On Jul 15, 1:25*am, "D.A. Tsenuf" wrote:
"Red Green" wrote in message

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"D.A. Tsenuf" wrote in
t:

Our cabin recently was subjected to multiple days of no electricity
during to a bad storm taking out trees and power lines
I would like to set up a generator to run the following
1) * *well water pump 3/4 hp (120v)
2) * *refrigerator (120v)
3) * *freezer (120v)
4) * *hot water heater (240v)
5) * *stove (240v)

I would like to set it up so that is one appliance is drawing power,
everything else waits.
It would also be nice to set up the chain in the order listed above

It should also be noted that:
a) the stove is optional since there is a great fire pit where food
can be cooked and hot water heated in large enough quantities for hand
and dishwashing and sponge baths.
b) * *the hot water heater is big enough to hold enough water from one
heating cycle for all daily hand and dishwashing needs + couple of
showers. Which means that unless there are more than 2 people using
the cabin, it would only need to run once - possibly in the morning to
start the day c) * *the freezer only needs to run once every 2 days
d) * *the refrigerator only needs to run once a day if access is
controlled, otherwise twice a day will keep it cold enough
e) * *the well water pump only needs to run if water pressure has
dropped low enough to trigger it.

I already have an electric start generator to run everything at the
same time.
But I would prefer not to load it to the gills at the same time,

So I'm looking at
1) * *a box that will make sure that when the generator is going, it
will sequentially feed the 5 devices and then shut off by itself when
there is no demand...
2) * *If the generator is going, then IF a higher priority device
wants power it can bump of a lower priority one. After which the
bumped device gets serviced.

Any help and suggestions are appreciated

I already have an electric start generator to run everything at the
same time. But I would prefer not to load it to the gills at the
same time

Why?

Because I would like to make the system as efficient as possible and reduce
the running time and increase life-span of the generator, also reduce fuel
consumption.
It's also an interesting automation problem which I believe can be solved in
a cost effective manner.
I am not up to speed on recent technology, since I haven't been involved in
any electrical engineering problem for the last 30+ years (one of 2 minors
on my degree)
I figured there might be someone out there to point me in the right
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It could be done with a computer controlling it or it could be done
electomechanically with a set of relays. Either way you will need to
build it. There is a small control processor that a lot of people
like to play around with if you want to take that path I believe you
can get some kits for it. Either solution will require you to get
some rather large contactors or some pretty big thyristors for most of
your loads. I think you will find it rather frustratng to have your
stove repeatedly turned off as you are trying to cook because other
things needed to come on. I would expect you to have a few hundred
hours as well as several hundred dollars into this before you are
done.

That sound like it's worth it to you? Cause I think the opinion in
the group is that it's not worth it. But perhaps you view this as a
challenge and want to do it for the experience?

Everyone I know with a large generator just moderates their behavior
to manage the load. The minor difference in wear to your generator
from it occasionally working at a higher load is not going to be
noticable.

You never clarified what specific generator you have?