My experiences were mostly with Kohler and Generac water cooled models.
I had not heard about low temperature lockout. I would probably disable
that or use a generator without. Cars have essentially the same type of
engine, and they do not need preheating except in extreme conditions.
How long does the heater take to bring the temp up? I would consider
putting it on a prestart relay, so that it started preheating it only
when the system was getting close to needing the generator.
Ray
On 4/9/18 9:18 PM, Kienan Maxfield wrote:
Ray,
That's not going to work for the Cummins RS water-cooled generators
without some hacking. The water cooled models do use an antifreeze
mixture so they can withstand temperatures down to -50°F without a
heater, but they have a circuit that prevents the generator from even
trying to start if the coolant is below a certain temperature. I don't
remember what that temperature is but I know on mine its above 20° F.
The air-cooled generators only use a small heater in the engine oil
reservoir and there's an optional one under the battery. I know that
the air-cooled models can start in colder temperatures without a
heater than the water-cooled models. It is strongly recommended by
Cummins to use the oil heater in the air-cooled models if the
generator will get below 0°F, but the local techs recommend it for
15°F and below because the generators start easier if the oil is above
15°F. I've read that it also affects the overall longevity of the engine.
I live off-grid up in the mountains, and most of my customers are
off-grid up in the mountains. I agree that this is far from ideal. If
the generator could be installed in an underground bunker where it
doesn't freeze, that would be nice. I just have to write it off as the
cost of having a backup power source ready and waiting when it matters
the most... when it's crazy cold outside.
Thanks,
Kienan
**
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> on
behalf of Ray <r...@solarray.com>
*Sent:* Monday, April 9, 2018 7:14 PM
*To:* re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] generator search
We've had gen sets at 11,000 ft and way below zero start on propane
for decades without using the block or water heaters. Ridiculous
electric heating loads on the other hand are a very bad idea off
grid. Just make sure the propane supply lines are large enough so the
pressure regulator doesn't freeze up.
Ray Walters
Remote Solar
On 4/9/18 2:46 PM, Michael Morningstar wrote:
Yes, the Cummins technician that commissions our generators insists
that locations with consistent low’s below 15F require the coolant
heater. All but two of my installs(outdoor) have omitted connecting
the heater, and have seen some brief sub-0 temperatures but generally
average mid-30s. One of the two that does have the heater connected,
is located at a high elevation telecom site, and when I serviced the
system after not being there for a couple of winters, it was found
that someone had shut off both the battery charger circuit and the
coolant heater circuit and the generator didn’t seem worse for the
wear, and no coolant temp codes were thrown.
On Apr 9, 2018, at 1:14 PM, David Katz <dk...@backwoodssolar.com
<mailto:dk...@backwoodssolar.com>> wrote:
Check to see if it has a 120 vac requirement to float the battery.
The 20 kw one I have has a big electrical drain
David
On Mon, Apr 9, 2018 at 11:50 AM jay <jay.pe...@gmail.com
<mailto:jay.pe...@gmail.com>> wrote:
HI All,
I’ve got a new project wanting a 22-25kw single phase 120/240vac
water cooled propane sound attenuated generator for an off grid
situation. I’m not going to be
With AGS activation.
I”ve been looking at the Kohler 24 RCL ( meets all the above
criteria) but I’m checking to see if I can get it to work with 2
wire AGS.
Onan also has one as well.
Are there any other make/models that people would recommend or
would caution me against?
Thanks
jay
peltz power
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