..Operating a genverter based power is not difficult, and really isn’t technical. In our home, our kids knew how to read the meter, and start the generator since they were about 11 years old. The real key to operating the system correctly, is to have and understand the metering between the batteries and the charging system.
silent mode
When the system starts off with fully charged batteries, you have power in what I call “silent mode”. You can have lights and other creature comforts without using any gas, since the inverter is converting the stored battery power into normal home AC.
You may have certain large loads that may not be appropriate during this time because they would drain the stored energy quickly. In our home these are items like the dishwasher, the well pump, and Jackie’s favorite electric iron.
Having a device or meter that measures power flowing into or out of the battery bank is very important. With the meter counting the Amp-Hours or “juice” flowing out of the battery bank, it is easy to see when we’ve used 30-40% of the total capacity. When this level is reached, its time to make sure we start charging in a serious way by starting up our generator charging source.
free power mode
power pig time!
After charging a short while, it becomes free power time, since the generator is not fully loaded with the task of battery charging. This is the time to run those big loads mentioned above. We call it free, because for the most part, this extra power not used in charging will be lost! As batteries get some charge, they accept less current and more generator power potential is lost. The most expensive part of charging it getting the batteries over that last 10% of charge. Many times we stop before then, but not always as explained below.
Maintenance operation
Deep cycle batteries have a wear out mechanism that occurs when they stay below 75% charge for any length of time. It is called sulfating, and is covered in detail elsewhere on www.genverters.com. Its ironic, that batteries last the longest if you never discharge them, that is, use them! This third mode of genverter operation is used to keep the batteries healthy and to extend their life.
During normal operation, we like to do what is called an equalize charge for our lead acid batteries. It is a small investment that will help the battery bank last extra years. The charging system is run and the voltage is permitted to go to a higher than normal voltage for a few hours. For example on a 12V battery bank, we let it go up to 14.5V and watch the electrolyte in the batteries bubble some. This helps break up the sulfation that occurs during normal operation. This operation does take extra fuel, but is a good long term investment
Sometimes it is possible if we leave a few days in the summer, to let our solar charging and solar controller to automatically do the equalize charge for us!
Basic genverter operation can be broken up into 3 modes; silent mode, free power mode, and maintence mode. Your power consumption at any time should match the genveter mode. Having and monitoring your charging meter will help determine how your system should be operated at any given time.
Do you have any questions about genverter operations? Do you like the idea of “free power mode”? Tell us about it below in the comments!
Related posts:
There is a concept called Combined Heat and Power generation often referred to as CHP. When applied to a single home dwelling it is called micro CHP. Usually it involves running a generator with a water cooled not air cooled engine. The hot water is used to heat the house or shop and the electrical power is stored in a battery to drive an inverter when the engine is not running. Large water tanks can store enough heat to last many hours except during the coldest weather.
These water cooled engines are often only rated at 6 – 10 HP. A group of enthusiasts have formed a discussion forum and are experimenting with making these systems more efficient. For example only one third of the total power released from the burning fuel becomes electricity; the other two thirds is released as heat. By using water jacket heat and a heat exchanger for the exhaust pipe heat, they dramatically improve the overall efficiency of their generator system. The founders of this discussion group are located in the state of Washington. However members come from all over including the UK and Canada.
As an addendum to the previous post, several of the micro-CHP forum are also experimenting with alternative fuels such as waste vegetable oils which can still be had free in some locations. Other options is using waste hydraulic oil and engine lube oil for diesel engines and ther is also the possibility of using methane derived from manure as a totally free and self renewable fuel source. One member is experimenting with wood gas derived from charring scrap wood and the resultant gas drives a modified conventional piston internal combustion engine.
It just goes to show there are a number of choices in addition to buying expensive petroleum derived fuels. When these alternate fuel sources utilize what would otherwise be waste products its a win-win situation.
arlid, I like the CHP concept. And yes, internal combustion engines are inefficient when you look at the energy available and what gets delivered from the generating unit. 50% maybe? It doesn’t seem that a small water cooled engine would be able to heat sufficient water for passive heating in a home. There are many challenges in large plumbing projects and freezing winters that needs careful consideration.
