Paging Red Beard ........ generator question

[red-beard]

On hard start kits and reduction of in-rush current for Air Conditioners

Part 4 shows that the addition of a Hard Start Capacitor and relay will reduce the TIME to start an AC, but not the peak in-rush current. It may be enough to help a generator start the AC, but it does not eliminate the peak in-rush. Only a Soft-Starter will do this.

https://hvacrschool.com/start-capacitor-inrush-facts-and-myths-part-1/

https://hvacrschool.com/start-capacitor-and-inrush-facts-myths-part-2/

https://hvacrschool.com/start-capacitor-and-inrush-facts-myths-part-3/

https://hvacrschool.com/start-capacitor-inrush-facts-myths-part-4/

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Interesting scam . I received an email from the seller last night with several pics of the generator ( or someone's generator ) . The seller provided her name and stated she is currently at Offutt AFB in Nebraska . Ok so far maybe it's legit ....... maybe.

She provides some details including the hours on the meter , then it gets weird/scammy . She asks me to provide my name and address ( red flag ) so eBay can start the process of DELIVERY to me !!!??? She states she made these arrangements prior to her leaving for the AFB . And as a final touch she states her husband passed away two months ago .

I can see how someone could fall for this , but it has warning written all over it to me . Could I be wrong ? Sure . But I am not willing to gamble . Be careful out there guys there are a lot of folks wanting to steal the contents of your wallet .

Ask her for a quick call or note from her CO. If she is a military widow, she's not on base.

[rfuerst911sc]

Milt I sent her an email asking where is the generator because I want to inspect it . Got a reply saying I am on the base . Never answered where the generator is . I deleted all emails I am done with this one .

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Milt I sent her an email asking where is the generator because I want to inspect it . Got a reply saying I am on the base . Never answered where the generator is . I deleted all emails I am done with this one .

Very typical. Good thinking.

I gat a text and and email late yesterday from Discover about a $580 purchase at tires.com. Nope, not me, but I had recited my CC no. over the phone to a place that sells old phonograph parts for a restoration I'm doing. Somehow that call got intercepted.

I think I trust the seller, he's been around for decades starting out as a VCR repair shop.

Got that straightened out. Discover is easy to deal with. I was ripped off for $2500 in airline tickets quite a few years back. Thing is they were a flight out of FL. I haven't been out of CA since '95. I haven't been on a plane since '06 when I flew to San Jose to bring the Carrera home.

For fun memories:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/306039-back-black-ride-home.html

Sorry for the hijack.

[rfuerst911sc]

Haha no problem Milt . Last week while I was driving my truck I got a call on my cellphone stating there was a warrant for my arrest ........... but if I stayed on the line it could quickly be taken care of . I played along as I pulled over to the side of the road .Habib ( I mean John 😜 ) transferred my call to another Habib ( I mean Joe ) that was willing to clear up the entire matter with a few key strokes and my CC number .

I strung him along for a while and then told him he called me on my cellphone and I was in jail .I then told him I no longer required his services . There was dead silence on the other end , I then told him to F off and take his scam back to the rock he crawled out from under . I felt great 😁

[David]

Back on my question of installation: it looks like the transfer switch is wired between the meter and the main breaker. Since most meters I've seen are either on the outside wall opposite the inside breaker panel or right next to the outside breaker panel, either the meter or the panel need to be moved to provide room for the transfer switch between them. That makes the electrical part a lot more complicated.

[red-beard]

Electricians do this all the time. MOST of the time, they put a hole in the meter can and pull the wires through the meter can. This is not always allowed. If it is not allowed, a second hole is cut in the main panel and the Transfer Switch is connected through that hole. The TS is mounted next to the Meter. I have never seen the meter moved.

[David]

^ that looks a little simpler. Still don’t think I’d want to do myself.

[rfuerst911sc]

And we lost power at 6:30 it just came back on . I can live with two hours of power outage but the clock is ticking .

[fireant911]

I, as usual, am very late to the game but have some questions if it okay to piggy-back on this thread.

We are looking for a whole house generator using LP gas. Sizing will be between 14 and 16KW and the candidates we are currently looking at are Generac and Kohler. I see that both single phase and three phase units are available. After some quick research, it looks like the three phase units are better for most applications but I really did not grasp the 'why's' of these differences. Can someone help me out with the phasing recommendations? Also, Generac seems to be popular not only on this thread but in actual usage in the field. Is there a notable difference in the two brands? Is there a best time to purchase a whole house generator (in regards to rebates and such)? Are there any lessons learned that someone who has been there would be willing to share?

