I have noticed that large generators everywhere seem to all be diesel, and it’s something I’ve often wondered about. Propane can be stored for decades. Diesel breaks down, gels, and grows algae. So I’ve always gone with propane and just got the oversized tank. I can’t imagine a heater for the tank is that huge of a problem (but I’ve never done it either).
What is it that makes diesel more attractive for the larger generators? From: AF <af-boun...@af.afmug.com> On Behalf Of Josh Luthman Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2022 9:23 AM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <af@af.afmug.com> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Solar panel ice/snow buildup You can do something for it - heaters or maybe an additive. Keep in mind all the really big data centers are all diesel (remember when NYC went dark during the hurricane?) On Wed, Nov 16, 2022 at 9:14 AM <dmmoff...@gmail.com <mailto:dmmoff...@gmail.com> > wrote: Wouldn’t diesel gel at -20F? From: AF <af-boun...@af.afmug.com <mailto:af-boun...@af.afmug.com> > On Behalf Of Mark Radabaugh Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2022 8:55 AM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <af@af.afmug.com <mailto:af@af.afmug.com> > Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Solar panel ice/snow buildup When I looked at propane for a standby generator at the data center I calculated it out as a 3000 gal tank at -20F to be able to provide sufficient flow for a 125k generator. Or it needed a propane boiler to turn liquid to gas. I went with diesel :-) Mark On Nov 15, 2022, at 11:43 PM, Sean Heskett <af...@zirkel.us <mailto:af...@zirkel.us> > wrote: How big is your propane tank? In the cold temps you need a large tank that is mostly full to keep the pressure high so it stays a vapor. If the tank is small and/or below ~40% full then in the cold temps it doesn’t stay a vapor and the engine won’t run. This site has a good explanation: https://www.hunker.com/13418816/how-does-cold-affect-propane-tanks -Sean On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 5:00 PM lists gogebicrange.net <http://gogebicrange.net/> <li...@gogebicrange.net <mailto:li...@gogebicrange.net> > wrote: Sean, We have had a bear of a time getting out propane generator to start below 10 degrees and defiantly below zero. What system are you using and does it start in the cold? Everything I have found commercially available is setup for a grid tie with a small heater on the carb that runs on grid power. Thanks, Brandon From: AF <af-boun...@af.afmug.com <mailto:af-boun...@af.afmug.com> > On Behalf Of Sean Heskett Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 2:44 PM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <af@af.afmug.com <mailto:af@af.afmug.com> > Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Solar panel ice/snow buildup In addition to froth-pak, be sure to tilt them at [latitude] + 23.5. We are at 40 north so we tilt the panels at about 65* 40 + 23.5 = 63.5* At that angle when there’s any amount of direct sunlight it slides pretty quick. But we also have a propane generator on-site because the stars don’t always align just right :-/ -Sean On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 3:02 PM James Howard <ja...@litewire.net <mailto:ja...@litewire.net> > wrote: I have a vague memory of a thread in bygone years about testing different kinds of coatings to help with buildup of snow/ice but I can’t find the thread and don’t remember if it was about solar panels or dish antennas. The only thing I can find when I search my archive is about using froth-pak on the back of the panels. Are there any other options that work? -- AF mailing list AF@af.afmug.com <mailto:AF@af.afmug.com> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com -- Sean Heskett ZIRKEL Internet • WiFi • Phone • TV 970-871-8500 x100 - Office -- AF mailing list AF@af.afmug.com <mailto:AF@af.afmug.com> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com -- Sean Heskett ZIRKEL Internet • WiFi • Phone • TV 970-871-8500 x100 - Office -- AF mailing list AF@af.afmug.com <mailto:AF@af.afmug.com> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com -- AF mailing list AF@af.afmug.com <mailto:AF@af.afmug.com> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com
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