[RE-wrenches] generator search

Tue Apr 10 13:47:39 EDT 2018

My experiences were mostly with Kohler and Generac water cooled models.=C2=
=A0=20
I had not heard about low temperature lockout.=C2=A0 I would probably disab=
le=20
that or use a generator without. Cars have essentially the same type of=20
engine, and they do not need preheating except in extreme conditions.=20
How long does the heater take to bring the temp up?=C2=A0 I would consider =

putting it on a prestart relay, so that it started preheating it only=20
when the system was getting close to needing the generator.

Ray

On 4/9/18 9:18 PM, Kienan Maxfield wrote:
> Ray,
>
> That's not going to work for the Cummins RS water-cooled generators=20
> without some hacking. The water cooled models do use an antifreeze=20
> mixture so they can withstand temperatures down to -50=C2=B0F without a=20
> heater, but they have a circuit that prevents the generator from even=20
> trying to start if the coolant is below a certain temperature. I don't=20
> remember what that temperature is but I know on mine its above 20=C2=B0 F=
.=20
> The air-cooled generators only use a small heater in the engine oil=20
> reservoir=C2=A0and there's an optional one under the battery. I know that=
=20
> the air-cooled models can start in colder temperatures without a=20
> heater than the water-cooled models. It is strongly recommended by=20
> Cummins to use the oil heater in the air-cooled models if the=20
> generator will get below 0=C2=B0F, but the local techs recommend it for=20
> 15=C2=B0F and below because the generators start easier if the oil is abo=
ve=20
> 15=C2=B0F. I've read that it also affects the overall longevity of the en=
gine.
>
> I live off-grid up in the mountains, and most of my customers are=20
> off-grid up in the mountains. I agree that this is far from ideal. If=20
> the generator could be installed in an underground bunker where it=20
> doesn't freeze, that would be nice. I just have to write it off as the=20
> cost of having a backup power source ready and waiting=C2=A0when it matte=
rs=20
> the most... when it's crazy cold outside.
>
> Thanks,
> Kienan
> **
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> on=20
> behalf of Ray <ray at solarray.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, April 9, 2018 7:14 PM
> *To:* re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] generator search
>
> =C2=A0 We've had gen sets at 11,000 ft and way below zero start on propan=
e=20
> for decades without using the block or water heaters. Ridiculous=20
> electric heating loads on the other hand are a very bad idea off=20
> grid.=C2=A0 Just make sure the propane supply lines are large enough so t=
he=20
> pressure regulator doesn't freeze up.
>
> Ray Walters
>
> Remote Solar
>
>
> On 4/9/18 2:46 PM, Michael Morningstar wrote:
>> Yes, the Cummins technician that commissions our generators insists=20
>> that locations with consistent low=E2=80=99s below 15F require the coola=
nt=20
>> heater. All but two of my installs(outdoor) have omitted connecting=20
>> the heater, and have seen some brief sub-0 temperatures but generally=20
>> average mid-30s. One of the two that does have the heater connected,=20
>> is located at a high elevation telecom site, and when I serviced the=20
>> system after not being there for a couple of winters, it was found=20
>> that someone had shut off both the battery charger circuit and the=20
>> coolant heater circuit and the generator didn=E2=80=99t seem worse for t=
he=20
>> wear, and no coolant temp codes were thrown.
>>
>>> On Apr 9, 2018, at 1:14 PM, David Katz <dkatz at backwoodssolar.com=20
>>> <mailto:dkatz at backwoodssolar.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Check to see if it has a 120 vac requirement to float the battery.=20
>>> The 20 kw one I have has a big electrical drain
>>> David
>>>
>>> On Mon, Apr 9, 2018 at 11:50 AM jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com=20
>>> <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     HI All,
>>>
>>>     I=E2=80=99ve got a new project wanting a 22-25kw single phase 120/2=
40vac
>>>     water cooled propane sound attenuated generator for an off grid
>>>     situation. I=E2=80=99m not going to be
>>>     With AGS activation.
>>>
>>>     I=E2=80=9Dve been looking at the Kohler 24 RCL ( meets all the above
>>>     criteria) but I=E2=80=99m checking to see if I can get it to work w=
ith 2
>>>     wire AGS.
>>>
>>>     Onan also has one as well.
>>>
>>>     Are there any other make/models that people would recommend or
>>>     would caution me against?
>>>
>>>     Thanks
>>>
>>>     jay
>>>
>>>     peltz power
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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