Gas generator from main gas: advantages, types, installation and photos

A gas generator from mains gas is the most common power source. Of course, there are devices that operate on other types of fuel. But they have a number of disadvantages.

A gas generator running on mains gas makes virtually no noise during operation and does not emit harmful substances into the environment. This device is easy to install and use.

Advantages

Among the positive aspects of gas generators it is worth highlighting:

1. Operation of the device for a long time. The generator operates until the main pipeline runs out of fuel. To make it possible to work more, an additional balloon system is installed. This indicator is the main one in comparison with other types of equipment.
2. Low cost per cubic meter of gas compared to other types of fuel. In addition, fuel can remain in cylinders for an unlimited time, unlike alternative sources.
3. Long service life. Parts, namely structural elements, practically do not wear out. As a result, a small amount of combustion products comes out of the apparatus. Therefore, the occurrence of corrosion is reduced to a minimum.
4. Environmental friendliness. During its operation, no harmful substances are released.

Flaws

Like all devices, a gas generator using mains gas has disadvantages:

1. Increased explosiveness of fuel. Various explosions and fires occur more often than when using other devices. Therefore, it is necessary to provide additional transportation conditions.
2. Collection of documentation. To use a gas generator on main gas, you must obtain a permit and also develop a project. Its cost will be much higher than the device itself.
3. Exhaust ventilation should be provided in the room where the generator will be located.
4. When sub-zero temperatures appear, the fuel cylinder must be moved to a warmer room.

General recommendations

If you have acquired or are just choosing a gas generator, I want to give you a couple of tips:

• The optimal load is 70-80% of maximum power. When choosing, calculate your consumption; you don’t need to take it back to back or with a large margin. If there is insufficient electrical load, the engine will go into overdrive, and if there is excess load, the generator will burn out.
• If possible, order the installation of a stationary generator with an automatic transfer switch in the store, and do not let the installers go until you test the station in different modes, at different loads.
• Under the generator you need a flat area with a sand cushion to remove moisture.
• Buy a voltage stabilizer for particularly sensitive equipment, because any generator produces voltage surges when connecting/disconnecting a load.
• When powered by liquefied gas, the cylinder cools, causing the inlet pressure to drop and the generator to stall. To warm up the cylinder, use a heating cable connected to the generator outlet. Cable temperature no more than 30 degrees. We wrap the cable around the cylinder in increments of 10-15 cm, wrap it with insulation - for example, foil insulation with the shiny side inward + a felt blanket will do.
• After starting the station, let it warm up and reach operating temperature; this will take from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the model and external conditions. After that, apply the load.
• Do not use hammer drills, welding machines, or machine tools - a short-term load on the generator will cause a voltage surge. And this is an extra load on the engine, generator, and network. + A power surge can have a bad effect on sensitive equipment. The smoother the electricity consumption, the better for the engine and generator of the station.

How often do you service your power tools?

That's all, thank you for your attention. I look forward to questions and recommendations in the comments.

Types of devices

There are two types of generators that can be used in residential areas. These are reserve and permanent.

The first type of gas generator can operate for up to 20 hours. The device is cooled using air. It can function beyond the allotted time. But at the same time, its motor life will be reduced. The generator can only operate when it is cooled down. Therefore, most people use it during a power outage.

If you need to use a gas element for a long time, you should choose the second type of such device. Its main feature is liquid cooling. Such equipment can turn on and off independently. Therefore, it has time to cool down during these periods of time. When this happens, inverters, along with batteries, supply electricity to other devices. Devices of this type can be used at high power, and in the event of a breakdown, they can be quickly repaired.

Price

The issue of cost is relevant for many consumers, so we will describe the technical characteristics of some popular models of gas generators, paying special attention to their cost.

Gas generator KIPOR KNE5500E

Gasgen Kipor KNE5500E is a small-sized power equipment with a piston engine that can generate up to 4.5 kW of electricity per hour. Fuel must be supplied to the working unit under a pressure of at least 2 kPa.

Here you can use bottled gas and natural gas, which is located in the central gas pipeline. The average cost of Kipor KNE5500E is 70,000 rubles. This installation is used as an autonomous source of power supply during the warm season.

Gazlux CC2500B is one of the cheapest gas generators for generating electricity using natural gas

The second model of the gas generator Gazlux CC2500B is considered one of the most popular on the market. Such equipment costs about 47,000 rubles, but its power is limited to 2.5 kW, and its service life is no more than 3,000 hours of continuous operation. The installation can be used to operate the heating pump during a power outage. The device is air-cooled, so it is used in the warm season or at positive indoor temperatures.

