genny system

OP

B

Bernard1991

-

Joined

Dec 31, 2013

Messages

38

Reaction score

3

Location

Staffordshire

• Jan 3, 2014

• #16

Well I'm just going to scrap the lot and go back to basics (no pun intended)
below is a picture of a basics changeover switch generator transfer 125a single phase metal clad m125cs (that's how it's advertised) will that be ok?
And later ill put the model number of the generator I have and ask if that's ok to use

 

Attachments

• 
  image.jpg

  91.6 KB · Views: 97

Upvote 0 Downvote

Clive P

-

Joined

Jul 29, 2010

Messages

491

Reaction score

169

Location

Devon

• Jan 3, 2014

• #17

Hi,

Surely you can get hold of an Automatic Change-Over switch, then your parents can sit back in comfort and let the little magic box do its business.

Regards.

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

Lucien Nunes

-

Mentor

Esteemed

Arms

Joined

Jul 2, 2013

Messages

6,778

Reaction score

13,476

Location

London for the time being

• Jan 3, 2014

• #18

I can see a number of worrying things there. But let's start with that connector marked 'hook up to genny'. Am I going blind or is that a socket-outlet? Please correct me if I am not seeing it for what it is...

And another thing that's actually more dangerous, do I see the tops of the contactors accessible from outside the enclosures, so anybody could (intentionally or accidentally) press the manual operation button and cross-connect the two sources?

Perhaps I had better not look any more...

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

OP

B

Bernard1991

-

Joined

Dec 31, 2013

Messages

38

Reaction score

3

Location

Staffordshire

• Jan 3, 2014

• #19

Lucien Nunes said:

I can see a number of worrying things there. But let's start with that connector marked 'hook up to genny'. Am I going blind or is that a socket-outlet? Please correct me if I am not seeing it for what it is...

And another thing that's actually more dangerous, do I see the tops of the contactors accessible from outside the enclosures, so anybody could (intentionally or accidentally) press the manual operation button and cross-connect the two sources?

Perhaps I had better not look any more...

Click to expand...

It's a 32 amp three pin socket (like on a caravan)
but I have scrapped the idea now so it's redundant and will be removed

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

Lucien Nunes

-

Mentor

Esteemed

Arms

Joined

Jul 2, 2013

Messages

6,778

Reaction score

13,476

Location

London for the time being

• Jan 3, 2014

• #20

So you had a plug connected to a source of energy. With apologies for the pun, I recommend you pull the plug on this project and have a commercial transfer switch fitted. It really isn't worth the (many) risks you are taking with the present setup, due to lack of familiarity with the requirements.

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

OP

B

Bernard1991

-

Joined

Dec 31, 2013

Messages

38

Reaction score

3

Location

Staffordshire

• Jan 3, 2014

• #21

I have scrapped it and shall put the contactors used on eBay to get my money back
The immage I put on post 16 would that be safe to use for what I intend in terms of a manual change over
and shall like said in other posts look into a proper pre build control unit as a second option and get a good wiring diagram wire it up myself following it and get it properly commissioned and even have the commissioners number to hand if I get stuck (should be fine with a wiring diagram first year college I was drawing them up and in electronics I was making timer circuits and led light circuits all for 12v dc use and not ever supplied by 230v power)

But all this hinges on the generator and here's some info on it
couldn't get it all it's seriously buried under who knows what

aulternator
type. Mr1180 j609b
code. 0330202235
Date. 1999

output:
50hz
56a 110v
26a 230v

engine rpm 3000
made by. Vanguard
if there's anything more in particular anyone needs to know off the alternator let me know and I'll see if I can find it

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

L

Lighthouse Phil

• Jan 3, 2014

• #22

last thing I need is to be pulled into a can of worms here...
I work with auto change over gents on a almost daily basis... Buy a Mains Fail change over contactor unit off the shelf,, it will have all the wiring already done and will include a mechanical interlock too.
By the sound of the description of your genny, I don't think I will have a decent AVR, so don't supply any sensitive electronics with it...
Have you thought about Earthing of the genny ?? It will need its own earth rod / matt and neutral and earth linked in the alternator
The list could continue....

