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Alm
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Quote: Originally posted by pacside  | | Can someone please explain to me why one of these Honda portable generators (7000is or 3000is) or the standby Kohler 20kw generator wouldn't suffice
to power my air conditioner during summer months. |
Who told you it wouldn't? 3KW genny will run a window-size or RV-size AC easily. 7kW genny will run 3 of them, if you start one and then another, not
all 3 at once.
| Quote: Originally posted by pacside |
Current setup:
1035 kw solar panels
16 Trojan L16E 6v Batteries
Outback 3000 Inverter
No generator
I will increase panels as batteries can handle more but it still won't be enough for air conditioner and other peak usage times (i.e. guests).
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I don't understand about batteries that "can handle more". In terms of maximum charging current that battery can take, considering "recommended" 1/3C
charging current, your 3,000 AH bank of L16 can take about 100A total. This is roughly 1,500-1,800W solar. You can try and pump more than 100A into
these batts, but this would be raping them.
Rule of thumb is 1W of solar per 1 AH @12V bank, so your solar is indeed undersized for your battery bank - or your bank is way too big. Probably -
both, i.e. too many batts and too little solar.
In terms of AC needs, you need to increase panels at least 2 times, to be able to run a small AC directly from solar. In the night, however, you will
have to run AC from batteries, and your 3,000 AH bank is barely enough to run small AC for 9-10 hours.
The bottom line is - if you need AC, run a grid power to your house or get a generator. And, if you get a generator, plan for some enclosure because
as others noted, manufacturers lie and there is no such thing as "quiet generator". Even the quietest 2KW-3KW Honda you will hear from 100 meters
away if somebody will place it out in the open. The owner might not hear it 'cause his windows are on the other side (this is why they put it where
they put it), but you will, if you windows are towards it. And vice versa - you won't hear your genny but your neighbors will. And, if you get a
diesel, plan not only for enclosure, but for distance from your house and your neigbor's and for wind, because, as others noted, diesel fumes stink.
Inverter-chargers like yours, btw, have very high idle draw. Together with high self-discharge current (caused by keeping too many batteries), it
sucks the charge out of the bank faster than solar can put it in there on a cloudy day.
[Edited on 3-22-2015 by Alm]
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monoloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by ncampion | | One of the big advantages of propane generators is that the fuel is stable. For generators that don't run often propane is not a bad choice over gas
or diesel. Both gas and diesel fuel will go bad over time where as propane can sit there indefinitely without going bad. If you're going to use the
generator often, the fuel problem is not usually an issue and then diesel would be the best choice. |
Diesel
fuel is much more stabile than gasoline, it can get algae growth but unless it sits for a very long time and gets condensation in the fuel, it's
unlikely. My diesel generator was in storage for 6 years and fired right up on the fuel that was in the tank. I also have an Onan propane generator
and have had nothing but problems with the fuel system on it, not to mention the fact that it costs over twice as much to run than the diesel, even
though it is only 3.6kw vs. 6kw for the diesel. If you decide to use a propane generator, be prepared for some very high fuel costs.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Bob and Susan
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I have a little portable 5500 watt generator
the reality with portables is you're limited to the plug on wht you can do...load wise
each double receptacle can only handle 15amps or 1650w...then it blows
the BIG plug is 20amps or 2200w then that blows
overloading a generator is common here in Baja...we expect them to work as advertised...they don't
you should never run more than 60% of the total volume of power thru the generator or it will fail early
also if you over load a generator the voltage drops the amps rise and you burn electrical motors and circuit boards
remember the 2 types of generators...the 3600rpm units and the 1800rpm units...the second uses a lot less fuel for the same power
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Alm
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Long-term fuel storage isn't much of an issue, considering their regular (=annual) and very sporadic use of 5% of total time. They only need the
genny for AC. All other loads are taken care of by solar - it does need some tune-up, I would increase the panels up to 1,500-2,000 and get rid of one
pair of L16, donate or sell to somebody. But solar is a separate topic.
If (IF) their AC is OK with 3KW genny, this is 6-8 gallons a day even if you run it full power and non-stop. So every other day they will make a trip
to the gas station and fill a few 5-gal cans, no big deal. And, if one or two cans are left by the end of their stay, they will put it in the tank of
their car or take it with them when going North. They need to decide on the AC size before considering a genny type and size.
