Generator Maintenance

Antilles Power, VI call 787 622 9330 in PR and they will give you the STX #.

Do they do small engine repairs? Any additonal recs are appreciated, a small portable generator and chainsaw was gifted to us but either haven't been turned over in a few years.

Alan Meyers 778 4871

Reliable Rental 778 5738

And there is a new place at the end of the road that goes to Sunny Isle. Last building on left before the refinery. Victor Tool Repair. I have used the others but not Victor.

While we are on the subject, what kind of maintenance would a very large (relatively new) diesel generator actually need? Mine kicks on periodically so I don't have to worry about it freezing up. I keep up the fuel level but that's about it.

I have 3 generators under my responsibility. The diesel I have a quarertly maintenance done which consists of a yearly oil and air filter change and an external radiator cleaning (salt air ). The battery and cables are checked as well as the fuel system and fuel and water separator. The others are propane and they get an oil change, a battery check, a spark plug and a cleaning.Then top up the tank and you are ready for the windstorm season.

Thank you for explaining that Bombi. Maintenance wasn't on the radar but it is now.

I`d suggest a float charger for the battery as many chargers such as cheap Ferro-Resonant chargers will over charge(13.8 VDC) continuous, which will eventually cook the battery.
The Float charger maintains full charge w/o boiling the acid.
I also like the generator/inverter system much better than just a generator, as you can still have many items operation w/o the generator running.

Does the generator / inverter system involve a battery bank - how big?

Since we are on the topic and there are some knowledge folk posting, I have a UPS for my electronics which has an automatic voltage regulator, I was wondering if I should have something similar between my portable generator and the fridge or are they not designed to handle those types of loads

We have one on our fridge; it was a lot more expensive than the ones we have on our electronics.

Q:Does the generator / inverter system involve a battery bank - how big?

Yes, you need a battery bank.
The size of the inverter depends on what you will run, the size of the battery bank, is for how long.

Q: I have a UPS for my electronics which has an automatic voltage regulator, I was wondering if I should have something similar between my portable generator and the fridge or are they not designed to handle those types of loads

Here`s one possible setup. a 2.5 KW inverter w/ a 4 stage 125 amp charger, connected to a 600 AH battery bank.
You could run the gen say 8hrs(during the highest AC load times such as during breakfast,and/or dinner(I assume you would have coffee makers/toasters/microwaves/toaster ovens on at this time).
You can leave such things as the fridge And/or freezer, a lamp w/ a 25 watt bulb, the LCD, cable box TV, radio & computer on the inverter bank, high end inverters have internal transfer switches that seamlessly(some computers will crash, many won`t hiccup like a UPS) transfer between WAPA/Generator & the inverter.
A AGS module also would sense the battery bank voltage & automatically fire the generator up before the battery's were dead.
The 2.5 KW inverter could also run MOST 120 VAC water pumps, but a axillary 12 DC pump run off the same battery bank would be much more efficient(water output would be less)..
Modified sine wave inverters are less expensive, but don`t run many loads perfectly(most people would`t notice) some battery chargers such as cordless drills will fry with this type.
Cheap, Chinese inverters dont have chargers or transfer switches, & have been known to screw up what they run if kept connected(items that use transformers & battery's such as a laptop, generally won`t be hurt by such devices until they fry & send several 100 volts though it.

A pure sine wave inverter has very clean power

So, you could reduce your generator run time, wear & tear, & fuel consumption by 33% in this example,and the inverter run time would be silent.

Perfect explanation -Thank You