Cummins Liquid Cooled Standby Home Power Generators

Posted on May 17, 2013 by MJ Logan

Were you in the dark during the last power failure? You can eliminate worries that a power outage will leave your home susceptible to flooding, allow your refrigerated or frozen food to spoil, or that you’ll have to suffer through a withering heat wave or freezing cold without heating or cooling. Standby generators keep your home powered when the electric utility supply fails.

Cummins Onan 20kW LP Liquid Cooled Standby Generator

Cummins Onan 20kW LP Liquid Cooled Standby Generator
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Cummins power generation systems include 20 kilowatt liquid-cooled standby generator systems, with models that operate on natural gas or on LP gas. These standby power packages include 100 or 200-amp automatic transfer switches designed for use with the liquid cooled generators. The permanently installed generator sets operate automatically during an outage to keep your home supplied with electrical power. Liquid-cooled backup generators run cooler, so they use less oil and are less prone to high-temperature shutdowns which makes them very reliable. Applications include small business, light commercial, or residential installations where reliable backup power is required.

Liquid-Cooled Cummins Power

The RS20L series of generators from Cummins produce up to 20 kilowatts of electricity and are powered by General Motors 3.0-liter, four-cylinder engines. The engines in these liquid-cooled generators are similar to those found in automobiles. A fan blows air through a radiator filled with an antifreeze mixture that is pumped through the engine to cool it. Norwall offers four liquid-cooled packages that combine an LP or NG-powered generator with a 100 or 200-amp automatic transfer switch. Power interruptions are detected by the transfer switch, which signals the generator to start after a short delay to guard against momentary outages. The generator runs for a few seconds to warm up, and then transfer switch begins supplying the house with generator power.

Automatic Transfer Switch

Cummins Onan RS Series 20,000 Watt Liquid Cooled Standby Generator offers many features, a fully weather protective enclosure, significantly quieter operation, comes on automatically when you need it and shuts down automatically once main power is restored.

Cummins Onan RS Series 20,000 Watt Liquid Cooled Standby Generator offers many features, a fully weather protective enclosure, significantly quieter operation, comes on automatically when you need it and shuts down automatically once main power is restored.

The RSS 100 or 200 amp transfer switch from Cummins Power Generation selects between the normal utility supply and emergency backup power. The ATS programmable functions are controlled by the Powercommand Microprocessor Control panel located inside the transfer switch. Programmable functions include the generator start delay: 0 to 10 seconds, transfer to emergency power: 0 to 300 seconds, transfer back to utility power: 0 to 30 minutes, and the no-load cool-down period: 0 to 30 minutes. The exercise cycle clock is configurable in 7 day increments of 7, 14, 21, or 28 days. A 2-amp regulated battery charger is included within the transfer switch. The transfer switches have a NEMA 3R rating which allows for outdoor installation. Two installation configurations are commonly used. The first installation places the transfer switch between a main circuit breaker or disconnect switch and the main service panel. In this configuration, the entire main panel is served by the automatic transfer switch which chooses the utility supply during normal operation and standby generator power whenever utility power is lost or sags below acceptable levels. The transfer switch current rating―either 100 or 200 amperes―must equal or exceed the main circuit breaker rating. Most newer homes have a main circuit breaker rated at 200 amps. The second installation configures the transfer switch to supply only selected circuits in a sub panel. The ATS receives utility power via a circuit breaker in the main panel and feeds the sub panel. When utility power is dropped, the transfer switch selects backup generator power. In this configuration, only the circuits in the sub panel receive power during an outage. Circuits located in the main panel are not powered.

Features

Liquid cooled generators from Cummins Power Generation feature very quiet operation. They have an all-aluminum, attractive enclosure that resists rust and corrosion. The engine runs smoothly with lower vibration and an electronic governor that keeps the speed at 1800 RPM for a constant 60 hertz AC signal. An engine coolant heater for cold-weather operation is included. A 2 year/2000 hour consumer warranty is standard with additional 2 and 5 year warranties available as options.

