Thinking about taking the plunge and going the Generator route

Gringo

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Jan 1, 2002
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The Power in Puerto Plata is I guess like just about everywere else in the Country (sucks).

I'm looking into a 20 kilo Broadcrown Diesel Generator Yanmar Engine and Newage Alternator, located in The Capital brand new asking price $12.500 US.

I have a Trace Inverter with 12 Battery's that works just fine for my house, however I would like to connect up six small apartments and my friends house next door to share in the costs.

I would be looking at powering two A/c units and two water pumps each 220v.
The apartments have a 1500 watt water heater each.

My question to you out there with much more experience then myself is would I need a larger Generator then the 20 kilo?

Thanks

Gringo
 

BushBaby

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Jan 1, 2002
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Larry,
I have just purchased a reconditioned 15 Kw Cummins deisel generator from here in Puerto Plata. 12 Months on-site warranty is included in the US $5,500 price - installation is extra but co-ordinated by the seller. If you want their number so you can go see them, PM or 'phone me.

Today was first day with it working & I am delighted with it. 75 gallon tank attached, not too much noise & even THAT will be a lot less once the exhaust is extended & the generator is housed, sound proofed etc!! Now I KNOW how proud HB felt when his generator was first working - it is like being a proud Father!!! - Grahame.
PS. I have a similar invertor system, run A/c, dishwasher, 2 refridgerators, 2 Televisions, washing machine etc & haven't got anywhere NEAR 1/2 load yet!! It recharged my 12 batteries whilst running all of the above! - G.
 

Escott

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Jan 14, 2002
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www.escottinsosua.blogspot.com
Gringo said:
The Power in Puerto Plata is I guess like just about everywere else in the Country (sucks).

I'm looking into a 20 kilo Broadcrown Diesel Generator Yanmar Engine and Newage Alternator, located in The Capital brand new asking price $12.500 US.

I have a Trace Inverter with 12 Battery's that works just fine for my house, however I would like to connect up six small apartments and my friends house next door to share in the costs.

I would be looking at powering two A/c units and two water pumps each 220v.
The apartments have a 1500 watt water heater each.

My question to you out there with much more experience then myself is would I need a larger Generator then the 20 kilo?

Thanks

Gringo
I would go for a 40kw generator if I were in your shoes. Mine are about 190 amps and I think you will need it for what you want to power.

Scott
 
T

TiberiusMineola

Guest
"SHARING"?? Caution!!

Unless your neighbor is family or you've known him / them for more than 20 years, I'd be extremely reluctant to get involved in any long term cost sharing arrangements. Especially if your neighbor is Dominican; this is probably unlikely. More enemies are made than problems solved. Not only in the DR, but in the "real world". Go slowly, very, very slowly. My free advice for the day! No charge!
 

221

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Jun 28, 2004
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is 40 kw even big enuf?

if everything came on at the same time the main breaker should open with that load

i'd look at reducing the load to a minimum by converting the water heaters to propane, eliminating the AC (is that a possibility?), energy saving bulbs , etc.
the conversions are costly but the costs of running a generator are outrageous. a $5-10 oil pressure switch for instance becomes a $40-80 DEALER PART

generators are a nice luxury but far from troublefree ... more like troublesome. big generators moreso. tenants will not be able to operate them. the owner or maintenance man should be living with it so someone knows how its "behaving" or the mechanic bills will be out of sight. transfer switches and other gizmos are just maintenance items. my next generator will be a mule - no paint, no 12 v systems, only oil and heat shutdowns and i may remove the oil as they normally fail quickly.

yanmar is a fine engine if a bit noisy. what is the db rating? newage is one of the best ends made, quick pickup.
 

gmiller261

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Dec 29, 2002
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9 Kw just heating water

A 20Kw genset should be fine, IF, you get rid of the water heating 'sink'.

Conservation is key, as pointed out in this and other threads.

You have a huge solar gain down there; you should take advantage of it for heating water, unless you get no sunlight.

Even in solar heating, the storage must be very efficient. Initial costs are always the stumbling block. I still would not pay 60 cents USD per watt just to heat water. (Initial costs, run rate $ are fuel and maintenance dependent)

http://kingsolar.com/catalog/dept/hotwater/openloop.htm

Gary
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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First off, the price is absurd

For that price you can buy a 35KW Onan with a Cummins engine, brand new! NOt some no-name brand that does not have a parts backup in the country. And it is right here, right now.

Second, get rid of the water heaters and invest a couple of thousand pesos in those water heaters that go on the shower heads. They last a couple of years and are cheap. And they never consume electricity when you aren't looking.

Aside from that I do not see any problem with the 20 KW idea. However, I would listen to Grahame and see what his experience is.

We "finagled" in a new 20 KW Onan with the 4 cyl Cummins Turbocharged diesel.. It carries the entire hovel; 5 A/Cs, including a 5 ton unit for the office and all of the appliances. And we built a small, walled in annex with automatic transfer for the genset..With steel window and door.

Know you that there are a bunch of options out there, all with excellent results. Generac is making a 20 KW unit that runs on propane and is very quiet. Cost way less than half of what you are quoting. Propane, without a subsidy would be 60 pesos, diesel is not 75 pesos. There are 30 KW "takeout " units from hospitals and schools that are almost given away, so transport and taxes are barely important. There are factory rebuilt gensets from reefer type containers that will run forever and not quit.

