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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,384
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Lets Talk CNG Standby Generators
Folks, I want to install a standby generator powered by CNG. Any thoughts? I have 2 AC units but really only need to run one during an outage. Otherwise I got the standards stuff like 2 fridges, electric range. I think minimum to run my house is 20KW. I wouldn't mind finding something used and bumping up the KW.
The only consideration is that I want it to be quiet. I used to have a portable generator for some of the house but the neighbor would call at 10PM on the dot  saying it was too loud. Ok maybe he was right! Now I just want something quiet. My neighbor has a 84KW with a Chevy 350 running it but that is to literally power everything. For my house I think hers would make excess power. The thing is, the 350 runs at 1800RPM to make her power and you can't even really hear it.So what do you have or what does your company install? Note: don't NEED an automatic transfer switch but it would be cool. |
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08-10-2010, 07:47 AM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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And to piggy-back. I want to do a similar thing if I buy a house out in the country, but the generator will have to run on propane. Is that a problem?
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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08-10-2010, 09:48 AM
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"O"man(are we in trouble)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: On the edge
Posts: 16,452
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I have a 15kw Generac that runs on propane, not a difficult conversion. Had it in place for about six years. Very nice to have in the Adirondacks when the power goes out as it does quite frequently.
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08-10-2010, 09:52 AM
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Get off my lawn!
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subscribed!
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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08-10-2010, 09:53 AM
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abides.
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You can get a gas genset from Home Depot. It looks like 20kW is a bit under $5k. Most of the gas units can be run on either natural gas or propane. If I had to choose, I would probably pick a Kohler over a Generac.
I work for a Cat dealership, and our smallest gas unit is a re-branded 25kW Generac. I have not heard much good about them, and frankly you can buy the generac at home depot for cheaper.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa Last edited by gtc; 08-10-2010 at 10:10 AM.. |
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08-10-2010, 10:03 AM
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Somewhere in the Midwest
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: In the barn!
Posts: 12,499
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The last generator (natural gas burner) I bought for a job was a 13KVA unit that was just under 14HP IIRC. It was for a company project. I recall that there is a cut-off around 13.5 HP or so that requires an EPA permit if it was exceeded.
It may not apply to homeowners, but I would check just be sure your local codes. I've seen a lot of Generac units out in the fuel plumbed for natural gas and the techs I've spoken to appeared to be satisfied with it. Propane or natural gas, it's an easy conversion with a few small parts. If I were to buy a NG unit, I would get the propane conversion parts just to have handy incase your NG supply was interrupted. The big difference is an orifice and maybe a regulator. All can be changed out in less than a minute if you are handy. The OP's mention of his neighbor's Chevy 350 running a generator gives me a great idea. I've got a BMW 2.5 liter engine sitting around collecting dust that I could put to good use! How hard could it be to bolt up a generator to the engine if I build a stand for it.....hmmm I engine have a spare 911 engine  (running hard on the track on weekend, the next weekend sitting on a skid cranking electricity to the house) For quiet ...I can weld up a good muffler.
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08-10-2010, 10:33 AM
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Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
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Quote:
oh, that's not what you meant? sorry.  
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08-10-2010, 10:39 AM
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abides.
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Quote:
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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08-10-2010, 11:09 AM
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Registered Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southwest Montana
Posts: 2,738
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20KVA should run the important stuff
Generac units are pretty nice natural gas is the way to go. If you don't have NG go propane. They are fairly quiet. Standby switch and weekly auto start are nice to have, keeps the unit battery charged and the engine lubed. I have an 10KVA Kohler engined Miller Trailblazer It's saved my bacon a few times. I bought it for power on job sites. We've have had 12 Hour stints on the genny. Come up with a priority circuit list. Don't overload it AC is a big draw Example 1.Septic Pump 2.Furnace Fan 3.Well 4.Refrigerator 5.Freezer 6.Bed room lights 7.Master Bath 8.Wall Outlets kitchen 9.One garage door operator 10.Computer
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MT 930 1987 930 - Gone but not forgotten A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile. I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth - Steve McQueen американский |
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08-10-2010, 11:35 AM
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Somewhere in the Midwest
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: In the barn!
