Generator questions.

[drb007]

My dad is shopping for a generator, and I thought you all could help.
He has a farm (retired, no animals) with 150 acres. He has three houses on the property. My parents live in the big house, rent out the next largest, and use the third for storage. The third house is left unheated in the winter. He has a small heated shop, a BIG barn, and a smaller 100 year old barn that he is converting to his dream wood shop. It will be heated soon.
The houses all share a well/pump.
He wants to put a generator in the big barn, sheltered, that he can use during power outages. He doesn't need to be able to power everything, but certainly the houses and the well pump. His electrician told him 5000 watts should give him more than enough.
So here's where we need advice.
Portable or stationary? He also has a barn across the road (on another 40 acres). Never had the need, but would it be nice to have a portable generator to bring over there? I doubt it...
New unit from China/taiwan for $800 or a used 7500 watt American made (I think he said it was an Onan?) unit?
Oh, and he will likely run it on LP, as there is no natural gas out there.
Advice?

 

[HOTFR8]

Plenty of topics about this in the electrical section of the forum specialy after the storm Sandy.

 

[CNGsaves]

With all the multiple buildings, etc. and size of property, I'd sure recommend a mobile generator on small trailer that could be moved around as needed, and actually would be used to keep it exercised (ie run it once a month and keep fresh fuel in it). If you're committing to LP as fuel, will there be enough fuel available to cover extended outage?

Also, FIRST thing you'll want to do is Size the generator for power demands that will need ran during power outages. Things like air compressors, air conditioners, large shop equipment (especially 3 phase) are big draws and could trip the main breaker on genset. Cheap Chinese generators have optimistic kilowat ratings so I'd recommend 7,500 watt as likely size you might want (at minimum).

Alternative could be an air-cooled used military genset like the MEP-002a that run on diesel. They are rock solid and run forever and handle Kw loads well beyond their rating. The MEP-002a is 5 Kw and the next larger is MEP-003a 10 Kw - - FYI MEP stands for mobile electric power. These have two 12 volt batteries that you'll have to keep charged up and diesel fuel keeps for long periods of time, but may need additive for cold periods in winter to prevent gel effect. Check Ebay and CL for prices if these might suit your needs. Good luck!

 

[Burtonrider10022]

The big plus of a stationary unit is the automatic transfer switch. If you're out of town, fast asleep, or the weather is extreme the genny will come on automatically and you don't need to worry about it. Most will also start themselves regularly for "exercise" as well. There is still some maintenance, such as oil changes, winterizing, air filters, and a few other things, just like a car, but less frequent.

 

[drb007]

I agree the stationary unit is more appealing for the "auto-on" feature. The idea is to have it inside the barn, right where the power pole is. The main power for the whole farm comes in at that hub, so it would be easy to hook it up to run the important lines. He won't need his three phase during an outage, but the AC, heat, water, etc should stay on.

 

[nehog]

There are too many unknowns for a good answer. Does each house/building have their own meter? Next, look at the last 12 months electric bill and figure your average usage and compute your peak usages. (Use black magic math--fudge and realize that peak usage is usually in the evenings if no AC.)

Personally I'd go with fixed, but it gets very complex fast if you want automatic starting. For that reason you probably should get a local professional involved so that you don't make a few costly mistakes.

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are too many unknowns for a good answer. Does each house/building have their own meter?

This is key to any solution !

Can't recommend anything until this is known.

 

[madosta]

Diesel tractor?

I like PTO generators with an available tractor.

Something like this or you can go bigger of course.

 

[drb007]

As stated, the electrician recommended a 5000w unit...dad is looking at a 7500w unit. The houses are on their own meters. The electrician says the generator can be hooked up to run all three.
I guess the big question is new Chinataiwan unit or used USA unit?

 

[ishiboo]

I would hit Craigslist for a used larger LP generator. LP keeps forever.

Before I had LP, someone was selling brand new Generac 3500W LP generators which were takeouts from RVs for $350 a piece... upset I missed that as I'd have a couple of them around

I would go larger than 5000W, especially since you said the AC/etc. should stay on. If there's a basement you will also want to run a sump pump as power outages typically happen during our wonderful weather.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

As stated, the electrician recommended a 5000w unit...dad is looking at a 7500w unit. The houses are on their own meters. The electrician says the generator can be hooked up to run all three.
I guess the big question is new Chinataiwan unit or used USA unit?

Correct me if I'm not understanding your scenario- but if each of your buildings has a separate PoCo service drop, then hooking up all 3 buildings to one generator @ the same time will be very complicated and costly. A manual setup would have to have an inter-lock kit installed on each service main as well as a breaker back fed by the generator, and wire run from the building where the generator will be plugged in. And if you want automatic transfer, then you would have to have an ATS @ each meter main!

Portable would be way easier in this scenario....

 

[Milton Shaw]

Since he is on a farm you might want to look at generator welders for portable use. Something like the Miller bobcats or Trailblazers. There is always welding work to be done around the farm and the newer ones have 10,000 watts or more depending on model. It would get a whole lot more use on most farms as a welder instead of just sitting there as a generator only.

 

[theoldwizard1]

As stated, the electrician recommended a 5000w unit...dad is looking at a 7500w unit. The houses are on their own meters. The electrician says the generator can be hooked up to run all three.

I guess it could be done, but I would want a "second opinion" on the plans !

At least make certain the electrician is pulling a permit and make sure the county inspects it !!

I guess the big question is new Chinataiwan unit or used USA unit?[/QUOTE]
Get a Briggs & Starton, Generac or Honda. These will likely have some foriegn parts, but at least you can buy parts for them !

 

[mobiledynamics]

Get a Briggs & Starton, Generac or Honda. These will likely have some foriegn parts, but at least you can buy parts for them ![/QUOTE]

I would check parts against the list you are looking at.
I recall reading someone buying a Generac contractor style genset, and when he checked the list *2 weeks* later, the parts that he confirmed were available as parts were now EOL. This is on a new Generac 5500 or 7500....

 

[CNGsaves]

Curious if gameplan came together on this? [ie with goal of powering 3 separate locations all with own power feed/meter, tying these together (even if aerial) will be expensive for multiple automatic transfer switches]

What is overall quote so far from this electrician who recommended that 5Kw generator could handle everything?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yup, I'm curious too!

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Personally I would stay away from Generac. I have had many a frustration tracking down parts for customers. I would consider Onan for your operation. Onan has dealers all over N. America and parts are easier to get. However, if money is not a problem, find a Kubota dealer and get a Kubota genset package. A simple controller can be built using Dynagen ES52, link, www.dynagen.ca/originalwebsite/products/es50.htm. I have a few customers that have these in primary power installs and they last. Definately use a electrician to pull permit and install transfer switch. I am a big fan of TTI transfer switchs.

 

[cj7365]

Hmmmm, if he lives in the US and buys a US made Generator I would find it kind of hard to believe that it would be hard to find parts on a generator that is made in the US