Off Grid Storage Barn in Cold Climate

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #32
    Re: Off Grid Storage Barn in Cold Climate

    A couple of gasoline generators that seem to be solid designs and have automatic choke--So are candidates for autostart:
    ChrisOlson wrote: »
    BB. wrote: »
    The smallest genset I have seen here so far that can be (more easily) configured to auto-start (automatic choke) is probably the Honda EM4000SX that Chris Olson is using. The choke/mixture is controlled by the electronic engine controller.
    I'd like to point out that the little 46538/46539 Champion generators also have an auto-choke and I have mine configured for auto-start with the Trace/Xantrex GSM on the SW Plus inverter. When our Generac would fail to start in cold weather I used the Champion as a backup with the auto-start and it works fine.

    It is basically a three-wire start generator and you only have to tap into the wires on the back of the Combination Switch to do it, which is quite easy to do.
    --
    Chris

    This guy is selling (I think) eu2000i converted to electric start...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqqwgmoXIx0

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • SteveA
    SteveA Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭✭
    #33
    Re: Off Grid Storage Barn in Cold Climate
    BB. wrote: »
    A couple of gasoline generators that seem to be solid designs and have automatic choke--So are candidates for autostart:

    Quote Originally Posted by ChrisOlson View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by BB. View Post
    The smallest genset I have seen here so far that can be (more easily) configured to auto-start (automatic choke) is probably the Honda EM4000SX that Chris Olson is using. The choke/mixture is controlled by the electronic engine controller.
    I'd like to point out that the little 46538/46539 Champion generators also have an auto-choke and I have mine configured for auto-start with the Trace/Xantrex GSM on the SW Plus inverter. When our Generac would fail to start in cold weather I used the Champion as a backup with the auto-start and it works fine.

    It is basically a three-wire start generator and you only have to tap into the wires on the back of the Combination Switch to do it, which is quite easy to do.
    --
    Chris


    This guy is selling (I think) eu2000i converted to electric start...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqqwgmoXIx0

    -Bill

    Two great options. Thanks BB.
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  • SteveA
    SteveA Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭✭
    #34
    Re: Off Grid Storage Barn in Cold Climate

    Well, Our site is prepped and the pole barn is ordered so i guess it's time i get serious about figuring out the electrical.

    I put together this spread sheet of my anticipated loads and sizing calculators. I used the January solar value from PVWatts2 becuase that is when we will be loading the barn's power the most with heating an that is the whole point of the system (and it's still pretty small).
    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByOLtqSeyPktT1M3RWdhZl8xZG8/edit?usp=sharing

    All loads that are anticipated for when there is work being done will be done on generator power including work lighting. I'm sure i've missed a load or two but they should be small.

    I used the sizing calcualtions from another thread and came up with a system that is in the 400-600 watts range. I'm thinking of going with this http://www.solar-electric.com/solar-rv-kit-430-watts-mppt.html but getting a midnight 150 lite instead for the monitoring ability. The other half of the system will be a pentametric + shunt with AGS relay, and two of these batteries (crown 305ah 6v)http://www.solar-electric.com/cr305am6vode.html My plan is not even have an inverter and just run everything off DC though if i do get one it will be a suresine300.

    Besides what comes with the prebuilt kit and what i have listed, what do i need for accys such as panels and wire. I plan on an automotive fuse panel for distributing the 12v. I'm going to put the panels on a 4/12 metal roof so i'm going to want to tilt them for winter optimum performance. What roof mouting system should i get?

    we're going to start with a champion 3500w generator suggested above since it's pretty cheap. Then possibly move to a honda in the future when funds allow.

    Thoughts? Gaps?
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