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DIesel Generators
- Thread starter whodi
- Start date
Yamata Kenso
Member
the ones with electric starter can be switched, dunno if there is such kind of switch on the market but if there isn't you cand make your own
I dont udnerstand how you do maintenance on them if they are running 24/7
here is an average maintenace schedule for a 30kw diesel genny:
Replace Oil Filter 500 hours
Replace Fuel Filter 500 hours
Replace Air Filter 500 Hours
Replace Engine Coolant 500 Hours
Change Oil 500 hours
Clean Fuel Injector 250 Hours
Adjust Valve Clearance 250 Hours
here is an average maintenace schedule for a 30kw diesel genny:
Replace Oil Filter 500 hours
Replace Fuel Filter 500 hours
Replace Air Filter 500 Hours
Replace Engine Coolant 500 Hours
Change Oil 500 hours
Clean Fuel Injector 250 Hours
Adjust Valve Clearance 250 Hours
You could run your lights off the mains while you service, or a spare/hire genny.
My bro lives off grid (he doesn't grow by the way, there is just no grid) and has a wicked setup. He's a diesel mechanic specializing in generators. He runs mostly off solar, but yes you can do what you were asking about. He has this computer box on the wall which controls the solar and huge diesel genny backup. He can program when the gen comes on and goes off. When I was there last I think he had it set so the gen comes on when the solar batteries run down to x%, and it charges the batteries. It's impressive stuff. He can look at the stats of both systems in excel spreadsheets and blah blah blah etc.
Hoping to catch up with him this weekend so I'll try to remember to ask him the name of the "box", but I remember him saying it cost like, 10 or 20 G's. Plus you can forget about installing it yourself, although there's probably much simpler ways to do it anyway. By all means PM me if I don't get back here, and you want the name of this thing. I don't always check this forum.
My bro lives off grid (he doesn't grow by the way, there is just no grid) and has a wicked setup. He's a diesel mechanic specializing in generators. He runs mostly off solar, but yes you can do what you were asking about. He has this computer box on the wall which controls the solar and huge diesel genny backup. He can program when the gen comes on and goes off. When I was there last I think he had it set so the gen comes on when the solar batteries run down to x%, and it charges the batteries. It's impressive stuff. He can look at the stats of both systems in excel spreadsheets and blah blah blah etc.
Hoping to catch up with him this weekend so I'll try to remember to ask him the name of the "box", but I remember him saying it cost like, 10 or 20 G's. Plus you can forget about installing it yourself, although there's probably much simpler ways to do it anyway. By all means PM me if I don't get back here, and you want the name of this thing. I don't always check this forum.
raygun
Active member
Don't know a thing about what I'm about to say but seems logical.
Splice a timer on before the power to the genset and when the timer turns the power off to the gen switch, the genset should think the power is out and kick on.
disclaimer: IM NOT AN ELECTRICION
HAHA...that's fuggin awesome man...Thanks for even thinking that out bro.
I did do some research on the subject matter for GP aand it's like Randude said, there's a relay/timer option for my setup if I actually needed it.
Mines a 10k/kwh.....runs slightly more than the basic necessities if needed
I was just working it out in my head, like you were, for the OP...
Peace
E
Eminem
I think most gennies above 10-15KW have an autostart option.
I do believe its more efficient to run 24/7 versus just 12/7. One option is to have the genny running a portion of each room, 50,60, or 80% of the room. Then the remainder could be run on the grid. Just install an extra sub panel and have most of your lights off that panel, and use the genny to power it. Using a timer and contactors, it would be easy.
Advantage is if the genny fails, you still keep your light schedule. Same thing for maintenance. If the grid goes down, the genny is running the majority anyway
Running a genny that size is no easy task. I have thought it out and decided not to. You have to hide the genny, exhasut, heat, noise, etc. then refuel it. To me it created more of a liability, then a high electric bill
I do believe its more efficient to run 24/7 versus just 12/7. One option is to have the genny running a portion of each room, 50,60, or 80% of the room. Then the remainder could be run on the grid. Just install an extra sub panel and have most of your lights off that panel, and use the genny to power it. Using a timer and contactors, it would be easy.
Advantage is if the genny fails, you still keep your light schedule. Same thing for maintenance. If the grid goes down, the genny is running the majority anyway
Running a genny that size is no easy task. I have thought it out and decided not to. You have to hide the genny, exhasut, heat, noise, etc. then refuel it. To me it created more of a liability, then a high electric bill
ya 2 wire auto or w/e is what i need to allow the genny to start/stop on a timer i believe.
24/7 would be nice but I think I would rather use 2 generators for that. I was thinking 12/12 for now off of one. 30kw john deere using bout 20kw at a time. 1.6 gallons hour
I can get a good spot for a genny and handle the fuel no problem.. i just wonder how much a brand new john deere would break down or how often you would need to replace parts. ANd changing oil/filters is no prob but what all is involved in cleaning a fuel injector and adjust valve clearence? Uou have to do that every 250 hours..
24/7 would be nice but I think I would rather use 2 generators for that. I was thinking 12/12 for now off of one. 30kw john deere using bout 20kw at a time. 1.6 gallons hour
I can get a good spot for a genny and handle the fuel no problem.. i just wonder how much a brand new john deere would break down or how often you would need to replace parts. ANd changing oil/filters is no prob but what all is involved in cleaning a fuel injector and adjust valve clearence? Uou have to do that every 250 hours..
To reply to the dude who suggested running the generator 24/7 and flipping between 2 rooms... I just built a "flip flop" relay- Im running 4 600W lamps off of 2 electronic ballasts. I'm not off the grid or anything, I just did it to use my equipment more efficiently ad my setup was divided into two rooms anyway so it just worked out. Plus, I'd rather not have $600 worth of ballasts just sitting there 50% of the time.
It really wasn't that hard to build. I got a DPDT (double pole, double throw) relay for $30, four Sun system female lamp cord receptacles (to plug in the four hoods), two Sun System male lamp cord plugs (to plug into the two ballasts) and an 8"x8"x4" metal box to put it in. I hooked up a digital timer to run the coil in the relay on 12 hours, off 12 hours. (make sure you buy a relay with a 120VAC coil, they come in 12VDC, 24VDC, 24VAC, 240VAC, etc) It works like a charm. No problems whatsoever.
The reason why I built one and didn't just buy it is because the lady at the grow store said people were having problems with the one they sell and kept returning them. Forgot what brand it was. She also said I was basically being stupid for wanting to run my ballasts 24/7 because they will wear out faster blah blah blah blah.... Of course she just wanted to sell me two more expensive electronic ballasts. I can include detailed instructions and diagrams if anyone wants.
It really wasn't that hard to build. I got a DPDT (double pole, double throw) relay for $30, four Sun system female lamp cord receptacles (to plug in the four hoods), two Sun System male lamp cord plugs (to plug into the two ballasts) and an 8"x8"x4" metal box to put it in. I hooked up a digital timer to run the coil in the relay on 12 hours, off 12 hours. (make sure you buy a relay with a 120VAC coil, they come in 12VDC, 24VDC, 24VAC, 240VAC, etc) It works like a charm. No problems whatsoever.
The reason why I built one and didn't just buy it is because the lady at the grow store said people were having problems with the one they sell and kept returning them. Forgot what brand it was. She also said I was basically being stupid for wanting to run my ballasts 24/7 because they will wear out faster blah blah blah blah.... Of course she just wanted to sell me two more expensive electronic ballasts. I can include detailed instructions and diagrams if anyone wants.
