[RE-wrenches] Off-grid generator update?

[Ray Walters]

FYI,  generally we haven't had cold start issues with propane units, as 
long as the pipe is sized properly ( as mentioned in another recent 
post) and the starter battery is kept fully charged.
This is based on about 20 years experience in the Rockies with temps 
below 0, but not 40 below.  We don't use block heaters, carb heaters, etc.
We currently have been using Generac Ecogen, but not that happy with 
them. Cheap air cooled motor, way too many computer gizmos, no on board 
charging (must have AC power or PV to charge the starting battery)  We 
even had to call customer service to get an authorization code to set up 
remote start.  This is off grid with no internet or cell service; 
ridiculous.  I hope Generac reps are lurking here, because these are 
really not much better than the crop of stand by generators.
  IMO  no off grid generator should have a phantom load, or require cell 
service to commission.  What happened to the old water cooled Kohlers?

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 4/28/2016 11:17 AM, Jeremy Rodriguez wrote:
> Check out Gillette generators. Made in Indiana
> 12.5 kW w Subaru
>
> Jeremy Rodriguez
> Solar Installation And Design Expert
> All Solar, Inc.
> 1463 M St
> Penrose Colorado 81240
>
> Sent by Jeremy's iPhone. Sorry for typos and shorthand!
>
> On Apr 28, 2016, at 10:20 AM, Lena Wilensky <lena at nunatakenergy.com 
> <mailto:lena at nunatakenergy.com>> wrote:
>
>> I did some searches on the list for what folks are doing for off-grid 
>> propane generators these days, but all the threads I found were from 
>> 5-6 yrs ago, so I was hoping to get some more current info.
>>
>> We're looking for about a 10kw+ propane unit (big derate at 
>> altitude), and we run into 2 main problem areas:
>>
>> First is the warranty - either there are no units warranteed for 
>> off-grid use, or there are only a couple of models and the warranty 
>> is short (1 year).
>>
>> Second, and perhaps larger, is all the loads that now come with the 
>> "off-grid" units.  The computer takes some, but mostly the "cold 
>> weather kit" aka carb heater must be installed in our climate (to 
>> actually start, but also for warrantee), and it's set up to be on a 
>> thermostat (read: "on all the time from Nov-April" here in the 
>> mountains). According to the Kohler tech support it takes a steady 
>> 50W. We have set up older units to do battery charge only during the 
>> day, and have the carb heater on a manual switch, but it sounds like 
>> we can't really get at these circuits anymore since they're all 
>> pre-configured and pre-wired in the guts of the genset computer.
>>
>> The Kohler and Onan support folks said both these issues are due to 
>> EPA considering off-grid use as prime power as opposed to standby, so 
>> they are held to tougher emissions standards.
>>
>> Whatever the reasons, we're wondering what people are actually doing 
>> these days - still the standby units they kind-of warrantee for 
>> off-grid? 12RES from Kohler and the 13kw unit from Onan?  Generac?  
>> Have folks been going back to the smaller gas units from Honda and 
>> running them more?  And how are cold climate folks dealing with the 
>> heating issue?
>>
>> Any suggestions appreciated!
>>
>> Lena Wilensky
>>
>> www.nunatakenergy.com <http://www.nunatakenergy.com>
>> 970-642-5554
>> NABCEP Certified PV Installer:
>> Cert. #R02907-17
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
>> <mailto:RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>
>> List-Archive: 
>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>>
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm 
>> <http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm>
>>
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org>
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change listserver email address & settings:
> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html
>
> List rules & etiquette:
> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
> Check out or update participant bios:
> www.members.re-wrenches.org
>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20160428/58d86b27/attachment-0002.html>