Best diesel generator

[Timbo]

Regardless of which brand you buy, test run it regularly and check it carefully each autumn. There is nothing worse than a generator that won't start when you need it, because when you need it you really do. Witham Auctions near Grantham often have military surplus gensets for sale.

If needing high dependency, really should have block heater and winding warmer - keeps the moisture out of everything.

 

[Vincent]

That's the change over switch I have fitted there has been led lights fitted since to indicate if the mains power is present or on gen power.

 

[X344chap]

Regardless of which brand you buy, test run it regularly and check it carefully each autumn. There is nothing worse than a generator that won't start when you need it, because when you need it you really do. Witham Auctions near Grantham often have military surplus gensets for sale.

+1 = no point in waiting until an emergency then trying to test your generator that hasn't been run for months/years. October is the month for winterisation - cleaning out water tanks, checking antifreeze in everything and making sure that generators are serviced and fuel tanks topped up.

 

[X344chap]

If needing high dependency, really should have block heater and winding warmer - keeps the moisture out of everything.

The Froment tractor powered gensets have a kettle plug lead for keeping the windings warm and dry.

 

[Vincent]

In reality if you have a set that has winding heaters it's probably speed with a jacket water heater and is compatible with auto start. Most domestic stand by sets won't have these features

 

[Netherfield]

I'll throw this in here, if anyone might know. Been offered a big lump of a metal lathe at handy money. Three phase with 10 KW motor. I have a 16 KVA 3 phase genny(Lister 2 cyl and Brush alt). Will the genny be able for it? Or plan B , put an engine on it...

I think it would handle it though, you're not really starting the lathe under load.

 

[Exfarmer]

I'll throw this in here, if anyone might know. Been offered a big lump of a metal lathe at handy money. Three phase with 10 KW motor. I have a 16 KVA 3 phase genny(Lister 2 cyl and Brush alt). Will the genny be able for it? Or plan B , put an engine on it...

I am certainly no expert, but I suspect that a lathe would not have a big start up requirement. Normally I would have said no without a soft start

 

[shumungus]

This idea of buying a small generator that only runs the essentials or one 'big' appliance and wiring it straight in through a changeover switch is a recipe for disaster. You will find that out when you have to replace the fridge freezer and a few electronic devices which have died from incorrect power supply. Buy once buy right and buy big.

 

[TheTallGuy]

I am certainly no expert, but I suspect that a lathe would not have a big start up requirement. Normally I would have said no without a soft start

Unfortunately it's not always so simple - it will depend largely on the engine governor & alternator regulator as to what happens at start up. My old 5kVA would go nuts sometimes when starting up my lathe with a 1kW motor.

 

[agrimax]

Only had a brief look at it today and am non the wiser if it has a soft start on it or not. To much junk around it atm!! Will look closer in the next day or two.
The genny can start my screw compressor which has a 7.5Kw motor but the ammeters for each phase go off the scales on initial start, but it runs it perfectly afterwards.... Perhaps the 10Kw will be to much after all. It might have to get a gearbox and PTO shaft yet...

 

[Kidds]

My 8KW generator often spits it's dummy when starting my 2.5kw mill. Although it is a mill there is hardly anything there other than getting the motor spinning, no flywheel or heavy bits to get moving.
Most of the time it just starts up with no fuss at all but I wouldn't attempt to start it while anything else was running, no problem turning other motors on once the mill is going.

 

[Bury the Trash]

im happier when a tractor with 90hp at the pto is on our 13kva one, happier than when weve used it on the F.Major anyway.

bit of random reading for you @steveR ...

https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=376119

 

[steveR]

im happier when a tractor with 90hp at the pto is on our 13kva one, happier than when weve used it on the F.Major anyway.

bit of random reading for you @steveR ...

https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=376119

Merci Bucks

 

[Bury the Trash]

Merci Bucks

mange tout

 

[michael N123]

Generator sale https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalogues/timed/assetauctions/catalogue-id-midlan11044

 

[Frankzy]

Domestic regs entirely prohibit multiple phases within one dwelling

Eh? How would you get 400 V three phase outlets if you didn't have multiple phases?

 

[Exfarmer]

Eh? How would you get 400 V three phase outlets if you didn't have multiple phases?

It certainly was the case that 3 phase was not allowed in domestic situations , but I believe the rules have changed a few years back.
With houses requiring chargers and ASHP, I can see a move towards 3 phase as being a norm.

 

[Hilly]

This idea of buying a small generator that only runs the essentials or one 'big' appliance and wiring it straight in through a changeover switch is a recipe for disaster. You will find that out when you have to replace the fridge freezer and a few electronic devices which have died from incorrect power supply. Buy once buy right and buy big.

I agree.

 

[TheTallGuy]

It certainly was the case that 3 phase was not allowed in domestic situations , but I believe the rules have changed a few years back.
With houses requiring chargers and ASHP, I can see a move towards 3 phase as being a norm.

3 phase has never been barred from domestic installations to my knowledge - there was an explicit requirement in the 14th edition (1968-1981) of the wiring regulations that all sockets in a single domestic room were on the same phase or pole in split phase systems,

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Don’t forget to have some diesel in a Jerry can, nothing worse than going to the mains supply diesel pump and then realising it won’t work