Generators.....advice please

[Jenks]

Phil/ Polchraine..
Thank you for the advice I don't doubt that which you say, you are both far better qualified than I. I think that when I have my 'genny' sorted out or indeed, if I get a new one I will look into getting a manual switch fitted. Thanks

Jenks.

[Andy632]

I've got a 6kw Kipor Diesel which cost less than £700 and will run all night on a tankfull of red diesel. More than adequate for domestic emergency use.

[Jenks]

I've got a 6kw Kipor Diesel which cost less than £700 and will run all night on a tankfull of red diesel. More than adequate for domestic emergency use.

Andy..

How long have you had it? And how is it connected to your ring mains?


Jenks

[Scotsgun]

Thanks for the advice folks - especially the safety advice.

So essentially, provided i keep to the essentials of heating, lighting and a few appliances (fridge/freezer, etc) i can get away with maybe a 6kV diesel generator, which i should get wired in professionally with a manual switch over.

[Polchraine]

Thanks for the advice folks - especially the safety advice.

So essentially, provided i keep to the essentials of heating, lighting and a few appliances (fridge/freezer, etc) i can get away with maybe a 6kV diesel generator, which i should get wired in professionally with a manual switch over.

That's about it! Except it is not 6kV - kilovolts ! It is Watts or VoltAmps - in DC terms they are identical but with complex AC power loadings and power factors they cannot be. Depending on brand you might see 5/5.5/6 kW or kVA those should be fine unless you have several big freezers for all those carcasses! Don't be tempted to drop down to the 3/3.5 kVA as a kettle will take 2.4 - 3 moving up to the 7.5 or 8 could be a waste of money.

Wiring in makes it safer and allows almost anyone to connect/disconnect - wife, (older) children, maid, butler &c. Any you will continue to have protection on all circuits in use.

Get a decent electrician (or 3) to tell you what they would do and cost for providing materials and connecting. If you then want you can send me a copy of their quotes and I can give them the once over. Or if you want, I can do you a short email with what they should be doing (suggestions) with circuit diagram and you put that to them - my rates would be reasonable ... a bottle of Balvenie, Aberlour or Glenlivet 18 yo next time I am up!

[EagerNoSkill]

Watch for water in fuel containers
And why rats will chew any wire boggles my bracket

As I found out when i finally had use mine

[Andy632]

I've got a 6kw Kipor Diesel which cost less than £700 and will run all night on a tankfull of red diesel. More than adequate for domestic emergency use.

Andy..

How long have you had it? And how is it connected to your ring mains?


Jenks

A few years now, can't really remember when I bought it.
When needed it's connected the wrong way.
However you can easily get an automatic transfer switch for them.( for a few bob more)

[Jenks]

As said earlier I have a problem with my Genny. It starts easily enough and will run beautifully with 110 volts selected. however when switching over to 230/240v it hunts bucks around.misfires before finally cutting out. Does anyone have any idea what might be wrong. I have thought it over and decided that I can't justify the expense of replacing it. We only get one or two power cuts a year and they are normally fixed very quickly. I bought the machine new thirty years ago and used it to build two houses so it really owes me nothing, I am loathe to get rid of it, if it could be fixed at a reasonable cost. The Genny is a Honda EB 1900 with a four stroke petrol engine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



Jenks

[ovenpaa]

Is it stuttering under load or immediately it is started when 240V is selected?

[Jenks]

Is it stuttering under load or immediately it is started when 240V is selected?

As soon as you switch from 110 to 240 it starts its nonsense.