Generators for supplying electricity to your home and business during blackouts... - diesel generator Questions

 
 



Question #1:

is it better for a diesel generator to be ran at half load?



Question #2:

Generator vs Inverter for power all day?

I am starting a business selling drinks from a ice-cream type truck. These trucks are actually empty DHL delivery trucks that I have converted over short of hooking up the machines for power. I have 4 machines each on 3 trucks and 2 machines on a cargo van. Each machine is 10 amps and need 110 volts to power them not 240. I don't know if that's start-up amperage or constant amperage. These machines are Slurpee type machines that you would see in 7/11 store or QT gas stations serving frozen drinks. I am wondering what would be the best solution to power the machines to run basically all day. The trucks are gas powered, not diesel. I am not so worried about the cost of gas to run the trucks all day if using an inverter, just trying to figure out which method would be the most sensible in providing all day power and long term usage. If I do use a generator how should I install/mount it on or in the vehicle? Also, who or where could I get them wired to do such? It seems like no one knows anything about the topic yet there are plenty of ice cream trucks and motor-homes traveling the USA which are using one or both methods, I just can't seem to find anyone who knows how or where to get it done. I asked the question before and am not getting a solid answer either way, so wanted to try again and see if someone can be a little more specific as to which source of power would be better suited. I have the room to do either in each vehicle. Also, what about back-up batteries, automatic engine start/stop switches, batteries in series/parallel, size of inverter or generator. I know I'm asking a lot but trying to get the most and best info, thanks to any who can help.

Question #3:

perkins 4.236 diesel generator won't keep steady RPM.?

I have an old diesel back up generator with a perkins detroit 4.236 4 cylinder diesel powering a 3 phase 240V Sanford 30KW brush-less generator.

the generator is failing to produce steady power because the diesel won't hold a steady RPM with load or with no load.

I have disconnected the generator from the rest of system for troubleshooting.

the generator starts and runs beautifully at first, generating proper voltage and frequency, but over the coarse of about three minutes, the rpm steadily drops until the motor dies.

I replaced the fuel filters and bled the air out of the lines, but it did not effect the problem.

I tried removing the air filter, in case it was causing restrictions, but it did not effect the problem.

I tried loosening the pressure line to each injector individually, and noticed a significant drop in RPM with each, so it does not appear to be running on three cylinders.

the generator is not new to this application, and ran for years in the current configuration without problem, nothing of note happened to this gen-set prior to the onset of the problem.

the AVR does not appear to be tied to the motor in any way or have any rpm governing ability.

I am thinking this might be a problem with the fuel pump, but would like a way to diagnose it as the problem before I replace it, unless someone who has experience with these gen-sets knows what causes this problem.

If you are not familiar with commercial diesel generators, or at least this series of Perkins Diesel, please do not respond with ball park musings.

I wish there was an old diesel mechanic out in the bush here with me.
This is an old 4 cylinder Perkins.

There is no electronic or mechanical governor like in a modern generator. There is no system that uses the rpm of the motor to control the throttle.

the only speed control is on the fuel pump. there is a throttle lever that controls the output pressure, and that's it.

the fuel pump can be shut off if there is low oil pressure, but I don't believe the low oil pressure kill solenoid is variable, it is on or off, and it is the same solenoid used to kill the engine when the key is turned off.

Question #4:

What do i need for my BRICK making business Project?

I want to start a brick/ blocks making business in africa i have the money, but lack the expertise in this . My question is what do i need in other to have a full functioning small size brick making plant? Yesterday i was charting with a supplier of brick making machinery online, he send me information of a semi-auto machine that can produce 19000 pcs/per8hr and cost about $20450. I would like to buy Diesel Generator to generate electricity for this project as i had been using this before for a juice project. But when i ask him about power consumption he said the machine is an Electric hydraulic forming system, but i do not have idea what is hydraulic oil/liquid forming system. The machine has 27kw GRS power what this mean in terms of fuel consumption? thank you for your answer.

Question #5:

Are diesel vehicles affected by solar storms?

I have a diesel truck as well as a 25,000 watt diesel standby generator for my home. I'm curious if they will be affected should a solar flare zap us. I'm not too well versed in the whole solar storm issue.

Question #6:

i am going to start one diesel generator company, can u someone tell me the very good name for that?

We are located in chennai as well as we are dealing Kirloskar, Cummins, Ashokleyland and Caterpillar diesel generator sets to do the sales and service. So kindly suggest good name....
It should be a corporate name...

Question #7:

What type of diesel engine?

Can anyone help me figure out where I can find a diesel motor that can be used in a motorcycle? Can I take the motor out of a diesel generator or should I buy a new/used one made specifically for a motorcycle?
It needs to be a diesel so I can use bio-diesel to run it, Im trying to make it as low cost as possible for the long run.

Question #8:

If a person is exposed to more than 70 Db sound level of Genset, will it trigger hyperthyroidism?

I am exposed to more than 70 Db Sound level in my bedroom due to a diesel Gen Set installed in the common parking area of the apartment for last 3 years. Average daily exposure is 3 Hrs. and many times the generator suddenly starts late in the night at any time. Will it trigger hyperthyroidism. If yes, what is the remedy for that?

Question #9:

Any recommendations for a generator for a house?

