if I have a source of energy from a diesel generator...

[ganzas]

Hello,

I'm thinking about construct a bunker and adapt a diesel generator like a energy source...
some doubts that I have:
- noise;
- stability of energy;
- Possibility of putting the generator in an enclosed space with exhaust

I like to know if somebody of you guys uses one diesel generator like the source of energy, and what is yours opinion about use one of this generators.

 

[Iron_Lion]

Yes they are loud, big ones are expensive, they can be put in a building or enclosure but you need air intake an exhaust.

gas is most efficient, followed by natural gas and then propane. I think propane would be easier to use tho especially if hooked up to a large tank.

Propane burns cleaner and has a long shelf life compared to diesel or gas which can go bad if not used fast enough.

 

[idiit]

the re-ups for fuel consumption leads to a pattern that is very easily noticed by anybody, somebody. think out how you will re-up your fuel supply and if you got that taken care of you've solved a big huckleberry.

 

[ganzas]

well, i thought in having one deposit for refuel the generator...
and transport the diesel in deposits maybe 30 liters every untill the big tank. if i do by this method is discrete.
inside the area of the house nobody sees me because is a farm...

 

[Stonefree69]

Honda and Yamaha make real good gas generators. More reliable too than diesel and I bet quieter.

 

[Sat X RB]

I think this is a VERY expensive way to produce cannabis.

estimate your fuel usage (manufacturers will have this on their information sheets) + purchase costs + maintenance = VERY EXPENSIVE!

 

[ganzas]

Hello Sat X RB

I done calculation before about fuel, equipment and maintenance.

I like to know more about efficiency about this generator because i read somewhere that the energy generated can cause damage on the ballasts.
Maybe the energy generated is not stable...


Anyone use one generator like this?

 

[ak-51]

Honda and Yamaha make real good gas generators. More reliable too than diesel and I bet quieter.

My understanding was that gasoline generators are not meant to run 24/7. Since diesel engines are usually tougher anyway, that toughness should translate into reliability.

Maybe you meant natural gas or propane gas and I just misunderstood.

 

[jm420]

make sure your ballast are compatible ,I'm pretty sure they will be marked genset ready ie: quantum and nextgen

 

[foomar]

The diesel set at our old off grid house was costing five times as much as mains electricity would have per unit , and maintaining the genny became a hobby in itself , no big expense in thirty years running 18 hours a day , oil change every month , filters every year and bearings/rings every decade.

You could see the flicker on a tungsten light bulb but HPS ran fine through magnetic ballasts , no idea with digital but they handle variable mains voltage well and restart better.

The size required is double the expected constant load for it to last much beyond warranty , what you buy depends on how high this is going to be and fuel availability where you live , larger sets are impractical to feed by cans.

 

[rives]

The diesel set at our old off grid house was costing five times as much as mains electricity would have per unit , and maintaining the genny became a hobby in itself , no big expense in thirty years running 18 hours a day , oil change every month , filters every year and bearings/rings every decade.

Foomar, if these service intervals are for 7-day a week operation, your experience isn't typical. 18 hour days, 365 days a year would be 6500+ hours of operation, and 540 hours monthly. Recommended service intervals for diesel engines usually call for an oil change every 100-250 hours, and industrial-quality (Caterpillar, etc) engines have a life expectancy of 10-12,000 hours. Expensive electricity!

 

[ganzas]

ok dude, I will go think in other source of energy...

Maybe photovoltaic, eolic or hydric...

Somebody can elucidate me about having one system like this?

 

[foomar]

Hi rives , it was second hand when we got it , old lister engine running a seperate 16 kw/240 v set via a belt geared up from very low revs , followed the sellers instructions regarding serviceing and is probably still in use as its easy to fix.

We added a water jacket and helped heat the house as well , adding a fuel pre heater allowed the use of the lower grades of heating oil saveing a lot of money.

 

[rives]

Those old Lister engines are flat-out amazing! In fact, the whole company has a fascinating history.

 

[Iron_Lion]

ok dude, I will go think in other source of energy...

Maybe photovoltaic, eolic or hydric...

Somebody can elucidate me about having one system like this?

PV is expenisve to set up but it will pay for itself in no time once it's pushing pounds.

You have to have a large array and a very sunny spot if you want to be 100% independent.

Even in houses they are still hooked up to the grid to compensate for anything not generated by the PV system. If they generate over what is needed it gets sold back, but grow lights are power hogs and draw way more then your typical house hold load when no appliances are running.

 

[ak-51]

The diesel set at our old off grid house was costing five times as much as mains electricity would have per unit

Thank you for swiftly ending any idea I might have had about running a genny-op anytime soon. If my power bill was 5x what it already is I don't think I could be profitable.

 

[ChaosCatalunya]

Thank you for swiftly ending any idea I might have had about running a genny-op anytime soon. If my power bill was 5x what it already is I don't think I could be profitable.

2 people I trust, who are actually doing it here tell me that running Diesel Gennies costs HALF what Fecsa/Endesa [the Electricity supplier in Spain] charge for a KWH.

This is 6 months old info, Diesel was 1.20/L, now it is 1.40/L

Many Diesel delivery trucks like cash, but as another poster said, the getting the Diesel to the Genny is the logistical overhead. 1 of my 2 buddies told me a 200 light op takes E4,000 of Diesel a week, so, 3 or 4 x 1,000L Cubos. These can be fitted in the back of a Hilux or Sprinter, but you need some excuse for all you use, or a well spread out buying program.

 

[watts]

Generators are best used to do 1 big grow a year or two. So calculate how much you'd need/want to grow yearly then get the proper size generator. Generators are also good for a backup in case the main electric power goes out. Also you can use a generator to take half the load off your electric if worried about utility company alerting cops. But generators are best used in the country, outside city limits and no neighbors too close. They are really not something you'd want to have running daily, all year long. Fuel is too expensive and the maintenance would get old quick.

 

[ganzas]

but is viable have one structure by fotovoltaic?
can I have batteries to charge during the day and in the night spend this energy?
example:
if I want have one grow with 10 kw how many batteries i need to have for reserve in one rain day and if is possible have those batteries in home?
considering one day that the solar panels can't produce energy because dont have sun...

thanks!

 

[Greenheart]

Multisources are best and generator for charging banks when the other sources are not performing for whatever reasons. Clogged pipes, inclimate weather, no wind ect...

Yes Genni's are loud, tend to stink, require maintainence, are expensive, and numerous other things but I know a guy that has been running that way for at least a decade. Also remember if it fails everything fails have a backup and keep parts on hand if you are in the boonies.