8–10kva generator recommendations

[Gecko]

Got 2 x 1.5 kw pumps ........

I’m out of depth

More pumps?

In Oz, a brand name (say yanmar or honda) will cost five times the price of a chinese copy - you make your choices and take your chances.

FWIW - my power failed yesterday. the honda gen (that came with the house) - hasn't been started in three years - started first pull.
(the engine ran perfectly, but the gen only put out 150V - can't blame honda for that)

 

[Giles]

1.5kw x2 is really not a lot. Is fitting a soft start an option?

Not to doubt your sparky but plenty on here will happily run a 3kw 9” grinder off a knackered old 9hp petrol Honda genny.

It’s the 11.5 x 2 so 24 amp starting load if both pumps kick in which is the reality if powers out and flooding potential tank will be full so both pumps will trigger once power restablished

and its flooding risk more serious than grinder not starting etc

 

[doobin]

It’s the 11.5 x 2 so 24 amp starting load if both pumps kick in which is the reality if powers out and flooding potential tank will be full so both pumps will trigger once power restablished

and its flooding risk more serious than grinder not starting etc

I think your clients need to revisit the criteria of 'not spending much' then!

 

[Giles]

I think your clients need to revisit the criteria of 'not spending much' then!

They’ve not given a budget, pumping install project was 40k so i guess it more me thinking 6k for a generator is too much lol id be buying a nice used stephill sitting it on a plinth in an enclosure but this is there communal garden area so doubt they’d go for that, they want to keep it in nearby bike store and roll it out when needed and theyre all like 60 +

 

[V8Druid]

They’ve not given a budget, pumping install project was 40k so i guess it more me thinking 6k for a generator is too much lol id be buying a nice used stephill sitting it on a plinth in an enclosure but this is there communal garden area so doubt they’d go for that, they want to keep it in nearby bike store and roll it out when needed and theyre all like 60 +

and if it occurs in the middle of the night ??

It’s the 11.5 x 2 so 24 amp starting load if both pumps kick in which is the reality if powers out and flooding potential tank will be full so both pumps will trigger once power restablished

and its flooding risk more serious than grinder not starting etc

can you not set the level switches at differing heights so one kicks 'fore t'other??

 

[Giles]

and if it occurs in the middle of the night ??

can you not set the level switches at differing heights so one kicks 'fore t'other??

They are set like that but there are 4 float switches so if power has been off and water rising its likely that 3rd float would be already triggered running both pumps in emergency mode once power restored

the couple who’s flat got flooded and being next to the river and 100’ wide weir they are very on it, they were up all night for storm bebbet on flood watch

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Can you not fit a separate switch to the second pump so it can be manually switched on after the first pump is running?

 

[Giles]

Can you not fit a separate switch to the second pump so it can be manually switched on after the first pump is running?

Theoretically but when powers on its all setup automatically, risks being left off.

when powers on it switches pumps between firing to run each one alternatively unless 3rd float switch is triggered then both run

 

[Canal Navvy]

Theoretically but when powers on its all setup automatically, risks being left off.

when powers on it switches pumps between firing to run each one alternatively unless 3rd float switch is triggered then both run

Would a timer delay switch on one of the pump contactors work without upsetting the rest of the controls

It sounds like what they need is a communal wood fired bread/pizza oven on sturdy brick supported plinth with a generator installed underneath. Battery on a trickle charger exhaust hidden up the chimney and engine cooling marine style through heat exchanger into water flow.

Flood prevention is really expensive until you get flooded

 

[Smiffy]

Theoretically but when powers on its all setup automatically, risks being left off.

when powers on it switches pumps between firing to run each one alternatively unless 3rd float switch is triggered then both run

So it can't be left off could an always on sprung switch be used that you hold down to kill the second pump as the generator is started.

And can't the generator be sited in the bike shed permanently and dig a duct in for cabling?? Or just run an extension lead out to the pumps save the hassle of moving it and the cost of a mobile setup

 

[V8Druid]

What about mooting the idea of a 'proper' sized genny with auto cut in for the whole of the properties for power cuts?
plenty of decent sized gennies about that'd fit the bill ... I'm on the hunt for a 60+kva genny for where Simon lives ... large house and four smaller units ... have sent him links to dozens over the last few months ... landlord too slow to put his hand in his pocket for a few really good bargains. There seem to be a lot of standby,s fully equipped with switch gear about, many are 'super silent' set ups. Often the bigger they are the cheaper they are

 

[V8Druid]

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[Giles]

Would a timer delay switch on one of the pump contactors work without upsetting the rest of the controls

It sounds like what they need is a communal wood fired bread/pizza oven on sturdy brick supported plinth with a generator installed underneath. Battery on a trickle charger exhaust hidden up the chimney and engine cooling marine style through heat exchanger into water flow.

Flood prevention is really expensive until you get flooded

Flooded again lol

I like the pizza oven idea though

 

[Giles]

So it can't be left off could an always on sprung switch be used that you hold down to kill the second pump as the generator is started.

And can't the generator be sited in the bike shed permanently and dig a duct in for cabling?? Or just run an extension lead out to the pumps save the hassle of moving it and the cost of a mobile setup

Bike shed is indoor so would just need pulling out so exhaust doesn’t vent into other garages and apartments or kill someone lol

This is all afterthoughts so don’t want us digging it all up again hence the back of fag packet solution. Original designer was a tool didn’t give any thought to power cuts etc

 

[Giles]

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Overkill is underated lol all to big to wheel through a door though

Was a big 160kva 2k hour jcb one in recent auction made 3k ouch

 

[V8Druid]

Overkill is underated lol all too big to wheel through a door though

Was a big 160kva 2k hour jcb one in recent auction made 3k ouch

like I said .... fixed installation ... just needs a lead to/from it and the mains supply ... when that dies it kicks in ... the super silent cab.s are designed to live outside.
are all the residents contributing to this, or just the ones likely to be affected directly by water ingress?
(obviously if flooding trips the main they'll all be affected - ditto any power cut that affects the pump station's ability, to keep flood risk at bay).
would be in everyone's interest to have a standby leccy supply for when the grid lets them down ... promote the idea as such -- would negate all the other issues completely, by maintaining a supply as a whole for not a huge amount more and a way easier install ..

 

[DaveDCB]

Ring up pramac tell them what you need it for, they will spec it to suit, maybe even build a one off .
They have decent workshop/warehouse in Crewe, decent guys.

 

[V8Druid]

Flooded again lol

I like the pizza oven idea though

bigger pumps and back up power source required LOL

 

[Giles]

bigger pumps and back up power source required LOL

Flooding happened before we installed pumps hence their install

Never flooded before but Severn Trent vented the reservoir(ladybower) 0.5 mile upstream when the flood occurred causing a mini tidal wave. Was ontop of serious heavy rain hence the need to release the pressure but caused huge flooding downstream. Since that event they do little and often now not huge dumps.