Diesel Generator - Home Backup

Syborg_97

Assuming you follow all the code regulations for intake & exhaust air, similar to a furnace, is there anything problematic about running a backup diesel generator from within a shed or other enclosed out-building (not the main house). I'd like to use Diesel and run it from my home-heating oil tank, and avoid a separate LP tank & associated hassle.

Thoughts? Has anyone done this type of install? Assume it would be around a 6 - 8 KW sized unit (i.e. not that large).

Thanks!
Simon
(Killingworth, CT)

mdshunk

Sure, I've put in many an indoor generator. Businesses quite popularly have indoor generators, often in the basement. It's a special generator, made purposely to adapt to black iron pipe to pipe the exhaust. The room also needs a barometric damper for barometric relief and a powered venter for fresh air intake from outdoors. The power venter is powered from the genny. The radiator may or may not need direct ductwork, depending on the particular generator and the size of the room.

If you're thinking of cobbling a regular outdoor type generator into an indoor generator, you're on your own on that one. I'm sure it can be done, but I can't advise you on that in good conscience.

frenchsparky

yeah it been done with quite few commercal locations but resdentail it get little trickier and i really strongly recomoned get ahold of generator dealership they will tell you what model and the set up to meet the code.

yes you can get the " open " unit for it but there are few issue as MDshunk mention and he highlight very clear on this one.

oh by the way there are other building codes as well it may cause some headache as well depending on your local codes.

Merci, Marc

Michaeljp86

If the exhaust is vented out I dont see a problem except for the engine sucking the air out of the room. So you should have the intake outside also. You would also want to make sure the crankcase vent runs into the intake and not vented in the room. But that has nothing to do with building codes just my 2 cents.

__________________
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woodchuck2

I am a Guardian Dealer and i personally prefer the propane myself. Not as smelly with the exhaust, propane can sit in the tank for years and never go bad, no gelling issues and most likely quieter. My generator sits a good 30' from the house with the exhaust pointed away so it is very quiet. My other home also has one but is under the porch mounted concrete, i put 1/4" rubber pad under it to lessen the vibration and the generator can hardly be heard. Right now propane is alot cheaper tha diesel fuel too.

mdshunk

Plus, you can take an engine apart that has run on propane all its life, and the combustion section will look brand new. Nothing in the fuel to build up or foul the works. Commercial customers tend to prefer natural gas or diesel, and residential customers tend to prefer natural gas or propane (for permanently installed generators). The actual fuel supply, however, if often dictated by what's already on site. A farmer, for instance, will prefer diesel if he's already got tanks for the tractors, or propane if he has propane fired hen house heaters or grain dryers. A commercial customer might prefer natural gas if the building is already so served, or diesel if they've already got #2 heating oil tanks for their furnaces.

Michaeljp86

I diesel engine uses 1/3 the fuel of a propane engine. There was a used diesel genertor on ebay near me I tried to talk my dad into. It had a 89hp john deere engine, the same engine his tractor has.

__________________
I am just a vessel from which genius flows -Homer Simpson

Global warming is a myth, like evolution and the metric system.

woodchuck2

I agree, i am referring from a residential standpoint. My generator may sit for 6 months and the only time it runs is for the weekly cycle. I didnt have propane and only got it for the generator but this now gives me options of a different fuel down the road for cooking, heating and hot water. Another thing to think about is with diesel fuel you have to supply your own tank, propane companies supply their own tanks now for a yearly fee of $78. So if it leaks or gets rusty, they give me a new tank and i dont have the expense of it being Hydro'd every 5 years.

72chevy4x4

have you considered the noise factor of the generator running in your basement?

mdshunk

Actually, these are normally 1800 RPM generators that are spec'd for indoor use, so it's not so bad really. I had a replace some parts in an ATS for a church generator late this afternoon, and they had a 60's vintage Onan indoor generator, and it was pretty quiet for an air-cooled 3600 RPM generator. The exhaust still goes outdoors, along with most of the noise.

Tesla

Funny thing this thread comes up, here I am planning a generator job in my own house for this upcoming year.
This may strike a few nerves but remember it's my own house, not a clients!

4.8Kw Subaru - Robin genset, gas(petrol) fired, ASCO ATS, exausted outside.
I'm removing the muffler, oversizing the exhaust in flexible vapor proof stainless to include a condensate drip cock, right out my rim joist sleeved for high temp, this in my basement with CO detectors and intake vents.
Am I over thinking this?
Crazy idea 'yeh I know.

I have my reasons for an inside install verus a nice Onan pad mounted exterior, which I thought of already.

Damn ASCO costs more than the generator!

mdshunk

The ASCO transfer switch is the way to go. I guess you'd probably be using the model 300 at your house. That's a dirt simple and bulletproof ATS. That ATS will last through several generators.

Why not buy a genset made for indoors to begin with? If you do cobble one, make provisions for lots of combustion air, or the longer it runs, the leaner it will get.

Indoor generators are normally exhausted full size in black iron pipe, with the appropriate thimble where necessary.