1. How
long does it take to install a generator system?
The air-cooled 7 kw, 12 kw and 15 kw, which come equipped with a
comprehensive installation kit, can take as little as 4 hours. The
liquid-cooled will normally take up to 14 hours over 2 days. The reason
is that while the air-cooled units include a composite mounting pad, the
liquid-cooled units, because of the added weight, must be placed on a
stronger mounting surface. Concrete slabs are poured and need one day to
set properly, which accounts for some of the additional installation
time. If the installer can source a prefabricated mounting pad that will
meet the weight requirements, the installation time will be reduced
accordingly. The length of time is based on a "typical
application". It does not apply to extended runs of conduit or gas
piping or placement of a unit away from the incoming gas or electrical
service. |
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2. Sizing
your generator: Air-cooled or Liquid-cooled?
-Air-cooled: The Carrier air-cooled generator comes equipped with
an automatic transfer switch and emergency distribution panel to power
specific circuites in your home. The 7/6 kw is equipped with 8 circuits,
the 12/12 kw with 10 circuits and the 15/13 kw comes equipped with 12
circuits in the transfer switch. You can determine your Carrier size
requirement by identifying what circuits from your home's main
distribution panel you wish to supply with back-up power. Simply choose
the circuit from your home that you wish to provide with Carrier power
and match it to a same amperage circuit on the Carrier transfer switch.
A 15 AMP circuit for your living room can be matched to a 15 AMP circuit
on your Carrier transfer switch and emergency distribution panel.
-Liquid-cooled: The only
completely accurate way is to have an electrician apply an amp meter to
the circuits or appliances that are intended to operate under backup
power. It is recommended that the amp draw be measured as the appliance
"starts up" when that appliance uses an inductive or resistive
motor.
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3. Why
should I buy one instead of a portable generator?
While portable generators are effective in terms of backup power, a home
standby generator produces higher quality electricity, operates
automatically and exercises weekly to ensure proper response to your
needs. There are no extension cords to plug in, no gasoline to retrieve
and fill and will protect your home or business while you're away. Not
to mention the Carrier generator is quiet. |
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4. What
if my home has 200 Amp service?
The circuits will be isolated into a sub panel with its own breakers.
That way there isn't any possibility that the generator will be
overloaded and the system is able to operate as intended truly
automatic. |
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5. Why
aluminum enclosures?
In coastal communities, salt air can destroy steel in a short period of
time. Aluminum is corrosion resistant, so it prolongs the life and look
of the generator. |
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6. What
is the maintenance schedule?
The schedule varies between the air-cooled and the liquid-cooled models.
See Fresh Air Concepts Maintenance
page for more information about our maintenance agreements. |
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7. What
is the expected life of the engine?
A properly maintained engine should provide over 20 years of operation
under standby conditions. |
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8. How
much oil does the engine crankcase hold?
Air-cooled: 7kW = 1.5 qts
Air-cooled: 7 kW, 12 kW, 15 kW = 1.7 qts
Liquid-cooled: 25 kW & 40 kW - 4.0 qts |
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9. What
type of oil is recommended?
For air-cooled units: After the break in oil, an all season synthetic
oil 5W-30 should be used. API Service Class SG, SH or SJ should be used
in all cases. The recommended oil for the liquid-cooled units is 15W-40.
All oils should be high detergent oil that meets or exceeds API Service
Class SG, SH or SJ requirements for gasoline engines. |
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10. Propane
tanks are usually rated by pounds. Is there a conversion that can be
applied to the fuel consumption numbers?
Yes. For general conversion, propane weighs 4.24 lbs. per gallon.
1 lb. = 8.58 cu
ft. 1 gallon = 36.39 cu ft.
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11. What
is the required water column for installation?
Air-Cooled generators require natural gas pressure of 5" - 7" of water column (0.18 to 0.25 psi) or LP gas pressure of 10" - 12" of water column (0.36 to 0.43
psi).
Liquid-cooled generators require natural gas pressure of 5" - 14" of water column (0.18 to 0.5 psi) LP gas pressure of 10"-12" of water column ().36 to 0.43 psi). |
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12. What
kind of warranty does Carrier provide?
The home standby generator is backed with a 2- year limited parts and
labor warranty. Extended warranties are also available. |
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