automatic home generator regulator

[rogeflan]

I just installed an automatic home generator (7000) at my cottage.
I would like to know if it is possible to attach or install a time switch (regulator)
to it so I can have it work for certain hours at the time instead of without stopping...
The problem is that the generator is installed at my cottage and since I am
not always there during a long power failure, I wonder if I could have
such a regulator added to it so it would not use all the propane needed
to have it work.

 

[DavidL]

As a general statement...yes. of course that's possible.
But, without any Brand / model information, or no description on how it is turned on / off and the assumption that when the generator is off, that there is no electricity....hard to provide more detailed response.

Is there a "transfer switch"? ie: when the utility power goes out, the generator turns on automaticallly and switches power over from the utility pole? My assumption is No...since this is a cottage.

 

[fcwilt]

Are you saying it will run during a power loss even when there is no demand? That doesn't sound right.

 

[Kevin L]

Are you saying it will run during a power loss even when there is no demand? That doesn't sound right.

That's the way an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) works. It has nothing to do with the demand on the generator. It simply monitors utility power. If that power is interrupted (on mine it waits seven seconds), the ATS disconnects the panel from the utility, the generator starts, and when it reaches the proper RPM, the ATS connects the generator to the panel.

Depending on the switch, when utility power is restored, the ATS waits a certain period of time (I think mine is 3 or 4 minutes) while maintaining the house power on generator. During this time, it evaluates the quality of the utility power to make sure the power is stable and of the proper voltage before changing house power over to the utility and shutting off the generator. If during the evaluation period, any spikes or surges are measured, the ATS keeps house power on generator and restarts the evaluation period.

Kevin

 

[DavidL]

ah ok...reading the OP again...it seems the issue is not wanting the automatic transfer switch to engage and the generator start when the cottage is unoccuppied and the utility power turns off...

The "hack" would happen in the transfer switch. There is very likely a relay in the transfer switch that "tells" the generator to turn on. You would need to put another switch or relay in line with this control circuit and either manually shut that off (when you leave the cottage) or have some remote accessible switch (many possibilities...not all are easy or cheap) to turn the state of that override switch on / off from a remote location.

If you are not comfortable with understanding how all this works, don't mess with the transfer switch...it has 220 volts in it and you could get fried messing around with it. Also....I guess there is also the possibility that you could get the switch logic wrong and potentially send your generator's 220 volt feed across the utility lines which might injure someone else. Unlikely, but possible.

 

[rogeflan]

Are you saying it will run during a power loss even when there is no demand? That doesn't sound right.

Good morning Frederick.
Sorry for the confusion.
I would like to know if it is possible to install such a regulator so
when there is a power failure to have the generator work for
let's say, 6 hours at the time, and restart withing another 6 hours...
Regards, rf