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Backup Power – Preparing Food During A Power Outage

Posted on May 9, 2013 by MJ Logan
Standby generators are often packaged with an ATS that includes power management to control appliances that draw large amounts of power.

Standby generators are often packaged with an ATS that includes power management to control appliances that draw large amounts of power.

Standby and portable generators can handle a lot during a power outage, but they still have their limits. You probably know that your electric range can use a lot power, and if air conditioners are running, adding heat to the house with a range only adds to the electrical load. When the power goes out and you’re using standby power for essentials and conveniences, you need other options for cooking food.

Safety First

Generac Portable iX Series iX2000

Generac Portable iX Series iX2000

When you’re pulling out those seldom-used, counter-top cooking appliances, remember that those short cords serve a purpose. They prevent the cord from hanging down off a counter where a child could grab it and pull it down. Appliance cords are also made to handle the amount of power the appliance uses. Don’t overload an extension cord made to power a lamp by using it for a microwave or toaster oven.

Only use extension cords made for appliances, and don’t allow cords to hang where a child could pull the appliance down on top of themselves. Keep extension cords from crossing places where people walk or where they might be stepped on.

Microwave and Toaster Ovens

The cooking power is a good indicator of how much power the microwave uses. Microwaves use up to 40 percent more power than their cooking power, so a 1000 watt microwave uses about 1400 watts. Toaster ovens use from 1200 to 1700 watts, but microwaves cook fast if the food isn’t too thick, so they are a good alternative for heating up convenience foods like hot dogs, TV dinners, and canned or frozen foods.

The toaster oven is better for cooking meats and will do a better job of browning the meat and cooking it more evenly.

Microwaves and toaster ovens won’t wreck your standby power budget and make good choices for use during an outage. If you’re using close to the maximum power your standby generator can supply, turn off an air conditioner or other large appliance while you’re cooking dinner, then turn it back on when you’re done eating.

Hot Plates

Hot plates come in single and two burner versions, and on average use between 500 and 800 watts per burner. They are similar to using a small, single coil burner on an electric stove. At less than half what toaster ovens and microwaves use, they work well with both standby and portable generators for cooking a meal.

They are safe when used carefully and can be used to boil a pot of water or simmer dinner in a frying pan. They’re great for making oatmeal or cream of wheat, or just heating up a can of vegetables or baked beans.

Be sure to place the hot plate where it can’t fall or tip over, and don’t place pots on it that are too large for the burner to support.

Other Cooking Appliances

Refrigerator

A power outage without a backup generator can mean countless dollars in groceries going to waste.

Electric fry pans, waffle irons and griddles can use 1000 to 1600 watts, and coffee makers average 1200 watts. They fall into the same energy category as toaster ovens and microwaves. Crock pots and slow cookers are the energy misers at just 200 to 300 watts on average. If you’re using a portable generator, these little gems might take all day to cook a pot roast, but they’ll do it without breaking into your emergency power energy budget.

Don’t forget the BBQ grill. Charcoal and gas grills can do more than grill a few burgers or sausages on a warm summer day. They are perfect for cooking food during an outage and don’t use any power. Just remember that grills are outdoor appliances―never use them indoors because they emit dangerous carbon monoxide.

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Get Ready for Storm Season with a Generac 5875 Standby Generator

Posted on May 6, 2013 by MJ Logan

Summer is right around the corner and with it comes some of Mother Nature’s most violent weather. Tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and strong thunderstorms are fueled by warm, humid air and can cause extensive damage over large areas. Power outages are a more than an inconvenience and often cause other problems such as flooding and food spoilage. Every year, power outages affect tens of thousands of people and their homes, and extended outages are becoming more common.

We’ve come to rely on electrical power to not only make our lives easier and more convenient, but to keep ourselves and our property safe. A standby generator for backup power is becoming the next must-have appliance to keep homes and families safe and secure.

The 5875 Warehouse Blowout Sale at Norwall Power Systems is the perfect time to safeguard your home and family from power outages and take advantage of savings at the same time. Supplies are limited however, and this sale won’t last forever.

