Very cool video, interesting to see there are modules to make manual generators automatic, also the company gave itself a very good reputation by admitting to their error and helping you throughout the installation process
Another great video. A couple of suggestions from years of electronics and electrical work 😅 - get yourself a ratchet terminal crimper as you get consistent pressure and more reliable. Main one is don't use those horrible fake scotchlock blue wire crimps. They're very unreliable. You can get gel filled ones that work well, or even better, solder and heatshrink the wires.
One other thing is that the relay coil should have a diode like a 1N4007 across it to suppress the big spikes when power removed. Just got to make sure it is "pointed" negative to positive
Awesome video. I'd love to do something like that, but because of where I store my generator, I run the gen cord across my driveway and to the inlet box when we lose power. Obviously, I couldn't make that a permanent setup. Well I guess technically, I could, but I'd have to dig up the driveway and put the cord underneath. Hmmm....I just gave myself an idea! Is there a way you could set a delay between when it starts up and when it stops? Sometimes when we lose power, it comes back maybe 4 or 5 seconds later. Just like whole house generators, it makes sense to wait maybe 15 seconds to confirm, yeah, the power isn't coming back anytime soon. Same with when the power comes back. You might want to wait a full minute or so before finally switching back to grid power.
Neat upgrade! Im a big fan of using DIN rail as everything can just mount on to it, relays and connector blocks included, but plastic boxes are so convenient and rugged. Im guessing you could add a timer to the AC input so the grid power needs to be on for a while before the generator turns off?
For everything you did it might have been better to have purchased an all in generator with its own enclosure. I am sure you have spent as much by doing it yourself as you would have by purchasing it prebuilt. The one big, huge advantage I see is that if the generator bites the dust, you can replace your generator for a fraction of the cost of a Generac or similar system. And Generac engines do fail regularly. So all in all you may have spent more but it is more serviceable. Second point is that if this is used on a commercial facility as is indicated, does the Fire Marshall put his seal of approval on the generator housing and its proximity to the building since it is not metal?
Not bad I think I would have placed the relays on a bracket so if you need to replace relays you can do so with out pulling all those panels and screws. But it's was worth watching as you work hard sorting out the bug's.
I would try this except the generator we have is a pull string so I'd either have to buy a different generator or somehow convert the pull string into a battery start first.
Amazing video! I can totally relate to the initial challenges of automating a generator. I wish I had filmed the process of connecting mine, but it can be quite time-consuming to juggle filming and figuring out the installation simultaneously. It's truly refreshing to see someone document the process, especially considering the lack of information available on TH-cam. By any chance, do you know if there's a way to incorporate a cooldown period to ensure that the generator has sufficient time to cool down before shutting down?
When you were telling that story about that PVC box that the electrician ran over, are you talking about Jamie or another guy, I assume it's Jamie but idk lol.
It's definitely a good way to automate a portable generator if you don't have the utilities required for a standby generator. As long as you are patient and some electrical knowledge it can definitely work.
@@nics-systems-electric thing is i do have natural gas how ever getting a standby generator installed is nearly 10-17k full install when the gen is only 1-3k and being disabled i don't have that kind of money to have it so i will have to go the next best rout i can
Very cool video, interesting to see there are modules to make manual generators automatic, also the company gave itself a very good reputation by admitting to their error and helping you throughout the installation process
great feature that timing delays can be configured and adapted. those types of delays are essential in my everyday work in industrial controls.
Wago connectors work fantastically well. Have been used in Europe for many years. And yes they need to be weather protected
I just bought one of these portable generators today, this video will be incredible useful in unlocking its full potential, thanks!
Another great video. A couple of suggestions from years of electronics and electrical work 😅 - get yourself a ratchet terminal crimper as you get consistent pressure and more reliable. Main one is don't use those horrible fake scotchlock blue wire crimps. They're very unreliable. You can get gel filled ones that work well, or even better, solder and heatshrink the wires.
I would like to have this kind of setup in my house, probably when I have my own house.
So satisfying when a project works. Well done!
One other thing is that the relay coil should have a diode like a 1N4007 across it to suppress the big spikes when power removed. Just got to make sure it is "pointed" negative to positive
Verry cool video been waiting it for ages keep up the work nic!
Best part was “ You Look Pretty Helpful “ Hahah Classic !
