Thursday, 11 December 2008
Kipor generator spare parts
We have recently taken over the Kipor Generator website from Peak Generators. At present we have a number of KDE19STA3 3 phase silenced diesel generators and various spare parts. We are in the process of re-stocking our spare part department with a large range of Kipor generator spare parts. If you have any requirements for Kipor spare parts, please let us know and we will do our best to try and help. Contact sales@kipor-generators.com website: www.kipor-generators.com
Monday, 24 November 2008
Mains Changeover switch
Today we have had a lot of enquiries about which mains changeover switch to use.
Domestic dwellings in the UK have a 100 amp supply, so any mains changeover switch installed into the electrical system, must be rated at 100 amps, even if it is connected to a 5kw generator which produces 20 amps.
The changeover switch needs to be installed by a qualified electrician. It is positioned after the electricity meter and before the distibution board.
In the event of a power cut, the generator just needs to be switched on and the mains changeover switch turned and the house can carry on almost as normal. If using one of our very popular Hyundai DHY6000SE silenced diesel generators, please be aware that the maximum output is 5kw.
Typically a 5kw generator would power the lights, central heating pump, TV, PCs, fridge, freezer and maybe one other larger appliance.
The automatic mains failure system is asked for more and more these days. However, in most cases this is not necessary, just adding complexity and cost to the installation.
For more details, visit: www.genpoweruk.co.uk
Domestic dwellings in the UK have a 100 amp supply, so any mains changeover switch installed into the electrical system, must be rated at 100 amps, even if it is connected to a 5kw generator which produces 20 amps.
The changeover switch needs to be installed by a qualified electrician. It is positioned after the electricity meter and before the distibution board.
In the event of a power cut, the generator just needs to be switched on and the mains changeover switch turned and the house can carry on almost as normal. If using one of our very popular Hyundai DHY6000SE silenced diesel generators, please be aware that the maximum output is 5kw.
Typically a 5kw generator would power the lights, central heating pump, TV, PCs, fridge, freezer and maybe one other larger appliance.
The automatic mains failure system is asked for more and more these days. However, in most cases this is not necessary, just adding complexity and cost to the installation.
For more details, visit: www.genpoweruk.co.uk
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Standby Generators
Standby Generators
This time of year many people are interested in a generator for home standby during the winter months. Below are a few suggestionsto help you make your decision on what type to use.
Petrol or Diesel?
Generally I would recommend a diesel generator for home standby, for the simple reason that diesel is a more stable fuel for long term storage. Petrol generators, if left for long periods of time can become difficult to start, as the petrol can turn to gel in the carburettor, this would then require the carburettor to be dismantled and cleaned. Also, if stored in cans in the garage for any length of time, petrol can deteriorate. Another point, diesel stored in cans is less of a fire hazzard than petrol.
Diesel generators are normally noisier than petrol, so it may be worth considering the fully enclosed silenced type of diesel generator.
How do I connect my standby generator to my house?
The best way to do this is to fit a mains /generator changeover switch. This will cost around £100 to £150 and will have to be installed by your local electrician. Once the mains changeover switch is installed, in the event of a power cut, you just connect your diesel generator to the external wall socket, start the generator, flick the changeover switch and you will have your normal electric supply to the house resumed, albeit, powered by your standby generator.
Be careful not to overload the generator. A standard residential mains supply is 100 amps, which equates to 23kw. It is not necessary to have a generator anywhere near this size, typically, an average home can manage quite easily with a 5kw generator, however, if you carried on using electricity as normal, you probably would overload a 5kw generator. There are two options, either be careful not to overload the generator, by only using the essential appliances, i.e. lighting, fridge, freezer, TV, PC, central heating pump etc. or the changeover switch can be wired to feed an essential use distribution board, where, when all the appliances connected to this board are switched on, it does not exceed 5kw. The second option, is the prefered method, but would require a little more work from the electrician.
Routine maintenance
Generally a standby generator does not require much maintenance, as it is rarely used.
It is very important to make sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged at all times. It is a good idea to run the generator for a couple of hours every month to make sure the battery is being kept charged, with the generator running, the battery voltage should be reading around 13-13.8v. Or use a small car battery charger once a month to keep the battery charged.
The engine oil should be changed every 100 hours or annually, whichever comes sooner for a 5 kw diesel generator.
The air filter should be changed every 500 hours
The diesel filter should be changed every 500 hours.
When you are testing the generator, check the voltage and frequency (hertz) readings. The volts should read 230v+- 5v. The frequency, which is a measurement of engine/alternator speed, should be set at 51.5hz, with no load.
The location of the generator is also very important. The exhaust outlet must be in the open air. All generators produce a lot of heat, this heat must be removed from the area immediately around the generator to prevent over heating. The generator must also be protected from the rain.
