back up generator for solar system

sw1773
sw1773 Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Does anyone know or has anyone used the Durostar 10000W gas electric start generator for a back up to their solar system. I'm trying to find out if this generator will hold up to heavy use as my backup power source when I don't go to float or as a source of power when my panel are not producing what I need. Also does anyone know why it is so much lighter 265 lbs than my current 5500 W 400 lbs
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    The Lighting and Grip website has a nice expose on the flaws of lightweight gensets
    They link to this youtube video about the poor power factor effecting generators
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeCqreRMzKM

    and have a grand webpage explaining generators, restive loads, reactive loads, power factor, lighting ballasts, overloads, circulating neutral current.....
    http://www.screenlightandgrip.com/html/emailnewsletter_generators.html


    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • oil pan 4
    oil pan 4 Solar Expert Posts: 767 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Durastar sounds like a northern tool brand. Its lighter because its made out of flimsy sheet metal everywhere, all the important parts are likely made of plastic, the generator may have aluminum windings and the engine castings could be paper thin.

    Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.

    Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #4
    I would suggest that you only buy that genset if you have "extra money" to play around.... Some questions:

    How much power do you really need... An 8 kWatt genset running at full load could burn upwards of 1 gall of fuel power hour. Or perhaps 1/2 gallon per hour at 1/2 load--Is this the loads you need to drive?

    Noise--Are you in an area (farm, good distance from house/work area to genset) where the noise will not bother you?

    How much run time per year are you looking at... Many of these inexpensive gensets fail after ~200-500 hours of moderate usage. I would not suggest this genset for "heavy use".

    Why are you getting a second genset--How is your present genset working out for you? Do you need a larger genset? Problems?

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • oil pan 4
    oil pan 4 Solar Expert Posts: 767 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Oh no, a 2 pole 8kw generator is going to burn at least 3/4 of a gallon per hour at half load.

    Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.

    Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.

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