Re: Fading of Activity
Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 3:09 pmI did consider solar but the costs are way too high when it's only used as a back-up source. I was lucky in picking up a second-hand generator at a bargain price, 5kVA with only 73 hours of run-time. It needs a major service/overhaul at every 2000 hours. Oil & filter change every 100 hours.
It's remote controlled start/stop via wire and monitoring things like oil pressure, fuel level, RPM, temperature and so on can be done remotely - again via cable.
I'll be building a control/monitoring box to go in the kitchen which will add auto-start and changeover of supply after five seconds of power-loss and shutdown if the oil pressure drops or the temperature becomes excessive. Auto-stop when normal supply has resumed for five minutes.
As it's located about 45m away from the house one of the biggest costs is the power cable which has to carry just under 30A at full load with little volts drop - copper these days is at an all-time high in cost.
As per usual I've taken this well and truly off-topic, my apologies. I'll shut up now.
Steve A.
It's remote controlled start/stop via wire and monitoring things like oil pressure, fuel level, RPM, temperature and so on can be done remotely - again via cable.
I'll be building a control/monitoring box to go in the kitchen which will add auto-start and changeover of supply after five seconds of power-loss and shutdown if the oil pressure drops or the temperature becomes excessive. Auto-stop when normal supply has resumed for five minutes.
As it's located about 45m away from the house one of the biggest costs is the power cable which has to carry just under 30A at full load with little volts drop - copper these days is at an all-time high in cost.
As per usual I've taken this well and truly off-topic, my apologies. I'll shut up now.
Steve A.
