Diesel generators

[Rutland lad]

So let's get this in perspective. Them idiots want everyone in an EV but they are talking af power supply issues already

Diesel! Today's diesel can not be stored long time without a fuel scrubber on the tank.
Because of a veg content it now goes a mould!

I understand there’s some additive you can put into modern diesel which increases its shelf life. Can’t tell you any more. Some old tightwads at work used to store LOTS on their smallholding.

 

[Tazz]

So let's get this in perspective. Them idiots want everyone in an EV but they are talking af power supply issues already

Diesel! Today's diesel can not be stored long time without a fuel scrubber on the tank.
Because of a veg content it now goes a mould!

Does it come with a Best Before Date?

 

[Smellydog]

I understand there’s some additive you can put into modern diesel which increases its shelf life. Can’t tell you any more. Some old tightwads at work used to store LOTS on their smallholding.

Yes but it will need agitating.

In theory one could keep their vehicle diesel at home so it is constantly being drawn from but you have a head of fuel ready for an outage.

 

[Druid]

Stored fuel does have a shelf life before long it starts to go funny.
Diesel tends to be ok for maybe 6 months before it starts to get bacterial growth. This causes gunge to form that isn’t ideal for your engine. Additives work well, a little splash keeps the bugs at bay.

Marine 16 Diesel Bug Treatment 100ml | Marine Scene

Marine 16 Diesel Bug Treatment biocide prevents or eradicates diesel bug in marine fuel. 100 ml treats 2,000 L at 50 ppm, disperses into water and fuel phases, and stays active for over a year.

marinescene.co.uk

Petrol goes gummy after an even shorter timescale, especially the standard unleaded E10 as it now has a portion of ‘renewable’ ethanol added. (Caused lots of problems with some engines when it came in)
Super unleaded is a better choice for storing, even if it’s just for the mower over the summer.
Again, there are additives available to extend the storage life of petrol.

STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer (4 Sizes)

STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer is a fuel additive that keeps fuel fresh for up to 24 months and ensures quick, easy starts after periods of storage. This E10 fuel additive can be used in any petrol-powered vehicle or equipment you plan to store for 30-days or longer. STA-BIL is perfect for...

www.sta-bil.co.uk

 

[Camdig]

I had a PTO generator for my little 21HP tractor great things and if you have a tractor it saves maintaining another engine.
They don't mind sitting doing nothing for months too.

 

[MattJ]

According to the interweb, can get a 6kVA diesel generator with a built in automatic transfer switch for a little over a grand. Haven’t seen many reviews though……

T-mech Portable Silent Diesel Generator Single Phase 230v

T-mech Portable Silent Diesel Generator Single Phase 230v part of our Generators range. Available for just £1022.99. We've got a great selection of deals from top brands, including T-Mech and more!

mix.co.uk

 

[Tim.243]

I had a PTO generator for my little 21HP tractor great things and if you have a tractor it saves maintaining another engine.
They don't mind sitting doing nothing for months too.

My welder mate has a DC pto driven welder in an ex railway land rover. He used to pull up on jobs.. where is your welder, clunk click and it was making dc..

 

[Rutland lad]

Out of interest, what power generator would you need to take over from the National Grid and run your house if there were blackouts (don’t like outage. Another US term)

 

[angusb1]

Out of interest, what power generator would you need to take over from the National Grid and run your house if there were blackouts (don’t like outage. Another US term)

Post in thread 'Diesel generators' https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/threads/diesel-generators.295784/post-3086491 I also have a 3kva petrol generator and I use mine just like this ^^. Runs everything in the house including 4 fridges/freezers, broadband, TV, lights and oil fired boiler, but not including kettle, electric cooker, hairdryer, hair straighteners, welder etc. If you want something that will run the things that draw a lot of power, best thing would be to work out how much power those things will draw and add it to 3kva. The result is how big a generator you need.

 

[csl]

I have a Lister 7kva generator, and it is loud, but it uses a relatively small amount of diesel with an electrical switch, to take over from the NG should the need arise (custom ), wired in. It's reliable as hell... but boy is it loud!

There's old generators that will run as close to 'silent' as possible, but they need the engine to run slow and then pick up the 1500rpm speed, usually with belts.

Out of interest, what power generator would you need to take over from the National Grid and run your house if there were blackouts (don’t like outage. Another US term)

The depends on how much KW you use per hour.

