Diesel generator

Kap10merica

Kap10merica

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2011
Location
Canton, nc
I'm in the process of buying a house and wondering what size, type, and where can I get a good one. I would prefer a diesel powered generator but I don't know if that's the best way to go.
 
Does the house have propane or natural gas? If so, that would be the way I would go. Dont have to worry about how old your fuel is. I dont know much about generators, but propane or natural gas wont go bad.
 
PM me a phone number.
I have sold and designed back up power systems for over a decade. My primary business is heavy industrial and utility scale BUT...have knowledge/access to all the resi stuff and know a couple of GOOD guys close to you who will take good care of you.
 
....My .02... I would still look into LP gas. cost is lower than diesel and basically no issues with fuel sitting for long periods. (none that I can think of) The actual generator is probably gonna cost less too. Also you can bury a propane tank where it takes a lot more permit process to do the same with a diesel or fuel oil. If it's only gonna be used for emergency purposes a 100 gal. propane tank would probably last you a week depending on the size of your generator.
 
RobMcBee said:
If it's only gonna be used for emergency purposes a 100 gal. propane tank would probably last you a week depending on the size of your generator.
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everything else is about spot on except this.
the vaporization rate causes the tank to have to be larger.
 
I had looked into it a few years ago for our house in the mountains, we already had a 500 gal above ground but wanted a separate tank for our generator, that way it would always be full. House was full propane i.e. heat, water, cooking. and we went through about two tanks a year. Didn't wanna have a bad storm and generator be pulling from an almost empty tank
 
6BangBronk said:
So what would be the best tank size for residential to last up to a week??? 200 gallons???
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All depends on the size and the consumption rate.

For me "residential generator" means somewhere between 11kW and 150kW...
 
awww.shopstore24.com_images_Marksman_20720W_202_20Stroke_20Generator_2066030C.jpg
 
Ron said:
All depends on the size and the consumption rate.

For me "residential generator" means somewhere between 11kW and 150kW...
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I don't know about CNR but I'm pretty much stupid on this topic... :) And since you've stepped up as the initial NC4x4 Propane Generator guru, and with a very vague start, prepare for a long thread of stupid questions. LOL I know anybody that installs Electric Central Heat units can tell you EXACTLY what you need for say a common 2,000 sf home? Isn't there a formula for everything including propane generator / tank sizing? I googled and "Whole House Generator Buyers Guide" recommends between 22-48 kW for residential? Didn't find anything about tank size.

Just for curiosity Ron, I'd first like to know when, where and how "you" would ever apply a 150kW to residential?

In layman's terms... I know folks want to shoe-horn 460's in Mustangs all day long but I would only imagine being a residential unit would be more narrowed down to a realization recommendation "Say a healthy 5.0/302 instead of the 460"?

I'm only asking for this is the way I plan to go (one day) as well. Propane back-up seems to me to be a no-brainer and I laugh every time (on the inside) when my boss who inherited his richness and has everything (but common sense) brags every single year like it's the first time he's mentioned (and I've heard it for about 6 years now and just heard it again the other day) about how GREAT his "gas" backup system is although he's never even had a chance to use it. And on top of that, would not have a single clue how to unclog 6 years worth of Ethenol/gas from a generator carburetor. LOL

As mentioned before, I agree the 1'st common sense point would probably be that the gen needs to be on it's own tank so you're not caught without? And I know tanks are hard to come by if you are looking for a "deal" to purchase a used one. And I would guess to say probably the first item to purchase and have in place before considering generator shopping?
 
braxton357 said:
View attachment 146217
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LMAO..... had one of those and it wouldn't even power my fridge.... I get the joke though.

the company I spoke with (Blue Ridge Energies) were going to do a package deal. Tank, propane, gen, and auto switch with financing... may be something to look into with your local LPG or electric company.... again this was a few years ago
 
I may be removing a used Kohler from one of my customers in Asheville. It is bigger than you would ever need. It is 480v/3phase/150kw/diesel. It has a belly tank.