Generac 5875 20kW Generator and Nexus Smart Switch

The 5875 is a standby generator and automatic transfer switch package. The Generac Guardian  produces up to 20 kilowatts of continuous power, enough for most homes to keep essentials like air conditioning, furnaces, sump and well pumps, and refrigerators and freezers operating through an extended power outage. The 200 amp, service-entrance-rated Nexus Smart Switch switch works in conjunction with the generator’s Nexus Controller to automatically provide standby power during an outage.

Within seconds after utility power is interrupted, the automatic transfer switch moves the home’s electrical system onto standby generator power until electric utility service is restored. The Smart Switch incorporates power management for up to two air conditioners and with the addition of Demand Load Management Modules, it can handle up to four additional high-voltage loads with its load-shedding controller.

The Nexus Controller continuously monitors and adjusts engine speed and voltage to ensure utility-quality power, even when operating under a heavy load.

Fully Automatic

The Guardian Generator and Nexus Smart Switch are designed to operate automatically, even if you are not home. The generator’s Nexus Controller will sense a power outage immediately and wait ten seconds to ensure the outage is not momentary. After ten seconds, it starts the generator and then signals the Smart Switch switch to make the move from utility power to standby generator power.

After the electric utility restores power, the transfer switch moves the home back onto utility power and the controller runs the generator for another minute to help it cool down, then shuts it off.

Extended Outages

The Generac 5875 runs on either LP gas (propane) or natural gas for operation during extended outages. It connects directly to the home’s gas supply lines, making refueling the generator every few hours a thing of the past.

The engine was designed by Generac specifically to meet the tough demands and environmental conditions placed on a generator. It has a electronic ignition for efficient and reliable operation, and an extended maintenance interval of 200 hours to keep it operating during long-term outages. The pressurized lubrication system is similar to that used in automobiles for years of trouble free use.

Ready to Ship

Norwall has 5875 generator packages in stock and ready to ship within two days. Now is the time to buy, before summer storms arrive and leave your home without power. Installing an emergency standby generator requires planning, time, and the services of a qualified electrician. Start your summer planning now and never go without power again.

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Active 2013 Hurricane Season Predicted

Posted on May 3, 2013 by MJ Logan

Long range forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season. The season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. These dates mark the time when tropical cyclones most likely to form, but hurricanes can and do form at other times during the year.

Hurricane Get Ready

Hurricane Get Ready

The hurricane season includes other, less intense storms. Tropical Depressions have lower wind speeds and are generally less organized than a hurricane or a Tropical Storm. The sustained winds in a tropical depression max out at 39 MPH, while a tropical storm can have sustained winds that reach 74 MPH. Storms reach hurricane status when their sustained winds reach 75 MPH, and major hurricanes have winds exceeding 110 MPH.

Hurricanes have a major impact when they reach land and cause widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure while disrupting services and utilities.

2013 Hurricane Season Forecast

In December of 2012, the Tropical Storm Risk consortium issued a long-range forecast for 2013 that included more than 15 named storms, of which at least seven would be hurricanes, and also included three to four major hurricanes.

In early April of 2013, the TSR forecast was updated and based in part on higher than normal Atlantic Ocean surface temperatures and the unlikely formation of an El Nino before the season reaches its peak in September. The prediction has an approximate 25 percent margin of error, meaning there will be 11 to 19 named storms, five to ten hurricanes, and two to five major hurricanes.

The likelihood that a major hurricane (category three or higher) will make landfall in the United States is well above average for the 2013 season.

Hurricane Preparation

It is not uncommon for a hurricane to cause widespread damage to the electrical grid and other utilities such as water and sewer and telephone communications.

High winds cause power outages and property damamge

High winds cause power outages and property damamge

The time to prepare is before the season starts. Along the coast, you may need to purchase plywood for covering windows and doorways. Containers for holding enough water for each person for one week are a good idea, as are supplies of non-perishable foods such as canned goods and staples.

Portable electric generators are an affordable option for powering a home during an outage, but need a continuous supply of fuel to be fully effective. A better option is a permanently installed standby generator which connects to a home’s natural gas lines or LP gas tank. A generator can keep sump pumps running, provide lights, operate air conditioners, and power your television for news update. They also run hot plates and microwave ovens for cooking.