WARNING - Petrol generators produce carbon monoxide - this is an odourless gas that will kill you in minutes. DO NOT operate a petrol generator in an enclosed, or poorly ventillated area, or near open windows.
Well proven and recommended generators include the Hyundai DHY6000SE and the Evopower HD6000SL, these are both 5kw diesel generators that are popular for home standby use.
Visit: www.genpoweruk.co.uk or www.hyundai-generators.co.uk for more information.
This time of year many people are interested in a generator for home standby during the winter months. Below are a few suggestionsto help you make your decision on what type to use.
Petrol or Diesel?
Generally I would recommend a diesel generator for home standby, for the simple reason that diesel is a more stable fuel for long term storage. Petrol generators, if left for long periods of time can become difficult to start, as the petrol can turn to gel in the carburettor, this would then require the carburettor to be dismantled and cleaned. Also, if stored in cans in the garage for any length of time, petrol can deteriorate. Another point, diesel stored in cans is less of a fire hazzard than petrol.
Diesel generators are normally noisier than petrol, so it may be worth considering the fully enclosed silenced type of diesel generator.
How do I connect my standby generator to my house?
The best way to do this is to fit a mains /generator changeover switch. This will cost around £100 to £150 and will have to be installed by your local electrician. Once the mains changeover switch is installed, in the event of a power cut, you just connect your diesel generator to the external wall socket, start the generator, flick the changeover switch and you will have your normal electric supply to the house resumed, albeit, powered by your standby generator.
Be careful not to overload the generator. A standard residential mains supply is 100 amps, which equates to 23kw. It is not necessary to have a generator anywhere near this size, typically, an average home can manage quite easily with a 5kw generator, however, if you carried on using electricity as normal, you probably would overload a 5kw generator. There are two options, either be careful not to overload the generator, by only using the essential appliances, i.e. lighting, fridge, freezer, TV, PC, central heating pump etc. or the changeover switch can be wired to feed an essential use distribution board, where, when all the appliances connected to this board are switched on, it does not exceed 5kw. The second option, is the prefered method, but would require a little more work from the electrician.
Routine maintenance
Generally a standby generator does not require much maintenance, as it is rarely used.
It is very important to make sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged at all times. It is a good idea to run the generator for a couple of hours every month to make sure the battery is being kept charged, with the generator running, the battery voltage should be reading around 13-13.8v. Or use a small car battery charger once a month to keep the battery charged.
The engine oil should be changed every 100 hours or annually, whichever comes sooner for a 5 kw diesel generator.
The air filter should be changed every 500 hours
The diesel filter should be changed every 500 hours.
When you are testing the generator, check the voltage and frequency (hertz) readings. The volts should read 230v+- 5v. The frequency, which is a measurement of engine/alternator speed, should be set at 51.5hz, with no load.
The location of the generator is also very important. The exhaust outlet must be in the open air. All generators produce a lot of heat, this heat must be removed from the area immediately around the generator to prevent over heating. The generator must also be protected from the rain.
WARNING - Petrol generators produce carbon monoxide - this is an odourless gas that will kill you in minutes. DO NOT operate a petrol generator in an enclosed, or poorly ventillated area, or near open windows.
Well proven and recommended generators include the Hyundai DHY6000SE and the Evopower HD6000SL, these are both 5kw diesel generators that are popular for home standby use.
Visit: www.genpoweruk.co.uk or www.hyundai-generators.co.uk for more information.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Inverter Generators - This type of portable generator is very popular with the leisure industry. Producing a very smooth, pure sine wave output, sensitive electronic equipment, like PCs, DVD players etc can be run from this generator, without causing any damage.
Due to their design, they are more compact and lighter, more economical and quieter than conventional generators, this comes at a price, however, being approximately 2-3 times the cost of a similar output conventional petrol generator.
What is an inverter generator? The inverter generator has a petrol engine, driving a small alternator, this feeds the inverter board, which converts the varying alternator current into constant 230v/50hz pure sine wave output.
With a conventional portable generator, the engine runs at 3000rpm at all times, irrespective of the load implied on the generator. An inverter generator will run justat tickover, if a very light load is applied, increasing in revs to match the load, if a heavier load is applied to the generator. This contributes to the improved fuel economy and low noise output of the inverter generator, often called suitcase generator.
Popular makes are the Honda EU10i, Honda EU20i, Robin Subaru R1700i, Hyundai, HY1000Si, Hyundai HY2000Si http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/product.php?productid=16189 and Hyundai HY3000Si http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/product.php?productid=16186&cat=262&page=1. Of these makes, the Honda and Subaru are top of the range machines, but at a very high price, however, the Hyundai range is very similar in specification, but at a far lower price.
