Small generator connection

[skatingsparks]

The question to the supplier of the generator is pretty simple can you connect the generator to the electrical installation yes or no ... for safety reasons ... all generators connected VOV format should be clearly identified with a notice on the unit.

It would save a lot of confusion.

But still people will connect to there house....

Besides most suppliers don't understand the implications of connecting a VOV generator. They just want the sale. They have been told - all that is needed is a change over switch.

I use the analergy of " the seat belt" with my customers and their Grip/Honda/whichever generator.

Yes, you can drive your car without a seat belt. But sure as S*&t, if you had a crash, you are going to want it.

Earth is your seat belt, Earth leakage is your airbag. If you crash in a car you would want both seat belt and air bag.

If you (or your family) are getting a shock, pretty sure your would want a functional earth and earth leakage.

Would you drive on these roads without your seat belt....

I then ask them "Still want to connect a generator without earth and functioning earth leakage?". If they do then they must get someone else in

Besides, insurance companies have caught onto generator connected incorrectly.
I know of one person who wasn't paid out because of this. Small electrical fire - board went into melt down, nothing major.
I'm pretty sure it was a loose neutral. Nothing to do with the generator set up.

Refused to pay out.

[Derlyn]

My simple generator test box.

If only the left side lights up when plugged into the generator output, then we are ok for connecting to installation.

If both light up then I walk away. It's also easier using the lamps than a multimeter to explain to the prospective client why it will not work.

Peace out ... Derek

[ians]

Derek I like your test rig

I got home from site ... took out the tester to checked my Yamaha construction generator ( I have never actually put a tester on the unit ... other than a PQA to see just to see how bad the sign wave really is ... trust me it is BAD)

If I understand VOV from the diagram in the link ... if you test in ohms from

L-N it should give a reading f around 4 ohms (just using these figures as an example)
E-N = 2 ohms
E-L = 2 ohms

There should be inf. to earth ... because it shouldnt be earthed to the chassis.

IF I bond the N-E on a VOV generator .. .the voltage should read

L-N = 110
L-E = 110
N-E -= 0

because all you are doing is shorting out the coil



The actual test on my Yamaha ...

L-N = 2.9 ohms
L-E = inf
E-N - inf


Tried to star tit to see what the voltage reading is ... unfortunately after about 20 pulls I realised the fuel tank was empty

When I do test the voltage ... if it is a VOV unit it should be

L-N = 220
L-E = 110
N-E = 110

I should have sat down 10 years ago and sorted this out ... there is a massive market out there for connecting and servicing small generators ... some of my customers are waiting 6 weeks for their units to be serviced ... because they were left standing ... I want a piece of the pie (so much for reaching my 30 year goal and winding down this business).

IF your business is not booming at the moment ... you doing something wrong ... I am getting at least 3 calls a day for new work and I dont advertise ... purely word of mouth ... I am going to stop passing on the work and maybe look at growing.

[Derlyn]

Ian

We are not short of work. You know I only work 4 days. Wednesdays off. Xolani is one hellava lucky guy. Gets paid full, but he deserves it.

I stopped doing COC's for property sales many moons ago. I don't like working and waiting up to 6 months for payment. Leave that to someone else.

My biggest income generator presently is electricity and water sub metering. Even bigger than gennies. Cannot keep up.
As the price of water and electricity increases, so does my order book.

Anyway, this thread is about gennies. I will only do an installation if the genny is reg. If not, I walk away after explaining in detail to the client why I am not prepared to do the job. If they get someone else , so be it, but at least 70% of them come back after buying the right genny and I do the job.

We become friends.

The installation is right and everyone's happy.

As I have said before on this forum, it's not only about the KROON.
There are more important things at play.

Peace out ... Derek

[ians]

I am thinking about starting a separate company ... focusing more on the hit and run jobs ... creating small teams of sub contractors ... something like the alarm ... aircon etc companies ... where you pay per unit ... replacing a R150 battery for R500- R800 a pop is money for jam ... maybe even a scooter and use the customer ladder ... I see this is common practice of sites ... team are dropped off with hte bare minimum and expected to borrow tools ... drill ... and ladders either from the customer or other contractors

I will keep my business going for the customers who want to pay for quality.

Anyway back to these small generators ... the fact that everyone is scared to them ... all the more reason to milk it.

[ians]

Job complete.

Pulled the back cover off and checked the windings ... not VOV.

Spike in the ground below the changeover DB ... found the earth wire connected to the copper pipes not even secured ... cleaned up the copper and fitted new bonding strap and lugs to the wires.

Tested the voltage at the plug ...

V-N 237
L-E 237
N-E couple of milliamps

All good ... I am happy with the setup and will make it the standard for our small generator connections going forward.

Sent all the photos etc to the AIA for our area ... we all set to go.

Stripped my Yamaha (contractors type) to check the connection ... that a another thread on its own.

[BEVIN]

Generator connections setup

Hi Ians how about a pic of the drawing for that setup of how you connected your house to your non vov gennie.please. especially that n to earth connection that you did.
I would really like to do this thing the right way.also if I have enough space in my existing db then I I would not need an extra small db .or would that be a good idea to separate the two.also please advise.a small 5 amp cb on 1.5 mm wire for the mains on lite.5a cb fed from under 60 a main cb.
THanks so much sir