How to choose a generator for a summer residence?

For every person, the dacha is a place of tranquility and solitude. It is there that you can have plenty of rest, relax and enjoy life. But, unfortunately, the atmosphere of coziness and comfort can be spoiled by a banal power outage. When there is no light, there is no access to most electrical appliances. Of course, in the near future, when the method of generating electricity from wind and heat will be available to an ordinary person, the world will no longer depend on failures at power plants. But for now, it remains to either endure or look for ways out of such situations. The ideal solution for a power outage in a country house is a generator.

The word "generator" came to us from the Latin language, its translation is "manufacturer". This device is capable of generating heat, light and other benefits necessary for a normal human life. Models of generators capable of converting fuel into electricity were developed especially for summer residents, which is why the name "electric generator" appeared. A high-quality device is the guarantor of continuous power supply to the power connection points.

To date, several types of generators have been developed, namely: household models and industrial devices. Even for a large summer cottage, it is enough to put a household generator. Such devices consist of 3 main elements:

• frames, which are responsible for firm fixation of working units;
• an internal combustion engine that converts fuel into mechanical energy;
• an alternator that converts mechanical energy into electricity.

Generators entered human life over 100 years ago. The earliest models were only probes. Subsequent developments have led to better device performance. And only thanks to technical progress, coupled with human perseverance, it was possible to create modern models of electric generators that meet the requirements of users.

Today is very popular device with automatic start in the event of a power outage... The device independently detects the shutdown of the light and is activated every second. For public events on the street, an autonomous generator-power plant has been created. Such a design can be equipped with an autostart, but for such conditions it would be inappropriate. It can run on gasoline or diesel fuel. It is impossible to call electric generators quiet and noiseless. And here battery devices - quite another matter. Their work is practically inaudible, unless, of course, you come very close to the device.

In addition to external data, modern models of fuel-to-electricity converters are divided according to many other indicators.

Before you go shopping for a generator, you must compile a detailed list of household electrical appliances present in the house, then arrange them according to the principle of simultaneous operation. Further it is necessary add up the power of all devices and add 30% to the total. This surcharge is auxiliary for devices, when starting up, which consumes more power than during standard operation.

When choosing an autonomous generator for a rarely visited summer cottage models with a power of 3-5 kW are suitable.

Modern generator models are single-phase and three-phase. Single-phase designs mean connecting a device with the same number of phases. For devices requiring 380 W of voltage, it is appropriate to consider three-phase generator models.

To equip your home with electricity on a permanent basis, the ideal option is diesel generators. Distinctive feature solar devices lies in the stability of the power supply for a long period of time. After the engine warms up to the required temperature, the diesel fuel is converted into electricity. On average, diesel generators can power the whole house for 12 hours. After this time, it is necessary to refuel. The main thing is to give the autonomous power plant the opportunity to cool down.

Gas generators it is appropriate to install in country houses where there is a connection to the gas main. But before purchasing such equipment, it is necessary to coordinate its purchase and installation with the local gas service. Also, the owner of the converter station must provide the gas service employee with the documents for the device: a quality certificate and a technical passport. The stability of the gas generator is based on the pressure of the blue fuel. If the model you like should be connected to the pipe, you need to make sure that the pressure in the line corresponds to the limit specified in the documents. Otherwise, you will have to look for alternative connection options.

The most interesting for the owners of country houses are combined generators. Their design is designed to use several types of fuel. But most often they choose gasoline and gas.

The amount of fuel placed in the generator tank determines the uninterrupted operation of the device until refueling. If the total power is small, it is enough to connect the generator to 5-6 liters. The high power requirement will be able to satisfy the generator tank with a volume at 20-30 liters.

Unfortunately, generators with gasoline or diesel fuel will be very noisy... The sound coming from the devices interferes with the tranquility of the living area. The volume indicator during operation is indicated in the documents for the device. The ideal option is considered to be noise less than 74 dB at 7 m.

In addition, the loudness of the generator depends on body material and speed. The 1500 rpm models are less loud, but more expensive in price. Devices with 3000 rpm belong to the budget group, but the noise emanating from them is very annoying.

Electric generators are divided according to the type of starting: manual, semi-automatic and automatic options.

1. Manual activation occurs according to the principle of activating a chainsaw.
2. Semi-automatic switching on involves pressing a button and turning a key.
3. Automatic start independently activates the generator, which received information about a power outage.