You can PM me or email if you want for more info...

And pay attention to who you are getting into this with. Where there is money for service involved, close friends can become mortal enemies real quick...

HB
 

Gringo

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Jan 1, 2002
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It sure is confusing

Thanks guys for all your advice.....I think that I will ask around and maybe just pick up a bigger unit that has a name brand and has been reconditioned.

I'm a Salesman so I know Diddley Squat about Planta's

Check out this site I found it quite interesting.......www.backwoodshome.com/articles/thomsen28.html

Gringo
 

TCIDR

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Sep 7, 2003
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Something you ought to be mindful about

Approximately 70 percent of all back-up generator failures are fuel related. This is due to heat, moisture and time that initiates the oxidative process. Oxidation causes fuel to develop gum, resin and varnish. Fresh fuel can go bad in just a matter of week.
The 'new,' refinery techniques, as oppose to 20-30 yrs ago produce more gasoline per barrel of crude, but the fuels produced by these methods are often far less stable and in some cases, are out of spec for stability by the time they reach your tank.
The same stability issues hold true for the new generation of diesel fuels. They are lower in sulfur content, but changing processing techniques has made them less stable.
 

cobraboy

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Jul 24, 2004
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TCIDR said:
Approximately 70 percent of all back-up generator failures are fuel related. This is due to heat, moisture and time that initiates the oxidative process. Oxidation causes fuel to develop gum, resin and varnish. Fresh fuel can go bad in just a matter of week.
There is a product here in the states called "Stabil" which keeps fuel "fresh" for well over a year. I have numerous gas boats, motorcycles, and PWC's which can lay up for many months at a time. Since starting to use Stabil, I have had ~zero~ fuel related problems, period.

Diesel is a little different. The problem there is water spoiling it. Besides Stabil, there are other products specifically for diesel that keeps is usuable for a long time.

I now store larger quantities of both gasoline and diesel for longer periods of time.

I do not know if Stabil is available in the DR.
 

suarezn

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Feb 3, 2002
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Water Heater

Don't want to hijack the thread, but since the subject came up what type of water heater do people in here use? I'm trying to determine what to install in my house...I've been suggested a propane instant water heater for which hot water never runs out. Your thoughts?
 

Paulino

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Jan 4, 2002
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suarezn said:
Don't want to hijack the thread, but since the subject came up what type of water heater do people in here use? I'm trying to determine what to install in my house...I've been suggested a propane instant water heater for which hot water never runs out. Your thoughts?
Personally I bought me a Valliant propane water heater from 8A in Santiago. Haven't installed it yet, though. Think the heating capacity is in the neighborhood of 14 gls/min of hot water. The price was around 17,000 pesos as far as I can recall, about a year ago. Who knows what it is by now.
 

221

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Jun 28, 2004
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in my experience

onan and generac (generjunk) are rated STANDBY.
the only ones ive seen are not even brushless.

PRIME power generators are worth the extra money.

shop hard & the machine will last.
 
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Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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Onan and Generjunck?

I would have preferred a Denyo, but the decision wasn't all mine. There is, however, a Dominican saying to cover this: "La mejor marca es NUEVA"

I'll will certainly report any failures on the Onan we have.

As far as Generac is concerned, they are one of the largest selling "standby" power units in the US--They claim to be #1-

The really good units, the ones from reffer containers are hard to find in good condition but they are here. CAT diesels/Wilsons are very good but very, very expensive, thanks to monopoly at the dealership..

HB
 

221

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Mr Hillbilly

if you are tracking actual operating expenses i'd be interested
 

Jwb

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Jan 10, 2002
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Does anybody own one of those

bob saunders said:
http://www.baproducts.com/generato.htm
CHECK these sites OUT FOR ESTIMATING IF THE GERNERATOR WILL BE LARGE ENOUGH http://www.friend.ly.net/GEET/backup.htm

That link gave some great info about independent power supply. But, has anyone ever heard of the brand name "generverter "in the DR. Acording to their website for the price of $3,495 you would get a water cooled 10 KW slow speed (1800 RPM) system that can operate " long term independent uninterruptible power solution for 365 days a year".

if that's true why is this that brand not the most popular in the DR. I ask with skepticism because at that price it should be a steal. But then I would hate to be the first person to have one that needs a repair.
 

221

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lots of chinese crappola on the market and more comin'

i know of a 25 kw china diesel that dropped a valve after a couple thousand hours and was parted out. BUT it was cheap to purchase

$US750kw should give a high estimate. if its too good to be true then .....
 

Jwb

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Jan 10, 2002
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Something to think about

221 said:
lots of chinese crappola on the market and more comin'

Are there any repair technicians qualified to maintain those chinese made units, or even the "Genervrter"? Parts can always be ordered I'm concerned about wether or not the warranties are applicable in the DR and if there are specialist qualified to maintain the machines.
 

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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Our Onan is serviced and guaranteed by

Techncaribe, and they come around periodically to see that we are taking care of the machine under warrenty. So far no complaints.

HB