| 35 KVA Natural Gas Generator install Well after this last power outage by pepco in MD it is time to install a generator.
I have a good lead on a 35 KVA generator at a good price that will come with a larger transfer switch.
My dad and I have done lost of work around the house over the years like moving the gas line in the basement to installing a sub panel off our main panel.
The questions here is what are we going to need from a permit point of view?
Going to need one for gas line and one for electrical .
Given that we think we have a good back ground to hook this thing up will we even be able to with out pluming lic or electrical lic?
We have large slab in the backyard for this already.
We are also not sure how to move the 1500lbs JENNY yet. |
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 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7
1 edit | I can't comment on what you need for a permit, but I can't imagine that you wouldn't need to get one.
Is your existing natural gas line going to be large enough? I didn't see a 35kW generator on Generac's site, but a 36 kW model required between 50 and 500 CFM of natural gas. That's at least a 1" line for a very short run just for the generator and doesn't take into account any other gas appliances in the house. |
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| reply to bassetts
Re: 35 KVA Natural Gas Generator install The permit part is a local thing. In my city you need a permit to build any structure bigger then 10'x10' or 100 square feet. Even with something smaller I'd ask my city just to be safe. After that I'd document the persons full name, date, time, etc. just in case anyone say anything down the line. |
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| reply to bassetts
Re: 35 KVA Natural Gas Generator install I am sorry we can't all write as well as others. Don't be an ass about it. People like you make people not want to post on dslreports. I also knew some would throw there dig in about "o why would you want to do that". If you don't want to help then don't post. |
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matt5
join:2001-10-06
Lagrangeville, NY | reply to bassetts
Permits local
lic, local
move, forklift.
"think we have a good back ground" yep "think + gas + 36kva gen =" Not really a good math equation. |
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| reply to bassetts
I am not sure why people always get freaked out about gas. You cut, thread, and then put pipe dope on the treads. Then put your big wrench on it. Turn gas back on and test for leaks with soapy water. |
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 tmh
@verizon.net | reply to bassetts
Re: 35 KVA Natural Gas Generator install said by bassetts:Well after this last power outage by pepco in MD it is time to install a generator. I have a good lead on a 35 KVA generator at a good price that will come with a larger transfer switch. 35KVA sounds like a bit of an overkill for home use. Is your home all-electric? If there are other gas appliances (like the furnace), you may problems supplying sufficient NG to the generator in addition to what you currently have installed. |
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 shdesignsPowered By Infinite Improbabilty DrivePremium
join:2000-12-01
Stone Mountain, GA | reply to bassetts
You need to check the gas supply.
Usually anything over 20KVA will not run off a house feed. they use a higher pressure and and flow than a residential reg supplies.
Saw one install that was $20k in fees, labor and equipment to run a new gas line, new meter, two separate regulators etc.
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Scott Henion
Embedded Systems Consultant,
SHDesigns home - DIY Welder |
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cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to bassetts
said by bassetts:I am not sure why people always get freaked out about gas. You cut, thread, and then put pipe dope on the treads. Then put your big wrench on it. Turn gas back on and test for leaks with soapy water. I'm not sure why people get all freaked out about electricity. You cut, strip, twist wires together. Turn the power back on and look for sparks. But then you have examples like this thread. If it was so easy a caveman can do it, they probably wouldn't need to have inspectors, permits, and licensed tradesmen.
Can you do it? Probably. But you are talking about quite a bit larger of a system then what just moving an existing gas line would require or hooking up an appliance. Your existing system would need to be evaluated to see if you even have sufficient quantity gas flow to operate the generator. You probably will need to get a larger main supply line, bigger or more regulators, etc. Your gas company should also be consulted to see if your stretch of the supply line can also support the potential extra load.
