We have a few Kohler 20kw, 30 kw, and 40 kw units on big off grid stuff.
Great machines, get about 5000 hours before they need work. 2 wire
start, 1800 rpm water cooled.
Ours had 4 to 6 cylinder Ford motors. I don't know what they use now, or
if they've changed the line recently. I found over the years that
oversizing them more, helped everything from cleaner waveform, to
running the chargers at full throttle, to having more pass through
current, and the fuel efficiency seems to better. This was at 11,000 ft,
so you would have to take some of my observations with a grain of salt,
but we replaced a 30 Kw unit feeding 4 SW4048s, with a 40 KW, and the
customer was happier.
You're burning more fuel while running, but the generator seemed to
charge the batteries faster, reducing overall run time, and overall fuel
use.
From looking at many Kohlers on an oscilloscope, they have an excellent
waveform, (no funny spikes, like most portable units) so I can't imagine
why a Sunny Island wouldn't work well with it, but I never actually used
one with a Kohler.
Ray Walters
On 9/29/2011 9:53 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
Fellow Wrenchers,
What's folks favorite Propane Gen line in the 30 KW range for off-grid
backup?
SMA has limited exposure to larger generators for the SI for approval
to their list.
Anybody out there know which SI's in the 30 KW range that the SI likes?
Thanks!
jc
--
Jeff Clearwater
Village Power Design
Renewable Energy Consultant
32 Years in all Aspects of Renewables
www.villagepower.com
skype: jclearwater
413-559-9763
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