Due to their design, they are more compact and lighter, more economical and quieter than conventional generators, this comes at a price, however, being approximately 2-3 times the cost of a similar output conventional petrol generator.
What is an inverter generator? The inverter generator has a petrol engine, driving a small alternator, this feeds the inverter board, which converts the varying alternator current into constant 230v/50hz pure sine wave output.
With a conventional portable generator, the engine runs at 3000rpm at all times, irrespective of the load implied on the generator. An inverter generator will run justat tickover, if a very light load is applied, increasing in revs to match the load, if a heavier load is applied to the generator. This contributes to the improved fuel economy and low noise output of the inverter generator, often called suitcase generator.
Popular makes are the Honda EU10i, Honda EU20i, Robin Subaru R1700i, Hyundai, HY1000Si, Hyundai HY2000Si http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/product.php?productid=16189 and Hyundai HY3000Si http://www.genpoweruk.co.uk/product.php?productid=16186&cat=262&page=1. Of these makes, the Honda and Subaru are top of the range machines, but at a very high price, however, the Hyundai range is very similar in specification, but at a far lower price.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Portable Generators
I have started this blog to help people understand the problems associated with portable generators and also to obtain feedback from portable generator users, that may help improve the quality and functionality of these machines.
The market for portable generators has changed dramatically over recent years, due mainly to the movement of production to China and the subsequent reduction in price of these machines. Other factors include an increasing number of people relocating to the countryside and working from home, via the Internet, who require 100% reliability in their electricity supply. Also at the back of everyone's mind is the ever increasing dependency the UK has on potentially unreliable overseas gas supplies to power it's aging power generation network. The threat of widespread blackouts has never been greater.
The most common type of generator for home standby is a 5kw silenced diesel generator. These are economical to run and provide enough power to operate almost as normal in the home or office.
Genpower Ltd - www.genpoweruk.co.uk have a good selection of reasonably priced units to choose from.
What are common problems experienced with portable generators?
Ventilation -Most portable generators are air cooled, running at 3000rpm. It is essential that these machines are well ventilated and that the exhaust fumes are prevented from entering the enclosure if the generator is not used outside.
The oil level needs to be checked every day. As most generators have low oil pressure cut out devices, it is often over looked, with the belief that no harm will come to the generator, if the oil level becomes too low. This is not true, if the oil level is never checked, eventually the level will drop low enough for the engine to loose the splash action fom the crankshaft, whilst still maintaining oil pressure, thus not cutting out. This is when damage is done. The low oil pressure cut out works if the machine is suddenly without oil, i.e. if it was tipped on it's side, it would cut out and save the engine.
Over loading - most generators have breaker or trip switches that cut the load on the alternator if the load is too great. The problems occur if the breaker does not trip out as and when required, or if the load is just below that of the breaker tripping out, but above the maximum continous load of the alternator. The alternator can over heat and the windings can break down, resulting in permanent and expensive damage to the alternator.
I have started this blog to help people understand the problems associated with portable generators and also to obtain feedback from portable generator users, that may help improve the quality and functionality of these machines.
The market for portable generators has changed dramatically over recent years, due mainly to the movement of production to China and the subsequent reduction in price of these machines. Other factors include an increasing number of people relocating to the countryside and working from home, via the Internet, who require 100% reliability in their electricity supply. Also at the back of everyone's mind is the ever increasing dependency the UK has on potentially unreliable overseas gas supplies to power it's aging power generation network. The threat of widespread blackouts has never been greater.
The most common type of generator for home standby is a 5kw silenced diesel generator. These are economical to run and provide enough power to operate almost as normal in the home or office.
Genpower Ltd - www.genpoweruk.co.uk have a good selection of reasonably priced units to choose from.
What are common problems experienced with portable generators?
Ventilation -Most portable generators are air cooled, running at 3000rpm. It is essential that these machines are well ventilated and that the exhaust fumes are prevented from entering the enclosure if the generator is not used outside.
The oil level needs to be checked every day. As most generators have low oil pressure cut out devices, it is often over looked, with the belief that no harm will come to the generator, if the oil level becomes too low. This is not true, if the oil level is never checked, eventually the level will drop low enough for the engine to loose the splash action fom the crankshaft, whilst still maintaining oil pressure, thus not cutting out. This is when damage is done. The low oil pressure cut out works if the machine is suddenly without oil, i.e. if it was tipped on it's side, it would cut out and save the engine.
Over loading - most generators have breaker or trip switches that cut the load on the alternator if the load is too great. The problems occur if the breaker does not trip out as and when required, or if the load is just below that of the breaker tripping out, but above the maximum continous load of the alternator. The alternator can over heat and the windings can break down, resulting in permanent and expensive damage to the alternator.
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