how do I "hook up" a 7500 watt portable generator - Page 3

 

"Do you really think you will pull 13500 watts or trip a breaker"
I don't know.
I doubt we will get the full advertized surge amount - but, that is why
I'm asking "How should we connect to the recepticles?"

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Regarding the other points:

"Well Ive pulled 7000-7200 continous, I do it as my 6 mo testing. I use
240v electric heaters"

Is that with the Generac 7500 EXL?

------

"How many hours do you get on a honda,..."
" What breaks on the hondas."

It varies -
Initially in the mid 90s we were very pleased with their performance.
We had one throw a rod recently.
We are getting intermitent shutdowns during operation - but no clear
indication of the exact problem.
We have one unit that has been sharing the load for about a year and a
half - but it is getting unreliable.

"...do you change oil as recommended."
Yes, and filter and air filter.

"Do you use an hour meter, generac has none, put one on...."

We have an hour meter at the main feed box.
We have been running on genator power since the mid 1960s when we began
operation at this location.
----

" One good thing is the Generac has an oil filter, I dont
think honda does,"
Our Hondas do have an oil filter and temp shutdown and low oil pressure
shut down.
The Hondas are premium water cooled - overhead CAM units.

------------
" but still Mobil 1, 5-30 is best for long life."
We are planning on using Castrol Syntec 5-50 -
We hope that the higher weight will give better oil pressure at high
temperature.
Is there a reason that you feel Mobil 5-30 is a better choice?

------------

"Running on Ng or propane you lower end will be much cleaner and last
longer, but hours are critical in oil changes, not condition or color."

The recommend is to change oil and filter every 200 hours on the
Generac propane.
We intend to follow that.
Have you done oil sample tests on propane powered units?

Phil

 

"Look at the sticker on the motor for EPA rating
let me now if you need help "

Since you have a 7500exl, could you look at the sticker on your unit
and tell me what it says?

Thanks
Phil

 

Well its in the shed, covered and hidden, the 7500exl, and its snowing
so I will look but not today for the EPA sticker.
 
 I know someone that sells Royal Purple synthethic racing oil , he
doesnt sell Mobil 1 but recommends it overall, it is the factory oil in
many expensive cars, I have seen a bearing load machine test done, I
think it is a better oil from all I have read.

 Intermitant shutdown can be caused by a bad low oil sensor.

 But a water cooled honda I think will outlast an air cooled generac,
how many hours do you get on one.

 


We agree that water cooled Hondas should outlast other 3600 RPM
engines.

" Intermitant shutdown can be caused by a bad low oil sensor. "

And we  agree with the above -
This lead us to the conclusion that engine life is not the only issue.
We need the units to RUN.
Though we have folks who are very knowledgeable on power and engines -
that is not our "focus".
We don't want to be mechanics or troubleshooters.
We want to check the oil, start the engine and RUN.
Everytime, three days a week.

Until the rod failed, we had three of the Hondas.
Now we have two.

We felt the Hondas were the best that we could get in that power size-
but they are failing - and we've had many trips to the dealer - our
staff estimates over twenty trips - over the last two years.

We considered Cummins/Onan but have gotten unsatisfactory response from
the dealer who is over an hour away. Also, they are relatively
expensive.

This lead us to the path of multiple, redundant, Generacs which sell
for about 1/4th the price of the Cummins and Half the price of the
Hondas.

Our plan is to run the first Generac for about 4 months (to see if they
are at all suitable).
Then buy a second unit and get rid of the Hondas.
Then replace the Generac units every 8-12 months depending on hours,
while keeping one or two redundant units on site..

We estimate that this plan will cost us about $2. per hour for fuel and
oil and conumables. And about $1.50 per hour for capital costs.

Any suggestions or other insights appreciated.

I'd still like to know "how to hook up the recepticles?"

Thanks
Phil

 

You need a commercial 1800 rpm unit designed for 20000 - 40000 hrs not a
3-5000 hr honda or generac. You replace them at 1000 hrs when commercial
units would last you 20 years, and give you better power.