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Large Portable Generator wiring question
Posted on 5/9/22 at 9:50 am
Posted on 5/9/22 at 9:50 am
I am looking at the generac 15,000 watt( generator) and a natural gas conversion kit. These generators have a 240 v 50 amp, 240 v 30 amp, and 120 volt plugs. I believe the max amps it will produce is 65 amps at 240 v, so technically it could exceed its total output to the 50 amp plug. I would like to power my entire house including central ac unit but it looks like it will exceed the 50 amp plug's capacity.
I plan to install the interlock kit with a 50 amp breaker. In the past with my older generator, the 30 amp plug with corresponding 30 amp breaker was enough to power the house within reason without the central ac. should i do the following if i buy the bigger generator?
1-30 amp breaker wired to the 30 amp plug to power the house minus central ac. for the central ac i would wire a line from the 50 amp plug and create a separate 50 amp fused disconnect for my central ac.
2-wire the 50 amp plug to a 50 amp breaker and install a soft start on my central ac unit and hope the 50 amp plug and breaker is not overpowered when the ac kicks on.
i do have the wire already for either direction i go, i would like some input from others.
I plan to install the interlock kit with a 50 amp breaker. In the past with my older generator, the 30 amp plug with corresponding 30 amp breaker was enough to power the house within reason without the central ac. should i do the following if i buy the bigger generator?
1-30 amp breaker wired to the 30 amp plug to power the house minus central ac. for the central ac i would wire a line from the 50 amp plug and create a separate 50 amp fused disconnect for my central ac.
2-wire the 50 amp plug to a 50 amp breaker and install a soft start on my central ac unit and hope the 50 amp plug and breaker is not overpowered when the ac kicks on.
i do have the wire already for either direction i go, i would like some input from others.
4
Posted on 5/9/22 at 10:50 am to lsuCJ5
how much will the NG derate the output?
Posted on 5/9/22 at 10:55 am to lsuCJ5
One thing to realize is that you probably aren't going to be drawing more than 50 amps at one time. I have a 50 amp interlock kit, but my generator only has a 30 amp outlet (11kw generator). I do have a soft start on my 3 ton AC, but that's not so much for my breaker capacity and more for the wattage capacity of my generator. The high draw periods for your AC unit are very short and likely not enough to trip your breaker.
I have never turned my 4 ton unit on when running on generator power since I'm not sure 11kw on natural gas is enough for that, but I can run pretty much everything in my house with the 3 ton AC on and haven't had any issues with a 30 amp breaker tripping. Now I haven't run a microwave, hair dryer, toaster, etc. at the same time, but always planned to be mindful with that stuff while on generator power.
I have never turned my 4 ton unit on when running on generator power since I'm not sure 11kw on natural gas is enough for that, but I can run pretty much everything in my house with the 3 ton AC on and haven't had any issues with a 30 amp breaker tripping. Now I haven't run a microwave, hair dryer, toaster, etc. at the same time, but always planned to be mindful with that stuff while on generator power.
Posted on 5/9/22 at 12:10 pm to djangochained
quote:
how much will the NG derate the output?
probably 15%.
the more i think about it, it more i am leaning to try the 50 amp plug with a soft start. it is better to keep everything through the main panel that way.
Posted on 5/9/22 at 12:19 pm to lsuCJ5
I did the 50 AMP plug and 50 AMP outlet on the house for my 12KW portable Champion. I added a hard start to the AC. It will run my 4 ton AC and all lights/outlets easily.
Posted on 5/9/22 at 12:41 pm to djangochained
quote:
how much will the NG derate the output?
My firman goes from 10,000 to 6900 when on NG.
Posted on 5/9/22 at 12:57 pm to lsuCJ5
quote:
probably 15%.
You'll derate by 20% going from gasoline to natural gas. That 15,000 watt generator will become a 12,000 watt generator which will put you right at 50 amps.
That said, read carefully into that generator. From what I gathered it produces very dirty power that may not be healthy for some sensitive electronics. That's what led me away from it when deciding my power solutions.
Posted on 5/9/22 at 1:02 pm to TheBoo
quote:
That said, read carefully into that generator. From what I gathered it produces very dirty power that may not be healthy for some sensitive electronics. That's what led me away from it when deciding my power solutions.
you are not the first one to mention that. anything else portable in that size that can run on NG?