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Bob and Susan
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the only problem is this use of a portable generator
is ONLY a temporary fix
and gas really smells...I have to use paint thinner to "cut" the smell...seems like nothing else takes the smell away
I can NEVER pour it in without spilling...(old man)
I agree those 3000w Hondas are great...so quiet...
but after one summer in Baja it'll be worn out
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monoloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | the only problem is this use of a portable generator
is ONLY a temporary fix
and gas really smells...I have to use paint thinner to "cut" the smell...seems like nothing else takes the smell away
I can NEVER pour it in without spilling...(old man)
I agree those 3000w Hondas are great...so quiet...
but after one summer in Baja it'll be worn out |
Yep, one diesel generator will outlast 6+ Hondas.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Alm
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Honda 3000 is not quiet if used without enclosure. On a quiet evening you can hear it 300ft away. It's "quiet" compared to diesel though.
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BajaRob
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BS
I gotta call BS on a Honda 3000 EU lasting one summer in Baja. I have been running one for 8 years and it is still running strong. I also have a Honda
7000i and a Yamaha 6500 diesel which have ee running great for 12 years. Lets keep it real here.
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monoloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by BajaRob | | I gotta call BS on a Honda 3000 EU lasting one summer in Baja. I have been running one for 8 years and it is still running strong. I also have a Honda
7000i and a Yamaha 6500 diesel which have ee running great for 12 years. Lets keep it real here. |
It just
depends on how much you run it. A Honda 3000 is good for about 1500-2000 hours, a good diesel generator can run 30-40,000 hours.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Alm
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... and the OP will run it 5% of time only. They have 1,000W solar and don't live there all the time. A small portable should last them several
years.
Yes, gas stinks - when you spill it. Diesel fuel stinks when you burn it. They all stink.
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monoloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by Alm |
... and the OP will run it 5% of time only. They have 1,000W solar and don't live there all the time. A small portable should last them several
years.
Yes, gas stinks - when you spill it. Diesel fuel stinks when you burn it. They all stink. |
5%=438 hours a
year. Expect about 3 years of use.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Timinator
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Buy a few more panels, and a Honda or Yamaha generator. A 3K will work, a bigger one would be better. I run a 110v air conditioner with a Yamaha
2K generator on it's economy setting. So, unless you're running several AC's units, a 3K Generator should keep you cool and top off the batteries.
The diesel's are better overall, especially if you're looking for the best, long term fix. You pay for it though. Personally, I went with two 2K
Yamaha generators that I can tie together when I need it. If one happens to fail (which hasn't happened in 2.5 years), I still have 2K worth of power
with the second generator. I use these at an off grid hunting cabin in Ohio.
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Russ
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Remember to keep the fuel away from the genset. Just a safety thought. I use 3 - 15 gal containers on a roll around cart and siphon into the
generator. I roll the cart to a safe location. Pretty easy and usually no mess and fewer trips to town. The spark arrestor on the Honda needs to be
cleaned seasonally. If it's plugged up the generator will run lousy. When I change oil for the summer season I put in a 40 weight oil. Don't know if
that is good or bad but it's still running.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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monoloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by Timinator | Buy a few more panels, and a Honda or Yamaha generator. A 3K will work, a bigger one would be better. I run a 110v air conditioner with a Yamaha
2K generator on it's economy setting. So, unless you're running several AC's units, a 3K Generator should keep you cool and top off the batteries.
The diesel's are better overall, especially if you're looking for the best, long term fix. You pay for it though. Personally, I went with two 2K
Yamaha generators that I can tie together when I need it. If one happens to fail (which hasn't happened in 2.5 years), I still have 2K worth of power
with the second generator. I use these at an off grid hunting cabin in Ohio. |
A Honda EU3000 costs $2500 and
will last about 1500 hours, a good 6kw diesel generator will cost about $8000 but will last 25,000+ hours. You would spend over $40,000 buying Hondas
to get 25,000 hours of service.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Tacodawgtim
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I have a solar house in San Felipe.. Added on this year with the addition of two split unit acs... I run a Honda 6500 eu... It will put out 220. Plus
I have it set up with a remote start
Would I use it to live year round no. But if I am here and it gets hot it works. Pretty simple. But might not work for you.. I agree solar just
does not work if cloudy... Lots of options and opinions
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vandenberg
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I am in the process installing a 11 KW Generac stand by generator with a 200 amp smart switch.
Total cost will be around $5K,
$3000 for the unit including battery
$800 import and shipping from San Diego
$485 for 500 liter propane tank
Rest for installation and materials.
