'Suitcase' generators - how useful and how quiet?

[BrendanS]

Re: \'Suitcase\' generators - how useful and how quiet?

That sounds like the sort of beast I need, and probably cheaper than I was expecting. I shall go have a look at their site. Thanks.

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: \'Suitcase\' generators - how useful and how quiet?

First Iain is quite correct re power feeding back to all other circuits.
Can you explain the consequences of a 'bodge job' ?
Possible electric shock as Generator output cable is terminated in one (or two) 13amp plugs (to connect into the ring main).
Risk of fire especially if the ‘Grid’ is not totally isolated when the supply is restored.
Risk of the Generator going bang - same cause as above.
Centre tap earth?
Earth is the centre point on the output side of a transformer, so that between the ends of the output coil and the Centre tap you have 110 volts. (220 volts end to end).

 

[BrendanS]

Re: fitting a genny to house

That sounds like the sort of set up I need. How does your 'blue euro' feed to the house. In my case, if it needed to connect in close to the mains feed if gennie situated in the garage, I'd have to dig up half the garden as mains is on the opposite side of the house. Can easily connect close to the mains feed from an outside connection which can be boxed in. Would the generator be ok outside, or do I need to build a ventilated weather proof 'box' for it? 4.5 sounds more like what I need than the 1.2.

Thanks

Brendan

 

[BrendanS]

Re: \'Suitcase\' generators - how useful and how quiet?

OK, think I've got it.

I can isolate the mains so that shouldn't be a problem. There is one main switch box, that feeds into several subsidiary boxes.
Not much issue of electrocution if the plugs are in the sockets before I fire up the gennie? No kids around to worry about them pulling them out etc.

I'm going to have to go do a google search on centre tap earth. It still eludes me /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[boatmad2]

Re: \'Suitcase\' generators - how useful and how quiet?

No No NO . Sorry you are all missing the point. Your 240v mains comes off a HV transformer in the sub-station the input of which is at least 11000v if you turn off your main switch in house all is ok but if you forget or somebody turns it back on you 240v from genny goes back up the supply cable to sub=station to transformer aand comes out the other side as 11000v supply company people trying to get your supply back on now find themselfs working with a live HV cable. I seem to remember yearts ago somebody got fried like this.
This is how its done from your meter output terminals you will have whats called meter tails these are thick cables one pair to each fuse box and ideally you should only have one fuse box. The meter tails are removed from the meter and connected to a change over switch usually a rotary type of about 100 amps capacity, a new pair of tails are fitted to the meter and then to the change over switch. A third pair of cables are also fitted to the change over switch which go to your genny. By this means you can select mains or genny supply any time you want but you can only use one supply at a time also it is not possible to back feed to supply company system.
I know this sounds complicated but think of a twin battery change over switch for a boat and you get the idea NO Dont use the switch off your boat.
To get this done should not be as expensive as it sounds last one I fitted one at a farm 4yrs ago I charged £150 including parts, try asking your local self employed sparky for a price.

 

[Strathglass]

Re: OUCH!!!

Agreed, could be quite dangerous, hence the PM I sent.
I have to use my generator more than once every year. Yet I am surrounded with Hydro electric dams and power stations even my house was built by the Hydro.
But the local distribution system is old and needing replaced. They just patch it up.

I do not let any other members of the family touch the generator when in use and I have owned the generator for five years.

Some familes around here have larger diesel generators and are able to run everything in the event of a power cut, I did not consider this was cost effective.

Iain

 

[stubate]

Re: fitting a genny to house

brendan
the feed to the garage comes from a 30 amp fuse on the consumer unit. the cable is the same size that you use for cooker connections, the feed goes to another small consumer unit in the garage and then feeds the various things in the garage. have wired in the blue euro (male) to a spare fuse on the consumer unit, the cable is run in the air to the garage but taped to a galvanised straining wire to support it. its been up now for over 10 years and no probs even in the wildest of gales. if you have access thru a wall just drill thru and clip to house wall.
genny needs to be out of weather and secure (robbers) perhaps garden shed? all you need for emergencies is power for the central heating pump and ignition, tele?, lights and the 1.2 will do it, but if you are going to all this trouble go for comfort as well and the 4.5 is just the job
stu

 

[ponapay]

Re: \'Suitcase\' generators - how useful and how quiet?

I live in remote Aberdeenshire where e also have frequent power failures. I use calor gas for cooking (cheap, readily available and does not involve Transco - gas main 35 metres from house and they want to charge £35,000 to connect me!

Heat by solid fuel, light by paraffin/candles.

Just rely on the water company.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: fitting a genny to house

Yep, comfort is what I like, and you're right, if going to all this effort then might as well do it properly.

I shall go see if I can find a friendly sparky this weekend to do this for me - I wouldn't trust anything I bodged together, and go hunting a big beast of a gennie, before the Feb storms hit.

Thanks

Brendan

 

[Guest]

Re: fitting a genny to house

I had a redundant generator set (about 6 kw) when I upgraded to a 14 kva set in our boat, and very nearly installed it in our house, but since we are townies and don't get power cuts there was not enough point. But if I were on Dartmoor or the like I would seriously consider doing a proper generator installation and using it regularly, if not all the time. I haven't done the figures but for many years we have run our ship using generator (and inverter) only, i.e. no shore mains. We do not notice the (red) diesel consumption. We have recently installed a shore power connection to our Belgian mooring (more because neighbours wanted it than for our own purposes) and have been surprised how the electricity meter has been whizzing round. I suspect that if you ignore the capital cost of the generator the actual runing costs are not vastly different. If you have to pay a hefty charge to get electricity to a remote property then the capital cost of the generator set may not be such a problem. And of course we are not talking about marine sets: ex-army and other gensets are readily available very cheaply. I built ours originally and the only new item was the actual alternator.

Other advantages: reliability (?) but at least you can fix it yourself. Presuming you have a radiator cooled engine then you can pretty well heat your house from the engine waste heat (big cost factor!).

Provided the generator is properly installed it can be virtually silent.

I believe Volvo did some work on the "heat engine" principle some years ago but I never heard the results.