Generators

Why a generator? Let’s face it, electricity is the lifeblood of our society. It powers our way of life and when it’s gone it’s more than just an inconvenience -it’s a disruption. No lights, no heat, and the food will start to spoil within hours. The good news is that it’s affordable to own your own personal power plant -an electric generator! Whether you need power for recreation, on the jobsite or emergency backup power for your home or business there are many easy to use, affordable products available that will keep you juiced up and when everyone else is down. Below, you’ll find helpful information to assist you in selecting a generator, but as always we encourage you to give us a call so we can ensure you purchase the best option to meet your specific needs and budget. Types of Generators When you get rid of all the gory details that just end up confusing people, there’s an easy way to understand this category and that is by how you intend to use your generator. Most generators are designed by the manufacturer for one of the following types of primary use: Recreational Use – Camping, tailgating (800-4000 watts) Professional Use – Power for the tools you need on the jobsite (2500 and up watts) Shop Now Emergency Power Use – Backup power for your home or business (4000 and up watts) Shop Now Generators designed for recreational uses tend to be smaller, lighter weight and quiet. They also tend to be lower in watts. Jobsite generators are commercial grade and built to take an everyday beating in harsh construction environments. Generators designed for emergency backup power are available in two styles, portable units or permanently installed standby units and come in a range of sizes to suit your power needs. Here’s a little more detail on the two styles of emergency backup generators. Portable Backup Generators are just that-portable. It’s great to have the flexibility to transport your power plant to where it’s needed to juice devices in the great outdoors, on the jobsite or providing backup power. If you are looking for a relatively low-cost, flexible solution then owning a portable generator is the way to go. Pros Price - Lower cost of ownership Transportable – you can take it where you need it No installation needed – You can be powering items in minutes after receiving your unit Cons Transportation - It needs to be transported to where it is needed Manual operation - Someone needs to operate it Refueling - It needs to be refueled fairly often depending on the size of fuel tank Connections - You need to connect the devices you want to power via extension cords, or a power transfer system Features – Portable emergency backup generators Engines The engine matters. It’s the heart of the generator. If it doesn’t crank up when you need it most then you just wasted a lot of money. Look for a well-known engine brand like Briggs & Stratton or some of the other top brands. If you show them a little love, they’ll be there for you when you need them. Wheels Models that come with them can be moved by one person, rather than two. But you'll still need two to lift these babies unless you are a seriously strong dude or she-dude. Oil Guard This protects the engine from damage by shutting it down if the oil level falls below the minimum. Fuel Gauge Lets you check the level inside the tank at a glance—important cus if you are out of gas you could end up missing the second half or worse your internet connection will be down…Yikes! Multiple Outlets Four or more outlets (right) let you best use a generator's wattage by spreading the load through more outlets—important if you're using extension cords instead of a transfer switch. Permanently-Installed Standby Generator Systems on the other hand are permanently installed at your home or business and start and stop automatically when changes in the supply of electricity are sensed. The term standby refers to the fact that it’s always there monitoring the situation and will kick in automatically when needed. Standby systems are definitely the hassle-free way to go if you want to maintain the comforts of home or not miss a beat at work during a power outage. While prices vary depending on size and features, the cost of owning one of these units has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Pros Always on duty - It’s standing by to operate if needed 24/7 whether you are home or away No cords – Standby’s are wired into your electrical system and power preselected items without the need of any cords Extended run times - It runs on the practically endless supply of natural gas from your gas line or from a propane source Cons Price – Higher cost of ownership vs. a portable in most cases Installation – Requires proper installation by professionals Dedicated use – Used for home and business backup power, not transportable Features - Permanently-Installed Standby Generator Engine The engine matters. It’s the heart of the generator. If it doesn’t crank up when you need it most then you just wasted a lot of money. Look for a well-known engine brand like Vanguard, Briggs & Stratton or some of the other top brands. If you show them a little love, they’ll be there for you when you need them. Automatic Transfer Switch The automatic transfer switch is the brain matter that controls everything. It senses when power is disrupted and tells the generator to start up. When the power is restored, it tells the generator to shut down. Some models can also manage the power demands on the generator so