Machinery

How to choose a generator for your home or cottage

May 11, 2020

Every user wants to buy a good power plant at an affordable price, which will last for many years and will not fail at the most inopportune moment. However, among the variety of different modifications when buying there are a lot of questions, after all, outwardly, all models are similar to each other. To understand, how to choose the right generator for your home or cottage, it is worth seeking the opinions and advice of experts. Experienced specialists clearly delineate the scope of use of different types of installations, recommend to consider the cost of maintenance and fuel, and also advised to focus on operating conditions.

content:

types of power plants

gasoline installations

Today, various modifications are available to users, the most popular among them are inexpensive generators with a gasoline engine. Manufacturers offer a whole line of gasoline generators of different power and layout. Units are able to continuously generate electricity throughout 4 — 6 hours, after which the engine needs a break. Such generators are perfect for home use: as an emergency power supply in the country or in the garage, as well as for construction work in the field, remote from the mains.

advantages:

  • Relatively low starting price of equipment.
  • Ease of maintenance - it is necessary to refuel and periodically clean the spark plugs.
  • Large selection of modifications: gasoline welding units, power plants with a capacity of 0,65 to 6 kw, single-phase and three-phase models.
  • Can be used at temperatures up to -20 °.
  • Relatively quiet mode.

shortcomings:

  • Increased fuel consumption and high price for 1 kw.
  • The top models themselves are designed for no more than an 8-hour shift, after which the installation requires a break.
  • Susceptible to moisture.

diesel installations

Diesel power plants can be operated much longer than gasoline, surpassing them in reliability. Most models are equipped with a liquid cooling system, which reduces the risk of overheating, and at times increases the time of continuous operation. The undoubted advantage of diesel generators is a greater engine life and a wide range of applications - the generators are suitable for a country house or a country house, can be the main or backup power source for remote sites or large construction sites.

advantages:

  • Optimal value for money.
  • Ability to operate the installation for a long time (depends on the model).
  • Average cost 1 kW - the maintenance of the power plant on diesel fuel costs on 50-60% cheaper, than the use of a gasoline unit.

shortcomings:

  • Increased noise at work.
  • The cost of diesel equipment in 1,5 times higher than gasoline.
  • At lower air temperatures -5 ° C fuel begins to thicken - for stable operation you need to provide additional heating.
  • Minimum installation load - 30%.

gas installations

Deciding, which generator to choose for the house, it is worth looking at models on gas fuel. They are a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to liquid fuel power plants. They are more expensive than diesel and gasoline generators, but can be connected in the central gas supply line - it is convenient and profitable. Gas power plants can also be powered by a cylinder, filled with liquefied gas.

advantages:

  • Low cost of 1 kW.
  • High motor resource.
  • In addition to electricity, the installation produces heat, which can be used for space heating.
  • Ease of maintenance.

shortcomings:

  • Gas appliances are the most expensive of all types of generators.
  • To power the power plant from the central gas supply line, will have to agree on installation in the gas service, as well as pay for the services of a specialist.
  • Connection to the gas main, adjustment and repair should be carried out only by qualified specialists. If the generator fails for any reason, it will not be possible to restore its working capacity on its own.

combined installations

Interesting power plants with a combined type of food: gas / gasoline or gas / diesel. You can change the type of fuel used at any time, without interrupting the operation of the generator. The advantage of such models is their versatility, in addition, the price of such units is not too different from gas. However, it should be borne in mind, that regardless of your desire, the device will have to periodically switch from one type of fuel to another.

Generator selection criteria

Initially, the criteria for choosing the right generator are determined by the needs of the user and the expected energy consumers: lighting, household appliances, construction tools. The following factors are secondary, as the cost of the device itself, its layout and functionality.

For infrequent and short-term use, you can buy an inexpensive gasoline unit with a capacity of up to 3 kw. Low-power petrol models are the best option, when the task is to choose a portable power plant - they are mobile, they can be taken on vacation, on the road or in the country to power lighting or household appliances, power tools.

Regular operation requires a reliable design and a durable engine, able to work stably for a long time. The type of fuel is also important: the cheaper it is, the more profitable the purchase will be. Example, instead of cheap gasoline it is better to take a gas or diesel generator - the high price of the device will quickly pay off with low fuel costs.

When carrying out repair or construction work, the decisive factor will be power and functionality. A number of tools and equipment are powered by a three-phase socket - this should be noted. It is often necessary to connect several consumers at the same time, and the presence of a second socket on the dashboard will be necessary. in addition, construction implies long-term operation of the power plant, so, household generators are not suitable for such purposes.

Power and number of phases

Regardless of the type of unit, the key factor in choosing will be its power. The indicator determines, which devices can be connected. Usually, in the passport of the generator indicate two active powers (useful, working) and nominal.

Useful power is always lower, but it is necessary to be guided by it at purchase. The value characterizes the standard load, at which the generator can be operated for a long time. Rated power determines the maximum load, in this mode the unit can only be used for a short time, example, at starting loads.