As storms approach, locally available equipment and supplies run short, making advance preparation the best policy. And, the installation of a generator can take time and the services of an electrician.

Generators run continuously for days require maintenance in as little as 100 hours. Don’t forget to stock up on enough maintenance supplies to get your generator through several weeks of operation.

Surviving the Storm

Hurricanes are large, powerful storms that easily destroy property and claim lives. If you’re in the path of a hurricane and authorities are warning you to evacuate, don’t wait. Leave before the roads are clogged with desperate travelers and gasoline supplies run short. Your property isn’t worth risking your life.

Inland and along the outside edges of a hurricane’s path, use the supplies you stocked previously, conserve food and water, and use your generator when the power goes out. If you have a portable generator, conserve fuel by only using the generator as needed. Keep refrigerators cold, furnaces running in freezing temperatures, and sump pumps operating to prevent flooding. Stock up on fuel whenever you have the chance.

Don’t forget to follow safety guidelines for using a generator, and keep up to date on emergency weather reports.

UPDATE: The April 10 extended forecast now includes 18 named storms including 9 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. The probability that a category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane will strike the U.S. Coast is 72 percent, the East Coast (includes Florida peninsula) 48 percent, and Gulf Coast 47 percent.

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Generac’s Digital Power Management System

Posted on May 2, 2013 by MJ Logan

Smart Switch automatic transfer switches from Generac manage power for entire homes with the help of digital power management technology. Appliances such as air conditioners, electric water heaters, and well pumps draw high levels of current at 240 volts and can take a big bite out of the amount of power available from a standby generator. Generac’s Digital Power Management system allows these heavy users of electrical power to operate without overloading the generator.

Power Management Strategy

Generac Power Management Module PMM and Starter Kit 6199

Generac Power Management Module PMM and Starter Kit 6199Note: The Starter Kit and PMM will only work with the RTSR and RTSY transfer switches. 

Generac’s Digital Power Management strategy uses priority-based load shedding to control high-demand loads. Loads are assigned a priority from one (highest) to four (lowest) which are managed by the Overload Protection Control Board (OPCB) integrated within the automatic transfer switch.

The OPCB can manage two central air conditioning units without the addition of any hardware. Up to four additional loads can be controlled by adding Power Management Module Starter Kit (PMM), which requires the installation of a Power Management Module. The kit includes one PMM and the 24-volt transformer required to operate the modules.

When the generator’s voltage frequency drops below 58 hertz, the OPCB identifies the drop as an overload. Lower priority loads are turned off, lowering the demand on the generator and preventing the generator’s main circuit breaker from tripping or damage occurring to the generator caused by the overloaded condition.

Power Management Modules

Generac 50 Amp Power Management Module 6186

Generac 50 Amp Power Management Module 6186

Power Management Modules control 240-volt loads of up to 50 amperes by using an internal relay to turn the load on or off. The relay is an electric switch that uses minimal power to operate. PMMs connect to the control board LOAD terminals, which are numbered from one to four, corresponding directly to their priority assignment.

When the OPCB senses an overload, it sheds (turns off) the loads in order of priority from lowest to highest. An appliance connected to Load 4 is shed first, and Load 1 is shed last.

Power Management

The OPCB controls a typical air conditioner by switching the thermostat “Y” wire and assigns the first air conditioner as priority one, and the second air conditioner as priority two. The A/C terminal pairs on the control board may also control other devices such as heat pumps and two stage air conditioners, but will require the use of additional Power Management Modules and special wiring to do so.

Additional loads are managed through the load terminals on the OPCB. Each pair of load terminals connects to a separately purchased Power Management Module.

Loads 1 and 2 on the OPCB are assigned the same priority as A/C 1 and A/C 2 which allows those loads to run with the same priority as the air conditioners.

Power Management Configuration Examples

Example 1:

Two central air conditioners are connected to A/C 1 (priority 1) and A/C 2 (priority 2) on the control board. A hot water heater is connected to Load 3 and an electric dryer is connected to Load 4.