Another Chinese-made gas generator, Gazlux CC5000D, has sufficient power to provide electricity to a small cottage or country house. This unit is equipped with soundproofing material and is recommended for indoor use. The Gazlux CC5000D costs 95,000 rubles.

Gas generators for home using main gas

When operating this equipment, two types of gas are used. This is liquefied and mainline. In the first case, fuel is consumed from cylinders, and in the second, from the main pipeline. There are devices that can operate on another type of fuel, for example, methane.

It is recommended to use liquefied fuel generators if a heating boiler is installed in the house.

With a generator power of 6 kW, a cylinder with a capacity of 50 liters is enough to work for 20 hours.

The main gas pipeline, which is connected to the house, is an advantageous source of power. Before installing it, you need to find out the pressure in the pipeline. If the value is low, such a gas generator for the home will not operate at high power. Before connecting it, you must obtain permission from the relevant company.

Selecting a gas generator

To select a suitable element for a living space, the following characteristics must be taken into account. Fuel consumption, power, voltage, etc. So, let's look at the available capacities of this equipment:

• 5-6 kW - such a device is suitable for a small residential building to conduct electricity in it, as well as for cooking;
• 15-20 kW - the equipment can operate for 12 hours, which makes it possible to obtain the necessary comfort in the room by connecting different types of electrical appliances. Such long-term power supply is possible thanks to air cooling;
• 10-25 kW – this equipment operates for a long time using liquid cooling; most of these devices are used in country houses or cottages;
• over 25 kW – I use such powerful devices for production purposes in small enterprises.

As for such an indicator as voltage, there are single-phase and three-phase gas devices. The first type is used to supply electric current to any household appliances with a voltage of 220 V. The second type is most often used in country houses or cottages for mixed power supply with a voltage of 220-380 V.

If, when using a three-phase type, three consumers are not connected to the device, then a single-phase automation system can be used.

The same can be done with a single-phase type, that is, install three-phase automation and use the device for three consumers.

When choosing a gas generator, you should pay attention to the electric start and automatic system. These functions are responsible for automatically turning on and off the equipment. In addition, the gas generator from the main gas with auto-start has an oil sensor that protects it from breakdowns.

Power plants for continuous power supply

This category includes expensive models that can work up to 12 hours without interruption. It is useful for “capital” country houses and small industries, where long-term interruptions in power supply are possible, and electricity cannot be limited. If network gas is available, such power plants are the best choice, because the cost of a “gasoline” or “diesel” kilowatt-hour is 5-6 higher, and a gas power plant is serviced less frequently and is cheaper. In this class, it is worth taking a closer look at inverter units - they produce an ideal sine wave in all operating modes. A soundproof casing is also important. It’s one thing to endure 75 dB of rattling for a couple of hours, but quite another to be surrounded by noise for days.

7. Briggs&Stratton 8 kW Standby Generator – from RUB 194,000.

The American manufacturer's power plant is equipped with an original Briggs&Stratton V-engine. The engine is sensitive to fuel and lubricants - so use the manufacturer’s original oil, it costs about $5 per liter. With other, even good oils, Briggs & Stratton engines do not last long. The noise level of 68 dB is quite noticeable, so it is better to move the generator away from the house. As for maintainability, spare parts are rare. For example, oil scraper and compression rings have to be selected from other manufacturers or ordered. Hence, repairs may be a little more expensive.

Characteristics of Briggs&Stratton 8 kW Standby Generator

There are many videos on the Internet about the merits of Briggs&Stratton engines, here is a video about the indestructible four-stroke Briggs as confirmation:

Generac 7044 - from RUB 270,000.

The manufacturer claims a unique passive engine cooling technology, which increases engine life. In my practice, there was an engine repair - the reason for which was piston wear. An autopsy showed that the rings could have been avoided by changing the oil a little more often. Use only the manufacturer's branded oil - Americans do not digest our liquid without the necessary additives. The design of the device is unique, but repairable, everything was repaired with a bang. There are complaints about the built-in battery charger. Generac has a poor dealer network, so this generator ended up in my hands rather than their service center.

Characteristics of Generac 7044

The video shows the generator starting up in winter. Problem-free start-up is possible if we are powered by main gas:

Gazvolt Pro 8500 Neva 06 - from RUB 229,000.

At 8 kW of electrical power, the engine is weaker than Generac and Briggs. Hence the slightly smaller resource. To make the station last longer, let it warm up at idle speed, do not rush to load it. The station is equipped with protective systems against overheating, oil loss, and overload, so it will be difficult to break it. The generator has a problem with the shaft bearing, but it can be changed without any problems. As for the output parameters, the sine wave is smooth, even a gas boiler without stabilizers accepts its current.

