Emergency Generator for Station

[neiowa]

The old generators that we have came frm DOD, but the were manufactured in the 1960's. They still do OK, just have to manually start them and transfer the load.

Does the age matter? How many hours/is it reliable? Parts for most (other than the Onan diesel gensets) are generally available.

You can add a transfer switch and auto start if it is actually needed (a manned station). And/or get a newer DOD genset.

[WebFire]

The "footprint" of the building was not affected with a pad for the generator. The "Footprint" concerns enlargingthe building such as adding a room or addition. The generator is located several feet from the structure and the only connection is the conduit containing the electric wires to the building. If it was inside the building, you wouldn't be able to hear yourself think because of the noise, and you still would have to provide exhaust for the fumes.

Get real guys, the generator MUST have a base or it would vibrate across town! AFG didn't have any problem with our proposal and have closed out our grant. The diesel generator runs 1 hour/ week under load and is rated to support the entire building load.

Our building qualified under the "Preservation of Historic Structures Act" also. We jumped through the hoops they wanted, sent them photos and information regarding the building, and they gave us their blessing. This generator's purpose is to allow us to function and protect our citizens. These people are reasonable! Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be!!!

Be careful. They WILL NOT fund for the concrete pad. Already been there, done that. We were awarded for a generator 2 years ago and found out after we had hired somebody to do the concrete work that they wouldn't pay for it. It was for the reason stated, that it changed the footprint of the building.

I argued up and down. Didn't matter, they did not and will not pay for it. Sad part is we could have done it ourselves and saved the money had we known it wasn't part of "installation".

I hate to know how many innocent departments used funds to pay for concrete that could get nailed later at an audit. I suppose the worse they would do is make you pay back the $ for the concrete work. But that may be a problem for some departments.

[HotTrotter]

Not to cause trouble, but why not check out Goverment Surplus equipment and who may be available in your community to donate their time and or material.
Our department got one for around $100.00 with the automatic transfer switch. Its a 250Kw unit. We then installed a pad, built a building to house it (both donated materials) purchased the items to cleanup and tuneup the unit. Had a local diesel machanic do the repairs / tuneup (labor donated). Purchased the electrical items needed to tie it into the building. (labor donated) Unit has been operating ever since. Have regular maintenance done yearly. Unit test runs every week picking up the building load. These units are made to run forever. Total cost for complete project was around $2500.00
Just another idea.

We put a 60KW Onan with switch, runs on propane. Cost for the unit was 30,000, our cost $1,500. No labor on our part at all, totally installed and with a warranty.

[Limeforever]

Good thing about having volunteers that all have a job outside the fire service. I worked construction and poured concrete, some of the others did and still do different jobs, we have an electrician, an HVAC guy. Suprising what you can do in house with the available talent.

Neowia, Have hove you been able to locate the newer model gens? Everything that we look at still came from Korea or the Vietnam Era if you are lucky.