Installation of a generator for a house.

broadgage:

Sparkingchip:

If all else fails I have my Mamod steam engine and a bottle of meths.

I have generated electricity from a model steam engine ! by means of a cycle dynamo and a rubber band. It worked a couple of LED torch bulbs.

(Desite the name, cycle "dynamos" are in fact miniature alternators and produce AC) Output was about a watt or two.

Have also observed 20 watts being produced from a large dog running in a wheel, only briefly, cruel to the dog if long continued, but fine BRIEFLY.

A large kid worked as well.

An averagely unfit* person on a stationary cycle managed 100 watts, a racing cyclist managed 500 watts.


*Me.


 

I like the idea of using kids!! I have four grandchildren... I KNEW they'd come in handy, one day! ?


Cheers!

Roger Bryant:

This is 3cc petrol engine (will also run on cooking alcohol) lighting 4 bike headlamps, maybe 12 watts ?, It would probably slowly charge a phone.

https://youtu.be/Ww4ZdcA_puA

 

WOW, I'm gonna get one!!

PG:

Tomgunn:

PG:

This may be of some use (manual changeover).

I have a 5kW (5.5kW peak) petrol set. It's heavy and takes some handling but a diesel would be twice the weight/cost.

There's a limit to the amount of petrol that you can store on a domestic premis.

A standard set may not be suitable for auto start and changeover because the engine choke is manual.


Regards


164 Connection Diag Final.pdf

Morning, thanks for the info... I'll be looking, as to what would be a reliable generator... is your? 


I hadn't thought about it, before, but I love the idea of a 'propane' generator... I'll do some research on them. Wonder how they start up? Also, how long they can run for??


Many thanks for taking the time to post!!


regards... Tom

 

Sorry Tom, No experience of LPG fuelled sets. I've only used/installed the petrol fuelled, standby option on manual changeover . 

The set is a standard Hyundai HY700LEK, open frame type, Reliable starts and run. Noisy!!!! Very Noisy - but it hardly ever runs. In fact, it's never run in anger (I live in London and haven't had a power outage since I put it in). 

If you wanted a few tips then it would be best to describe how the machine would be used - 

Are you going to be out in the country, supplied from overhead lines? Is the machine for occasional back-up or base load? Is someone dependant on the machine for something like dialysis? What is the access to the generator storage area?

You won't get a meaningful recommendation without this sort of information. You would drift between a manual changeover, open frame, petrol fuelled machine to an auto start/changeover, fully silenced, diesel with pre-heating and a bill of a few thousand more.


Good luck with the move,

PG

 

Hello PG, thanks... I hope all will go well, with my move!


Basically I'd like a generator that would run the lighting / fridges / heating system so, not much wattage, really.


There are no dependents i.e; life saving requirements.


Hastings is where I'm going, (looking at two on this coming Sunday), so the power supply would / should be ok??


I live in Worcester Park, Surrey and I've had a few power cuts, over the years.


Cheers PG!! 




 

Simon Barker:

We don't have that many power cuts in Hastings - a dual redundant HV connection to the National Grid helps there.


We've had a couple of short outages in recent months.  On the first one, I'd had time to grope around to find a torch, and crawled into the meter cupboard to switch to battery power*.  Then all the lights came back again before I had the chance to hit the switch.  On the second one, I didn't even try.


*Solar and battery.  It's great if it's been sunny during the day.  If not, the battery can be flat by the time the sun has set.

Hello Simon, 


Thanks for the update!! 


I haven't been to Hastings for decades! I'm going to view two houses, on Sunday, and I'm sure they would know about power cuts as well BUT... new start and I am concerned about what may, (OR may not), be coming up in 2021 anon!!! 


If you have any info, about Hastings, then let me know... if you get the time!


regards... Tom

Chivers:
Kohler SDMO


in my Line of work i complete Electrical testing at various buildings on a Government Highway Comms Network. Most sites have Back up generators switched by an AMF Panel with Diesel Generators that kick in and switch over. They're pretty pricey! 


There's been a bit of talk at present about Hydrogen Cell Technology and it's introduction at some point. Though these sites could mostly be DC powered


 

Hi, I think that would be too costly, and beyond what I would normally do NOT, saying that I couldn't work it all out, (without too many BANGS here and there).


Thanks!

Weirdbeard:

Hi Tom, do you have a ball park figure in mind of what you might consider spending for materials and time on this project? 



 

I would think that setting it all up would / could be completed in a day or so??? 


The switch gear, (manual), seems very simple and I'm sure I can sort / iron out any problems. 


I have to be honest, here... you see I was thinking about buying a 3' x 3' bit of ply... fixing some 3" x 3" metal trunking, a third of the way up... fix a fused switch, fix a contactor plus a switched spur to energize the contactor... fix some other bits like a timer etc BUT... I can now simply fix a switch!! Haha!


Costs??? The switchover would be around £100??? A generator would be about... £1k?? Miscellaneous ~ £200???


I just feel that 2021 etc... could be a difficult period in these VERY uncertain times! I just want to make sure I'm covering my bottom!!


Good luck ~ Tom

Tomgunn:

If you have any info, about Hastings, then let me know... if you get the time!


regards... Tom

Hastings ? - I think there was a bit of unpleasantness with a few French chaps a while back  - had someones eye out, I believe


Ohhh - and I think there's an insurance company in town (which is handy if the next lot of French chaps arrive suddenly, and do a bit of damage)


Didn't that little Belgian fella have a mate from Hastings as well


Anyway, Crack on, Tom - we know where to come for a brew when the country collapses, it could be a good place to get a once used inflatable to head across the channel for supplies 


Regards


OMS