[TowerTalk] Generator Sizing

[WarrenWolff at aol.com]

Greetings:
 
I am no expert in power generators.  BUT, I do know that  there is a BIG 
consideration in sizing generators that could come into  play.  Buying extra large 
units could cost you big bucks in maintenance  costs.
 
With something in the order of 15-20 or more KW, you run  serious danger of 
damaging the unit if it is not being used at something like  65% of rated 
output.  I cannot recall, but I think the rings, valves, etc.  do not fair well 
when running  a low percentage of capacity.  We  installed 25+ KW units in Kuwait 
at customer's insistence and despite strong  warnings from the supplier 
(ONAN?).  Accordingly,
we installed large load banks to heat up the Kuwait air to  keep units at a 
decent percentage of ratings.
 
Regards,  Warren;  W7WY