Home Improvement
- Thread starter Picasso3
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Haus
I am Big Balls!
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Well, I can call project "Fuck losing power" done.
New generator in and running right now with all of Chez Haus in normal power consumption mode (including a 5 ton AC system) and the new generator is chugging along.
Testing on Gasoline right now, the new generator will run NatGas, Propane, or Gasoline. I don't think I'm going to have a NatGas line run for it, although tempted if I get some "burning hole in pocket" money. Might test propane later, since I have multiple propane tanks for my metal melting hobby.
New generator in and running right now with all of Chez Haus in normal power consumption mode (including a 5 ton AC system) and the new generator is chugging along.
Testing on Gasoline right now, the new generator will run NatGas, Propane, or Gasoline. I don't think I'm going to have a NatGas line run for it, although tempted if I get some "burning hole in pocket" money. Might test propane later, since I have multiple propane tanks for my metal melting hobby.
- 5
Fucker
Log Wizard
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Run for 5 hours on light/no load. Those Chonda/Chamahas need that break in period before getting hammered. Then change oil and gtg.
Siliconemelons
Naxxramas 1.0 Raider
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I have a tri-fule Firman that is very close in specs - how does it handle the whole house with only a 50amp plug? I believe that is what they all have as max in the "portable" world.
Haus
I am Big Balls!
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It handled our house going normal load with 5 ton AC. So that would be :
- 5 ton AC - Covering a 2600 sq ft house set at 71 degrees.
- UPS pushing my computer and two monitors. (not running on battery)
- Same for the wife's computer.
- 65" TV with soundbar
- Fridge in kitchen
- fridge and freezer on enclosed patio
- window unit which keeps the enclosed patio cool
- Celing fan in the living room
- Some lights.
Siliconemelons
Naxxramas 1.0 Raider
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How do you have it on the xfer switch… my AC is a 50a outdoor and 20a indoor unit- I think its a 4 or 5 ton, its the Mr cool- so the outdoor unit is a heat pump inverter and inside is just fan, no heat strips. Before it was a 40a outdoor and 35a indoor.
I would be wanting it to cover the fridge, freezer and perhaps 2 indoor portable ACs I have. Internet TV sure, they take nothing lol.
Just looking at how to do the xfer switch
I would be wanting it to cover the fridge, freezer and perhaps 2 indoor portable ACs I have. Internet TV sure, they take nothing lol.
Just looking at how to do the xfer switch
BrutulTM
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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Don't leave gasoline in it. So many people have a generator for emergencies and when they need to use it there's bad gas in the carburetor and it won't run. At the very least, shut off the fuel and let the carburetor run dry rather than using the kill switch and if possible don't have gas in the tank long term either. If you want to keep a can of gas in the garage for it, dump it into your car and refill it every month or two.
Small engines that don't get used regularly tend to not start and bad gas is the biggest reason. You won't have that problem with propane or natural gas but you will get less power.
Also, does it have a pull rope to start it? The electric start is nice but if it's been sitting in the garage for a couple of years the battery is likely to be dead and may not take a charge either.
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Haus
I am Big Balls!
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Yeah, it's got a pull rope backup. It also has a port on the front where you can plug it into a wall wart to keep the battery trickle charged.
I have a VERY basic transfer switch set up. The top right two breakers in my panel are to the twist lock plug on the outside of the house. So the process is :
- Get pissed off that we lost grid power...
- Pull out generator.
- Put gas in generator (currently 4 jerry cans with Stay-bil treated gas in them)
- Attach cable from generator to house
- Flip the main grid power breaker (top center of panel) to OFF
- Flip the right side breaker (50A) to ON
- Go start generator
- Flip power switch on generator to energize the cable.
Key is to make sure you never have you generator trying to supply power to the grid. And there's a plate to help with that : called an interlock kit.
Next step for me since this is a new panel is to make sure all the breakers are labeled right, then go through and put red dots next to what I consider "essentials". That way I can flip off things like the microwave, power to my workshop, washer and dryer, etc to control what uses generator power when we need it.
If this were going to be our "rest of our lives" house, I would have sprung for one of the new tricked out panels where you can have all that switching done via automation. But that's for the house we're going to build out in the country.
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Siliconemelons
Naxxramas 1.0 Raider
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Ahh thats an interesting way to put it in using a breaker to take over acting as the main.
If only I had a free 2 slots lol.
If only I had a free 2 slots lol.
lurker
Vyemm Raider
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See if you can make room by buying some duplex breakers. They're the same size as a single but protect two circuits.
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Siliconemelons
Naxxramas 1.0 Raider
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Oh yeah, I slim lined everything I could to get the new AC and I have a 50A for the EV charger heh.
…
Oh but I did make a sub panel for the AC..
It has a slot open now I think about it…that would make a great spot for the generator link…maybe?
…
Oh but I did make a sub panel for the AC..
It has a slot open now I think about it…that would make a great spot for the generator link…maybe?
Borzak
Silver Baron of the Realm
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I keep gas in my generator and other power equipment. Of course we don't really have a winter to winterize stuff for when stuff won't be used for months. I've mowed my grass the week of Christmas and some years in freaking shorts.
Anyway I mix the gas with stabil and stuff like a portable generator I'll turn off the gas and let the engine run all the gas in the carb out. I have let it go pretty long periods on some of my stuff and as long as I have stabil and don't let it sit in the carb it cranks right up. I have a lot of gas powered stuff, two lawnmowers, a chain saw, two weedeasters. blower, two portable generators, pressure washer, and I'm sure I am forgetting something. Now I will drain my tractor in the fall because I have no use for it even in a mild winter.
Speaking of electrity to your house if I was building a new house I would look into going 400 amp box. More and more power shit all the time including the car for some. I have two meters and each one feeds a 200 amp box. One for just the house, and the other for the shop includes some of the outdoor stuff for the house. Better to be prepared than have to add another box later.
When I first moved here I got a sweet deal for 3 phase power. But the lady that worked at the co-op that managed all that type of stuff her husband died and he was friend/her contact so that ended.
Anyway I mix the gas with stabil and stuff like a portable generator I'll turn off the gas and let the engine run all the gas in the carb out. I have let it go pretty long periods on some of my stuff and as long as I have stabil and don't let it sit in the carb it cranks right up. I have a lot of gas powered stuff, two lawnmowers, a chain saw, two weedeasters. blower, two portable generators, pressure washer, and I'm sure I am forgetting something. Now I will drain my tractor in the fall because I have no use for it even in a mild winter.
Speaking of electrity to your house if I was building a new house I would look into going 400 amp box. More and more power shit all the time including the car for some. I have two meters and each one feeds a 200 amp box. One for just the house, and the other for the shop includes some of the outdoor stuff for the house. Better to be prepared than have to add another box later.
When I first moved here I got a sweet deal for 3 phase power. But the lady that worked at the co-op that managed all that type of stuff her husband died and he was friend/her contact so that ended.