I'm not sure if the voltage can be changed over. Ron may be able to answer that question.

My customer is looking to upgrade because the injector pump went bad. This may cost a couple thousand. If they decide to get a new one then they will want me to get rid of this one.
 
Eli05 said:
I may be removing a used Kohler from one of my customers in Asheville. It is bigger than you would ever need. It is 480v/3phase/150kw/diesel. It has a belly tank.

I'm not sure if the voltage can be changed over. Ron may be able to answer that question.

My customer is looking to upgrade because the injector pump went bad. This may cost a couple thousand. If they decide to get a new one then they will want me to get rid of this one.
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Chris,
If you get ready to get rid of that one call me first please.
I think you still know where to find me...if you decide to keep it and fix it yourself I can get you a great deal on parts. Also Id love to be a part of the upgrade plan if posssible??

Peace,
Ron
 
6BangBronk said:
I don't know about CNR but I'm pretty much stupid on this topic... :) And since you've stepped up as the initial NC4x4 Propane Generator guru, and with a very vague start, prepare for a long thread of stupid questions. LOL I know anybody that installs Electric Central Heat units can tell you EXACTLY what you need for say a common 2,000 sf home? Isn't there a formula for everything including propane generator / tank sizing? I googled and "Whole House Generator Buyers Guide" recommends between 22-48 kW for residential? Didn't find anything about tank size.

Just for curiosity Ron, I'd first like to know when, where and how "you" would ever apply a 150kW to residential?

In layman's terms... I know folks want to shoe-horn 460's in Mustangs all day long but I would only imagine being a residential unit would be more narrowed down to a realization recommendation "Say a healthy 5.0/302 instead of the 460"?

I'm only asking for this is the way I plan to go (one day) as well. Propane back-up seems to me to be a no-brainer and I laugh every time (on the inside) when my boss who inherited his richness and has everything (but common sense) brags every single year like it's the first time he's mentioned (and I've heard it for about 6 years now and just heard it again the other day) about how GREAT his "gas" backup system is although he's never even had a chance to use it. And on top of that, would not have a single clue how to unclog 6 years worth of Ethenol/gas from a generator carburetor. LOL

As mentioned before, I agree the 1'st common sense point would probably be that the gen needs to be on it's own tank so you're not caught without? And I know tanks are hard to come by if you are looking for a "deal" to purchase a used one. And I would guess to say probably the first item to purchase and have in place before considering generator shopping?
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Alright...I'll try to eat these 1 at a time.
- The absolute best solution for a home is a Natural Gas generator is you have NG available at your house. The fuel is cheaper, you dont pay for it until you use it, you have a near limitless supply, no fear of leaks and equipment is the same cost as LP, both of which are cheaper than diesel in anything you would put on most homes.

Actually the "best solution" is a dual fuel NG over LP. has two regulators and ECM programming for both fuel and spark curves. Int he event opf loss of NG it seemlessly switches over to LP and rocks on.

- Regarding a 150kW on a house. To explain we will take a quick step back and go into generator 101.
Any time you are dealing with a reputable generator the kW size stated will be at .8 power factor and a stand by rating. If you are dealing with aa reputable company the generator should be able to deliver this output "for the duration of an outage"...however long that is.

Anytime you size a generator for any application you have to take two things into account: running load and "starting" or "in rush" current. The second is caused by non-linear loads or inductive loads. On a house these will look like...HVAC compressor motors, Air Handler motors, Well Pumps, Elevator motors etc. Thats pretty inclusive of all inductive residential loads ON MOST HOUSES. (I worked on a load for a customer once that had a ski lift up the mountain to his house...thats atypical. Seen several on the lake have a boat lift they wanted backed up. again atypical but they exist.)

The second component is running amps. 150kW at .8 PF will give you close to 800A. (781 for the nerds)

So the house that needs a 150kW genset is rare. But find a large mountain house with all electric heat and a deep well and it happens.

MOST...MOST...(Let me say that again so know one runs off buys something under sized and blames me) Most houses will be served adequately by a 20kW resi genset...but there are some installation code issues that make other larger sizes much more attractive depending on location.

