to the manifold, resulting
> in th need for frequent replacement of timer modules and such.  In 18
> years I overhauled it twice, the second time having to rebuild the
> cylinders.
> Kohler's 35 kW model has a *very* quiet housing.  Friends of ours
> have used them for years and say they've had very few problems. You
> might also want to look at Onan.  They're reputed to be very good as
> well.
> For my purposes manual transfer is unacceptable.  If you don't want
> to power everything, simple install an E-panel after the transfer
> switch.  Any circuits on that panel will receive backup power.  Less
> important circuits left on the primary BP will go dark until public
> utility power is restored.  These would include non-essential loads
> such as power in the work shed, irrigation pumps, spa heater and
> probably 1/3 to 1/2 of your utility outlets.
> Make sure you provide power to the dishwasher and laundry room, as
> well as the fridge, stove and nuke.  These draw lots of current for
> short periods but make "roughing it" a lot easier during a prolonged
> outage.
> We had an electric range / oven plus the usual assortment of
> toaster-ovens, microwave, etc.  I chose not to power the stove from
> my genset.  During outages that lasted around as 9 or 10 days (after
> a terrific series of T-storms ravaged CT some years ago) we managed
> quite well without it.
> BTW, some months ago someone from CHA asked about my TCP/IP
> controlled power strip.  I promised to ship it but couldn't find it
> for a long time.  During one of my few good days I recently tore into
> the garagasaurus and found the thing.  If that was you, please let me
> know.  I'd be happy to send it along.