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Discussion Forum

generator setup question

capeguy | Posted in General Discussion on October 5, 2007 05:06am

I have a client that we have recently installed a new 100kw desiel generator for. It has an automatic test schedule of once a week. 

My question is, is there an electronic way to alert someone if the generator doesn’t fire on schedule and not have to wait until the power goes out to find out it isn’t working.

It is a distance from the residence, the homeowner doesn’t want to be bothered with following up on this.  So i would want to send the signal to the alarm company or the generator installer.

 

Thanks

 

Reply

Replies

  1. DanH | Oct 05, 2007 05:23pm | #1

    There's always a way. The question is whether it's easy to do or hard.

    If there is some sort of "failed" light on the genset control box, the alarm folks ought to be able to figure out how to wire that into their stuff to sound an alarm. Or you could rig the light up to one of those autodialers.

    Otherwise you'd need some sort of box that would have a clock and sound an alarm if the genset didn't fire up within one week. That would probably be custom gear, unless the alarm company had some way to program it.

    It would probably be good to simply ask the genset manufacturer.

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
  2. junkhound | Oct 05, 2007 05:35pm | #2

    If it is already on an automatic test program, likely already has a report programmed to be sent - hard to know without seeing the specs on the install.

    BTW, both Coast gaurd and USAF trade studies for 100kW to 400 kW standby diesel gen-sets showed the optimum automatic test would be 2 to 3 weeks v.s the one week your customer was programmed for.  Once a week actually results in LOWER reliability, and also expense.  I worked on Minuteman diesel gen-sets in the 70's and 80's - I'd seriously question the once a week.   

    Also, when exercised, the diesel must come up to full operating temp and stay there for 10-15 minutes to avoid condensation, sludge, etc. which also reduce reliability.

    The coast guard study also found some cost items for continuously running diesel sets - do NOT have any shutdown features for overheat or low oil pressure.  Very specific cases, when a buoy sends out a shutdown, a repair ship was dispatched.  80+% of the failures were of the sensor rather than actual overheat or low oil pressure.  Coast guard found it was more cost effective to let the diesel self destrect on low oil and replace the whole thing than dispatching a ship 7 times to repair an oil pressure gauge vs. once to replace the entire engine.

    1. capeguy | Oct 05, 2007 06:29pm | #3

      I actually might of misspoke, I am not sure if it is once a week.  I just assumed.

      thanks for the response

    2. HammerHarry | Oct 06, 2007 01:49am | #8

      This thread of course needs to be hijacked.  I once had a great conversation with an electrical engineer who used to work at a 1050MW oil fired power plant - they had a plant outage due to an electrical storm, but when they went to restart the plant, they discovered that the batteries on the backup diesel genset (which was required to get the power to start up the power plant) were dead...they actually had to find a contractor nearby with a front end loader to bring it to site to boost the genset.  In the middle of the night, of course.

  3. scottthebuilder | Oct 05, 2007 08:02pm | #4

    I went through this last year on an 80kw propane model supplied by the local Cat dealer. I thought it would be a good idea because the unit is almost impossible to hear running from the house. It is in a sound attenuated cabinet and being gas powered makes it extremely quiet. I suggested we tie it to the alarm company but the HO was concerned about false alarms from the alarm co. notifications and dealing with those hassles. Instead I just stop by once a month or so and log the engine hours and the control panel condition (warning lights)because it is on my way home anyway and I just throw an hour or 2 on another job I know I will have for the HO once a quarter or so. I also thought it would be a good idea to lay an extra conduit while we had the ditch open to the house during installation. This extra 1" pipe only cost a few bucks and will make adding control or monitoring circuits a simple task. If you feel the monitoring circuit is needed I'm sure the supplier of the unit can lay it out. I have seen such monitoring in commercial applications and don't think it's a big deal. 

    Scott

     

  4. Stuart | Oct 05, 2007 08:41pm | #5

    A 100kW genset for a residence?  Must be a pretty big house.  As others have said, the generator control panel should have a fail alarm that latches on if something goes wrong, along with an output relay contact.  That relay contact can be connected to an autodialer, or their security system, or even to a red light or buzzer inside the house.  An autodialer can be connected to their phone line, or they are also available with cellular dialing which would save some wiring.

    However, someone should actually go look at the thing once in a while to make sure everything is ok.  I assume some sort of maintenance schedule will be set up to change the oil, etc. as well.

    The automatic test function is probably adjustable to whatever time period you want it to be.  Bi-weekly should be adequate.

    1. capeguy | Oct 05, 2007 09:10pm | #7

      Thanks for the feedback and info.  It is a large house and other buildings on the property.

      After I originally sent this out I was on line and found a system that does connect and can either hardwire or wireless call  a monitoring call center.

      Not all that expensive for hardware and service.

      Thanks one and all.

      1. User avater
        SamT | Oct 06, 2007 07:09am | #11

        Program it to report all tests. If the reporting system breaks down you'll know.SamT

  5. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Oct 05, 2007 08:52pm | #6

    My sweetheart has the same questions about me.  Can he be programmed to fire up, on schedule, once a week?  How will I know if he's in working order or just making the usual noises?  Can his batteries be recharged or is it better to see Alice?  If he stays up for more than four hours after see Alice, should I seek professional assistance ? 

  6. renosteinke | Oct 06, 2007 02:44am | #9

    The best person to ask is the electrician who hooked it up.

    A second choice would be to talk to whoever made the transfer switch.

    The size of the generator is almost certainly excessive .... I do hope they also had a 'load bank' installed.

    Unless they paid $$$$ for the optional noise reduction package, they ought to be able to hear it in the next county.

    1. brownbagg | Oct 06, 2007 04:04am | #10

      optional noise reduction package, they ought to be able to hear it in the next county.during the time of the hurricane, my neighbor ran his generator 24/7 He hhok it to his camper so he could enjoy a/c and satelitte tv. It had no muffler. I was ready to pull out the 270 and take pot shots at it..BOB is always right, ALL HAIL BOB

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