I'm doing some more planning for a future off grid home. Rather than invest in more battery storage to cope with some intermittent high power usage (welding and other workshop machinery for example) I'd rather just start a generator. I already have a petrol Honda Eu20i (2kVA) but this will be too small. I'd guess 6kVA peak power would be sufficient.
So any suggestions for:
(1) recommended brand?
(2) diesel or petrol?
Which generator for off grid home use?
(16 posts) (11 voices)-
hapy
MemberPosted Friday 5 Aug 2016 @ 1:21:50 am from IP # -
dax
MemberDiesel is the only way to go for a large generator and in my opinion, there's only one that does the job. A 1500rpm lister coupled to a dunlite 6kva generator head, they work flawlessly for decades. The high revving modern gennies don't last that long, seen many that fail after the warranty and have 2 myself, either the genny head or motor have packed it in. But it is rare to see a lister or any other slow revver failing unless you run them with a light load for long periods, then they can have carbon buildup and glazing problems. My Lister has been running without fail for more than 30 years, it's only been serviced regularily and still have the full set of spares that came with it.
Posted Friday 5 Aug 2016 @ 4:28:01 am from IP # -
Baldrick
MemberSome points to consider:
While Generators are rated in kVA (@0.8 lagging PF), modern appliances no longer have a lagging PF. This is thanks to the drive for energy efficiency.
You should find out what the generators output is at unity PF.
If possible you should ask for a Polar diagram like in the following link:
http://www.cumminspower.com/www/literature/technicalpapers/PT-6004-PowerFactorTests-en.pdfFind out what duty cycle of the generator is. Is it designed to run continuously 24/7 or like some 1 hour on 8 hours off.
You should also be aware that diesel goes off, so you need to work out a routine test cycle to use up the fuel.
Hope this helps.
Posted Friday 5 Aug 2016 @ 6:25:54 am from IP # -
APR
MemberBaldrick said:You should also be aware that diesel goes off, so you need to work out a routine test cycle to use up the fuel.
One issue with diesel that can cause heartache is the cloud point. A higher cloud point fuel (more waxes in the fuel) is used/supplied in the summer months. If fuel bought in summer is used into winter you can have these waxes solidifying and blocking filters. Buy diesel in winter and use it into summer rather than the other way around if you are not turning it over fast enough.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_diesel_fuel
Also, a fuel tank that breathes can result in condensation and water buildup in the tank which can lead to fungus growth in the fuel which will also block filters. There are fungicide additives available to control this issue.
http://fueltreat.com/bc250/
http://fueltreat.com/tensteps/The main cause of diesel degradation with age is oxidation of the fuel which can result in gum deposits that also block filters. Also, avoid zinc and copper or alloys containing zinc or copper coming in contact with diesel as they may react with diesel to form undesirable compounds.
I like the Racor 200 series of fuel filters fitted with the 2 micron element for diesel filtration.
Posted Friday 5 Aug 2016 @ 8:09:36 am from IP # -
scott drew
MemberDepending on how much you want to use it, would it be worth considering a hire one? No responsibility on maintenance, just book it in when you need to use it.
Posted Tuesday 9 Aug 2016 @ 11:49:58 pm from IP # -
Johnnojack
MemberAPR while diesel can go stale etc it lasts a lot longer in storage than the alternative, ie petrol. Leave petrol in a generator in a shed over summer and you will be lucky to start the motor without draining and replacing the petrol. I would be confident that a diesel will start after a year without changing the fuel.
Posted Wednesday 10 Aug 2016 @ 11:11:09 am from IP # -
dax
Memberscott drew said:
Depending on how much you want to use it, would it be worth considering a hire one? No responsibility on maintenance, just book it in when you need to use it.Normally when you need a generator it's because your normal power supply has failed, either grid or lack of sun/wind and there would be very few hire places in rural Aus within reasonable distance to maker it convenient to hire.
