info on Generator spec

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 10:37

i know this is not the time to buy but looking for info for the future



needs:

to run lights in a 1 bed house

2x under counter units 1 fridge and 1 freezer

led tv and sat box

normal size water pump

just the basics



what am i looking for in the generator, and how do you connect it easily some said they just plug in is that right?



any info would be great thanks

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 10:41

Minimum 2.3kw I would say for what you describe - but 6kw would just about allow for all appliances running, like oven and air con etc.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 11:01

Have your generator wired in properly with a proper change over switch in the circuit. Anything else is just to dangerous to you and your electrical equipment.



Yes you can just "plug it in" - the output from the generator to any three pin socket - but do not do it. It is not safe and should not be attempted. Doing it that way you need to ask yourself what happens when the power comes back on? Now you have two supplies fighting for the main supplier and your generator will never win against the electricity plant!!!!!



It is also handy to have a single lamp fitted between the change over switch and the mains supply, so you can tell when your mains power is back on and you can then stop your generator and switch back to mains. Kibtek do not like you to do that by the way!



Always have a few seconds delay between switch overs - turn from mains to 0 wait a couple of seconds then turn to generator, do the same when switching back - it helps avoid power surges!

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 11:33

Very good advice waddo.I have seen the damage when someone has forgottten to turn the mains off when plugging in the generator.ie; using the three pin plug idea.chinese generator 0 Kibtek 1.

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 12:35

Whether you go for a simple 'plug it in' option, or the much better hard wired option, you must remember to isolate your house from the Kibtec supply, or you will be trying to feed the whole grid.



When I installed our genny, I pulled the mains wires from the fuse box back to a 100A 3 way (mains/off/genny) switch in the utlitiy room and re-conneced to the fuse box from there with the same sized cable as the house supply 16mm I think they are.

As Mick says, a signal connection (I used a door buzzer, horrible noise so make you react quickly) connected before the switch, i.e. the Kibtec side indicates when power is restored.

We have a 7.5kva genny, runs most things, but the thing it disslikes the most is the kettle, a definite drop in revs for a second or so when it is switched on, other than that will happily run 2 x a/c or cooker and 1 a/c leaving room for other stuff to go on, you just have to juggle a little depending on load.

Deff get diesel one.

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 20:40

cheers thanks everyone for there input so what we looking at price wise for this ?

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 21:31

Dont forget every appliance with a motor (fridge freezer) needs a large amount of power usually 3 times the size of the motor to kick it in so a 2kw motor will need approx 6kw to start it then it will drop down as it has started.



Heating elements (kettles, hairdriers, fan heaters) are all heavy on leccy so make sure you buy a big enough gen set.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 22:08

There is hardly anything left for me to comment on. All good info above.



I have a small neon light on the side of the mains so that I can tell when the power is back on. When I have the time, I intend to put in a timer and a small buzzer so that when the mains is back on the buzzer will buzz for a few seconds. That will save me asking the wife to check the neon so often

ismet

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 22:43

Elko, how can she keep an eye on the light and get your beer at the same time? have a heart

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
25/01/2012 22:47

Ed,

Its all a matter of training. Its well worth the effort

ismet

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
26/01/2012 07:50

Ismet, so let me get this right... as it stands, your missus is there all night waiting for the neon light to flicker on so that she can awaken you from your slumbers to detach the generator and re-open the mains feed?



What a woman! Can I have her when you've finished?

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
26/01/2012 08:28

No Groucho, you will have to train yours.

ismet

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
26/01/2012 08:37

Ismet, mine's knackered from pedalling the generator-bike gizmo and needs replacing....

I note with interest that you don't deny the rest of my post........