Calculating the total power of energy consumers, their type and technical features should be taken into account. What you need to pay attention to:

  • Number of phases - one or three. Among the power plants on the market are models on 220 In or 380 V, occur and combined 220/380 V.
  • When using a combined generator 220/380, the active power of single-phase sources should not exceed one third of the three-phase (nominal) power. If during production 380 The maximum power of the unit is equal to 10 kw, then you can connect to it 1 device on 3 kW or two on 1,5 kw.
  • Starting currents - technology, equipped with an electric motor, consumes more electricity at startup, than specified in the passport. When calculating the total load, the operating power of the device is multiplied by a factor - it must be specified in the instructions. Example, microwave printing power 1 kw / h at the start consumes 2 kw, otherwise, it just won't turn on.

Choosing a generator for power, we recommend choosing models on 15-20% more powerful, than required. The stock will save installation resources or connect unplanned equipment.

Type of fuel consumed

Fuel for the power plant can be used:

  1. gas, including liquefied
  2. diesel fuel
  3. gasoline (usually, 92-x or 95-octane)

When choosing a good generator, need to be determined, what type of fuel will be available. If there is a gas pipeline near an object or house, specialists will be able to connect a gas generator to it. The advantage of gas supply is low price and environmental friendliness, petrol and diesel models produce harmful exhaust gases and are practically not used indoors.

Gasoline is the most affordable type of fuel, it can be purchased at absolutely any gas station, drain from the tank of a personal car or even buy on the market (costs much more, but in case of force majeure - this is the way out). Diesel fuel is relatively inexpensive and easy to buy at the gas station, in the presence of a metal canister.

Generator type

Making decisions, which is better to buy a generator for the country, construction or field work, you should pay attention to the type of generator (alternator). All types of power plants are divided by type of electricity generation, which in turn affects the features of service and the quality of the current.

There are three main types:

  • Synchronous - produce the most "pure" current, which has a positive effect on the work of energy consumers, but the presence of a brush assembly somewhat complicates the maintenance of the unit.
  • Asynchronous have inverse characteristics - they are easier to maintain, but along with the increase in load decreases the quality of current. Suitable for construction work on the site, example, for welding.
  • Inverter type generators are suitable for powering equipment, sensitive ??to the quality of current - acoustic equipment, PC, in addition, they are quite compact, mobile and work in economy mode.

Fuel tank capacity

Users rarely pay attention to this indicator, although sometimes the capacity of the fuel tank helps to make decisions when buying. By and large, the choice here is small - such technical characteristics are determined by the manufacturer and depend on the ratio of power and continuous operating time.

When choosing between two similar models with a gasoline engine - pay attention to fuel consumption. Easy, when the time of continuous operation is approximately equal to the operating time of the generator at one gas station.

It should also be borne in mind, that a larger volume of the tank implies a larger volume of fuel - all this significantly affects the weight of the dimensions of the unit. When buying a power plant you, anyhow, will have to choose between frequent refueling or large, heavy construction.

launch

There are three types of generator startup:

  1. manual
  2. electric
  3. automatic

Usually, all models up to 3-4 kW are equipped with a conventional manual starter. The more powerful, in parallel, install the battery and electric starter - key start is convenient, but for this the generator battery must always be charged.

On sale there are models with automatic start - the block of automatic equipment independently starts the unit in case of power outage. Also, these units can be purchased separately and installed on almost any model with an electric starter.

Automatic mode, certainly, very convenient, especially when the generator serves as an emergency power source for a private home. However, for stable operation you will have to regularly maintain the electrical installation - check the fuel level, to refuel, charge the battery. Otherwise, automation will be of no practical use.

No less important functions

Most often the choice is made according to the parameters of the generator, but this is not the only factor, which determines, how successful the purchase will be. In addition to the technical characteristics should take into account the design features and functionality of the installation - some options may affect the final choice.

  • Noise level. For gasoline generators, the norm is the value of 74 dB, for diesel - 82 dB. Even a small deviation to a greater extent will significantly affect the practice.
  • Noise-suppressing casing and muffler - significantly reduce the noise level during operation, especially useful for diesel generators.
  • Security options. High-quality power plants are equipped with functions of protection against short circuit and overloads - their presence reduces risk of breakdowns and prolongs service life of installation..
  • 12V output. It can be used to recharge the car battery, you can also connect a car inverter to the socket. When working in places, remote from settlements, this design feature will come in handy.
  • Number of sockets. The best option for medium installation - 2 outputs on 220 V, if it is possible to connect three-phase consumers - you can take a combined model (220/380). However, its operation should take into account the possibility of phase skew, to avoid this you have to carefully calculate the power of connected consumers.
  • Ergonomics and comfort. The comfort of use is affected by such details, as a convenient carrying handle, availability of additional wheels.

Generator of which company to buy?

Sometimes two similar models differ only in the manufacturer, and the question arises - and whether it makes sense to overpay? So, is, if you have an installation from a reliable manufacturer with a well-developed network of service centers. Judging by user reviews on online forums, then the best manufacturers 2017 this year:

  • Honda
  • Fubag
  • Hyundai
  • Bison
  • Champion