Customer Reviews

NorthStar Trifuel Generator - 20 HP, 10,500 Watt

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have the same essential configuration minus the liquid fuel option (natural and propane) - the Honda engine has proven reliable for several years and has run through 45 hours of power failures. A few things to consider:

UPDATE: I have 42 hours now - and changed to mobil 1 synthetic. It starts in a second and runs like a champ on natural gas. It's backing up a data center (small) ups which autostarts the genset when the power fails and a few circuits in my house like lighting, television, radio, etc. I'm impressed with the lack of power failures!

1 - After breakin (5-10 hrs) drain the oil and replace with Mobil 1 synthetic and a new filter (you can get these at motorcycle shops). The engine will thank you later in life

2 - The "boxed" versions (i.e. coleman) are quieter due to soundproofing

3 - You *MAY* need higher gas pressure than most homes come with (0.5 - 1.5 in H2O is normal gas pressure inside a home - my regulator requires a minimum of 10 in H2O to deliver the fuel for heavy loads. You can put regulators on your normal gas apliances and then up the main regulator to ~14 in H2O so long as your other gas appliances only get 1.5 in H2O maximum pressure. Your piping is normally tested for leaks at much higher pressure, so

(the advantage, of course, is your generator runs so long as you have natural gas supply - try to think of the last time that failed! - the other advantage is the engine runs clean on natural gas extending its service life)

4 - you may wish to add an engine oil cooler as it is still an air cooled engine (with a big ducted fan) - Coleman does this in their boxed version. Combined with the Mobil 1 oil your engine will run cool with the added thermal performance of synthetic oil. Taps are provided for an external engine oil cooler.

This is big enough to run most of my house - I don't run EVERYTHING at the same time on generator power, but so long as you don't try that, you'll find it's got ample output.

Consider locating your generator CLOSE to the gas meter - you will need very large pipe otherwise to minimize the pressure loss in piping runs. If you have propane, you may wish to run high pressure out to the generator, then install a second regulator/meter next to the genset just to provide pressure for it. Your gas provider should be happy to do this for you given the consumption of the generator!

You may also wish to get an automatic transfer switch and exercizer that runs the genset weekly to keep the oil circulated and alert you to any issues.