You have made that important decision of having a power generator for your home or commercial purpose. The manufacturer will give you some basic specifications on the nameplate but will not give you a detailed analysis of the machine. Most of what you will be required to do is discover the ‘thing’ yourself. And most people find this quite difficult especially with scanty information available. This article aims at bringing to focus some of these details that will help you make the right choices before you buy and maintenance tips that will ensure your machine lasts longer.
Consider an expert
When the idea of purchasing a generator either for your home or for commercial purposes, the next thing you need to think about is an expert; someone who is knowledgeable in matters generators. You need an expert who will help you make the right choice based on your power demands, how to install and the basic operating principles. The person should have the knowhow on electric code, plumbing and with the knowledge of the local codes and regulations to avoid illegal installations which may have repercussions.
Portable or stationary
This is a critical aspect that you must consider before you pay for the generator. Where would you want to use the generator? Are you intending to have it for power supply during outdoor functions or on construction sites far away from the main electric power source Or do you want to have it as your home power backup system? With that in mind, then you can make the perfect choice for your generator. Purchasing a stationary system for your home ensures that you have no power interruptions and therefore your things are safe. If you decide to use a portable generator for both outdoors and powering your home, it may seem economical at first but as you keep moving, disconnecting the cables, plugging and unplugging the system, the generator cannot last for long.
Standby or prime
Another determination you must make when purchasing a generator is whether you require a standby or prime power. Prime power is where you don’t have another source of power like in places where there is no electric supply. It could also be that you’re using this as the main source of power. If this is the kind of a generator you’re looking for, then you need to use the continuous rating guidelines.
A standby generator will only be in use in case there is a power outage and therefore does not run all the time. It’s a backup to the normal utility power. It’s also known as an emergency backup system. When buying a standby generator you should use an emergency rating as a guide.
The generator phases
A generator is either powered as a single or three-phase power. For a normal residential house, a single-phase is enough. Three-phase is common with medium and large businesses where you need power for starting and running. These are set to produce 120/128 volts while the single ones produce up to 120 volts. For domestic appliances, use low voltage generators but for motors, heaters and stoves, and such heavy consumers, you will need a three-phase generator. Before you get the machine, get assistance from the expert.
The type of fuel; Gasoline or diesel
For low operating costs and longevity, a diesel generator is highly recommended. Today’s diesel generators are quiet and require less maintenance compared to the gas ones. The fuel cost with the diesel generator is usually fifty percent less compared to the gas-fuelled equivalent. This is such a marginal cost. For instance, 1800 rpm water-cooled generators will serve you for up to 30,000 hours before you carry out major maintenance. This is such a long time compared to the water-cooled gas equivalent which will require maintenance upon running for 10,000 hours; three times the cost of maintenance.
The operating speed
The output of a generator depends on fixed engine speed. For instance, most engines will operate at 1800 rpm to produce 60Hz electricity. For large generators, four-pole sets are the commonest and least expensive. There is a good balance of efficiency, noise, and cost and engine life. With a generator that operates at 3600RPM, you can only use it as a ‘standby’ power backup. But not as a main source of power.
What features do you look out for?
Mufflers:
A muffler is a device installed in a power generator to reduce the noise emitted by the internal combustion engine or exhaust. It is a noise silencer. Most of the generator manufacturing companies have their generators fixed with a grade muffler. All you need to have is an efficient muffler and one that lasts for long. Before you purchase that generator, let the supplier confirm to you that they have a critical muffler.
The engine block:
You need a machine that will give you optimal power supply and therefore a four-cycle, a liquid-cooled diesel engine is recommended.
The cooling system:
An air-cooled generator will require some considerably high amounts of air and will require ducting. They’re a bit noisier compared to others. For quieter operations, go for a liquid-cooled engine- these types of engines will last for long while serving you perfectly. However, you can go for the air-cooled generators if you need to use it outdoors and for short runs- thus appropriate as standby.
Lubrication:
You need a full flow, spin-on oil filter for your generator lubrication system. If you are considering having a larger generator, you should consider a filter by-pass. One of the valuable features that you need to check out for when choosing a generator is a low oil alarm and shutdown. This will ensure your generator engine is protected from ‘knocking’.
Consider a major brand:
Street smarts would want to convince you that you can have a generator made from some inferior scrap metal or you can get a low-cost off-brand engine. Yes, you can but be ready for the frustrations. Purchasing your generator from a major brand ensures that you have technical support, original spare parts, and you will get the necessary service.
Before you spend your hard-earned money on a heavy investment like a generator, you need to do enough research get the experts to help you make the best choices. You cannot go it alone and get the best machine for your purpose- follow this link and be connected to a major generator brand that will help get the best there is in industry.
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