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WIND
GENERATORS / GAS GENERATORS 
WIND
GENERATION: An overview
People are so
fascinated by the prospect of wind power generation that they
sometimes make the investment before they know for certain
that their site will actually be cost-effective for wind
power. An average minimum wind speed of 10 to 12 mph is a
must; check with local airports, weather stations,
https://www.nrel.gov/gis/wind-resource-maps.html and some
government agencies to be sure you have a good site for
wind generation. Generally speaking, in most U.S. sites, it's
windier in winter and spring than in summer and fall--so even if
your average wind speed is not high, a wind machine may be
valuable for additional battery charging in the lower light
conditions of winter.
GAS GENERATORS
and other thoughts….....
Adverse weather
conditions--like last year's floods and hurricanes-- has forced
many people to think of affordable alternatives to grid
(utility) power--and, in the short term, gas generators
definitely fill the niche. For long term solutions--you'd
better have a big fuel tank! And, since liquid propane
fuel (LP) has greater longevity in storage, many people are
seeking LP generators. We at Oasis Montana are constantly
trying to source new product lines (and better costs), so please
continue to check back on these pages for further product
listings and better pricing. Our web pages are updated
regularly.
For short term generator use--well, you have an electrician
hard-wire your loads directly to the generator, or use a
transfer switch with your existing AC distribution box.
Either way, when you shut down the generator, you don't have any
power. Many persons find that adding a battery system and
inverter to their generator can be a very cost-effective
move. If a large load or two is powered on a daily or
twice weekly basis, while that AC load is being run, the
generator can be charging your batteries via a charger in the
inverter. Then, when the generator is shut down, smaller
loads (lights, TV, VCR, radio, etc.) can be run through the
inverter from the battery bank. When a generator is being
run to power just small loads, its fuel consumption is hardly
efficient. It's best to optimize the generator's full
output for the loads you're running. Otherwise you're
wearing out your noisy , smelly generator, while you're wasting
fuel--just to power some small loads.
IF YOU ARE
SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A GENERATOR,
please PLEASE check our basic information about generator
safety. We urge you to hire a licensed electrician to
help with your installation in a safe and proper fashion.
The electrician will make certain there is NO interaction
between an active utility line and your generator.
If a generator is turned on while connected to the utility,
electricity can "backfeed" into utility lines, and
create energized power lines. If the power is out in a
given area, an energized (from the generator source) line can
create major problems (like death) for utility line people
servicing those lines. Also, repair persons generally
ground a power line they're working on, and that may create a
damaging situation for the running generator. If the
utility lines "come back on", and the generator is not
isolated from utility power, damage to the generator and your
appliances is very likely to result.
Click
here
for more information and ideas
about integrating a fuel generator into your home power system.
GENERATOR SAFETY
TIPS:
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Hire an electrician to wire your generator. There will not
be a problem with grid (utility) interaction if you do.
-
Always make sure that your home circuits are
disconnected from the utility prior to starting your
generator. Before re-connecting to the utility, make
certain your generator is off and all protective breakers are in
place.
-
Do not attempt to repair your generator. Hire a
qualified service person. Your generator is a
mechanical beast, and will require regular servicing.
-
Make certain your generator will power the loads you
want--proper sizing is very important.
-
DO NOT BYPASS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON YOUR GENERATOR!
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Generators are darn hot under operation; don't touch,
and keep in a well ventilated place, like outdoors or in a
separate, ventilated shed. C02 is something to be avoided.
-
Store fuels safely and in proper containers and
locations.
-
Keep children and pets away from generators
and fuels at all times.
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