[TowerTalk] generators/transfer switches etc Re: YetAnotherLightning Strike

[J. Gordon Beattie, Jr., W2TTT]

Hi All!
I heard a discussion lately, where folks are installing 12-25KW propane
generators in areas where propane is used for cooking and/or heating air
and/or water.
Get a big tank and you're set when the grid goes or when your panels or wind
generator can't hack it.  

It may be a good trade-off to the expense of buying a bunch of 12V stuff in
an off-grid environment as well.  For example it might also be a good idea
for peak load scenarios like when you run the washer or the vacuum cleaner.


Vy 73,
Gordon Beattie, W2TTT
201.314.6964
w2ttt at att.net
w2ttt at att.com
w2ttt at arrl.net
 

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Clay Curtiss W7CE
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 9:39 PM
To: TOWERTALK at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] generators/transfer switches etc Re:
YetAnotherLightning Strike


> 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

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