Posts: 12,499
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Quote:
Northern has a nice one for $840. 10,000W/9,200W (80A@120V/40A@240VAC0 The Northern one looks like a good buy. I can have a 10KW generator for less than $1000 since I have the engine. $160 budget for angle iron, pulleys, etc to make it work. There is a Chinese brand of generator heads that's pretty cheap. 15kVA for something like $700, but quality may be iffy. I guess once I set up the engine on a mobile skid, I can bolt any generator head on it. Cool thing is that I can have the skid behind the shop and when needed I can back feed from the shop to the house with the main breaker off. 10KW should be enough to run the essentials I would think. |
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08-10-2010, 12:14 PM
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Somewhere in the Midwest
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: In the barn!
Posts: 12,499
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My reasoning, most homes have 100A service. Here's a neat site I just found to convert from kVA to KW, etc. http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/Power_Calculator.aspx Last edited by MotoSook; 08-10-2010 at 12:17 PM.. |
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08-10-2010, 12:15 PM
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JOT MON ABBR OTH
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 3,238
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Why can't we just use the free gererators????
Just sayin' we need to link these gererator threads together somehow!
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David '83 SC Targa (sold  ) MANLY babyblue honda '00 F250 7.3L (MINE!)'15 F250 Gas (Her Baby) '95 993 (sold )I don't take scalps. I'm civilized like white man now, I shoot man in back. |
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08-10-2010, 12:23 PM
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Registered Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Southwest Montana
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Quote:
the reserve power makes the motor starts easy. If your not in a rural setting 10KVA is plenty I would think for a 1500Sqft city home 5KVA would be OK. Farm type needs 20KVA is the min.
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MT 930 1987 930 - Gone but not forgotten A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile. I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth - Steve McQueen американский |
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08-10-2010, 12:26 PM
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abides.
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Souk,
My uncle is using a chinese generator end - though unfortunately I don't remember anything more about it. He is moving out to the country and preparing for economic collapse, and he seems convinced that it will work reliably. 10 KW is more than enough for your typical power outages. As long as you don't have all the appliances on while your four daughters blow dry their hair, you should be fine.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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08-10-2010, 12:59 PM
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Registered
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Location: Pine Mountain Georgia
Posts: 844
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Guys, if you are going to set this up do it right. Make sure you have a home transfer switch to make sure you don't send any power out thru the lines. Transformers work both ways. Generators have been known to kill linemen working on lines they thought were dead.
Another generator to consider is the Auragen by Aura Systems. It runs off of your truck and is mounted under the hood. Good systems. I have had two for years. I have the 5000 watt generators but they have some larger. A bit pricey but good equipment.
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1990 Wanderlodge PT-40 75 911S Silver Anniversary 1952 MGTD 1983 Mercedes 300 TD 1969 Lincoln |
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08-10-2010, 01:26 PM
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Somewhere in the Midwest
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: In the barn!
Posts: 12,499
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I think the Chinese genheads are "ST" brand. I think they may be fine. Just a few bad experiences posted on the web.
MT-makes sense about the start/peak power. |
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08-10-2010, 01:54 PM
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Registered
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Posts: 3,384
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Used kohler?
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08-10-2010, 06:53 PM
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Registered
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Location: Pine Mountain Georgia
Posts: 844
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You could look for a rv diesel generator. They usually run at 1800 rpm as opposed to some of the cheap ones at 3600 rpm. 3600 = loud.
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1990 Wanderlodge PT-40 75 911S Silver Anniversary 1952 MGTD 1983 Mercedes 300 TD 1969 Lincoln |
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08-10-2010, 07:22 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 9,103
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Ok, I also have a question about this. I have a 10KW (12.5KW peak) Generac generator w/ a 2 cylinder Robin, 17 hp. engine I'm thinking of setting up as a backup generator (I also have a 7.2 KW transfer box that I can tie in to different circuits). Can I convert it to propane? If so, I think I'll look into that.
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Marv Evans '69 911E |
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08-10-2010, 07:29 PM
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Senior Advisor
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The CNG cylinders are pressurized to 3500 psi, and need hydro every 5 years or so. Would a propane tank work just as well?
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08 Cayenne Turbo |
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08-10-2010, 07:35 PM
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Carrera
1984 Porsche Carrera Targa
