Off topic - Opinions on Generac Whole House 22KW Generator

[Johnnh]

Mac,
It's a fire Hazzard regulation

Lowaccord,
Agreed on your comments.
What generator do you have?

John

[Mac Attack]

Mac,
It's a fire Hazzard regulation.

John

How?

[Johnnh]

I spoke with the fire department and a captain told me that people have run generators in sheds with no venting and caused fires.
An ordinance not allowing generators in sheds  was passed years ago so small town government prevails

[Mac Attack]

I spoke with the fire department and a captain told me that people have run generators in sheds with no venting and caused fires.
An ordinance not allowing generators in sheds  was passed years ago so small town government prevails

Sorry, but stupid.
Instead of establishing criteria they declare all to not meet the law.
Dopes!


Thanks

[Jethro]

Jethro,
Did you get the kohler from Yestramski in Contoocook?

No this is at the house in Maine.

 

Geoff I think you have bad luck with good stuff from what I know of you! 

Well, that's definitely true, but I talked to more than one company while trying to get it repaired and it seemed to be a common theme, the Generacs are a good, albeit entry level unit that aren't lifetime serviceable. Then again, who knows, these are generator salesmen after all. At the time my research showed that the Kohlers are in a different league but keep in mind the cost is nowhere near the same ballpark as the first Generac I had installed. I spent over $12k to have the new unit installed on an existing pad with all the infrastructure already in place. I think I paid $7k for the first one and that was with the pad and all the wiring. Also gotta keep in mind this thing gets used hard, the house is on an island and even then way out in the sticks, we lose power a half dozen times a year and it's almost never for less than 2 days.

All I know is I didn't want to do it again so that's why I went this way.



 

[lowaccord66]

Maybe thatll be my next upgrade, especially if its quieter.

[swnoel]

After investigating and actually installing a Generac 200 amp disconnect, I'm going with a battery bank instead. Looks like this inverter https://eg4electronics.com/categories/inverters/eg4-18kpv-12lv-all-in-one-hybrid-inverter/ and 2 sets of lithium battery banks...https://invertersrus.com/product/eg4-lfp-kit/?attribute_battery-voltage=6%20x%2048v%20100AH%20EG4-LifePower4&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu8uyBhC6ARIsAKwBGpQO0h2MAaXiIsnH16XCrLT3m90piMGItauTHGZ5sngLJSbxHBq_dAEaAtDUEALw_wcB . Doing this will get me a 30% dollar for dollar rebate. I'm also going to use the transfer switch and use a small generator to charge the batteries in the event of a power outage.

[lowaccord66]

Cool stuff, I almost ordered the batteries after checking our your link but the 200ah and 400ah options are out of stock!

[taxid]

Thanks for all the input. It looks like more homework ahead.
The project ahead includes a 300 gal tank that I can rent for 100 per year,  Installing  a manifold to feed the generator and grill, dig trench for propane line and another trench for power to house (i will do that with my backhoe),. Generator install by vendor to be determined.
22kw generator install prices are running in the $11,000 range.
The good side is no more food loss and all electric will work as normal

That sounds right. My 22k Generac was $12,000. Someone else wanted a lot more but I could tell he was on the take just by listening to him.

[swnoel]

Cool stuff, I almost ordered the batteries after checking our your link but the 200ah and 400ah options are out of stock!

Check these out. This is another option for a battery bank I'm considering. https://www.ruixubattery.com/product-page/ruixu-lithium-batteries-kits-15kwh-20kwh-25kwh-30kwh-self-heating

[taxid]

Check these out. This is another option for a battery bank I'm considering. https://www.ruixubattery.com/product-page/ruixu-lithium-batteries-kits-15kwh-20kwh-25kwh-30kwh-self-heating

I thought this was interesting at the link:

Self-heating 48V server rack battery  is designed for cold weather using!
Can safely charge at temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F) by a standard charger or solar charger.
The heater pads which draws power from the charger itself.

I was on a forum where people were bashing electric cars because they were much less efficient in cold weather. I was thinking it doesn't sound like an insurmountable feat engineering wise to keep the batteries warm. After all IIRR Norway has the highest number of electric car drivers in the world, and it's not exactly the tropics up there. Initially think they just put an electric blanket over their car battery.

[Mac Attack]

There are a TON of misconceptions ingrained into people’s minds from the older lithium ion batteries that burned, etc.

People have a really tough time getting aboard the LiFePO4 band wagon.

Time!

[taxid]

There are a TON of misconceptions ingrained into people’s minds from the older lithium ion batteries that burned, etc.

People have a really tough time getting aboard the LiFePO4 band wagon.

Time!

I see electric as a stepping stone to hydrogen at some point.  Hydrogen has a lot more going for it when it comes to waste, and is pretty much an inexhaustible resource. It's the most common element in the universe making up to 75 percent of all mass.

I checked out a 12 volt lithium battery a while back and couldn't believe how much lighter it was than my 12 volt lead acid batteries!

[Mac Attack]

I see electric as a stepping stone to hydrogen at some point.  Hydrogen has a lot more going for it when it comes to waste, and is pretty much an inexhaustible resource. It's the most common element in the universe making up to 75 percent of all mass.

I checked out a 12 volt lithium battery a while back and couldn't believe how much lighter it was than my 12 volt lead acid batteries!

Typically, 1/3 the weight.
Lead acid batteries are not supposed to be discharged below 50%, or else the suffer irreversible damage that shortens their life.
Not so with LI.
So, a 100ah lead acid has only 50AH useable.
So, for 2X the cost, you get 2X the AH.
(5 yrs back they were far more costly making it tough for guys to justify)
Now factor in the 3000-6000 charge cycles vs 400-500 for lead acid.


Your theory on hydrogen is spot on.
I'm a retired combustion engineer.
The burner companies are ALL working on burner designs for hydrogen.
We can actually burn it today, but they are working on making more efficient and also on the related flame safeties.
I give it 5 yrs max. before you see a lot of it out there.

[swnoel]

Typically, 1/3 the weight.
Lead acid batteries are not supposed to be discharged below 50%, or else the suffer irreversible damage that shortens their life.
Not so with LI.
So, a 100ah lead acid has only 50AH useable.
So, for 2X the cost, you get 2X the AH.
(5 yrs back they were far more costly making it tough for guys to justify)
Now factor in the 3000-6000 charge cycles vs 400-500 for lead acid.


Your theory on hydrogen is spot on.
I'm a retired combustion engineer.
The burner companies are ALL working on burner designs for hydrogen.
We can actually burn it today, but they are working on making more efficient and also on the related flame safeties.
I give it 5 yrs max. before you see a lot of it out there.

Pretty sure there have been prototype engines that you use water and they run. Supposedly they've been suppressed... hard to believe anyone would do that!;-)