Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: gas powered, back up, generators for home use
[ View Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Return to Tool Talk ]
Posted by Murray on August 29, 1998 at 21:15:27:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: gas powered, back up, generators for home use posted by Dusty on August 29, 1998 at 17:29:53:
: : : I just had to use my new generator for about 15 hours during Bonnie - so glad I made the investment in it. I have a question for the folks who have used these things for a while - is it possible to use an automotive type muffler on the generator to quiet it down? Darn thing is loud! : : : Mike
: : Funny you should ask about the car muffler. I put one on mine, really didn't quiet it down, but I used muffler hangers with the rubber isolators. After about 5 hours of running, the rubber melted from the heat and the vibration broke the muffler off. So at about midnight, my son and I reinstalled the stock (and very loud) muffler. But the noise is better than no heat or lights. : : JerryU : Genators are like electric motors, some are made to run at 3600 rpm and some are made to run at 1800. The faster they turn the noiser there engines are ( and cheaper ).
: I like to use a belt driven one for two reasons.
: 1. I run my genator with my "AC" 917 garden tractor, which is always ready to run. If it had it's own engine, and was sitting in the corner of the garage,(for 5 years) would it start?
: 2. Because the engine on my tractor is a 17 hp and the 4000 watt genator only needs an 8 hp min. I can belt it so the engine does not have to run full speed, there for it runs quiter.
: Low speed, direct drive, engine driven generators are avaible, but cost much more. : You must be vary carefull when hooking up a genator to run a home, it can back feed the line and ELECTROCUTE the linemen who are working to restore the power.
: It is best to hire a licensed electrician to install a transfer switch.
: I hope this helps.
: Dusty From Murray: A standard issue walker muffler is more than adequate to quiet most generators. A hospital quiet M-51 grade is quite expensive about 3 times what is paid for a standard muffler. for extended use stay away from the 3600 rpm machines. These machines are notorious for breaking down after more than 8 hours of use, but they are significantly cheaper. For standby try an inexpensive diesel such as Deutshe, Izuzu etc. The diesel keeps better than Gasoline. or use a propane storage tank with gas powered unit. PowerPac Mfg has come out with a small unit that is used to power homes and small businesses they are marketed in conjunction with the Gas Company of Southern California, and other utilities around the country. The units are designed to be PRIME as well as standby, that is let the utility be the back up. The kW cost of these units averages 2.5 to 4 cents a kW significantly cheaper than most power companies will charge you. Make sure you have a reverse relay in place or a circuit breaker to make sure you do not electrocute your electric linesman. Some utilities make sure that you use an Induction generator if you wish to stay hooked up to the utility for immediate backup. (These units only run if they receive excitation from the grid, so if your grid goes down so does your induction generator.) So a syncronous generator with a circuit breaker (transfer switch) taking your home off-line from the grid is recommended to assure continued operation in a storm. Murray
Follow Ups:
Post a Followup
|