During an outage, the air conditioners get top priority. If the electric dryer and both air conditioners are running, and the hot water heater starts and causes an overload condition, the OPCB will shed the dryer load in favor of the hot water heater, because the hot water heater has a higher priority (3) than the electric dryer priority (4).

Example 2:

Two air conditioners are connected to A/C 1 and A/C 2, and a well pump is connected to Load 1. Load 1 is assigned priority 1, the same as A/C 1. If both A/C 1 and A/C 2 are running and the generator is operating near capacity, turning on the well pump may overload the generator.

In this case, the control board allows A/C 1 to continue running and allows the well pump to start and run because it has the same priority. A/C 2 is shut off because it has a lower priority than A/C 1 or Load 1. The well pump runs and fills the tank, then shuts off. A/C 2 is then allowed to start again.

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Automatic Transfer Switches for Standby Generator Systems

Posted on April 26, 2013 by MJ Logan
Standby generators are often packaged with an ATS that includes power management to control appliances that draw large amounts of power.

Standby generators are often packaged with an ATS

Transfer switches allow safe and convenient connections between homes and businesses to backup-power generators. With the switch in the utility position, they supply power from the electric utility. When the switch is moved to the generator position, power is supplied by the generator. Transfer switches may supply only a few critical circuits or an entire electrical system, depending on their rating and that of the generator.

One very important function of any transfer switch is to disconnect the electric utility from any circuit supplied from the generator. This prevents the generator from feeding utility lines and endangering workers. It also keeps utility power and generator power separate once power is restored by the electric utility.

Generac Standard RTS transfer switches feature NEMA 3R enclosures for indoor or outdoor use.

Standard RTS transfer switches feature NEMA 3R enclosures for indoor or outdoor use.

An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is able to operate in conjunction with a standby generator to supply power without human intervention. Standby generator manufacturers make automatic transfer switches that work with their generators to provide specific features and power management capabilities.

Before making any purchase, ensure that the ATS you select is compatible with the generator you purchase, or choose a generator package that includes an automatic transfer switch.

Switch Only

These automatic transfer switches only control the flow of power from the utility and the standby generator. During normal operation, they are in the utility position and power is supplied from the electric utility. When an outage occurs, they switch the power source to the generator and disconnect the utility.

Power from the utility is taken directly from the utility meter, or from a circuit breaker inside the main service panel. The switch connects to a separate load center which contains circuit breakers that distribute power to individual branch circuits.

Switch + Load Center

This is a load center that includes an automatic transfer switch and reduces the number of electrical boxes, which simplifies installation. Power enters the ATS from the utility company or main panel, and from the generator. The switch selects between generator and utility power for distribution to circuit breakers located on the power buss-bars inside the load center.

Some hybrid versions will supply a limited number of circuit breakers from generator power, and all the circuit breakers from utility power. A service-entrance-rated switch plus load center can replace an entire main service panel.

Service Entrance Rated

A service entrance is where electrical power enters the building from the electric utility. This includes the wires between the electric utility meter and main service panel or main disconnect. A Service Entrance (SE) rated ATS is one that was specifically manufactured to handle the incoming electrical connections from the electric utility and provides a way to shut off electrical power from the utility.

Some jurisdictions require a separate disconnect or shutoff switch for use with SE rated transfer switches and other service entrance equipment.

Managed Power

A main service panel has a main circuit breaker rating greater than the normal power demand. This means that a home or business with a 200-amp main breaker will rarely, if ever, use that amount of current. A generator that could supply 200 amperes is unnecessarily expensive to purchase and install, and uneconomical to operate. A better choice is to install a smaller generator that can supply the normal use requirements. With the addition of a managed power option, the same generator can also supply appliances that are heavy users of electricity, such as air conditioners and deep-well pumps.

Standby generators are often packaged with an ATS that includes power management to control appliances that draw large amounts of power. Some use a scheme called load shedding that will turn off certain circuits to ensure other circuits have enough power to operate. Another method imprints an appliance’s power requirements, then keeps the appliance from starting if there is not enough generator power available. Still others will only allow one high demand appliance from operating at any given time.

