Electricity Generator(s): advice & help selecting

Could you dig a big hole and put your genny in the hole and cover it up and just have an exhaust pipe coming out to stop the noise or would it over heat?
 
Well depends on the cooling solution you use.
You can always use water cooling with pipes leading to some sort of big radiator outside with fans and all.

It will most def overheat if it a closed system. Also depends on how big you genie is.
 
Last edited:
A long time ago I read that you can funnel the exhaust of a genny through a drum filled with water. Takes almost all the noise away and the water also captures a lot of the exhaust fumes. I'll see if I can google it.
 
Well i took the plunge and went to Makro and bought a 2KVA Firman generator for R2200. Should be able to power my TV, DSTV, 2 PC's, router and a couple of lights.

Pro's Cheap, Has build in voltage regulator(important for PCs and TVs). Largish fuel tank.

Con's Bit noisy - but i have a plan for that.

I am not going to wire it into the DB for now. Just going to put in some semi-permanent extensions to where i want power.
 
hi, i need a 24KVA Genni, very silent Running, any idea of a place i can get quotes, ect,
 
Guys the big problem with genny are as follows:

Most bigger good quality Genny's have got a AVR (automatic Voltage Regulator) built-in. On the smaller ones, they don't. You MUST use a UPS or separate Voltage regulator on these genny's.

Power is generated by spinning a dyno producing AC power. Each half-rotation of the Genny, the power switches, resulting in 50Hz power. The problem is when you load the Genny with varying loads, it slows down and speeds up. It takes time for it to "restore" to 50Hz, for a few seconds it is giving your PC 60Hz or 40hz. VERY VERY VERY BAD. The Genny's also require to be tuned to 50Hz. Most of the smaller UPS's you will have trouble doing this, as a simple thing like your UPS's deciding it has to charge 1%, will result in a dip in the HZ rating. This is the main reason why most UPS's won't charge on a Genny.

What you need to correct the HZ problem, is either a well tuned Generator (not likely over long periods) or a very good UPS (think R2000+) like this one:
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA750I

It will handle + or minus 3Hz above or below 50Hz, before switching to battery.

Ideally if you are looking to protect more than 5 PC's, you need an "online double conversion" UPS. like this one.
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURT2000XLI

It will handle up to 5HZ deviation, but have a much longer life because of the online topology used.

also, here is a handy calculator for picking APC UPS's

http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm
 
StrongTurd said:
It is called a Red Rhino GC950DC although I think it is basically a no-name brand Chinese unit because the name does not appear on the manual at all. Wikkie's Pompe (Google it) still has a lot of them left but the sales guy told me that they are moving very fast.

Here's the basic specs according to the manual:

Continuous AC output: 650 Watt
Max AC output: 720 Watt
Type: 2-stroke, reed valve, forced air-cooled, single cylinder
Fuel: Unleaded gasoline
Lubrication: 50:1 pre-mixed fuel
Fuel tank: 4.2 liters
Displacement: 63cc
Continuous run time: 5.8 hours
Weight: 18.5 kilos

It took about ten pulls on the very first time I started it. This is probably because the fuel supply was not primed yet. After that it starts on the first pull every time. BTW you don't need to use the choke as specified by the manual. I think our climate is too warm for that and it only causes the motor to flood. Simply open the fuel tap, switch it on and pull once. There you go.

The UPS is likewise a no-name unit because I can't find anything about it on the web. It simply reads "UPS Direct 1000VA". It has given me about two years of trouble-free service thus far.
Click to expand...

Isn't it very noisy? :confused:
 
You can have a normal conversation next to it. It is more or less like a motorcycle at idle. I'm fortunate to have a reasonably large yard so I just put it outside where it bothers nobody.
 
StrongTurd said:
You can have a normal conversation next to it. It is more or less like a motorcycle at idle. I'm fortunate to have a reasonably large yard so I just put it outside where it bothers nobody.
Click to expand...

