Generator power - Page 6

 


  This thread went into the absurd when you said you intend
to use the generator as your primary source of power and the
power company as your backup.  Even if you are making
your own diesel, your power company can supply power at
a lower cost.  If you have a connection to a power company,
you wouldn't be considered "off grid", in the way the term is
used in this context.

  You need to get your terms straight, as well.  The generator
would be rated at 12kw (being able to generate that much
power, at its max usable output), not 12kwh (kilawatt hours).

   If you are truly "Off Grid" then that generator, or even a
smaller one, coupled with a properly sized battery bank,
could be used to provide a continious supply of power and
only require intermittent operation of the generator.

Luck;
    Ken

P.S. My new XP Pro 64bit system won't let me install my
spell checker, so a little interpertation may be needed.

  You start by going around and reading the wattage ratings
off the nameplates of all those appliences.  That will
give you an idea of your demand.  But that will give you
your maximum.  Your actual usage will be less.  For instance:
your stove will use more or less power depending on
how many burners are on, and at what temperature.  The
dishwasher will use more power if you have it set for
high temp wash or heated dry.

If you are trying to reduce your electric bill I would
suggest that you first reduce your consumtion.  Replace
the electric clothes dryer with a gas/propane one.  Also
the stove should likewise be replaced.  Once those two
big loads are removed you may want to rethink the sizing
of your genny.  A smaller one will use less fuel.

In a situation like this, you practice load management.
IE: you don't turn everything on at once. If you insist
that you need to dry a load of clothes while you run
a load of dishes, with a cake baking in the oven, while
you warm up a slice of pizza in the microwave, while
watching NFL on the TV, then you flush the toilet (causing
the well pump to kick in)...  Well, that's going to take
a pretty big genny.  If you can arrange it so that you
don't use your big appliences at the same time, you can
also get by with a smaller genny.

All these things, and several others, have to be taken
into account when sizing a generator.

 Gordon wrote:

   If he watches Green Acres, he will get pointers on the method. :-)

 
What is your point for this, your power co will be cheaper, what do
you pay per kwh. 3600 rpm units are not long life 1800 rpm last 4 x as
long. A propane stove and dryer would be best. Get a db rating [ sound
volume] and go to Hondas site to compare what they have and rate in
db, many units are to loud to be anything but backup. I would not
consider a unit for long running with a tank I had to fill often. Use
you money to lower your electric and oil consumption

 

I don't see where all those kWhs are going.  I run much of the same stuff
and use about 5kWh/day.  I do have a propane refrigerator so that saves
about 2 kWh.

Something else to consider: I run my whole house from one 3600 watt 48 volt
OutBack inverter.  I have a second one just in case but don't really need
it.  I have an X240 autotransformer which, along with one inverter, will run
my well pump as long as there are not too many other loads present.  IOW we
manage the use of our appliances.  You might want to consider inverters and
a battery bank and just use the generator to charge the batteries.  That way
you would be running your generator only a small part of the time (depending
upon your usage) and you would have some quiet time and electricity
available when the generator is not on.  I charge my batteries with a 6.5 HP
gas engine and an alternator and need to run it about 2-2 1/2 hours per day.
You could do something similar with bio-diesel.  Personally I'm leaning
towards using woodgas but it's all very complicated.


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