Managed power options are available for both smaller and larger capacity standby generators, whether they supply an entire building with power, or only essential circuits.

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Protect Your Property with a Standby Generator

Posted on April 23, 2013 by MJ Logan
If the power ever goes out, your Generac standby generator goes on - automatically - protecting you and your home 24/7.

Power. Our lives depend on it.

Power outages indirectly cause billions of dollars in property damage every year. Without power, sump pumps that keep basements dry won’t work and the resulting damage can cost tens of thousands of dollars that won’t be covered by a standard home owner insurance policy. A flooded basement can destroy areas that were finished and ruin major appliances like washers, dryers, furnaces, and freezers. Many people use basements to store personal items with sentimental value that can’t be replaced.

Cold weather problems begin with a lack of heat and turn into major disasters when pipes freeze and burst. When power is restored, the home warms up, the pipes thaw, and the broken water pipes flood the home.

Home security systems operate off a battery and can supply power for a time, but not forever. Many home telephones have been taken off landlines and included with cable television or as part of an Internet connection, and use a battery backup supply in the event of a power outage. When the power goes out, a home loses the protection offered by those systems.

During an outage, receiving updates on weather or rescue efforts can be critical, but without power, there is no access to television and other communication services. Without power, how will you charge your cell phone to call for help if you need it?

24/7 Protection

A standby generator isn’t just for convenience. It protects your property from the dangers caused by a power outage, and does so even if you are not home.

How It Works

When Utility Power is Lost
Perhaps it’s a storm. Maybe it’s an equipment failure. In any case, the electricity you depend is suddenly gone. Within seconds, you generator prepares to restore your home’s power.

When your home loses power from the grid, the generator’s controller senses the outage, starts the engine, and instructs the automatic transfer switch to move the home’s electrical system off the power grid and onto the standby generator. The generator supplies power to the critical circuits that keep your home and property safe from damage.

During the planning stage for a home backup generator installation, choose which circuits are the most critical for ensuring the safety of your property. Then add other circuits also deemed essential. Finally, add circuits that provide comfort and convenience.

Automatic Transfer Switches

Standby generators are sold as individual units or packaged with an automatic transfer switch. Most generator manufacturers also manufacture transfer switches designed to work hand-in-hand with the controller in the generators they manufacture. Often there are options offered by different types of switches that work with the generator chosen.

Some appliances are heavy users of electricity and require management in order to work with a home standby generator.

To fully protect your property, it is important to understand how your transfer switch and generator will manage circuits like deep-well water pumps, air conditioners, and similar high-current appliances. Without power management, some circuits could potentially overload the generator and cause its main circuit breaker to trip, leaving your home without power until you return or the utility restores power from the grid.

Choose a managed power option if you have high-current appliances that you want to run if the power goes out. Choose an unmanaged option if you can do without those appliances during an outage, and then only connect the circuits critical to keeping your home and family safe.

 

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Mobile Link from Generac – Get Generator Status Anywhere

Posted on April 12, 2013 by MJ Logan

Generac Mobile Link Remote Monitoring ServiceA standby Generac Generator gives you peace of mind even when you are away from home. When the power goes out in a storm, you know your generator will start and run automatically and keep your home supplied with power. Standby generators protect your home by keeping sump pumps running, furnaces operating, and freezers and refrigerators cold.

It’s important to monitor generator status and operation and keep a watchful eye on system messages. Now, you can take your generator’s status and messages with you on vacation, to work, or even the grocery store. Mobile Link allows you to access your generator on tablets, smart phones, computers from virtually anywhere and sends you text-message updates on other phones.

When you’re away from home and the power goes out, you’ll know the generator started like it was supposed to―or didn’t start, and you can take action from afar to get it up and running.

