[RE-wrenches] Off-Grid Diesel Generators

[benn kilburn]

Daryl,The customer specified that he would like a diesel gen.  I haven't tried to sway him towards propane yet, but we are still refining his load calculations and the site will likely not be ready for the install for a few months at least.
I also like the fact that there is typically already propane on site and that an energy sucking block heater is not needed to be as reliable for starting in the cold temp when it's needed most.The last off grid system i did (which was my first PV/gen hybrid, i've typically done grid-tie) used propane and the system owner's only beef was the fuel consumption when the thing did run.  He had his gen inside an enclosed room in his shop, an Onan 12 GSAA-6707.   I just read thru the propane gen thread on this list from last June that was very informative.  It seemed that Onan and Kohler were the favorites for propane.  Is this still the case or does anyone have other thoughts.
I will be pushing the propane option but just incase the customer insists on going the diesel route, are there any other recommendations for diesel?
Thanks,benn
DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. benn at daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY



CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:    This email, including any attachments, contains information from DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. and/or its affiliates, which may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by "reply to sender only" message and destroy all electronic and hard copies of the communication, including attachments.



> Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:38:47 -0400
> From: penobscotsolar at midmaine.com
> To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Off-Grid Diesel Generators
> 
> Ben,
>    Here in Maine we don't install diesel gennies in off grid applications.
> Typically, diesel gennies require a block heater which can use as much
> as 1000 watts. Unless this is a tremendously large off grid system it
> won't be a good idea to go that way.
>    Why not just use a propane gennie. They are far more reliable, cleaner
> burning, typical off grid homes use propane anyway for cooking, at a
> minimum. It also does not require pre heating to start.
>    Just my two cents.
> 
> Daryl DeJoy
> NABCEP Certified PV installer
> Penobscot Solar Design
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >
> > Wrenches,
> > Can anyone in the off-grid market, in colder climate regions (i'm at
> > latitude 53) suggest or recommend a reliable diesel generator for off-gird
> > home back-up.  It will likely be coupled with two Outback VFX3648's and a
> > 1500 to 2500 amp/hr battery.  Any experiences with pairing Lister
> > generators with an auto-start set up?  Northern Lights Generators has also
> > come highly recommended, any experiences?
> > Also, for this colder region, i'm looking for pros/cons of having the
> > back-up gen installed indoors (garage or shop) as opposed to outdoors; to
> > protect it somewhat from the extreme cold weather so it will have less
> > trouble starting when it is needed.
> > Thanks in advance.benn
> > DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. benn at daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 HAVE A
> > SUNNY DAY
> >
> >
> >
> > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:    This email, including any attachments, contains
> > information from DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. and/or its affiliates,
> > which may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended to be
> > for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the
> > intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or
> > use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have
> > received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by
> > "reply to sender only" message and destroy all electronic and hard copies
> > of the communication, including attachments.
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Hotmail & Messenger are available on your phone. Try now.
> > http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9724461_______________________________________________
> > List sponsored by Home Power magazine
> >
> > List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> >
> > Options & settings:
> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> >
> > List-Archive:
> > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> >
> > List rules & etiquette:
> > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> >
> > Check out participant bios:
> > www.members.re-wrenches.org
> >
> >
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
> 
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> 
> Options & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
> 
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
> 
> Check out participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
> 

 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Got a phone? Get Hotmail & Messenger for mobile!
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9724464
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20100413/add2e0ff/attachment-0004.html>