Depending on what type of transfer switch is getting installed, you may require your main power being disconnected so that it can be first fed into the transfer switch. I'm presuming based on the generator size that you are planning on operating the entire house off the generator and not just select circuits. The electrical company may not work directly with you without a licensed electrician as well as a permit and inspection as the lives of their linemen may depend on the proper installation of the system in the event they need to work on the lines while your generator is on. |
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 jack bGone FishingPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
kudos:1 | reply to bassetts
Your biggest concern after determining if you want to apply for local permits or not, is the fuel supply. A typical 35KW generator at 100 percent load will pull between 500-600 cubic feet of natural gas per hour.
The minimum natural gas supply pressure is usually 5 inches WC but most engine manufacturers would like to see 11 inches pressure at the genset inlet valve to allow for variations in load.
Even if the inlet connection is 1 inch NPT you have to size the fuel line for the gas flow, so you might need 1-1/2 or even a 2 inch diameter pipe run from the meter, depending on the distance.
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~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ |
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| reply to bassetts
Call your local gas utility 1st.
they can come out and advise before you play(if you then decide to)
I know here they will
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Southern Ontario,Canada |
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 stevek1949We're not in Kansas anymore
join:2002-11-13
Virginia Beach, VA | reply to bassetts
Would looking at the supply line where the genset is now installed help in determining the possible size? I really don't know, so I am just guessing.
I am not a plumber and would not lay a finger on any black pipe myself! |
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 dmwagnerQwest DSL -alltel
join:2002-04-29
Canton, SD | reply to shdesigns
said by shdesigns:You need to check the gas supply. Usually anything over 20KVA will not run off a house feed. they use a higher pressure and and flow than a residential reg supplies. Saw one install that was $20k in fees, labor and equipment to run a new gas line, new meter, two separate regulators etc. Exactly.
This is why people make such a big deal about gas. It's more than just the big wrench. |
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| reply to bassetts
why so large? it is it really worth it? i could see 10 k to run some appliances but not for the whole house..
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calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist |
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 MsradellP.E.Premium
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY
 ·AT&T U-Verse
2 edits | reply to Tyreman
said by shdesigns:You need to check the gas supply. Usually anything over 20KW will not run off a house feed. they use a higher pressure and and flow than a residential reg supplies. I installed a 20KVA generator and even with it I had to upsize the meter and regulator. Fortunately the supply line was big enough. I have 2 gas furnaces and 2 gas hot waters heaters in addition to the generator.
Saw one install that was $20k in fees, labor and equipment to run a new gas line, new meter, two separate regulators etc I think a lot depends on your utility company. In my case they installed everything that was required for nothing.
said by i1me2ao:why so large? it is it really worth it? i could see 10 k to run some appliances but not for the whole house.. It all depends on the level of comfort you want to maintain and the number of things you want to keep operational. 20KW is pretty much the norm in a lot of areas. |
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TheMGPremium
join:2007-09-04
Canada
kudos:1
1 edit | reply to i1me2ao
said by i1me2ao:why so large? it is it really worth it? i could see 10 k to run some appliances but not for the whole house.. Exactly what I was thinking.
If natural gas is available at the OP's residence, chances are his heating appliances (hot water + HVAC) run off natural gas.
So why 35kVA? Even with central A/C + appliances running you don't need that much power, unless you've got a VERY big house.
I would recommend taking a moment to think about what you really need to run on generator backup, and perform a load analysis to get the proper size generator. Sometimes overkill is a good thing, but with generators for residential use, it's not in your best interest. |
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| during hurricane i thought same thing. we loose power every 20 years due to hurricane for 10 to 14 days. we loose power for 2 or 3 days every 15 years due to ice storm. now after flooding we may loose power for 2 to 4 days every 6 years.
my father in law and i wrote all this down and could not come up with valid reason for having a big ass generator for the above. i have a 8k gas/natural/propane conversion that runs window unit/refirgator/ and a few other things and it works great.
it is not to save food since it cost a lot too run for a week, it is more of convenience..
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calling a illegal alien undocumented is like calling a drug dealer a undocumented pharmacist |
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