[RE-wrenches] Question on Back up generators

[Dana]

"If" the utility is out the back up is OK. For a Tier 4 generator to be used on "offgrid" application yes the fine is $39,000 per day see the EPA CFR section 40. This is how it was explained to me by my ONAN rep. They are so concerned that they ask as to the use on each sale now. Please check with your generator reps as to this issue.
For short periods of utility power out higher pollution levels are allowed and for off grid which as he quoted the solar "fails" at sunset each day per the EPA, this is not allowed and the generator need to be a cleaner running unit. However there is a CI cubic in displacement that allows the 13 KW sized engines and under to be exempt for off grid. That’s fine but why is there only 3600 RPM air cooled available when a slower 1200-1800 rpm would last longer, run quieter, and use less fuel?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dana Orzel 
Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136
E - dana at solarwork.com  - Web - solarwork.com 
O - 970.626.5253  C - 208.721.7003
"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  
 Please consider the environment before printing this email.



-----Original Message-----
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2015 8:18 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Question on Back up generators

you wrote:

The Penalty - If you get caught running a “standby power only” generator the fine is now $39,000 per day!

....you are allowed 100 hours of run time for standby power and maintenance per year.
***************************************************************
Can this really be true? Is there any clarification on this? Does this mean that if a residence that was in a blackout that lasted a week ran the generator the entire time, which would be three days or running over the
100 hour mark, the owner could be fined $117,000?

We had a 10 day blackout a few years back. With this scenario, everyone in our village who ran generators would have lost their houses.



>>
>>
>> I just got off of a phone call with my Onan generator supplier. Last 
>> conversation with Kohler was the same story basically.
>>
>>
>>
>> I was informed that their smallest water cooled generator, the RS22 
>> (22
>> KW) is now no longer “rated “for off grid. They actually called 
>> me to confirm that this generator was for backup power to a utility 
>> inter connected house. Tier 4 generators in the EPA CFR 40 is the 
>> Federal code what covers this, & you are allowed 100 hours of run 
>> time for standby power and maintenance per year.
>>
>> Q - Why am I using ridiculous sized generators for something that an
>> 82-8300 watt generator does just fine?
>>
>> A - The EPA current requirements, a shrinking economy, & 
>> manufacturers that have to meet very expensive air quality compliance.
>>
>> The Penalty - If you get caught running a “standby power only” 
>> generator the fine is now $39,000 per day!
>>
>> Now I am far from a polluting kind of individual and all for air 
>> quality but this is getting the best of us. The 13KW air cooled 
>> generators are only good for 2000 hours, & the water cooled go 20 
>> years of moderate usage but cost a boat load. I hate having the 
>> “Generator” talk with a new client they look at me like I am 
>> crazy. So the air cooled units are basically throwaways and the 22KW 
>> units are way more than we need and what a client needs to spend 
>> money on, unless you are at 10,000 ft el.
>>
>>
>>
>> If you figure 30 amps/120 VAC input per inverter +/- x 2 = 7.2KW plus 
>> say 10-15% fudge or elevation factors would require an 8200-8300 watt 
>> generator. Air cooled at 3600 RPM = 80 MPH & 1800 RPM = 40 MPH.  Even 
>> if the generator were a bit smaller, ran slow (1200-1800 rpm) and ran 
>> a bit longer that would be acceptable.
>>
>> So, why are we installing even 13KW air cooled or 22 KW water 
>> generators?
>>
>> There is a business opportunity here folks.
>>
>>
>>
>> What are you all installing?
>>
>> Why?
>>
>> Is it reliable?
>>
>> Would you use it on your house?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for sharing all the wisdom and knowledge.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> -------
>>
>> *Dana Orzel*
>>
>> *Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136*
>>
>> *E* - dana at solarwork.com  - *Web* - solarwork.com
>>
>> *O* - 970.626.5253  *C *- 208.721.7003 - No FAX Line
>>
>> *"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  *
>>
>> *P* Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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