it will not be overloaded if too many items are kicking in at the same time. Cool beans! All-Climate Enclosure The all-climate enclosure protects the guts of the generator year around from the elements. If you live in a coastal area, salt can do a major rust job on some units so make sure the enclosure is rust-proofed. Give us a buzz and we’ll make sure you end up with the right one. Low Noise Most standby generators come standard with a premium muffler package and now many models have additional sound dampeners within the enclosure to further reduce sound. Either way, the neighbors are going to be pissed. Not from the noise but because you have power and don’t. Remote Monitoring If you think you might have some trust issues with you generator and feel you need to stalk it, no worries! Many models now allow you to add a remote monitor display which sits inside you house and provides a constant flow of diagnostic data on its operations. No more wondering if you generator is fooling around behind your back…Now you’ll know. Selecting a Generator Selecting a generator can be a pretty straight forward exercise. Follow these steps and you will end up with the information you need to make an informed purchase decision. And if you want some additional input, please give us a call. We are here to help. Step 1 What’s your primary use? a. Recreation – Camping, tailgating b. Emergency backup power – Backup power for your home or business c. Jobsite – Power for the tools you need on the jobsite Recreational Use Step 2 Recreational Use - What recreational items do you want to power potentially at the same time? The most reliable way to determine your wattage requirements is to either check the data plates of the appliances you want running or use a wattage meter to determine their actual power usage in watts. The wattage chart below provides some guidance, but it’s always best to check firsthand. Step 3 Recreational Use - What additional features deliver the benefits you are looking for? Standard vs Inverter Generators Standard recreational generators combine an engine with a copper wound alternator to produce electricity. This approach demands that the engine run constantly at a full speed of 3600 RPMs regardless of how much power is needed. This means more fuel is consumed and more noise, but the price of these units are generally lower. In contrast, Inverter generators use a different type of computer controlled alternator that produces cleaner more consistent power that is better suited for sensitive electronics like computers and PDAs. Inverter technology also allows the generator engine to run at varying speeds which can reduce fuel consumption and lower noise levels considerably. The units are generally lighter weight as well, but a bit more expensive. Listed for "Recreational Use" by Equipatron Low Noise level DC Outlet Low oil warning Spark arrestor Fuel Capacity Jobsite Use Step 2 Jobsite Use - What jobsite items do you want to potentially power at the same time? The most reliable way to determine your wattage requirements is to either check the data plates of the appliances you want to power or use a wattage meter to determine their actual power usage in watts. The wattage chart below provides some guidance, but it’s always best to check firsthand. Step 3 Jobsite Use - What additional features deliver the benefits you are looking for? Listed for “Professional Use” by Equipatron Commercial Grade OHV Engine Automatic Idle Control Automatic Voltage Regulator GFCI protected control panel Hour Meter Fuel Capacity Emergency Backup Power Use Step 2 Emergency Backup Power Use - What items do you want to power potentially at the same time? The most reliable way to determine your wattage requirements is to either check the data plates of the appliances you want powered or use a wattage meter to determine their actual power usage in watts. The wattage chart below provides some guidance, but it’s always best to check firsthand. Think about it in terms of how comfortable you want things to be during a power outage. Do you want just the bare necessities? – Comfort Level 1 (a few lights, fridge, radio and sump pump) Do you want to add some basic comforts-? Comfort Level 2 (plus a TV and computer) Or do you want your household or business running as normal as possible? – Comfort Level 3 (everything except the central air) The more comforts you want, the more watts you will need. Comfort Level 1 – 3,000-6,500 Watts Comfort Level 2 – 7,000-9,500 Watts Comfort Level 3 – 10,000 or more Watts Step 3 Emergency Backup Power Use - What additional features deliver the benefits you are looking for? Portable vs. Permanently-installed standby One of the decisions you need to make is whether you want the benefits of a portable generator vs. the benefits of a permanently-installed standby generator system. Portable Backup Generators are just that-portable. It’s great to have the flexibility to transport your power plant to where it’s needed to juice devices in the great outdoors, on the jobsite or providing backup power at home. If you are looking for a relatively low-cost, flexible solution then owning a portable generator is the way to go. Features you should consider in a portable emergency backup use generator: Listed for “Emergency Backup Power” use by Equipatron OHV Engine Large Fuel Capacity Electric/battery start Weather-Protected Outlet Panel 30 amp 120/240 VAC outlet Permanently-Installed Standby Generator Systems on the other hand are permanently