Stirling generator [RE-wrenches]

[Jeff Wongstrom]

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Hello Mick,

Thanks for the info on the WhisperGen. I normally go for the wheel  
that has been around the block countless times but this unit  
intrigues me and there should be some feedback from the yachtees.  I  
still do not have a feel for the limitations and capabilities other  
than putting out 800WDC and would like to know more either on line or  
off.

Can Mick say more on fuel consumption, emissions/venting, and hot  
water production?
Is the WhisperGen designed to be installed in the mechanical room  
like a hot water heater or more like a traditional infernal  
combustion generator?
Any chance it would be suitable for off grid radiant hydronic heating  
systems integration?
How many hours are the moving parts good for?
Ballpark cost?


Jeff Wongstrom
NABCEP Certified Solar Installer
Thirsty Lake Solar
406-889-5324


On May 11, 2007, at 10:56 AM, Mick Abraham wrote:

>
>
> Jeff Wongstrom/ Sarah Anderson wrote about the WhisperGen Stirling
> engine cogeneration unit made in New Zealand.
>
> Mick says: I've been fooling around with a WhisperGen in my
> la-bor-a-tree since about 2001. My sample runs on propane and is the
> battery charging version. I could field technical questions or
> curiosities that the Wrenchies may wish to post. I am still acquainted
> with key personnel at the NZ mfr and could serve as interface between
> the manufacturer and the solar electric industry in North America.  
> Each
> machine must be charged after shipment with a high pressure nitrogen
> charge, so training for the installers is important and some special
> tools are required. I think these machines could never be sold on  
> eBay,
> which is part of why I became interested.
>
> The manufacturer encountered a huge opportunity in building a natural
> gas fired unit for direct grid tie in England. That took their focus
> away from the DC machines and they also lost interest in a propane
> machine. This is most unfortunate, as the sample I have is reliable,
> smooth running, and well suited for battery support applications.  
> Think
> of an 800 watt battery charger that runs on propane and never needs an
> oil change or any other routine service...
>
> If enough of us were interested to pool up an order for 100 machines,
> the company might get interested in our niche...or maybe not. Their
> technology has attracted a lot of attention from various quarters and
> the American PV guys seem to be last on their list.
>
> The DC/battery charging machines are still being built, but for diesel
> fuel only and mainly for sale to the high end marine market. A few big
> deal marine distributors are selling those stateside. These diesel/DC
> machines have Coast Guard certification I think, but no UL listing and
> no other listing for a land based installation. The manufacturer is
> "risk averse", and they are reluctant to sell machines into a  
> market for
> which the safety certifications are not totally dialed in.
>
> The diesels had burner clogging problems in prior years which were
> non-issues in the propane version because propane burns so much  
> cleaner
> than diesel. I don't know if the diesel machines have been changed to
> address that problem or not, but fuel quality and freshness remains a
> big concern. Since all my off grid clients already have a propane fuel
> infrastructure on their property, and since the diesels had a bit of a
> scary track record with burner clogging, I was mainly interested in  
> the
> propane version, but very few of those remain in captivity. I  
> thought if
> a bunch of us could get certified to do the presurization and
> commissioning on the DC off-grid machines, we could also shift over  
> and
> begin installing the grid tied version once those certifications were
> complete and a unit was ready for the American landscape. Sigh...
>
> Mick Abraham, Proprietor
> www.abrahamsolar.com
>


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