However, I love the idea of a second heat source, and getting that heat for no additional cost! It becomes very interesting when combined with a methane digester to power the generator.
One of the forum participants lives in victoria BC and has been heating his entire house using his Lister diesel. For thermal mass he uses three large water tanks. I sent an PM askinf for more details.
Internal combustion engines generally follow the rule of thirds. One third electrical power output one third cooant heat dissipation and one third exhaust gas heat output. Other experts on the forum have measured the outputs and have determined they can push the efficiency up to about 60% useable heat output. Nobody is claiming better.Certainly not near 100% utilization.
Micro co-gen.com
Sorry try this for a link
http://www.microcogen.info/index
I have come to the conclusion that the term “free power” is not only misleading but creates a false image or concept in peoples mind. Whether it is wind, solar, or flowing water derived power, a considerable amount of effort is involved to created the structures and mechanisms needed to convert these natural energy sources into some usable source of power. Admittedly its a case of semantics so perhaps we need to think in terms of other words that accurately reflect the reality. Free is actually only with reference to the need to buy fuel (oil) from a price controlling source. Sadly our society’s bureaucracy is already looking at ways to tax us for having the ability to extract energy from these alternative sources. Around here you have to pay for applications fees, permit fees and what have you if you wish to set up a wind turbine farm or a hydro-electric project. If you produce a surplus of energy you end up with a repayment schedule that in effect reduces your gain to almost nothing and the return on investment is greatly reduced. In the process of researching alternative energy it has become obvious that some municipalities in various parts of the world actively discourages independent power generation. Published comments have even suggested that independence from the grid should be discouraged because it detracts from the benefits derived from economies of scale and profitability by the utility companies. We need to be on guard against such encroachments by the bureaucracy.
yes, there are plenty of costs in “free” power and it is best described as alternative power sources. In my writings here, I talk of “free power time”, in a humorous way to indicate extra generator power that you’ve paid for, but often don’t get to use. This happens especially when charging above 90% battery capacity, it is the time to plug in that dishwasher and get the extra benefit from the generator!
Depending on location and terrain it may be possible to utilize ‘pumped’ storage’. this is a technique whereby surplus energy is used to pump water into a resevoir and then later on gravity drops the water down through a turbine and spins a generator. At first glance this may seem to be a net loss but by maintaining The loading on the generator motor it stays closer to the optimum BSFC point on the power curve. The BSFC curve displays how much fuel is expended to produce so much power output. On one boat design I did we powered a water maker pump from the same shaft and it was clutched in when power generation dropped off as the battery came close to being completely charged. On a CHP design the waste heat could also be used to make hot water or heat the residence. Some people are even experimenting with using this waste heat to drive absorption refrigeration systems.
I am looking at going to a genverter system, and am looking at purchasing 12- 225AH 6 volt Trojan Batteries to hook up a series parallel connection of 24 volts/675AH. I already calculated my reduced load at 7600 watts/day. What size Inverter and/or Charge Controller would I need? Also I have a 6500 running watt generator with 12v battery charging capability. How many hours will I need to run the generator to charge the batteries?
So u use generator to power batteries for use to inverter to get power to house?
can u tell what this system needs all things maybe list of items u use or something to run smoothly how many batteries do u have ? what size inverter? how is the inverter distruibuted throughout the home for example plugs lead to certain items running or is it to eletric box source ?
terrie Linderman´s last [type] ..Off Grid Appliance Power: Using a Juicer
Will be running 2 – 2500 watt inverters to circuit panel.
One on each Set of Bus Bars. Left side of panel for CFL/LED Lighting and Freezer. Right side of Box to small appliances, TV, laptops, etc. Generator will be used for charging battery bank and then for large loads – Washer/Dryer or to pump water from storage tank up to pressure tank. Am building a 1300 sq ft A-Frame on my 17 acres and am going off-grid. As some of this is new to me, I am also doing everything debt-free, which makes this a little time-consuming and will eventually add on a few solar panels and a wind turbine afterwards. My big question from above was do I charge the batteries through the inverter and charge controller or directly to the battery bank from the generator?
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