[TowerTalk] generators/transfer switches etc Re: Yet AnotherLightning Strike

[Clay Curtiss W7CE]

> I'm thinking of getting rid of that 9500 watt portable and installing a
> permanent 15 to 20 KW natural gas fired unit. First thing they'd do would 
> be
> shut off the gas and they'd not even have to worry about transfer 
> switches.
> That old 9500 has had over 100 hours of use in the last 5 years.
>

I have an 8 KW unit that is permanently installed and runs on natural gas. 
It isn't obvious when you first look at them but they will not work with the 
standard gas meter/regulator which only supplies 2 column inches of 
pressure.  The generators typcially require 12 column inches, so I had the 
local gas company swap out the existing meter for a larger unit and then 
supplied my own regulators for 2 and 12 col. inches.  The gas company didn't 
charge for the meter swap but it cost a few hundred dollars to have a local 
furnace company put in and hook up the new regulators.

There was no requirement for signs, although it sounds like a good idea.  If 
I had to do it all over again, the only change I would make would be the 
selection of a 15-20KW unit that uses a 4-cylinder engine and runs as 1800 
RPM rather than 3600 RPM.  My unit is pretty quiet, but the larger engine & 
muffler are even quieter (not to mention the extra power).

73,
Clay  W7CE