Maybe little steep, but great for peace of mind at 79.
Getting too old lugging generators around.
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msteve1014
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| Quote: Originally posted by vandenberg | I am in the process installing a 11 KW Generac stand by generator with a 200 amp smart switch.
Total cost will be around $5K,
$3000 for the unit including battery
$800 import and shipping from San Diego
$485 for 500 liter propane tank
Rest for installation and materials.
Maybe little steep, but great for peace of mind at 79.
Getting too old lugging generators around. |
Are you on CFE power there? Is it that unreliable? We have outages in La Bocana all the time, but I would have thought it was better where you are.
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Bob and Susan
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| Quote: Originally posted by vandenberg | I am in the process installing a 11 KW Generac stand by generator with a 200 amp smart switch.
Total cost will be around $5K,
$3000 for the unit including battery
$800 import and shipping from San Diego
$485 for 500 liter propane tank
Rest for installation and materials.
Maybe little steep, but great for peace of mind at 79.
Getting too old lugging generators around. |
maybe later you could tell what it really costs to run the propane...like per hour under load...
and if you have problems with the truck arriving to deliver the propane
try to keep the propane tank dry...the steel really rots down here...I already got rid of one your size because it rotted in 5 years and it was new
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vandenberg
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We're on the grid here in Nopolo. Reliable most of the time. No problem getting propane.
Installed the unit mainly to keep appliances going during storms, which is usually the time power goes off.
We have 31/2 fridges and an upright freezer and hate to loose the stuff in there. Also cistern pump and of course our splits. Can at least keep one
running during an outage.
Like I stated, more for peace of mind than anything.
With any luck don't need it in next few years.
Bob, also have a 500 ltr propane tank for stoves and water heaters. It is over 20 years old and still looks like new. So does my neighbors btw.
[Edited on 3-26-2015 by vandenberg]
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pacside
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| Quote: Originally posted by Alm | Long-term fuel storage isn't much of an issue, considering their regular (=annual) and very sporadic use of 5% of total time. They only need the
genny for AC. All other loads are taken care of by solar - it does need some tune-up, I would increase the panels up to 1,500-2,000 and get rid of one
pair of L16, donate or sell to somebody. But solar is a separate topic.
If (IF) their AC is OK with 3KW genny, this is 6-8 gallons a day even if you run it full power and non-stop. So every other day they will make a trip
to the gas station and fill a few 5-gal cans, no big deal. And, if one or two cans are left by the end of their stay, they will put it in the tank of
their car or take it with them when going North. They need to decide on the AC size before considering a genny type and size.
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My current setup:
8 x 135w panels for total of 1080w
Qty 16 Trojan L16E-AC batteries, 6 volt on a 48v system, 20 Hr Ah: 370
Xantrex 3000 Outback inverter
********************************************************
GENERATOR
Narrowed down the choice to either a Honda EU2000i (in parallel), EU3000i, or EU7000i or a continuous running, liquid cooled, 1800 rpm diesel
generator.
What generator size and type is best to run following air conditioning unit(s) for 5-6 weeks in the summer and occasionally in winter as back up.
1 split AC 18000btu (good)
2 split AC 12000btu (better)
All 3 units (best
I like Honda eu series because they are quiet, affordable and could possibly tied me over until I hook up to the grid, but what size?
I like diesel because they can run for long periods (ex 24/7 if needed for a few weeks) and no worry about running it too long or with heavy load but
a negative is they are expensive and running with light loads can damage them. Plus I may be grid tied soon so long term isn't as important.
I can get 2 Honda EU2000i's (in parallel) for $2000 ($999/ea) or a Honda EU7000i for $3999 (free shipping/no tax) but would have to ship or drive it
down. Which is best for my application?
Can anyone recommend the least expensive continous running, liquid cooled, 1800 rpm diesel generator?
SOLAR PANELS
Panels will be increased to 2000w or 2300kw from 1.08kw. What is more economical; adding 9 x 135w = 1215w (1215+1080=2300w) or replacing existing
panels with all new higher watt panels?
Alm can you explan why you suggest going up to 2000w and getting rid of a pair of the L16 batteries? Wouldn't it make sense to increase panels to what
my existing batteries can handle instead of getting rid of a pair? I need all the solar I can get.
edit: the AC units are 220v whereas the honda eu2000i gen is 110v. Possible to pair to get 220v?
Thans everyone for your replies.
pacside
[Edited on 7-9-2015 by pacside]
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