Within the past 3 weeks we've had sever storms that have caused my home to black out. I live in an area where we still have power lines above ground so I wanted to get a backup generator in case this ever happens again. I live in a house with 2 floors and a basement. It doesn't have to be top of the line. I just want a generator that can run on gas or diesel. Also i would like one to have a good run time (~12-24 hours) and is able to power my entire house. I would like a suggestion for good value generators but if you have another suggestion I might consider saving up to purchase a more expensive one if the pros really out weight the price.

Also I heard there are some generators you can set up so when your power breaker goes out you can flip a switch so it runs on generator power. I don't have a clue how to install one but don't worry I won't be installing it myself I'll hire an electrician.

Question #10:

what would make a diesel motor on a generator over rev?

i replaced the fuel tank and bled the lines but now when i start it it over revs and i have to starve the air intake to kill it. i'm afraid i'm going to blow it up if i can't fix it. much thanks duffy

Question #11:

On a large generator powered by a 6cyl. john dear diesel What would make the exciter rotor banding come loose?

I recently seperated the generator from the engine and replaced the rear main oil seal on the engine the electric generator was only moved back about 16-18 inches to access rear main seal. job went well with no problems after completeing job I turned down rpms to about 1000 rpm It was put back in service They use it to power up refer containers from the harbor. the next day I check it and they had turned up rpms to ??? as fast as it would run and 12 refer units running off it oh it's 480 volt well it ran for a week non stop and broke down and of corse it was my fault all i did was unbolt drive plate on front of rotor from flywheel of engine ..est to repair is 6,000 could this be my fault after it ran for a week or caused from hi rpms and heat related possibley

Question #12:

how can i test a generator?

i am going to buy a second hand generator which is 108kva diesel engine
how can i test it so i know it starts but also is capable of running around 80-100kva
i want to make sure it is strong and still working and not that it just starts

please help thanks

sam

Question #13:

End of the world Shelter?

How would i get people to fund a "bomb" shelter. Of course i will guarantee them a spot for them and there closest 4 family members. I want to stock it and build. I also want to have at least enough food to live for 6 months for at least 25 people. I will also want a ton of water (not literately a ton). Also some sort of water purification system, ventilation, and a diesel generator.

I only want to shovel out about 5 thousand of my own cash.
Tell me about how many people i need, how to get them. Maybe some places to get supplies.

Thank you (:

Question #14:

Running a diesel generator on water?

I've heard that you can run a car on water (I'm not talking about that 70's show I'm talking serious ideas), and I'm wondering is there anyway you could modify a diesel generator so that it creates energy by splitting the hydrogen atoms from the oxygen or however it works? I don't know much about this sort of thing so any answers that give serious info can and will help. I'm also not sure where this question should go so please forgive me. Thx Guys
great answers, with helpful leads. I'll think about biodiesel and the reasons why it won't work are very descriptive.

Question #15:

Who pays better in Afghanistan, ManTech or Honeywell? If I was going as a diesel mechanic for generators?



Question #16:

AC or DC generator for solar system?

I live in a remote location and my power bill is just ridiculously expensive -- I did the math and it seems like it'll be way cheaper for me to use my solar panel (which currently supplies DC power to a few parts of the house) and a diesel/oil/propane generator (which I have yet to purchase), and just cut off all mains power.

Question is, which of these configurations is better?

1)
-Solar panel
-DC generator
-Large battery bank
-High-wattage inverter
Result: AC power throughout the house, using both solar panel and generator to charge the batteries as needed

2)
-Solar panel
-AC generator
-Smaller battery bank (for solar panel only)
-No inverter
Result: AC power when generator running, DC power from solar panel and batteries (I use DC right now for lights and a few basic appliances so I can live without AC power)

Or should I do a combination of both, like using an inverter for the solar panel to always provide AC power?

Thanks.
Problem with solar panels is that theyre useless at night... so while i can use the power from my current panel for lighting and basic appliances, I still need more power for stuff like TV/computer use when it isn't daylight.

Question #17:

Which generator type, natural gas propane or diesel is best to power a house?

I live on an island and we only have one power company... they have taken our power away from us and because we were "stealing" power from them and would have to pay a hefty fee which we decided not to pay. we are running on a diesel generator right now but i was wondering if natural gas or propane generators are cheaper and or more efficient. ive checked the gas suppliers website for prices but it wasnt very helpfull.

I would need a generator that is about 15 kW

Question #18:

Can anyone provide me with a list of diesel generator companies?

Looking for smaller ones, all under 10kW, probably around 5kW. Easy 10pts!!!

Question #19:

synchronizing generators?

i am BSEE student, my project study is to synchronize the generator of an hospital, it have a one 313KVA standby-power diesel gen.,and three 100kva transformer.The generator system is operated manually and no ATS or UPS. one more new building is being build so the transformer will be upgrade to a higher vale.
1)what is the new gen. to be buy?(rating, etc.)
2)how i can connect the new gen. to the old gen.?
3)what is the controller so when the new gen. attains its full load the old gen. will start.

These is my title: To synchronize the generator system of the ____ Hospital.
Anyone have a good title?
Thanks.

Question #20:

What oil should I use on a diesel electric generator?

Hi.

My diesel electric generator has a sticker that says "Change oil every 100hrs. Use 10w-30 grade CC." But I can't find this oil anywhere. The closest I have found are 10w-30 Mobil1 synthetic oil (API SM/CF) and 15w-40 Pennzoil gold (with diesel protection, API CJ, CI, CF etc. /SM). Which one should I use?

Thanks!





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