DIESEL GENERATOR, (as your primary power source)

[Balance]

I used a Cat 45K Diesel to power a large construction site for 8 months and wanted to offer some observations.

Diesels are notoriously cranky. The Cat service guy had to come out 4 times in 8 months, in additoin to the regular PM of every 500 hours. If you run out of diesel, it is very hard to get the genny to restart without ether. In addition to the initial cost of the genny, you are going to have to buy a service plan from the dealer. You can't find generator parts and filters at Wal-mart or Autozone.

If you are growing and your odor protection goes down, the service guy is gonna know, ouch. The only way to combat this is to buy two generators, one always on standby. This is also necessary because during preventative maintenance the genny has to be turned off.

With these additional costs I'm not surprised we don't see successful generator grows. And no, I don't think you could ever recoup the losses from a "throw away" strategy. What if you had to buy multiple gennys just to finish your grow? However, I'd love to see someone do it, just won't be me.

 

[Kwigybo]

I used a Cat 45K Diesel to power a large construction site for 8 months and wanted to offer some observations.

Diesels are notoriously cranky. The Cat service guy had to come out 4 times in 8 months, in additoin to the regular PM of every 500 hours.

But to be fair, electrical needs on a job site that requires a 45k generator, would be extremely variable wouldn't you say?

If you are growing and your odor protection goes down, the service guy is gonna know, ouch. The only way to combat this is to buy two generators, one always on standby. This is also necessary because during preventative maintenance the genny has to be turned off.

If one cannot manage odour control, one is in over one's head in the first place.

With these additional costs I'm not surprised we don't see successful generator grows.

We don't see them because who the heck would go around telling other people they have 200k worth of weed growing? I wouldn't tell a soul. These people, these professionals, I dare say are not interested in learning techniques or sharing with strangers. As member Charles Xavier put it, commercial growers don't learn $h*t on forums. Here's one for you - http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/3268.html

And no, I don't think you could ever recoup the losses from a "throw away" strategy. What if you had to buy multiple gennys just to finish your grow? However, I'd love to see someone do it, just won't be me.

The amount of weed you can grow still greatly outweighs the cost of even two generators and fuel. Do the math.

 

[Balance]

But to be fair, electrical needs on a job site that requires a 45k generator, would be extremely variable wouldn't you say?

Variability of the electrical load has absolutely no bearing on complex machinery breaking down and needing repairs. In fact with less load, there's less likelyhood of malfunction. Not sure where you're going with that at all.

If one cannot manage odour control, one is in over one's head in the first place

Odor control MUST have electricity to operate. If your genny takes a dump, you don't have odor control. Thus my recommendation for two generators if you ever want to make this work.

Here's one for you - http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/3268.html

This link shows NO generator grow whatsoever. The article cleary states to circumvent BC Hydro, all their grows steal power from the power company.

The amount of weed you can grow still greatly outweighs the cost of even two generators and fuel. Do the math.

Please, prove me wrong. I'd love to see the math.

 

[Aeroguerilla]

if you guys want a real generator go get the john deere 60kw made to run 24hrs a day. hook up a big 500gal tank and your good to go for 2 weeks until next fill. thats at 3/4 load so 45kw on 1 generator. hahah this thread should b closed you dudes are giving away all my ideas!!!

 

[Aeroguerilla]

you can put those silenced generators into garages and pipe the exahaust out. my buddy runs off grid and you cant here the gen until your at his front step. ALSO THE JOHN DEERE 60KW COMES ON A 2AXLE TRAILER WITH OPTIONAL 500GAL TANK. SO IF IT BROKE ALL U GOTTA DO IS DRIVE TO GO GET REPAIRED. NO BIG DEAL.

 

[Kwigybo]

Variability of the electrical load has absolutely no bearing on complex machinery breaking down and needing repairs. In fact with less load, there's less likelyhood of malfunction. Not sure where you're going with that at all.

Are you telling me there would be no difference between a constant, consistent load, and an extremely varied one that would be expected from the use of power tools?

Odor control MUST have electricity to operate. If your genny takes a dump, you don't have odor control. Thus my recommendation for two generators if you ever want to make this work.

Doesn't mean one must have a second generator. Odour control for a short period during repairs could be powered by either battery or the grid without suspicion.

This link shows NO generator grow whatsoever. The article cleary states to circumvent BC Hydro, all their grows steal power from the power company.

Nonsense. Where does it say "all" their grows use stolen power?

"In rural locations, or when houses have basements or other secure spaces that can be insulated, soundproofed, and vented, commercial growers install power generators that use propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel.

A generator that can supply enough power to support a 50-light grow room has to put out about 80 kilowatts of power; a quality used generator with this capacity costs about $25,000. Generators generate ongoing costs, logistical concerns, and safety concerns due to fuel purchases, fuel transport, generator noise, and fire danger.

Hardcore says growers who intend to use a generator should buy one that shuts down if there is low fuel oil or if the "hertz cycle" or voltage is too high or low. He recommends outfitting the device with a noise-dampening muffler. The best type of generator engine, according to Hardcore, is an overhead valve engine with cast iron sleeves in the cylinders."

