[RE-wrenches] Off-grid generator update?

[Ray Walters]

I haven't seen anything from them that looks like what we're after We'd 
be looking for 10kW to 15 kW  water cooled 1800 rpm. Propane fired.
Everyone makes models in the 30kW + range that fit the bill, but most 
off grid systems don't need anything that big.
Do you have a model that I should be looking at?

Thanks,

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

On 4/28/2016 5:00 PM, jerrysgarage01 wrote:
> Have you looked at Cummins,  we have have great luck and no 
> programming issues but battery charging needs to be added foroff grid
> Jerry
>
>
> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Ray Walters
> Date:04/28/2016 7:28 AM (GMT-10:00)
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Off-grid generator update?
>
> 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> 
>> 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
>>>
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