 

[Dickie]

Don’t forget things that cut in and out draw more when they cut in to when ticking along.

 

[csl]

Don’t forget things that cut in and out draw more when they cut in to when ticking along.

Yes, if you accurately 'estimate' , the diesel engine will thank you for it. If you don't have an accurate estimate you will get horrible coke deposits, so if you say it will take 7kva, then you make sure it’s using 5-6kva!

 

[Rutland lad]

I’m a bit like Catweazle when it comes to ‘electrickery’. It’s definitely not my area of expertise, so thank you for those comments. What I do understand that in our small close of 4 houses is the economy of scale - rather than 4 small generators powering each home, it would be better with one larger one powering all the houses. I may have to do some US style ‘prepping’ and suggest this.

 

[udderlyoffroad]

Following this thread with interest; as it stands I will revert to an old petrol generator and stringing extension leads throughout the house to power critical items should we experience extended power cuts this winter, and re-examine that policy come the spring. People are currently taking bets on when the first one will be - some wag on a podcast I was listening to suggested there was a good chance of it being Christmas day when the nation collectively turns on its ovens to cook the Christmas bird.

 

[countrryboy]

Teaching folks grannies to suck eggs here as so obvious.

But just onviously be careful how u feed it into ur fuse board.
I never bothered even thou we get quite a few power cuts ( i think will be well over 10 this year, mainly trees down but dod have a bird in a transformer and a faulity cable under a Mway) but some of my neighbours wire it in the dodgy way.
So just be careful plugged in before u start the genny or u will have a live exposed plug terminal.

And please please make sure u turn the main breaker/switch off or ur genny power can travel back down the wires and potentially shock the linesmen working on the problem

 

[countrryboy]

Going slightly off topic at a tangent.
But does anyone know any decent websites to read up on alternative energy for a private house.

Thinking of doing away with my leccy connection all together and just using solar/wind and a battery.
Possibly even a hill billy mickey mouse hydro might be possible.
More as a cost saving than any hippy/green thing.
A lot of my bill us standing charge as it is as dont use an awful lot of power.

 

[Smellydog]

I have a Lister 7kva generator, and it is loud, but it uses a relatively small amount of diesel with an electrical switch, to take over from the NG should the need arise (custom ), wired in. It's reliable as hell... but boy is it loud!

There's old generators that will run as close to 'silent' as possible, but they need the engine to run slow and then pick up the 1500rpm speed, usually with belts.


The depends on how much KW you use per hour.

I've seen some pipe the exhaust into a 50 gallon drum and bury it with another pipe coming out. Wasn't to bad.

 

[Smellydog]

Out of interest, what power generator would you need to take over from the National Grid and run your house if there were blackouts (don’t like outage. Another US term)

Most the emergency lads say outage now.
Blackouts don't really happen in daylight but a power outage can.

 

[Freeforester]

Going slightly off topic at a tangent.
But does anyone know any decent websites to read up on alternative energy for a private house.

Thinking of doing away with my leccy connection all together and just using solar/wind and a battery.
Possibly even a hill billy mickey mouse hydro might be possible.
More as a cost saving than any hippy/green thing.
A lot of my bill us standing charge as it is as dont use an awful lot of power.

Maist places that could harness water did so lang syne. Places wi' dams made by hand and horse, pre JCB. Pelton wheel or low head turbines can be pressed intae service, guid puckles used in N Wales yet. Wind works better nar solar, but wet solar can gie ye het water in an hour on a decent day. Wet solar recommended, but need spark the work the circulatory pump at the tank, plus a tank wi' solar coil inside.

There's some forums some like this ane but just for renewa replaceables (they aa wear oot!)

The Renewable Energy Hub Forum

A safe place to ask questions and get answers from like-minded people and professionals, relating to renewable energy.

www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk

 

[shakey jake]

C dfc d

Maist places that could harness water did so lang syne. Places wi' dams made by hand and horse, pre JCB. Pelton wheel or low head turbines can be pressed intae service, guid puckles used in N Wales yet. Wind works better nar solar, but wet solar can gie ye het water in an hour on a decent day. Wet solar recommended, but need spark the work the circulatory pump at the tank, plus a tank wi' solar coil inside.

There's some forums some like this ane but just for renewa replaceables (they aa wear oot!)

The Renewable Energy Hub Forum

A safe place to ask questions and get answers from like-minded people and professionals, relating to renewable energy.

www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk

Is your spell check broken?