Why would he have, more than common, as they say, knowledge of generators if he'd never used them?

Please, prove me wrong. I'd love to see the math.

Prove you wrong? How much weed do you think one can grow with say, a 10kw generator? I suppose it's a flawed question given that we obviously come from different places with vastly different prices in both equipment and product.

 

[KongoBam]

Genny Questions!

Genny Questions!

I've tried to read all 20 pages and came to the conclusion that i should just ask y questions.
House is 5600 sqft and is perfect for a grow room!!

I just bought a house with a hidden basement that has 2 20x20 room. All walls are 2 feet thick concrete.

I have a small 10x10 area i could put a 45kw genny but im worried about exhaust. Noise isnt a proble, just the exhaust. Do they make filters? or something to hide the smell? if i pipe it outside the house?

the pic shows one side of one room and the walls are insulated with foam. (Forming Foam Blocks)

 

[Dr. Buddington]

You will die if the exhaust isnt piped outside. I'm sure you could use the same plastic pipe as they use for furnace exhausts, since it would be easier to put in place. Are you planning to put the genny in the basement? How will you get the genny down there? and how will you supply the fuel?

 

[KongoBam]

Thanks for the response. I just dont know if the genny will run properly with 30 feet of exhaust pipe.

I have a 500 gallon tank i can get filled once every couple months. 12 gallons a day is what i would burn running 30 lights. Basement is under a 3 car garage and there is a big door in the garage floor that you could use an engine hanger to lower it down. i can get a forklift to get it into the garage though.

I just dont want to ruin the genny because it has an exhaust pipe.

 

[tonto]

^ you going to do a diary?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

 

[Dr.TomAdams]

I'm thinking of more of the lines of a LP or NG unit. I'm having a house built most likely next year at new location. I'm having the house setup for LP, most likely. I'll just tap into the house LP line. Here's the unit i'm thinking about buying. It run's @ 1800RPM, and not higher RPM's like the others.

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200310665_200310665.htm

I think these newer units do prety well on fuel comsumption. I'm sure someone should que in here and let us know.
Take care

nice

 

[dankcheefa]

Inverters, Batteries

Inverters, Batteries

Genverter system, is the use of a generator, gas, diesel, propane, electric, to make power. once the power is made you store it on your battery bank. when you need power the inverter converts the power in the battery bank from dc to ac. if your running lights and other sensitive loads your going to want to go with a pure sine inverter.
the main purpose of this system is you cannot wet stack your generator ever! you cut down your generator run time from all day or 12 hours a day, to running only 3 hours every 3 days to keep the batteries charged. that means less diesel to run, less oil changes, less run time and noise. its alot smarter than stealing power!

​

The MS-AE Series Inverter/Charger from Magnum Energy is a pure sinewave inverter... check them out there pretty basic i hooked mine up in less than a day.

 

[trueblu8]

the main purpose of this system is you cannot wet stack your generator ever! you cut down your generator run time from all day or 12 hours a day, to running only 3 hours every 3 days to keep the batteries charged. that means less diesel to run, less oil changes, less run time and noise. its alot smarter than stealing power!

That's awesome. I'm going to check these out.

 

[Lazyman]

Here's the thing with bateries, for every 1KW in load, you need 33 X 12V 104AH batteries to run it for 12 hours. So a ten-light op would need 330 batteries (yikes) and a 50-light op would need over 1500 batteries! They need to be replaced every 2 years as well.

Here is a good calculator to figure out your battery needs:

http://www.bdbatteries.com/acdcsolar.php

 

[trueblu8]

Holy smokes. Yeah I was wondering about that.

 

[dtfsux]

Those batteries are only $265 each BTW. So a 10 light op would only be around 90K in batteries. A 50 light op would be 400K in batteries.


FAR better ways to spend money !!!!

 

[trueblu8]

:jawdrop:

 

[dankcheefa]

lazyman

lazyman

it depends on what volt batteries you use. take a look at 2v-6v deep cycle batteries. you wouldn't need nearly that many batteries.
heres an example of what im saying..
for a ten kw op i would power it with a 20kw diesel gen, i would then get a ten kw pure sine wave inverter. then i would get 12 2v deep cycle batteries. the way it works is your battery bank holds a certain kwh. you want your bank to hold enough power to keep your lights on for three days without being recharged. when you battery bank gets below 35-50% charge you fire up your generator. when you see that your batteries are at 85% charge you shut off you gen.
this system is just a way to make your gen a lot more effiecent.

 

[dankcheefa]

also another thing about cost of stuff you get what you pay for, but i will say that the post about 100,000$ in batteries made me laugh my ass off! in no way shape or form would that be a smart investment. but google "genverter" and tell me what you think about it and ill shut up about it.

 

[dankcheefa]

alright i did a little research and i put together some numbers for the system above. brand new 20kw generator 20000$, ten kw inverter/charger 7000$, 12 2v batteries 4800$ so yes its a little pricey but doable.