Phase Combiner + Being Bored

[sam am I]

I have 3 three generators, 2-240VAC (7KW and 3.6KW) gas LOUD runners and 1 - 120VAC(3.5KW) QUIET duel fuel Inverter type.

Sometimes the power goes out late at night and like a "good neighbor" I don't start the LOUD gen's, I run the super quiet 120VAC inverter gen..............

So to run the 120VAC inverter gen, I'll flip all the 240VAC breakers off, throw the transfer switch, go twistlock the 240VAC cord from the shed to the house, BUT the other end, for now, I want it to go to a 120VAC inverter gen..........here's the BUMMER!!

Yup, it (any 120VAC gen) can only run one phase at a time (L1 or L2, pick one), so the opposite phase, the other half of the house's 120VAC stuff is all dead....PIA to have to have the other half of the house always all dead IMO.

*Solution and once the 240VAC breaker are off





S1 selects a phase, S2 combines the phases

L1 (120VAC) ~=1KW (my house)
L2(120VAC) ~= 1KW (my house)
Total when combined ~=2KW
Inverter Gen = 3.5KW = Plenty of Extra.

Works like a charm(nevermind the toaster).




*Sometimes dryer and such that are 240VAC will also run a 120VAC circuit or two (timers, sensors. limit switches, etc, etc), so shut off ALL 240VAC breakers to be safe.

 

[Scott Danforth]

why not get a larger inverter duty genny?

3.5kw wont fire up a refrigerator

 

[sam am I]

I have a 1/2 size deep freeze and two norm frig's that it brings up and runs, I had one phase up initially then switch to "1+2" and it growns a bit, think one must be on L1 and the other two must be on L2. This thing claims 4K surge....works, runs all three..

BUT........probably should, got any good quiet'ish 240VAC types above 4KW?

For awhile there, wasn't too many 240's to choose from, suppose I should look, I dig those inverter types, so quiet, I need a forth, why not, like being cheap though

$$$ Dang!!
$$ Better, could do this.....
$$$$$, coughing up blood!

 

[Scott Danforth]

There are always the surplus military gensets on trailers with 0 hours on a few of the gov auction sites

 

[alldodge]

Find a marine 1800 rpm Gen instead of the 3600 rpm ones. They are not as loud

 

[sam am I]

Find a marine 1800 rpm Gen instead of the 3600 rpm ones. They are not as loud

I'll check them out, I don't mind it not being an inverter type, just not so loud, my Troy-bilt rattles the place, but she's a work house...........A standard alternator type probably be most reliable anyway in the long long run.

HONESTY want one of those Generac 13-22 kW automatic home standby gens, hook'r up to nat gas or perhaps a two week runtime propane tank and be done with these portables, cept keep one for camping. Maybe someday........

 

[alldodge]

Keep thinking about one of T hose myself
Good think is propane last a really long time

 

[sam am I]

Have to pour a pad, tap and run pipe, run wires all from the back 40 somewhere.......yada yada, more work, more $$$ and it makes me tired just thinking about it...But so nice when the power goes out @ 2am, -2 F, 20MPH -50 windchill with horizontal snow and POOF, it starts and switches over by itself!!! Then laugh a evil laugh of I don't even have to get out of a nice warm bed and just go back to sleep..........ahhhh, so nice.

I was wondering, how long does propane last just sitting there? Never have looked that up, but figured its got a long shelf, errrrrr tank life?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Generac used to buy Russian motors and adds their own induction. Dont know if they still do. I would prefer a Kohler or Cummins setup myself

 

[dingbat]

I was wondering, how long does propane last just sitting there? Never have looked that up, but figured its got a long shelf, errrrrr tank life?

Dino fart…..no shelf life