80kw kohler gen for 400 amp residential service

[AC\DC]

Customer a proper and preparing for end of world. .
She has a 80 kw 120/240 volt Diesel generator. I personally on my own have never worked with one this large but premise seems the same as a normal 32kw I have installed.
only weird part is the does not want this automatic she wants it manual so she can turn gen off and on to conserve fuel for end times. She did not buy a transfer switch. I got a call into the supplier but its the holidays. I would think Kohler has a specific transfer( or couple) that will allow her to manual turn in on and send a signal to her unit to turn on.

I going to have to size the conductors for the breaker on the unit so that pain. but o well. my main question is on the Manual aspect. Going to dive around kohler sight and look around here the gen

80 kW Kohler Diesel Generator - LEL Critical

New / Surplus

lelcritical.com

 

[infinity]

So she wants a manual transfer switch?

 

[AC\DC]

So she wants a manual transfer switch?

Yep. Service entrance rated
Sorry It was vague after reading my post

 

[hillbilly1]

Probably the cheapest way to do it is with a Kirk Key set up, though some automatic transferswitches can be set up for manual control.

 

[AC\DC]

Probably the cheapest way to do it is with a Kirk Key set up, though some automatic transferswitches can be set up for manual control.

these

Never seen a Kirk key seems cool
But cumbersome for normal customers.

 

[hillbilly1]

these

Never seen a Kirk key seems cool
But cumbersome for normal customers.

Used a whole lot in commercial and distribution centers. I have seen too many! LOL!

 

[hillbilly1]

About $1400 for a 400 amp fusible, don’t know if it’s service rated, they usually are though if fusible. You would still need a switch to start and stop the generator.

 

[roger]

But cumbersome for normal customers.

Yes they are. I would contact Kohler, ASCO, or Russelectric to see what they offer. My preference would be Russelectric

Transfer & Bypass Switches

Russelectric® automatic transfer switches are modern, high-speed switching devices designed to transfer electrical loads from a preferred power source to an alternate power source when voltage and/or frequency varies from preset limits, and to retransfer loads when preferred source is restored.

www.siemens.com

Look at their Custom Transfer Switch Solutions.

​

 

[tortuga]

I would get a regular ATS and modify it for manual operation.
had a thread recently

Modify ATS to Manual transfer only?

Greetings all customer has a ATS for a 14kw generator on a 200A single phase service, but as things change they no longer need the 'automatic' part and are adding loads. I was asked to disable the automatic transfer function of an ATS and just make a manual transfer circuit, like and 'transfer'...

forums.mikeholt.com

 

[qcroanoke]

Trying to restart a generator with a good sized load still connected would be interesting.
You would need to get it to go in time delay neutral first. Then shut it down.
Of course it would have to be ATS. Manual would be a job to transfer for a small person.
Lots of options. JMO. YMMV

 

[AC\DC]

About $1400 for a 400 amp fusible, don’t know if it’s service rated, they usually are though if fusible. You would still need a switch to start and stop the generator.

That not to bad of cost.

 

[AC\DC]

Trying to restart a generator with a good sized load still connected would be interesting.
You would need to get it to go in time delay neutral first. Then shut it down.
Of course it would have to be ATS. Manual would be a job to transfer for a small person.
Lots of options. JMO. YMMV

Good point.

What ever switch I get for manual would have to have some type of time delay. So like you said motor can start up then switch over. Seems not to bad with a remote start on the gen and a time delay contactor for the load. But that would be already built into the panel.

 

[AC\DC]

I would get a regular ATS and modify it for manual operation.
had a thread recently

Modify ATS to Manual transfer only?

Greetings all customer has a ATS for a 14kw generator on a 200A single phase service, but as things change they no longer need the 'automatic' part and are adding loads. I was asked to disable the automatic transfer function of an ATS and just make a manual transfer circuit, like and 'transfer'...

forums.mikeholt.com

I’ll get a drawing of the transfer and gen diagram.
Interrupting the start circuit with a switch seems a great and easy option.

 

[hillbilly1]

Good point.

What ever switch I get for manual would have to have some type of time delay. So like you said motor can start up then switch over. Seems not to bad with a remote start on the gen and a time delay contactor for the load. But that would be already built into the panel.

Of the small manual switches I’ve put in, they usually have a center off position, so the switch could be put in “Off” before restarting the generator.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Kohler makes a programmed transition switch that you could use external switches to control. It can be programmed to go into neutral and stay there.

This option plus service rated 400 amp option are likely to be at least 10 grand but I doubt this customer is hurting for money

 

[ATSman]

A manual ATS can be accomplished in many different ways. The only problem I see is that if an operator is not present when the power goes out the load is lost. In a residence this can be a problem with refrigerators, freezers, medical devices, etc.

 

[hillbilly1]

A manual ATS can be accomplished in many different ways. The only problem I see is that if an operator is not present when the power goes out the load is lost. In a residence this can be a problem with refrigerators, freezers, medical devices, etc.

It appears they just want to save fuel, so automatic on would probably be ok, but shutting down and restarting without utility.

 

[LarryFine]

Can't all ATSs be manually overridden to be started, stopped, and/or kept off?

 

[ATSman]

YES, but depending on the accessories ordered and manufacturer. They are all different.

 

[gadfly56]

With this being so oversized, she might have problems with the driver "wet-stacking" due to not enough load. Bigger is not always better.