I will put mine closer to the neighbors wall as it would be the least disturbing. a Second advantage is that he would lay complaints at the council which open the doors for some public debates and arguments! :D
 
My mom is planning on getting a generator but the company (Volt Ampere electrical and mechanical engineering) quoted her 35k for a 8.5kVA diesel generator, is that seriously what it costs?

I looked @ a Honda 5kVA unit which costs around R6k but I assume running two of those in parallel would be a very bad idea...
 
Hi guys, just bought a Ellies Silent Diesel Motor Generator - 5 or 5.5 kVA similar to the one here http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=724

Now how do i go about connecting this?

I've heard you can turn off all switches on your mains and run a plug from the generator to one of the plugs in the house and this will provide power to all other plugs in the house creating a circuit...however this does not sound safe, nor a very permanant solution..

How are you guys connecting these generators? Should i call an electrician rather?

Another thing is that i want the generator to switch on automatically when the power goes. How would i go about doing this?

The guy i bought it from said something about a DV board or ATS board or something which i would have to purchase in order to achieve this with this generator (follow link above). How exactly does it work?

Thanks for any help/tips...
 
have got a 5kva petrol generator - problem - my 350/600/1000VA ups's DON't want to start / operate from that generator

what can it be?

lights/fans work 100% but i don't want sensitive things directly on it
 
Gnome said:
My mom is planning on getting a generator but the company (Volt Ampere electrical and mechanical engineering) quoted her 35k for a 8.5kVA diesel generator, is that seriously what it costs?

I looked @ a Honda 5kVA unit which costs around R6k but I assume running two of those in parallel would be a very bad idea...
Click to expand...

Definitely a very bad idea. Phase differences can cause havoc and to prevent this will require special electronics.

That 35K seems a huge ripoff depending on the brand. Its the Chinese jobs that is cheaper but at least better and more reliable than Escom!
 
mxit_fan said:
Hi guys, just bought a Ellies Silent Diesel Motor Generator - 5 or 5.5 kVA similar to the one here http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=724

Now how do i go about connecting this?

I've heard you can turn off all switches on your mains and run a plug from the generator to one of the plugs in the house and this will provide power to all other plugs in the house creating a circuit...however this does not sound safe, nor a very permanant solution..

How are you guys connecting these generators? Should i call an electrician rather?

Another thing is that i want the generator to switch on automatically when the power goes. How would i go about doing this?

The guy i bought it from said something about a DV board or ATS board or something which i would have to purchase in order to achieve this with this generator (follow link above). How exactly does it work?

Thanks for any help/tips...
Click to expand...


http://www.gen-tek.co.za/specials.html


I am planning on getting this .

Was the price that you paid for the ellies model roughly the same or not ?

If you don't mind me asking
 
I've heard you can turn off all switches on your mains and run a plug from the generator to one of the plugs in the house and this will provide power to all other plugs in the house creating a circuit...however this does not sound safe, nor a very permanant solution..
Click to expand...

:eek: :eek:

Dude, I am no electrician, but that sounds seriously dangerous.
 
W@P said:
If you do it the correct way there is no problem. Very much possible.
Click to expand...

Yeah possible but could lead to property damage injury or loss of life., The correct way would be to have a change over switch (manual) or change over relay contactor (Automatic). The connection will then be broken from the one before connecting to the other. There should be a time delay in this operation to ensure all equipment dissipated the energy before the "new" power reconnects else special synchronizing electronics is required.
 
W@P said:
http://www.gen-tek.co.za/specials.html


I am planning on getting this .

Was the price that you paid for the ellies model roughly the same or not ?

If you don't mind me asking
Click to expand...

I paid R11,500 for the ellies..

Just note the price on that site is EX.Vat so add 14% to that and u get R14,820

I'd recommend the Ellies from Mica if you can get hold of one...seems pretty much identical however im not sure
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X