[RE-wrenches] generator suggestions

[penobscotsolar at midmaine.com]

Ray,
   With over 25 years of installing off grid PV systems I feel like
Generac is the only company I've seen who has looked at the needs
(cost,reliability, stable output, auto start, 120 VAC output) of the
small to medium size off grid PV system and designed an affordable and
so far seemingly reliable alternative to the "Big Two".  For most
customers, an extra $3700 or so for their generator isn't too much
sticker shock......

Daryl



> Hi Randy and all;
>
> I definitely like the water cooled 1800 rpm machines too, but for
> regular off grid homes, they just are way out of the budget.  We jumped
> on the inverter generator band wagon for a while, but had the same load
> issues Allan described.  (Microwave kicks the breaker, and you're
> running the genny for hours for nothing)  Many customers have turned to
> the contractor portables with equally disappointing results, but often
> they already have the genny, and we just provide an inlet box and cord.
> The Generac looks like a good idea, I wish Onan or Kohler would build
> one. Kohler used to make a 6.5 Kw that fit the one inverter household
> fairly well.
>
> Ray Walters
>
> THeOn 1/30/2013 8:55 AM, Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
> wrote:
>> Randy,
>>
>> I concur, the Cummins/Onan generators are built well and are reliable.
>> They provide a 1 year, 1000 hour warranty for off grid use when a RE
>> system is installed for primary power.
>>
>> We install lots of Magnum Energy inverters with AGS modules in
>> RV's. What sold me on the Onan's is having seen many RV generators
>> (3600, 2880 and 2400 RPM), some with several thousand hours, still
>> operating with tight frequency and voltage control, no leaks, easy
>> starting, etc.
>>
>> Larry Crutcher
>> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 30, 2013, at 7:52 AM, Randy Brooks wrote:
>>
>> Todd,
>>
>> We don't sell or install generators, but the only one I recommend for
>> permanent installations is the Cummins/Onan, 1,800 rpm, propane
>> fueled.  All others have failed early.
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> Randy Brooks
>> Brooks Solar, Inc.
>> */Solar Power for People/*
>> 140 Columbia View
>> Chelan, WA98816
>> 509-682-9646
>> Randy at BrooksSolar.com <mailto:Randy at BrooksSolar.com>
>> www.BrooksSolar.com <http://www.BrooksSolar.com/>
>
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