Posted on 5/9/22 at 1:38 pm to lsuCJ5
Posted on 5/9/22 at 2:17 pm to lsuCJ5
We have ran my mom's house with a 17,5 generac on a 30 amp. We would use the central ac, fridge freezer and cieling fans.
No issues at all. It will burn a crao ton of gas tho but we used pump gas not natural gass
No issues at all. It will burn a crao ton of gas tho but we used pump gas not natural gass
Posted on 5/9/22 at 2:23 pm to lsuCJ5
All portable generators that are not inverter generators are going to produce "dirty" power. I'm sure some are worse than others, but when the frequency output is directly tied to the RPMs of the engine, you will get some fluctuation. I've not had any issues personally.
This post was edited on 5/9/22 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 5/9/22 at 2:36 pm to Jon A thon
quote:
All portable generators that are no inverter generators are going to produce "dirty" power. I'm sure some are worse than others, but when the frequency output is directly tied to the RPMs of the engine, you will get some fluctuation. I've not had any issues personally.
I have a 18 NG Generac. It runs both AC (3t and 5t) and everything in my house. Never noticed any issues with power. I have some neighbors who complain to Alabama Power whenever they want to cut limbs around the lines. So my power can spike on and off frequently in high wind times. I installed APC battery backups for most of my electronics and they stay on during the flickering so I dont have to wait for the cable modem to reboot or the tv to have to come back on and go back to the program we were watching.
I think I have 5 of them in the house 4 for the different tvs and one on the cable modem\switch\camera recorders.
I bought a few other that are not backups but just surge protectors for my fridge, washer, deep freeze, ice machine etc.
Have not had any issues. Actually had lightning strike a neighbors tree (300' from my house) and it blew up everything electrical in his house and mine had no damage. But I might have just been lucky.
Posted on 5/9/22 at 10:40 pm to Jon A thon
quote:
All portable generators that are not inverter generators are going to produce "dirty" power. I'm sure some are worse than others, but when the frequency output is directly tied to the RPMs of the engine, you will get some fluctuation. I've not had any issues personally.
True, some are much worse than others. Mine produces less than 4% harmonic distortion, whereas some, including that generac, are much higher, in the upper teens. That said, a few strategically placed UPS’s and it’s no problem.
Posted on 5/10/22 at 7:16 am to TheBoo
quote:
ew strategically placed UPS’s
I think this is something I need to look into. Plan on powering my home with a 10k Champion on my natural gas.
Posted on 5/10/22 at 8:01 am to lsuCJ5
Can you link the NG conversion kit for this generator
Posted on 5/10/22 at 8:11 am to djangochained
I'd be cautious of the gas requirement for a unit that big. I have my regulator absolutely maxed out to keep my 11kw running. This is all 3/4" gas line, but admittedly at the end of a longer run. You are looking at double the size unit. You may have to get the gas company involved to ensure you have enough gas supply and will likely have to hook up right after your gas meter.
I got my conversion kit from png technologies. Not sure if they have them for a unit that size.
I got my conversion kit from png technologies. Not sure if they have them for a unit that size.
Posted on 5/10/22 at 11:21 am to djangochained
Posted on 5/10/22 at 4:30 pm to lsuCJ5
What about a larger meter?
Posted on 5/10/22 at 9:49 pm to lsuCJ5
I’m the process of getting natural gas service installed on my house and the plumber actually installed my meter hook up with generator connection today. After doing the math, including the generator and all appliances I will be replacing with natural gas over time, it comes out to a total 588,000 btu. 205,000 of that being for the generator (17 hp NG engine). This comes out to 534 CFH for meter sizing needs. That said, my plumber installed a 1” ID pipe as my main to feed into my attic for all appliances, and a 3/4” pipe near the meter hookup for my generator connection.
The 3 foot 3/4” pipe and 12 foot 3/4 inch hose will adequately supply my generator at 1/2 psi.
When I asked him if the main pipe was big enough for all the appliances he said as long as my meter is sized correctly it’s plenty.
Take that for what it’s worth.
The 3 foot 3/4” pipe and 12 foot 3/4 inch hose will adequately supply my generator at 1/2 psi.
When I asked him if the main pipe was big enough for all the appliances he said as long as my meter is sized correctly it’s plenty.
Take that for what it’s worth.
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