Generator circuit.

[Geo-TH,In]

I make a device for my small 3500 watt RV generator. I want to power up the well, refrigerator, and a hot plate, coffee pot, but not all at the same time.
Well I just finished it, bench tested, then the power went out. It works great. When the well in on, everything gets turned off. Well stops, the small appliance circuit gets powered uup. Then 3 minutes later, the refrigerator gets powered. This prevents the small generator from stressing starting the well. It works just like planned.

Glad I have back up power, back up IR propane heat. Now all I need is a back that doesn't hurt.

I think we may have gotten 12 inches of wet snow. Had trouble pushing it. Now it's getting colder. The snow is a powder. It's blowing the roads shut. Later the winds are going to be 30-40 mph and the temps sub zero. BURR. I'm lucky to have made it home. Went to town to get more gas.
George

 

[John T]

George, like you I consider the 4KW Onan Genset in my RV and the RV tank with 50 gallons of gas as my backup. HOWEVER I would prefer an LP gas powered gesnet next time hooked to my 600 Gallon home LP Tank so I have a much longer term fuel supply versus having to keep gassing up the RV especially if its snow and ice on the roads. Also I spend all winter in Florida nowadays so don't have to worry about ice n snow.

John T

 

[Geo-TH,In]

JohnT,
OK Rub it in, just how warm is Florida?

Before my mother died, I made many trips to Florida to help take care of her. I flew Southwest, because it was non-stop from Indy to Orlando. For some reason, after she died, I have no desire to go back, even though my 2 sister would be very happy if I did. Both live on lake Eustas, have boats to go fishing. Free rent. Actually I work for food and a room.
I helped sisters remodel and spent loads of time in Florida.

I like the cold better than the 100 degree summer days, especially after having a heat stroke.

I had my mom's 3 wheelbike shipped to Indiana. Actually I bought 2 more, three total. You need to get one, loads of fun, not to mention the basket in back for carrying tools and kids.

Been looking at portable propane RV gennys. The one I was considering was an aluminum block, no iron sleeve. I think I'll stick to gas, RV, protable and electric start with remote. Then I'll modify the genny circuit to have an engine warm up delay before it starts the well.

Record temps, snow and wind.

Enjoy the chat
George

 

[buickanddeere]

Sequence start or load rotation?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Sequence start, where well has priority over everything. Well turns off then power goes small appliances. 3 minutes after well turns off ref gets power too. If well turns on again, it all starts over.

 

[David G]

Do you remember Green Acres.

 

[Steve@Advance]

Good to hear you got that working, was wondering how that turned out.

 

[buickanddeere]

I'm surprised the fridge compressor head pressure has dropped enough to re-start in 3 minutes.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Most a/c's have a 2-3 minute delay built in. Keep in mind, the well may run for 1-2 minutes, so ref may get a 5 minutes of off time. I can adjust the time out for up to 8 minutes. I just picked 3 minutes. I never heard the comp klixon trip or the genny grone.

Been thinking of making this device for a while. Didn't realize I would need it just minutes after I completed it.

All the parts I used are either from a furnaces or air conditioners. The only part I purchased was a current sensor, which I found out it can't be close to a 24v transformer. The magnetic radiation form transformer turned it on.

I'm happy with the results. Next looking for a good portable genny with remote start. Been looking at a Champion 46565. Home Depot has it for $469. I have the rope start champion, got it used for $150. I think I read it's a honda clone.

Don't remember brand, but there is a portable gas/lp genny. Don't think the reviews are that good.

 

[Butch(OH)]

We got along fine for years with a 3500 ourselves but had to manually shut the well pump off when other loads were running because I am in no way smart enough to rig up a panel like you did. Now we are running a 15KW head with a diesel capable of about 10KW steady and using less fuel than the 3500 watt gasoline job burned. We are of course not using 10 KW steadily but it is nice to not have to worry what is running or not running when on generator power. Between the 15KW head and a rather large set of flywheels it can effortlessly start any load we have with any amount of other things up and running.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Butch, I'm not smart, just cheap. If campers can get by with 3500 watts, so can I. It just takes some energy management. We were only out of power for 6 hours. Others are still out.

RV's usually have propane heat, some propane ref., propane water heaters. I have portable propane IR heat.

I looked at how much would it cost to run larger gennys. There is even a difference in fuel usage form one RV genny to another, not to mention the noise levels.
George

 

[Butch(OH)]

George, Fuel usage was a big concern for me too but so was storage and availability. Also when I decided to upgrade the wide said we aren't spending a cent unless I can live like normal when the power is out so a major increase in capacity topped the list. I went with the combination of an over sized capacity head and slow speed diesel engine as suggested by others. Last long outage we burned just at 20 gallons of fuel in 58 hours with no load management and central A/C on. I am thrilled with it, only comfort we lack is automatic switching and I have seen just enough problems with those systems to stay away from them. Wife knows how to start the engine and throw the switch, good enough.

 

[Cas]

I was wondering what make and model diesel engine are you using? Sounds like you make some pretty cheap power for a generator.

 

[Butch(OH)]

The head is powered by a model 1115 Laidong as pictured. The head must run 1800 RPM but it is belt driven and we have the ratios set so the engine is running right at 1650 RPM. There are even slower RPM options. Search these terms to get loads of information. "Listeroid" "ST generator" "Lister Engine Forum" "slow speed diesel"

 

[buickanddeere]

(quoted from post at 11:54:12 01/06/14) The head is powered by a model 1115 Laidong as pictured. The head must run 1800 RPM but it is belt driven and we have the ratios set so the engine is running right at 1650 RPM. There are even slower RPM options. Search these terms to get loads of information. "Listeroid" "ST generator" "Lister Engine Forum" "slow speed diesel"

iirc those are a Chinese clone of a Yanmar sailboat engine?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

You are right, if momma isn't happy no one is happy. Again, I'm cheap. Have less than $200 invested in used genny and generator circuit. I must have a portable genny. I can go to the basement if it's too hot. Don't mind camping out with just water, ref, and electric hot plate.

I also need portable. I have 10 rentals and 2 places where I stay.
George

 

[danofarming]

Sounds like an interesting setup, more interesting that you made it yourself from scratch! I like that and would like to know how.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Danofarming,
I'll leave my email open. Send me a response and I'll send you pics and a diagram. I used spare HVAC parts. My sister and her husband are still in the business. I worked my way through college working at Bethleham steel burns harbor, indiana as a HVAC mechanic. I learned 45 years ago, that HVAC people work their butts off when it's extremely hot and extremely cold. That was a good incentive to finish my degree.
George

 

[Butch(OH)]

Yessir, and as with all other China clones quality
runs from decent to garbage, these are very nice
engines. Dealer for the Laidong's is in your neck of
the woods, I think? Norwood Ont.

 

[hanovertom (VA)]

I too would like to see the circuit
Thanks

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Keep in mind, like all good redneck projects, this was put together with used parts I, except for the current sensor, which I purchased on ebay for $19.

My new and improved plan is to find a smaller box, get a genny with remote start, add another delay on make timer to an a/c compressor contactor. So all I have to do is push remote start button from inside house. A few minutes later when the genny is warmed up, the delay on make timer will apply power to circuit.
George

 

[MarkB_MI]

Nice work, George.