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Generator advice


Doc Holliday
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I've been looking for a while at getting a generator, not least because I think we may be in danger of some outages this Autumn/Winter, although I hope I am wrong. Still, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I'd be grateful to know what I would need in order to get by in the way of running a few lights, boiler (assuming we have gas), tv, router, maybe a washing machine (the OH's input 🙄), etc. Here's what I know. An inverter type delivers clean/stable power so is best suited for sensitive electronic items. A duel fuel would be limited to 3.5kw petrol/3.2kw propane. It is also quieter than open frame models by about a third (50db compared to 75db).

I've spoken to a few suppliers and have received different advice from all. One didn't seem too sure either way and was very vague on any advice to the questions asked. Another spoke so quickly that I had real difficulty in understanding where we were with what in respect of models and outputs, etc. Another still said Honda were the market leaders but also carried a hefty price tag to match. He then volunteered another make (after saying all but Honda were made in China) saying it would be best suited for what I need. His recommendation was a Pramac P3500i. 

Any further info/recommendations would be appreciated. 

Thanks, 

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6 hours ago, Doc Holliday said:

..... running a few lights, boiler (assuming we have gas), tv, router, maybe a washing machine (the OH's input 🙄), etc. .....

Out of that list, the washing machine is likely to be the biggest electrical load (especially if it is a cold fill model).    Also, its motor will switch on and off several times during each wash cycle, potentially upsetting your electronic items.   An electric cooker would be another big load.   With a 3kW generator, you may not be able to use the oven and boil a kettle at the same time.   Forget about an electric shower, as most are likely to be in the range 7-10kW.

The smaller the generator, the more its output voltage will fluctuate when appliances are switched on and off.

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) would protect the electronic items, but a large UPS is not cheap.

Don’t forget to budget for a changeover switch (mains – generator).

E10 petrol can gum up the carb of a small engine, leaving you with a generator that refuses to start when you need it most.   Dismantling the carb by torchlight in the middle of winter is not an enjoyable activity.   Alkylate fuel (Aspen or similar) is much less likely to block the carb, but is rather expensive.  

3 hours ago, jeffgg said:

See what hire specialists supply as thay will use equipment that has long life and low maintenance.

Good advice.

 

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18 hours ago, Doc Holliday said:

I've been looking for a while at getting a generator, not least because I think we may be in danger of some outages this Autumn/Winter, although I hope I am wrong. Still, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Whilst I would quite agree that the electricity supply is only going to get worse, as well as (even more) expensive, be careful with that philosophy.  Engines need to be run, nothing worse than attempting to commission a neglected unit in a hurry, with the cold breath of management condensing on your neck.

Personally, I'd be looking at a diesel unit, as they will run (with some stipulations) on pretty much anything, as well being more suited to all day running.

21 hours ago, Doc Holliday said:

I've spoken to a few suppliers and have received different advice from all.

First off, you need a proper load list.  Don't forget to highlight whether they are resistive or inductive loads, if it isn't obvious.  That should get you more sensible quotes.

As has mentioned, discard the idea of running a washing machine.  Far too much of a variable load, and takes the price of your intended generator quickly skywards.  If you get desperate, hand wash a few clothes.

Don't forget to take into account the load of your freezer(s) and fridge, though if you keep the door shut (and this is key, amazing how many otherwise intelligent adults will open a freezer door every hour and fret about why it's defrosting so quickly), the loads should be minimal.

 

14 hours ago, McSpredder said:

Don’t forget to budget for a changeover switch (mains – generator).

Worth asking an electrician to quote for installation of one - probably not worth DIYing as you will need him to come and terminate and test anyway. 

Running extension leads everywhere might not be too popular with the OH, represents trip/fire hazards, and isn't especially practical.

Don't be tempted to use a 'suicide cord' as our US cousins would refer to it.

Don't forget to consider siting, and earthing of the generator!  Have you got somewhere on your property you could securely house the generator, out of the elements, but still allowing for decent airflow?  Will it annoy the neighbours?

 

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I live at the tail end of our local electrical supply and we get a few outages a year ranging from an hour to maybe a day, then extreme weather like last winter can have the power out for 48 hours.  We are a 3 bed house (2 teenage kids) with gas central heating (tank rather than mains).  I have a 3.5kw champion dual fuel inverter genny which works a treat for getting us by when the power goes out.  I trip the breakers for high consumption devices such as the electric shower/oven/washing machine and the genny is more than capable of running the heating, lighting and tv etc. I honestly couldn’t afford/justify the expense of something that would do the whole of the house devices but having used it during outages, especially in the middle of winter, it more than suits our needs.

I opted for dual fuel as we always have 2-4 47kg propane cylinders here, I fire it up on gas and then go and buy petrol rather than having 20 plus litres of unleaded sat in the garage going off over time on the off chance we get a power outage.  It’s not permanently wired into the house electrics, but from the power going off, it takes less than 15 minutes to site it, plug it in to the designated socket (commando) and have it up and running. 

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13 hours ago, Jonty said:

I live at the tail end of our local electrical supply and we get a few outages a year ranging from an hour to maybe a day, then extreme weather like last winter can have the power out for 48 hours.  We are a 3 bed house (2 teenage kids) with gas central heating (tank rather than mains).  I have a 3.5kw champion dual fuel inverter genny which works a treat for getting us by when the power goes out.  I trip the breakers for high consumption devices such as the electric shower/oven/washing machine and the genny is more than capable of running the heating, lighting and tv etc. I honestly couldn’t afford/justify the expense of something that would do the whole of the house devices but having used it during outages, especially in the middle of winter, it more than suits our needs.

I opted for dual fuel as we always have 2-4 47kg propane cylinders here, I fire it up on gas and then go and buy petrol rather than having 20 plus litres of unleaded sat in the garage going off over time on the off chance we get a power outage.  It’s not permanently wired into the house electrics, but from the power going off, it takes less than 15 minutes to site it, plug it in to the designated socket (commando) and have it up and running. 

And imagine how many batteries you would need to be able to do that when it works out to be £300 per KW of storage plus inverter cost!!!

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On 28/07/2022 at 14:52, udderlyoffroad said:

Don't be tempted to use a 'suicide cord' as our US cousins would refer to it.

Years ago my my step dad had done that, plugged a 3 pin standard plug into the socket in an out building to power a kennel block. The the end was plugged into a 100kva diesel Generator. It was very quickly isolated and removed, i bet the local power station wondered what the hell was happening with this power pushing back into the system. 😃

 

He was actually a very clever chap, he just had a few lapses in his mature years. 

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Personally I keep well away from this stuff and things I can't see.

Interestingly th new way forward locally has been to demolish the local power station which had  had tens of thousands spent on a taller chimney, loads of air ducts for blowers etc to burn wood chip. It's proposed to build a huge battery complex to store the excesses from wind and solar?

I just expect to live in the dark as in the cave man days, after all of the companies involved in the scam have taken their millions and gone back across the channel. Would be hilarious if not so serious.

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3 hours ago, old man said:

Personally I keep well away from this stuff and things I can't see.

Interestingly th new way forward locally has been to demolish the local power station which had  had tens of thousands spent on a taller chimney, loads of air ducts for blowers etc to burn wood chip. It's proposed to build a huge battery complex to store the excesses from wind and solar?

I just expect to live in the dark as in the cave man days, after all of the companies involved in the scam have taken their millions and gone back across the channel. Would be hilarious if not so serious.

🤪

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