Online Access

Mobile Link is a cutting edge and affordable cellular based remote monitoring

Mobile Link is a cutting edge and affordable cellular based remote monitoring

You access your standby generator’s controller through the StandbyStatus website. The handy, easy-to-use dashboard allows you to view current status and maintenance requirements. You can change the exercise schedule, review history, change messaging settings, or even get local weather updates.

Viewing status updates, maintenance and history allows you to be proactive and ensure maintenance gets done on time.

How it Works

Mobile Link connects to the cellular network and sends messages similar to text messages. It includes the Mobile Link transmitter that connects to the controller on your standby generator. A low-cost cellular subscription is required for the transmitter – cellular service at the generator installation is necessary for it to work. The nationwide cellular network is the most reliable connection during widespread power outages which makes it a natural choice for emergency communication.

Anytime the generator status changes or a message is issued by the controller, Mobile Link sends a message to StandbyStatus.com. The website forwards the message to your email, sends a text message to up to four cellular accounts, and updates your online dashboard.

Notifications

You’ll know when your Generac generator ran its last exercise cycle, if it encountered any faults, or requires maintenance. Text messages sent to your phone keep you informed. You can even have messages sent to your servicing agent to make sure that maintenance gets done on time and when it’s needed.

Whether you’re at home or in another state, you’ll know when the battery is failing or if the generator has been running long enough to require maintenance. With more than 40 possible notifications, it’s just one more way to stay up to date and enjoy peace of mind in a busy world.

Compatibility and Installation

Compatible generators are those with an LCD display and Nexus or Evolution controller, and include 2008 or later air-cooled models and 2010 or later liquid-cooled models. Mobile Link installs in minutes and configures itself with the local cellular network. It is not compatible with existing wireless or advanced wireless monitors. Your local cellular network must be capable of sending and receiving text messages.

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Don’t Forget About Starting Watts

Posted on April 11, 2013 by MJ Logan

All generators, from permanently installed standby units for backup power, to portable generators on job sites, have two very important specifications that all generator users should be aware of.

  • Maximum Continuous Power is the power the generator is capable of supplying all the time.
  • Maximum Surge Power is the total power the generator can supply for a few short moments.

Both specifications are given in watts or kilowatts.

Power and Electric Motors

When an electric motor starts, a momentary inrush of electric current gets the motor started. The inrush allows the motor to overcome inertial resistance of the motor and the load it is attached to.

Briggs & Stratton gives you the peace of mind to take charge. Before the power goes out.

Briggs & Stratton gives you the peace of mind to take charge. Before the power goes out.

For example, when an air-conditioner motor starts, it has to overcome the resistance of its own internal parts, and of the compressor and fan to which it is attached. When the motor is not moving, the inrush current establishes the magnetic fields the motor needs to run, and the motor begins to turn. The electric current at this moment is very high―many times the running current of the motor.

The  high current flow only lasts a very short time. As the motor speed increases, the current spike continues to fall until the motor reaches its full speed, when it operates at its rated running watts.

Power is expressed in watts (P), which is voltage (V) multiplied by amperes (I). P = V x I.

Generator Surge Power

As current increases, so does the heat created by the flow of current. A generator has a maximum continuous power rating that prevents the generator from supplying so much current that it fails. Although the generating unit that creates electric current can supply higher amounts of current than the maximum continuous rating, it will fail if it does so for longer than a few seconds.

The main circuit breaker on the generator is the primary safety against overloading the generator and causing it to fail. If current rises higher than the main breaker rating, the breaker does not trip immediately. Instead, it allows the higher current for a short period of time before it trips. This allows the generator to supply a surge current to the load. If the high current continues, the generator’s main breaker will trip to protect the unit from overload.

Starting Watts, or Maximum Surge Power, are the number of watts a generator can supply for this very short period of time to start electric motors.

Example: The average 1/3 -horsepower motor uses 830 running watts. To start, it needs approximately 2500 watts, or about three times the running watts.