There's lots of fallacies put forward by oil companies regarding the usable life of diesel. Sure there are different formula's for winter and summer fuels, but it stores well and from what I remember has a storage life of 7 years. Early this year we started an old fishing boat that had been sitting on a mooring for over 10 years, with the diesel it had in the tanks. It had been through just about every form of weather you can think of, including huge amounts of condensation and constant below zero air temps.
You should never buy a generator that is not 24/7 capable for backup power supply, they are a waste of time and money. In the past our lister has run for many days no stop and never gets above slightly warm even when mig welding and using compressors, as well as the house.
Then off course it depends on your specific requirements, if you just want one for an hour every now and then, maybe a cheap high revver will do the job. The noise they produce is ridiculous compared to a slow revver with it's exhaust water or ground muffled.
Posted Wednesday 10 Aug 2016 @ 7:49:10 pm from IP # -
scott drew
MemberDax, I agree with your 'normally' comment... but OP did say for the odd occasion for welding etc. That would be a planned event, so hire may be appropriate.
Posted Thursday 11 Aug 2016 @ 5:26:42 am from IP # -
hapy
MemberThanks for the feedback so far. Hiring a generator is not an option for me. I like to be independent as much as possible so I'm happy to purchase something.
Looks like only one brand recommendation so far ... "lister coupled to a dunlite 6kva generator head".
Any others?Posted Thursday 11 Aug 2016 @ 7:01:15 am from IP # -
David
Memberhapy said:
"lister coupled to a dunlite 6kva generator head".If it's the engine I think it is "Lister CS engine" can't buy them new and have not been able to for lots of years, that particular engine runs at approx 600RPM, I think is the one DAX is referring to. The closest available is an Indian produced version which needs to be stripped down when bought and rebuilt properly due to very poor QC, and does not work with auto or remote start systems very well or not at all.
There are other options they run at 1500RPM which is perfectly fine for a 3cyl liquid cooled engine, appear to last a pretty decent number hours (thousands of hours) and are often used in the mines in WA which would not be an easy life. For a relatively inexpensive silenced automatic start Chinese generator they cost about $5K to $6K typically, ready to go. I'd suggest one of these ones unless you want to muck around.
I've set up a few of them for clients, they're pretty fuel efficient, very quiet and do generally work very well. I don't supply them, only install them and set them up for either off-grid or grid backup systems.
Otherwise go for something like a Kubota Lowboy or Cummins version, excellent brands but a bit pricey compared to the chinese ones but they do work and last very well.
Posted Thursday 11 Aug 2016 @ 11:13:57 am from IP # -
tom rickard
MemberI bought a Kubota J108 from a dealer brand new for $5800 (ex gst.) I've seen several of these things run well over 3000hours and still going strong. They are water cooled 3000rpm motors, no problem fitting a large fuel tank and running them non-stop.
Mine gets around 150 hours / year of run-time.
They are a lot simpler than the Kubota low-boy, but are also noisier.
Having said that, i'm yet to see a quiet generator. People say the Honda Eu's are quiet, but I've got a EU20i, and if I load it right up it is as noisy as my Kubota.
I wouldn't recommend getting a cheapie, I've seen many of them fail at less than 500 hours.
Posted Saturday 13 Aug 2016 @ 2:53:52 am from IP # -
I have been considering a design for a wind-driven electrical generator for several years. I would like to have others' opinions on it. Since I cannot upload my design here, if anyone is curious or interested in seeing my design, please email me. I will reply with a few pics of my idea.
Posted Saturday 18 Mar 2017 @ 12:49:46 pm from IP # -
Winco
MemberIf you are off-grid, I would suggest to look at and consider the HIMOINSA range of gensets http://bit.ly/2s5NKlH. They are quality Spanish made (Japanese owned) product.
1,500 rev. Water cooled. Well built. Quiet. Diesel. Not as inexpensive as the Chinese sourced gensets half the price but you gets whats youse pay for.
Posted Thursday 24 May 2018 @ 4:57:13 am from IP #
