Choosing a Generator

[HamAndEggs]

I still do need to figure out how I will handle fuel. I don't have a diesel vehicle to rotate out with

 

[Light in the Dark]

The 802 will take surges to 7KW... the 5kw is a conservative rating.

 

[HamAndEggs]

I'm guessing the 802's have a 30a receptacle?

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

no 2 110 15amp convenience outlet. everything else has to come off of the load lugs

 

[HamAndEggs]

Ah, easy enough then. I may just wire it directly into my interlock breaker in that case

 

[Light in the Dark]

Yeah nothing from the factory, but easy to add. You can either add a short lead off the lugs with a female plug (that would accept a standard male end 30A NEMA L14-30 plug) or you can mount a 30A box on the side of the genset... or even hardwire the machine in. All in what works best for you. Easy stuff though... and all variations have been covered previously with a search of the forums here .

 

[HamAndEggs]

My plan here is to pour a concrete pad about 20ft behind my NG Generator and have it there. I am going to put a shed at the end of the yard anyway, so I'll probably eventually trench over there right in front of the pad, and then run the wire directly back to the panel

Blue would be the trench

 

[Light in the Dark]

I still do need to figure out how I will handle fuel. I don't have a diesel vehicle to rotate out with

Fuel can be thoroughly pickled with modern additives to store a good amount of time, if air does not get to it. Got any friends with diesel trucks, tractors, etc? If you stored fuel in a drum, it could simply be pumped out and into friends vehicles/equipment on a yearly or biannually basis and replenished. Not ideal, but absolutely workable.

 

[uniquify]

I'm guessing the 802's have a 30a receptacle?

If you're looking to add a L14-30 twist lock receptacle, the Hubbell HBL2710SW is pretty easy to flush mount.

Adding a 240V 30A outlet to an 802A

For the past several months I've been on the lookout for some extra outlets that could be added to a MEP-802A or MEP-803A easily and seamlessly. Recently, I came across a watertight L14-30 twist lock receptacle (Hubbell HBL2710SW) that was a close match to the cover above the right rear tie-down...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[peapvp]

This is probably the most extensive thread if it comes to power calculations and measurements to size a generator I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot.

We design and built Auto / Remote Start Systems for all MEP’s and AMMPS, but we do not offer data acquisition since our systems are designed for high reliability, ruggedness and dependability.

Our primary customer is the US Military and our products have seen combat in Afghanistan, Iraq, SO’s in Africa and the Middle East.
Our non military customers are primarily 911 callcenters, Police and Fire departments and other critical infrastructures in all 50 States, Puerto Rico and Guam. But we sold many to Forum members here as well over the last 8 years or so.

We have assisted our customers in various planning stages, but you guys have really outdone yourself’s in this thread.

 

[HamAndEggs]

This is probably the most extensive thread if it comes to power calculations and measurements to size a generator I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot.

We design and built Auto / Remote Start Systems for all MEP’s and AMMPS, but we do not offer data acquisition since our systems are designed for high reliability, ruggedness and dependability.

Our primary customer is the US Military and our products have seen combat in Afghanistan, Iraq, SO’s in Africa and the Middle East.
Our non military customers are primarily 911 callcenters, Police and Fire departments and other critical infrastructures in all 50 States, Puerto Rico and Guam. But we sold many to Forum members here as well over the last 8 years or so.

We have assisted our customers in various planning stages, but you guys have really outdone yourself’s in this thread.

We're all just a bunch of nerds, really

 

[HamAndEggs]

Just saw this locally. Very tempting for just $2000.

Allmand Brothers 7.5kw Light Tower Generator - heavy equipment - by...

For Sale is a Allmand Brothers 7.5 Kw Light Tower Generator, 7.5 Kw Continous Rated 30 amps., Kubota Diesel engine, fully serviced and functional Serial 0117PRO212, 4,654 Hours Located in Humble,...

houston.craigslist.org

Good Diesel Engine, 1800RPM, Liquid Cooled, Towable! I could literally just push it into my back yard.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Light towers make some of the 'dirtiest' power there is historically... because they don't have to make clean power... they are only running light bulbs. I don't see any markings on the head in the photos to determine a make (looks like a few different manufacturers were utilized with this particular Allmand by their online literature), but they are almost certainly brushed generator heads (which of course are louder under use, and have wear items in them). This head is probably capacitor regulated as well, not utilizing an AVR.

I see on this particular unit they just did some 'PM' on the injection pump in the engine just earlier this month. You would need to DIY up an interface to get the power out of the machine (instead of going up the mast to the lights), but plenty have done it. 2000 is a good price for the engine alone, if its in working order. But are you buying this for the engine, or for its power generating capabilities? With the data (and graphics) you have shared thus far, I don't know if you are on the 'lower end' of power cleanliness!

Everyone needs to decide how best to spend their money. What you linked to is absolutely workable should it need to (provided they can show it running and making power), but is it right for you cost aside?

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

If you look in the picture it is missing the cap to the overflow coolant tank, and no fluid looks to be present even at cold should still be fluid in there. so just serviced i would take with a grain of salt.

 

[HamAndEggs]

Yeah, taking it with a bag of salt. That price is about half what they usually sell for in this area, which was a big red flag

Don't know if you saw it, but there is also a big X across the 120v receptacles