Awesome video. I'd love to do something like that, but because of where I store my generator, I run the gen cord across my driveway and to the inlet box when we lose power. Obviously, I couldn't make that a permanent setup. Well I guess technically, I could, but I'd have to dig up the driveway and put the cord underneath. Hmmm....I just gave myself an idea!
Is there a way you could set a delay between when it starts up and when it stops? Sometimes when we lose power, it comes back maybe 4 or 5 seconds later. Just like whole house generators, it makes sense to wait maybe 15 seconds to confirm, yeah, the power isn't coming back anytime soon. Same with when the power comes back. You might want to wait a full minute or so before finally switching back to grid power.
Neat upgrade! Im a big fan of using DIN rail as everything can just mount on to it, relays and connector blocks included, but plastic boxes are so convenient and rugged. Im guessing you could add a timer to the AC input so the grid power needs to be on for a while before the generator turns off?
I did that in a update to the controller itself
Ayla is a certified supervisor so she was there to make sure that you were installing it properly
That's right
@@nics-systems-electric lol
For everything you did it might have been better to have purchased an all in generator with its own enclosure. I am sure you have spent as much by doing it yourself as you would have by purchasing it prebuilt. The one big, huge advantage I see is that if the generator bites the dust, you can replace your generator for a fraction of the cost of a Generac or similar system. And Generac engines do fail regularly. So all in all you may have spent more but it is more serviceable. Second point is that if this is used on a commercial facility as is indicated, does the Fire Marshall put his seal of approval on the generator housing and its proximity to the building since it is not metal?
Still spent less at the end. We also don't have natural gas or propane only prebuilt option being diesel so at least $20,000 to start
Not bad I think I would have placed the relays on a bracket so if you need to replace relays you can do so with out pulling all those panels and screws. But it's was worth watching as you work hard sorting out the bug's.
Have you made any updates? Got a build list for the project?
Hey nic when will u be doing fire alarm testing at the new middle and elementary school and maybe central plant
Sometime maybe not this summer might have to wait till winter break
I would try this except the generator we have is a pull string so I'd either have to buy a different generator or somehow convert the pull string into a battery start first.
Yeah that is a good point I should've added that in the video that the generator has to have electric start
Amazing video! I can totally relate to the initial challenges of automating a generator. I wish I had filmed the process of connecting mine, but it can be quite time-consuming to juggle filming and figuring out the installation simultaneously. It's truly refreshing to see someone document the process, especially considering the lack of information available on TH-cam. By any chance, do you know if there's a way to incorporate a cooldown period to ensure that the generator has sufficient time to cool down before shutting down?
Wow! Keep up the awesome content!!
Thank you will do
When you were telling that story about that PVC box that the electrician ran over, are you talking about Jamie or another guy, I assume it's Jamie but idk lol.
Someone else
Have you got new cameras as they now say kami instead of yi?
No they just change the name
Ok
If the generator has a manual choke its never going to start when needed???
That's what the choke actuator is for
Now it acts like a generac! 😁
Can you share a wiring diagram for everything? Also what model ATS do you have?
Check out my ATS installation video
When the power went out the UPS next to the second camera stopped the outage
so if the generator runs out of gas does it stop automatically before it runs out or will it run out dry?
It'll run until there's nothing left there is not way for the controller to know how much fuel is in it
Gdmrning sir,please give me a diagram
$800!? That sounds exorbitant for what seems like a few voltage sensors, relays and timers.
Not many other options for me to use
you should put a fire alarm system in a bus
good content
Thank you
no links??
You will come to regret using those wire taps. Trust me. They always, always fail. From cars to household appliances, they always fair
In that case I will replace them when it happens
I AM GRAT TO GET A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IN MY HOUSE 😮😢
upgrade to windows 10
First
no one cares bruv
@@ObamnaSoda513 I know
i was looking to do something like that with a generator from princess auto o.o i hope it will work when im able to finally able to get there
It's definitely a good way to automate a portable generator if you don't have the utilities required for a standby generator. As long as you are patient and some electrical knowledge it can definitely work.
@@nics-systems-electric thing is i do have natural gas how ever getting a standby generator installed is nearly 10-17k full install when the gen is only 1-3k and being disabled i don't have that kind of money to have it so i will have to go the next best rout i can