installed at your home or business and start and stop automatically when changes in the supply of electricity are sensed. The term standby refers to the fact that it’s always there monitoring the situation and will kick in automatically when needed. Standby systems are definitely the hassle-free way to go if you want to maintain the comforts of home or not miss a beat at work during a power outage. While prices vary depending on size and features, the cost of owning one of these units has decreased dramatically over the last decade. Features you should consider in a permanently-installed standby generator system: Listed for “Emergency Backup Power” use by Equipatron OHV Commercial Grade Engine Low Noise Level LP or NG? Specify what you need Rust-Proof Enclosure Battery Charger Hour Meter Load Shedding Transfer Switch Generator Safety Tips Use Your Generator Outdoors Only Keep away from open windows, vents or doors. Never use your generator inside homes, garages, crawl spaces, or enclosed areas. Operating Manual and Instructions Always read and follow the manufacturer’s operating manual and instructions before running generator. Carbon Monoxide Detector Use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector when running your generator. Fresh Gasoline Use fresh gas in your generator. If you do not plan to use your generator in 30 days, stabilize the gas with fuel stabilizer. Combustible Materials DO NOT operate the generator near combustible materials. Coiled Extension Cords Coiled cords can get HOT, always uncoil cords and lay them in flat open locations. Home Outlet Never plug your generator directly into your home outlet. Generator Fumes Fumes that can kill can build up when used in enclosed areas. Fan and open doors or windows do NOT provide enough fresh air. Carbon Monoxide Engines emit carbon monoxide. DO NOT run generator in enclosed area. Refueling Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable. Allow engine to cool at least 2 minutes before refueling. Maintenance Schedule Maintain your generator according to the maintenance schedule for peak performance and safety. Proper Extension Cords When using extension cords, be sure they are of the grounded type and are rated for the application. Power Transfer Switch If connecting a generator into your home's electrical system, have a qualified electrician install a Power Transfer Switch. Wet Conditions Protect your generator from exposure to rain/snow. Generators produce powerful voltage; DO NOT operate under wet conditions. Glossary of Relevant Generator Terms Alternating Current (AC) Current which varies from zero to a positive maximum to zero to a negative maximum to zero, a number of times per second, the number being expressed in cycles per second of Hertz (HZ) Alternator A device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Amperage The strength or intensity of an electric current, measured in amperes (AMPS) Cradle The metal frame that surrounds and protects the generator/engine. Current The flow rate of electricity. Direct Current (DC) An electric current flows in one direction only. DC is produced by chemical action (i.e. a storage battery) or by electromagnetic induction. Full Power Outlet Enables you to draw the full power of the generator out of one outlet. Generator A general name for a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). Ground A connection, intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit and the earth or some conduction body serving in the place of the earth. Idle Control A system that controls the idle speed of the engine in direct relation to the electrical load. Inverter Generator An Inverter generator uses a different type of computer controlled alternator that produces cleaner more consistent power that is better suited for sensitive electronics like computers and PDAs. Inverter technology also allows the generator engine to run at varying speeds which can reduce fuel consumption and lower noise levels considerably. The units are also generally lighter weight as well, but a bit more expensive than conventional units. Magneto An alternator with permanent magnets used to generate current for ignition in an internal combustion engine. Ohm Unit of electrical resistance. One volt will cause a current of one flow through a resistance of one ohm. Power Transfer System A system to safely wire your generator to your home's electrical system. Rated Voltage The rated voltage of an engine generator set is the voltage at which it is designed to operate. Relay An electrically operated switch usually used in control circuits and whose contacts are considered low amperage. Resistance Opposition to the flow of current. Rotor The rotating element of a generator. Stator The stationary part of a generator. Vibration Mount A rubber device located between the engine or generator and the cradle to minimize vibration. Volt The unit of electromotive force. That electromotive force which when steadily applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm will produce a current of one ampere. Voltage Electrical potential difference expressed in volts. Voltage Regulator A component which automatically maintains proper generator voltage by controlling the amount of DC exitation to the rotor. Watt Unit of electrical power. In DC equals volts times amperes. In AC equals effective volts times effective amps times power factor times a consistent dependent on the number of phases. 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts.