Quote Originally Posted by Frank S View Post
Komo, The proper switch-gear for a fully integrated home generation system would be one of the top priority items of such a build. the second would be if you have any load requirements which would require uninterrupted power another words anything that absolutely cannot be without power even for a second. On the very top of that list of these items would be critical life support equipment. Almost everything else while inconvenient to have to restart would not be completely devastating. However many items within a household can benefit from individual UPS systems which would also aid in lowering the initial start up loading of a self contained home generation system. such as having the home security system and any home computer equipment on a separate UPS will protect them from any power surge due to fluctuation in generator output, plus lower the inrush current a generator will be subjected to at initial take over from the grid. Having programmed time delayed circuits which would prevent such things as the HVAC water heater and refrigerator from all starting at once is another option. Also during emergency power outages such as those during a hurricane it my be a good practice not to even have the HVAC or hot water heater running at all since they are huge power hogs. Will add more later as Right now I have a couple other things which must be attended to .
Oner terrible mistake a lot of home owners do when having an emergency back up generating system is to be lulled into a false seance of security thinking that just because they have a state of the art fully integrated fully autonomous system which is supposed to function anytime there is a power failure is to believe this system never needs attention. First off the switch gear which will disconnect the mains start up the generator run it up to stable voltage and HZ then connect it to the house loads needs to have tests conducted on it as per manufactures or installers recommendations the generator itself should be started and brought up to operating temperature on a regular basis it should also be placed under load and brought up to full rated capacity periodically either by applying loads from within the house or an external load bank or at the very least once a year. these tests may be combined and a data log needs to be recorded. 2 other things about home generators are #1 just because not many hours will be put on these units doesn't mean the oil and filters don't need to be changed oils will gradually lose their additives over time and can even create corrosive acids using synthetics helps as well as adding in stabilizers but they still need changed at least once a year no matter if there is only 10 testing hours put on them during that period. An air filter can absorb moisture and attract air born dust particles even when the engine is not running. If the generator is not housed in an out building or its own cabinet the breather element should be changed every 2 years unless subjected to a dusty environment such as the desert then it should be changed more frequently. #2 fuels Natural gas generators hard lined into the service line need only to be maintained with the regular tests as mentioned above the oil and filters still require regular maintenance as already stated.
Diesel fuel has a longer storage life than gasoline but it does not last forever 20 year old diesel maybe but not the ultra low sulfur sold today. About 1 to possibly 2 years would be stretching it. Gasoline bought at discount stores can can start to go bad within a month or 2. always spend the extra money to buy the higher grade of gasoline when ever possible.
that pretty much covers most o tit for now but I do have other tips and recommendations which would be germane to particular system designs.