Characteristics of Gazvolt Pro 8500 Neva 06

Installation

As a rule, such devices are equipped with a special protective casing. To install the equipment, the following conditions are necessary:

• the temperature in the room must be above 0°C, if this condition is not met, then insulation is necessary;
• supply and exhaust ventilation must be provided in the room;
• care must be taken to remove combustion products.

Today there are models that can be installed outdoors. This is why they are equipped with a special casing. Their advantage is that they will not take up space in the room. In addition, they will function outdoors even in sub-zero temperatures and precipitation. It can also work at -30°C. The cost of such equipment reaches 200,000 rubles. This price is significantly higher than that of analogues using diesel fuel with the same characteristics. But such a system quickly pays for itself if there is a gas heating boiler in the house.

How is gas energy generated?

There are two main types of power plants used to convert natural gas energy into electricity - open cycle and combined cycle.

The simplest: an open cycle in which natural gas is burned to create pressure. The pressure drives the blades of the gas turbine, causing it to rotate and convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. The shaft connects the gas turbine to the gas turbine generator, so when the turbine rotates, so does the generator. The generator uses an electromagnetic field to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. By driving the turbine, which is connected to the generator, it causes the generator magnets to spin and create an electric current.

In a combined cycle power plant, the heat that is generated from combustion drives a turbine whose purpose is to boil water and create steam, driving a second turbine to produce even more electricity. This allows such power plants to convert up to 50% of the energy contained in natural gas - much more than the 33% conversion of coal-fired power plants.

For this reason, gas-fired combined cycle power plants are typically used to provide daily base load, while open-air plants operate during peak demand.

Combustion turbines are based on the principle of jet engines. With turbine technology, natural gas is burned to create superheated air, which is then pumped into pipes and used to drive the turbine.

Natural gas energy can also be used in fuel cell technologies, which rely on chemical reactions to create electricity at much higher efficiency levels than can be achieved by burning fossil fuels.

Arrangement of the premises

As a rule, these devices are installed in the basement, boiler room or other convenient room. The element can only operate when exposed to positive temperatures. The location must meet all technical requirements for boiler rooms:

• the volume of the room must be more than 15 m3;
• supply and exhaust ventilation must be provided;
• it is necessary to ensure the removal of combustion products;
• You cannot install a gas generator from the main gas, running on liquefied fuel, in the basement.

In addition, the requirements apply to fuel and pipeline:

1. To use the devices, a certain pressure must be present inside the main pipeline. This indicator should be in the range from 1.3 to 2.5 kPa. A valve is installed on the supply section of the main gas pipeline to shut off the gas flow.
2. For liquefied fuel, the requirements are no different from the previous version. If a cylinder is used, it must be equipped with a valve and pressure regulator.
3. The gas generator must be equipped with a manual start.

Cost of electricity of a gas generator

Many buyers pay attention to the payback period or the cost of electricity before purchasing a gas generator. Based on information received from producers, it became clear that approximately 0.3 m3 of natural gas would be required to generate a kilowatt of electricity. If we turn these figures into the cost of energy resources, we can come to the following conclusion. This year, a kilowatt of electricity in Russia costs 3.5 rubles, a cubic meter of gas costs 6.5 rubles.

Installing a gas generator indoors

Note! From simple calculations you can find out that one kilowatt of electricity received from a gas generator will cost its owner 2.1 rubles, which is one and a half times cheaper than the state tariff. This small difference will go towards covering the cost of the device; it will fully pay for itself in 1…1.5 years of operation.

Connecting the device

Many people ask the question: how to connect a gas generator to the main gas?

This process is simple, and if you have some knowledge, you can do it yourself. In this case, no permits will be required.

Before connecting a gas generator to the main gas, it is necessary to coordinate all points with the gas supply company. The list of actions is specified in regulatory documents. The main ones are the certificate for the purchase of the device, as well as its technical passport. Next, the following questions are resolved:

1. Making changes to an existing project.
2. Conclusion of an agreement between the owner and the gas supplier on generator maintenance.
3. Concluding an agreement on responsibility for fulfilling certain obligations.

Reviews

Most consumers are satisfied that they chose this type of equipment.

A gas generator can operate for a long time, since natural fuel does not wear out parts. In addition, such gas is cheaper than other types of fuel. Among the disadvantages is the need to collect additional documentation, which takes a lot of time and effort.