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

OP

B

Bernard1991

-

Joined

Dec 31, 2013

Messages

38

Reaction score

3

Location

Staffordshire

• Jan 4, 2014

• #23

Hi Phil I had a feeling I would have to do something with re guards to earthing other than just it's supplied earth
I did think on the lines of a earth rod in the ground connecting to the neutral like you said I presumed this as when I was studying electrical they told us a bit about transformers on the grid and the earth was linked to the neutral and rodded to ground, won't go into it too much as we all know why it's done that way (different kettle of fish a transformer from a genny I know)

ill see if I can find a wiring diagram for the genny but on top of alternator there's a box with two 110v plugs and two 230v plugs with thermal cut outs built in for both voltages and a switch on the front to change it from 110 to 230 and all the cables come out of the alternator into it

as for the changing over from mains to genny my dad wants it to be manual (to quote him simplicity is efficient) so a few posts back I put a picture of a basics generator change over switch will that be good to use or would you recogmend something else that would be better suited?

As for the AVR I'll see if I can find one for my genny
And the only electronics we have is the useuall house hold items tv, sky, computers, router, iphone, iPad and drivers for led down lights if you want to count them

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

E

Engineer54

• Jan 4, 2014

• #24

And the only electronics we have is the useuall house hold items tv, sky, computers, router, iphone, iPad and drivers for led down lights if you want to count them

Click to expand...

All of which can be blown/damaged by a genny without a decent AVR of one kind or another...

An ATS can also be used in manual operation, and to be honest, if this gen-set/transfer switch is not going to be located in an easily accessible location, then ATS operation makes much more sense than manual operation. Especially if it means going outside in the pouring rain etc, to switch the damn thing on or off!!

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

D

Darkwood

• Jan 4, 2014

• #25

Contactor buzzing! we have either saved your day or shown you the path to a nightmare ....either way i hope you can now appreciate why you were initially been given a rough ride ..... i hope by now you can appreciate with the wiring plan you originally supplied you were way off mark and in for a steep learning curve .... given both the threads there are still areas we haven't even mentioned ... im thinking you dont really get it that you can't design a compliant system by forum shopping and picking it up bit by bit....

A little knowledge is your enemy here and just wish you would appreciate the regulations and standards you need to comply to; some life critical others down to simple things like correct panel design etc (ot so critical).... no offense but you could be several yrs off the knowledge required to get this right.

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

G

Geordie Spark

• Jan 4, 2014

• #26

You'll find some nice genny stuff in here.

Souter Lighthouse | Worldwide Lighthouses

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

S

Silly Sausage

• Jan 4, 2014

• #27

Your man has been dribbling on about automatic Gen changeover so his wrinklinly old mother doesn't have to stand on a chair to turn a switch.
She's still going to have to leg it down the the shed in dark to turn the damned thing on.


OP, I think you'll find your parent(s) can manage quite well without you!

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

K

Knobhead

• Jan 4, 2014

• #28

Archy Styrigg said:

OP, I think you'll find your parent(s) can manage quite well without you!

Click to expand...

Thanks Archy, thats summed it all up!

(I hate giving Archy a thanks)

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

U

UNG

-

Arms

V.Nearly Esteemed

Joined

Jul 26, 2009

Messages

6,198

Solutions

2

Reaction score

5,655

Location

Nr Wigan, Lancs

• Jan 4, 2014

• #29

Archy Styrigg said:

She's still going to have to leg it down the the shed in dark to turn the damned thing on.

Click to expand...

Or top up the fuel or is that the next automated project

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

P

Plonker 3

• Jan 4, 2014

• #30

UNG said:

Or top up the fuel or is that the next automated project

Click to expand...

Better prepare for a thread on how to terminate MIMMS then

 

Upvote 0 Downvote