If you are using LP, Ive never seen a gas company that wouldnt give you the tank with the initial fill when you buy a generator.


You will not set the generator on the LP tank it will be remote, a diesel will set on a sub base fuel tank..(natural) gas will of course be plumbed in. Natural Gas WILL REQUIRE A NEW AND SEPARATE regulator to be installed. Gen engines are high volume low pressure animals..the NG pressure will ahve to be regulated between 7-14 inh2o...which is less than .5 psi. The smallest regulator you have on your house is likely 2 psi. 2 psi will keep the baffles open and when you try to shut down the gen it will "diesel" like an old school eldebrock carb.
Anything else just shoot
 
Shew, if you've got 2 psi coming into your house you best call the gas company.! I believe actually many NG gens require higer than standard gas pressure to run. Which would still require a separate reg.
Typical Ron talking out his ass!
 
braxton357 said:
Shew, if you've got 2 psi coming into your house you best call the gas company.! I believe actually many NG gens require higer than standard gas pressure to run. Which would still require a separate reg.
Typical Ron talking out his ass!
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Yeah, I'm thinking interior residential is in the neighborhood of 5-7" wc...
 
Another question is how much do you think you will need this? How often will you use it? And are you planning to run everything in the house or just a few things to get threw a storm etc? I wired my house for generator with a manual transfer switch in house. I then have a 6000 watt gas generator in shop that we use as back up for house I can run everything except a/c unit. But when we do use we make sure we don't use things that would draw a lot of power. So just throwing it out there that you may not need a huge genny unless you plan to use it all the time.
 
Don't get me wrong if/when I can find a deal on a nice automatic switching unit I would live to get it. But my little genny has gotten us threw many power outages and the wife can even watch directv :)
 
Ron said:
Chris,
If you get ready to get rid of that one call me first please.
I think you still know where to find me...if you decide to keep it and fix it yourself I can get you a great deal on parts. Also Id love to be a part of the upgrade plan if posssible??

Peace,
Ron
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I will keep you informed. I'm trying to price getting the pump rebuilt. Its a Denso. Any leads on a good shop nearby? The owner doesn't want to put a lot of money in the unit and I explained that there would be a substantial bit of labor just to remove and reinstall the Denso. Hopefully I can bring it home, It runs perfect.
 
I would personally only run a manual transfer switch, you don't have anything running that is that critical--and if it is, it should be on a proper sized ups--and it would save a lot of future headaches/money/ bogus start cycles, electrical.dangers, etc.
 
braxton357 said:
I would personally only run a manual transfer switch, you don't have anything running that is that critical--and if it is, it should be on a proper sized ups--and it would save a lot of future headaches/money/ bogus start cycles, electrical.dangers, etc.
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counter point.
Today an ATS will cost very little to no more than an MTS.
A new ATS should have none of those issues.
Never move an ATS...I've sold probably 50 used gens. I sold 1 used ATS and swore never again. When Ive done deals on used equipment I own, I have taken $2-3,000 out of my pocket on the deal just to supply with a new ATS.
A generator needs to be exercised regulrly or it likely wont run when needed. Ideally we would all remember to go out and crank our gens every week or two, with and ATS I can absolutely program it to and guarantee it will auto exercise.
Finally (this will vary per person) one reason a lot of people want a generator is to protect mat/game/fish in the freezer. If you are gone the ATS will start it without you.
 
braxton357 said:
Shew, if you've got 2 psi coming into your house you best call the gas company.! I believe actually many NG gens require higer than standard gas pressure to run. Which would still require a separate reg.
Typical Ron talking out his ass!
Click to expand...

shawn said:
Yeah, I'm thinking interior residential is in the neighborhood of 5-7" wc...
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Alright you guys caught me copying and pasting from an email I write too much.
2PSI is a commercial step down regulator.

I can guarante you every damn time you call a gas guy and tell him the volume you need they will wanyt to install a 5psi regulator to get it...I probably have that conversation 5 times a week.
 
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