In addition, modern generators have differences in several more criteria. For example, in expensive models there is overvoltage protection, which allows you to extend the life of the generator. There is no such equipment in budget devices. The cooling system, depending on the type of generator, can be air or liquid. Moreover, the liquid version is more effective.

Today, many manufacturers from different countries and continents are engaged in the production of generators. Some develop devices for the industrial sector, others make units for the household area, and still others skillfully combine both directions. In the huge variety of fuel-to-electricity converters, it is very difficult to distinguish the best models.And only consumer reviews helped to compose a small overview of the TOP-9 power generators.

Three models were highlighted in this line.

• Fubag BS 3300. A device that ensures the operation of lamps, a refrigerator and several electrical appliances. Powered by gasoline fuel. The design of the unit has a convenient display that allows you to control the operating parameters. The sockets have high quality protection against various types of contamination.

• Honda EU10i. Compact device with low noise level. Manual launch. There is 1 socket in the design. Air cooling is built in, there is overvoltage protection in the form of an indicator.

• DDE GG3300Z. Ideal for servicing a country house. The time of uninterrupted operation of the device is 3 hours, then refueling is required. The generator has 2 dust-protected sockets.

Here, users also opted for 3 options.

• Huter DY6500L. Gasoline power plant with a capacious 22 liter tank. The device is designed to be connected to a single-phase network. The duration of uninterrupted operation is 10 hours.

• Interskol EB-6500. A gasoline generator that prefers the AI-92 fuel grade. There are 2 sockets in the design, there is an air type of cooling system. The device works without difficulty for 9 hours, and then requires refueling.

• Hyundai DHY8000 LE... Diesel generator with a tank volume of 14 liters. The published volume during operation is 78 dB. The duration of uninterrupted operation is 13 hours.

The following several models conclude our review.

• Honda ET12000. A three-phase generator that provides the entire country house with electricity for 6 hours. The unit emits a loud noise during operation. There are 4 sockets in the design of the device, which are protected from contamination.

• ТСС SGG-10000 EH. Gasoline generator equipped with electronic start. Thanks to the wheels and the handle, the device has a mobility function. The design of the device is equipped with 2 sockets.

• Champion DG10000E. Three-phase diesel generator. Quite loud during operation, but at the same time easily provides the living areas of the country house with light.

When choosing a suitable generator for a summer residence, it is necessary to take into account the conditions for its further operation and the individual requirements of the consumer.

1. In suburban areas where there are a small number of household appliances, it is preferable to install gasoline devices, whose power does not exceed 3 kW. The main thing is to correctly calculate the required power.
2. In gasified country houses, where people live on a permanent basis, and the lights are switched off regularly, it is better to install gas generator with a power of 10 kW.
3. The diesel generator is economical. Such a device is needed for those who travel to the country only in the summer.
4. To select the correct device, it is necessary to consider not only its technical characteristics, but also external data. To do this, you need to select in advance a place where the device will stand.

To date, several options for connecting additional power are known:

• connection of the reserve according to a separate connection diagram;
• use of a toggle switch;
• installation according to the scheme with ATS.

The most accurate and reliable way to switch electricity is installation using ATS. In such a connection system, there is electric starter, which automatically reacts to a central power outage and activates the generator. This process takes 10 seconds. And in half a minute the house will be fully connected to autonomous power supply. After the restoration of the operation of the external power grid, the backup power transmission is turned off and goes into sleep mode.

The clearest way to connect a generator is circuit breaker application... The ideal option would be to connect the middle contact to the consumer, and the extreme ones to the cable of the power plant and the mains. With this arrangement, power supplies will never meet.

In old samples of toggle switches, when the generator was running, a spark appeared, which the owners of country houses were very afraid of. Modern designs have been modified and received a protective cover that completely covers movable parts. The switch itself is installed in the control panel. If suddenly there is a power failure, the switch must be moved to the neutral position. And only then start starting the generator.

Some owners of country houses have wisely approached the connection of the generator. After purchasing the device, they we re-equipped the home wiring, set up a standby lighting line and made separate sockets for connecting the necessary household appliances to the network. Accordingly, when the central electricity is turned off, it remains only to activate the standby generator.

For owners of country houses it is important to remember that the generator must not come into contact with moisture. If it is installed on the street, it is necessary to make an additional canopy and a waterproof floor. However, it is best to place the unit in a separate room where the exhaust can be discharged.

In the next video, you will learn how to choose the right generator for a summer residence.