And, so I do not wreck the OP's original question, rfuerst911sc - do you purchase your unit?

[rfuerst911sc]

Fireant no I have not purchased a generator yet . I am guilty of paralysis by analysis 😋 . The holidays got me side tracked along with some foot dragging . If I were to purchase new air cooled I am very impressed with the Cummins .

But I think the equipment is just part of the equation , good local install and support is equally important . These things have enough technology in them I think parts and support may be the main driver in the purchase .

[fireant911]

rfuerst911sc,
Those Cummins also look nice but there is no dealer anywhere close to us... well, not within 100 miles. I see that all three, Cummins, Generac, and Kohler, all have the same warranty - 5 years / 2,000 hours. We lost power yesterday morning at 03:50 and it is still out... This is the second time in about six months SO it is time to stop thinking about getting a unit and actually doing it!

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by fireant911

rfuerst911sc,
Those Cummins also look nice but there is no dealer anywhere close to us... well, not within 100 miles. I see that all three, Cummins, Generac, and Kohler, all have the same warranty - 5 years / 2,000 hours. We lost power yesterday morning at 03:50 and it is still out... This is the second time in about six months SO it is time to stop thinking about getting a unit and actually doing it!

Yep that's why I stated install/parts/service is definitely part of the decision process .

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by fireant911

I, as usual, am very late to the game but have some questions if it okay to piggy-back on this thread.

We are looking for a whole house generator using LP gas. Sizing will be between 14 and 16KW and the candidates we are currently looking at are Generac and Kohler. I see that both single phase and three phase units are available. After some quick research, it looks like the three phase units are better for most applications but I really did not grasp the 'why's' of these differences. Can someone help me out with the phasing recommendations? Also, Generac seems to be popular not only on this thread but in actual usage in the field. Is there a notable difference in the two brands? Is there a best time to purchase a whole house generator (in regards to rebates and such)? Are there any lessons learned that someone who has been there would be willing to share?

Unless you have a specific need for 3 phase power, you do not want to buy a 3 phase unit. The USA is "Split-Phase 240VAC" Single phase power. Almost all residential houses are Single Phase 120/240 VAC.

Kholer, Generac and Briggs-Stratton are all equal in the industry. They are all easy to work on and basically 2 cylinder air cooled engines. They are pressure fed oil systems with oil filters, air filters. This is true up to the 22 kW units. I THINK there is a new Briggs & Stratton unit that is 26kW that is still air cooled. But generally, anything over 22kW is a Water Cooled, derated 4 cylinder car engine.

Generac is most popular. Stay away from the "Off-Grid" generator. It has some modes that make is screwy for a backup generator.

[red-beard]

On the parts, they are all available on Amazon. Everything. And sometimes I find the pricing better than I get from the factory...

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by red-beard

On the parts, they are all available on Amazon. Everything. And sometimes I find the pricing better than I get from the factory...

That is good to know , thanks for sharing that info .

[flatbutt]

Tangent...... a neighbor decided to skip the transfer panel and back fed the main directly from the gennie. Yes illegal, but how dangerous is that?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Tangent...... a neighbor decided to skip the transfer panel and back fed the main directly from the gennie. Yes illegal, but how dangerous is that?

He will find out when he fries an innocent lineman doing his job after a power failure . Your neighbor is a fu$$ing idiot !!!

[Evans, Marv]

I'm sure the linemen test to see if a circuit is live before exposing themselves to it. After doing that, I would think they could/would be able to identify the source. I'd think that would lead to a possible liability problem for yuour neighbor. Stupid/mindless to try to save a few bucks that way.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by red-beard

On the parts, they are all available on Amazon. Everything. And sometimes I find the pricing better than I get from the factory...

I have had good luck sourcing genny parts from this company.

https://www.generatorsource.com/Services/Generator-Service-in-Colorado

I have a generator issue. Bought one and kinda liked having the extra power when needed. The hangar where I do a lot of work has a whopping 15amp 110v service so when I need to use the welder or Bridgeport mill I fire up the 1970's Onan 15kW series generator and it takes care of my power needs.

Currently have 4 of them, most running and one on propane and the others pump gas. These old 1800 RPM gennys run forever and most of mine are surplus military units. Then have one 1970's Onan 5kW diesel unit for small stuff and its built like a tank.