Whole house generator questions (Page 1/6)
Hudini APR 18, 08:11 AM
I am looking at a big ole Chinese 24kw generator head to couple to an old Fiero engine I have in the garage. How does one go about connecting this thing to my service panel? I want it to power the whole house so it needs some stout wiring for sure. I am most concerned about the connection from the generator itself to the house. I will have an electrician run a feed to the service panel from the generators location. But what connects the generator to that feed?
tesmith66 APR 18, 08:26 AM
You will need a transfer switch. It will automatically switch the main feed into the house (from the pole) off when the generator starts feeding power, and back on again when the generator stops. This will prevent backfeeding the grid and potentially killing someone working on the lines.

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1986 SE Aero coupe.

3.4 DOHC swap is complete and running, now just have to finish the rest of the car...

fierofool APR 18, 08:32 AM
We've looked at whole house generators to service my wife's medical needs in the event of power outages. We've pretty much narrowed our field down to the Generac brands. But, all brands we looked at have a service panel that makes the connection between the generator and the home. It contains a transfer switch that senses incoming power and starts or stops the auxiliary power supply, as needed. Here's an example.

http://apelectric.com/trans...r/?gclid=CIGxhKWYmMw CFZaEaQodwdsOtQ
fierofool APR 18, 09:04 AM
Some things to think about when choosing a generator fuel choice They may not actually be used to power the home for years. Fuel choice is important because of this. Liquid fuels go sour when they sit for long periods. We've all heard about the Fieros that have set for years. We had determined that LP was the best choice because it won't go bad. If you're going to use an automotive engine, you might reconsider a marine engine. A little Mercruiser Duke. Marine engine cams are ground to run under load all the time. The generator probably will provide enough load for that to work.

Your system will also need a method to start the motor and generator for monthly operational testing. The transfer switch should have that property built into it.
Hudini APR 18, 09:50 AM
For my first attempt it will all be manual. Manual start, test, switch over, everything. I am not going with an automatic transfer switch but will be using a lockout device. Because this first attempt is completely manual I will make sure to install the lockout device such that only one source may power the house at one time. No back feeding a dryer socket or any other unsavory and illegal use.

So, my question for anyone who has laid eyeballs on one of the ST generator heads, how does it hook up to your house? A 240v dryer plug? (I hope not) I can't seem to get a good view of the other side of that big ol' gen head.

Oh, it will be gasoline (2.8L Fiero V6) and it will be changed out regularly. I'm planning on running it at 1800 rpm to see how it handles the load. If it burns gas too quickly then I'll go with a pulley system and bring the rpms down. For now its going to be direct drive with a coupling. Any help with the flywheel weight? A heavier one is better but how heavy?
Hank is Here APR 18, 09:51 AM
I have a manual transfer switch at my house. Sure if you buy the Generac setup everything is nice and whiz-bang with the auto transfer switches and all. At the teransfer switches really do is disconnect the main service from teh street and provide an alternate path to your generator. Sure it is possible to hardwire a generator in without transfer switch but it is dangerous--liek fry a lineman dangerous--not recommenede by any means.

The other question is 24kw it pretty large. What do you want to run? My guess is the generaotr head was deigned to be used at worksites with tools and such. If you use that same generaotr head in your hosue you may see problems with some of your electronic equipment. I would bet that the electric the head produces is rather dirty and not a clean sin wave. Just a few thoughts.

All I have for a backup is little 5kw B&S portable unit that I need to wheel around and plug in when needed. It is a pain in the butt however the electric service at my place is good and to date I have not needed to use it.

I would venture to guess that a new Generac unit with transfer switch would be cheaper and more reliable than scabbing togther a unit from parts and pieces. That is as long as you have natural gas or propane around. I think Costsco had a 17kw Generac unit for $3200, knowing that it is a new unit with comes auto transfer switch and a generator which auto runs it is a pretty darm good value.
Hudini APR 18, 09:57 AM
Oh I agree with everything you wrote. But where is the fun in that? I want a big nasty gen head just barely being tasked with work. And I have the engine and parts just laying around in my garage from my 3.4L swap. I really really want to try.
theogre APR 18, 10:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by tesmith66:
You will need a transfer switch. It will automatically switch the main feed into the house (from the pole) off when the generator starts feeding power, and back on again when the generator stops. This will prevent backfeeding the grid and potentially killing someone working on the lines.

Yup. See http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F...HTML/113891.html#p27

But Doesn't need an auto switch for many setups. Manual transfer switches are use w/ portable gen packs but even permanent units have manual switches when job doesn't need quick power.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

maryjane APR 18, 10:27 AM
How are going to control frequency--got a data plate to match freq to input rpm? Did it come with a voltage regulator?
What about rpm drop when a load kicks in? You will need to load sensitive govern the rpm, unless you intend to go "step on the gas" every time an appliance kicks on....

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 04-18-2016).]

rogergarrison APR 18, 10:34 AM
You can use a manual switch in most cases just fine. Id only use an auto one if you travel a lot and dont want your refrigerator or freezer going off while your gone. Its just like a light switch...flip one way for regular current and other way for generator. You can find all kinds of them at an RV/ camping store. I have a manual one in the motorhome flipped one way when plugged in, other when I turn on generator. No way I can connect them together. There are many YouTube videos on types and installations, including step-by-step directions.