Along with gasoline and diesel, a gas electric generator is becoming increasingly popular, which is often used in cottages and country houses as a backup power source. It provides the operation of boilers, stoves and other household appliances. Consider the installation in more detail.
Devices and their types
The gas electric generator is characterized by high efficiency, very low noise level during operation, as well as environmental safety. After all, its emissions are actually harmless. These are the most convenient devices of all electric generators for operation. Therefore, the demand for them is steadily growing.
Gas power generators are:
The first, working on internal combustion engines, are used for domestic needs. Gas turbine units have higher power ratings that start at 30 kW. Such units cost much more and are used mainly in industry.
Household electric generators are of the following types:
- open (installed in heated rooms with ventilation);
- closed (it is possible to keep and in the open air).
On two types of fuel
In addition to generators operating only on natural liquefied gas, there are also mini-power plants that can operate on butane, propane and gasoline. But for such units, the use of low-pressure main gas will be problematic.
Gas electric generators for a home using natural gas and gasoline will be more effective if the ignition timing is correctly adjusted . It is different depending on the fuel used. Therefore, precise and fine-tuning of opening and closing valves is required. It should also be borne in mind that optimal performance cannot be achieved either on gasoline or on gas. Most internal combustion engines that are available on the market today are equipped with ignition angle adjustment, which is not done in the factory. Therefore, the engine is able to switch to gas fuel only after the complete exhaustion of gasoline.
Gas power generators for a home on natural gas (main) and gasoline are not economical. The enriched or lean engine will operate at the rate specified by the manufacturer.
The factory setting of the mixer pressure is 2.8 kPa and is not adjustable. Since in Russia almost everywhere the pressure of the main gas is equal to 1.8 kPa or less, the gearboxes fit into the inherent settings. But in winter, the level becomes even lower. Because of this, operating equipment runs the risk of malfunctioning. In an injection unit with starting, there are no problems even at low pressure. But due to loss of power, operation becomes impractical, although it is forced to continue.
Choosing a gas power generator for the home
When planning to purchase this device, you need to seriously study its characteristics. The main thing in any such device is the internal combustion engine, which provides rotation of the rotary generator and the generation of electrical energy. Most often, we can meet Chinese units that are copied from a generator from the Japanese manufacturer Honda. It is better to refuse to buy such units and purchase better Japanese generators. At them you will find serial numbers that are located next to the company logo. In such a device there will be no problems with the cold start and “sounding” of the valves, which cannot be said about the Chinese counterparts.
Mode of operation
The best units if you need to provide backup power are those generators that have an air cooling system. But if you intend to use the unit on an ongoing basis, it is better to purchase a device with a water cooling system. The fact is that aerial construction will require regular technical interruptions in operation. And with the system on the water, non-stop operation can last for seven days.
Installation on a water cooling system will be able to work independently for three or more years. The leaders in the production of such units are the following companies:
- Toyota.
- Yammar.
- Generac.
- FG Wilson.
- Aksa.
From generators with an air cooling system, you can choose models from the following manufacturers:
- Green Power.
- Ultra
- FG Wilson.
Proper operation
Household gas generators have a certain non-stop operation time, which must be adhered to. If this parameter is regularly violated, it will provoke rapid wear of the equipment.
If you intend to work in continuous mode, you should additionally provide engine cooling and control the oil level. Also, the exhaust system must be periodically inspected.
Other benefits
From the beginning of its production, the gas electric generator was intended as an alternative to devices operating on other types of fuel for backup power. Today, such installations are very relevant. Particularly popular are those in which electronic control is implemented through fuel injection. Unlike gearboxes, they are temperature independent.
There are many other advantages that distinguish gas piston gas generators. Natural gas for them can be main or in the form of liquefied propane-butane. The working resource is more than three and a half years. Aggregates also provide a high coefficient of performance. With timely and proper maintenance, the resource can reach twice the time declared by the manufacturer.