Generator Selection

Automatic 8kW NG/LP Standby Generator Essential Power with 50 Amp 10 Circuit ATS

Automatic 8kW NG/LP Standby Generator Essential Power with 50 Amp 10 Circuit ATS

When choosing a generator for purchase or determining what loads a generator can power, take both specifications into consideration. Briggs & Stratton has a Starting Watts Worksheet for calculating the size of a generator required. The worksheet outlines a method for determining what size generator is required for any purpose. It also supplies a table of running watts and starting watts of common tools and appliances for reference. Remember that appliances and tools may vary; check each one for actual power requirements.

Your first step is to add up the running watts of all the appliances or tools the generator will run. You will need a generator that can supply the total running watts―Maximum Continuous Power― all the time. Next, find the appliance or tool with the highest starting watts and add the starting watts to the running watts. This is maximum surge power the generator will have to supply.

Purchase a generator that can supply the maximum watts required for a few seconds and the continuous running watts the rest of the time.

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Generator Watts, Volts, and Amps

Posted on April 8, 2013 by MJ Logan

Electrical terms get tossed around like baseballs at spring batting practice, and while we are familiar with hearing them, do we really know what they mean?

polemanWhen considering the purchase of a generator, whether for a home standby unit, portable job-site electrical power, or to install in a boat or RV, correctly applying and using terms like volts, watts, and amps can make the difference between correctly-sizing a generator that does that job, or choosing one that is under or over powered. After the purchase is made, it is still important to understand the terms and apply them to keep from overloading the generator or tripping circuit breakers.

Amperes

Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor. Amperes, or amps, is a measure of how many electrons are flowing. The flow of electrons through a conductor is called electric current. It takes many electrons to do even a small amount of work; one ampere is equal to 6.241 x 1018 electrons flowing in one second.

When electrons flow, they meet resistance in whatever conductor they are flowing through. The larger the conductor, the less resistance they meet. When electrons flow against resistance, they create heat. A wire conductor can grow hot enough to ignite flammable materials if it is too small to carry the current. For this reason, wires in homes are required by code to be a certain size and protected by circuit breakers or fuses that open if the safe current level is exceeded.

Generators are capable of producing a limited number of amperes and are protected by circuit breakers that prevent overloading the generator.

Voltage

Voltage is pressure, very much like water pressure in a hose or pipe. It is the force that moves electrons through a conductor. The higher the pressure, the more work the electrons are capable of doing.

Image 843Water under pressure can do work such as cleaning a sidewalk or stripping paint from a house, as long as there is enough water and pressure to do the job. The same is true of electricity. If you have electrons moving with pressure behind them, they will do work such as turning a motor, heating a light bulb filament until it glows, or producing heat in a space heater.

Appliances are often rated by the number of volts they require, and the number of amps they use to do the work for which they were designed.

Watts and Kilowatts

Power is the amount of work done in a specific amount of time. The unit used to express power is watts and is a function of both current and voltage. To find the power electricity is doing, multiply amperes by voltage to obtain watt-hours. Another common unit is kilowatt-hours, which is simply watts divided by 1000. One kilowatt = 1000 watts.

Generators are rated in watts or kilowatts to express how much work they are capable of doing. Just as an athlete might put out a burst of extra energy in a sprint for a few seconds, a generator can do the same thing and put out a surge of extra power for a few seconds. This extra capacity allows it to start electric motors which require an initial boost of power to start turning.

These examples illustrate the relationship between volts, amps, and watts.

  • 12 volts x 200 amperes = 2400 watts.
  • 120 volts x 20 amperes = 2400 watts.
  • 240 volts x 10 amperes = 2400 watts.
  • 12 volts x 10 amperes = 120 watts.
  • 120 volts x 10 amperes = 1200 watts.

In the first three examples, note how more amperes are required to produce the same power at a lower voltage than a higher voltage. In the last two examples, increasing the voltage while keeping the amperes the same increases the power.

Generator Power

Electricity has changed the world with its ability to do work. As our reliance on the supply of electricity grows, so does its impact on our lives when it is suddenly not available. It keeps our homes safe, dry and warm, powers appliances and tools that make our lives easier, and extends the shelf life of the foods we eat.

Understanding the simple electrical terms that describe the work a generator does helps make choices when selecting a new generator and operating it safely and efficiently after the purchase.

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