[RE-wrenches] propane generator

[Mac Lewis]

Hi Jay,

Although I like the Cummins units, we have a fairly weak Cummins service
dealership in our area.  I like to specify a generator that we can service
or that can be serviced locally.

 If you need 120 VAC only, many of the cheaper standby units won't work
without a transformer.  You can't rewire the stator, because the internal
control elements sense 240 VAC, instead of 120.
Most of our systems are above 8,000 feet of elevation, so we have
significant altitude derate.  We have used the Kohler 14 RESA and had good
luck with it.  It is pretty inexpensive and has an off-grid warranty (18
month, 1000 h).  Again, you can't rewire the stator on this unit.  One
thing I don't like about these units is that everything is in the
controller now, so if the $30 SCR goes out, you need to replace the $1200
controller.  I think most manufacturers are going this way on these cheaper
units.

There is also the 6 kW Ecogen from Generac.  We have installed one of
these, and I've liked it so far.  It has a built in oil-makeup kit (holds 4
qts), for clients that don't have a strong maintenance record (most of ours
don't).  These come off the shelf 120 VAC only, but is convertible to 240
VAC with a conversion kit.  It comes with a 3 y, 2000 h off-grid warranty.
I'd probably use these more often except that with 6 kW, it becomes too
small for most of our installations at elevation.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 1:24 PM, Kevin Pegg <kpegg at energyalternatives.ca>
wrote:

> Though we use Diesel mostly, some situations LPG is best and we have been
> using the Cummins / Onan Commercial Moible units for years. Many over 7,000
> hrs still running strong. Almost all are in remote auto start situations
> and have proven to be very reliable. As they are designed to hang under a
> service truck body, we fabricate a stand - with baffles for breathing
> otherwise it can overheat by drawing hot air in to cool.
> http://power.cummins.com/onanpowerWeb/navigation.do?pageId=660
>
> Kevin
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]On
> Behalf Of jay peltz
> Sent: November 20, 2014 10:11 AM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] propane generator
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> I know this has been discussed before.
> I can't seem to find the threads about propane generators.
>
> I've got a client with a Kohler 8.5 that is having problems.
> Hes looking for good quality options other than the Kohler.
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> jay
>
>
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-- 



Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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