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Generator with change over switch

  • 15-11-2025 05:27PM
    #1
    chiefwiggum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭


    Hi everyone . I'm looking for advice and options to look at for a new jennies.

    We Live in (very) rural Wicklow and everytime a gust of wind appears it brings down branches or trees in the area and we lose power. We are now 36 hrs with power gone again.On one occasion it was 9 or 10 days. I'm sick of it. We lose power up to 10 times every winter.

    I have an old 3.6kw petrol gennie which has taken us out of a hobble a few times but it's only for running the fridge,charge phones and run a few lights. We run an extension lead from the shed into the house and plug in off that.

    Now I'm bloody sick of the whole thing and would like to put a gennie into the shed and install a changeover switch.

    I'm guessing 8kw minimum but probably best with a 10kw? Noise isn't a problem as shed far enough away from the house but the quieter the better.

    Has anyone done this recently and have an idea of a ball park figure. Also would like some recommendations of gennie to look at.

    Thanks all



Comments

  • #2
    chiefwiggum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭chiefwiggum


    Nobody?



  • #3
    con747
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭con747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123992795#Comment_123992795

    Maybe post in the below thread? I got solar and batteries because of similar outages and it's saved me numerous times now in the past few years. You would get a decent system with batteries for around 8k. Check the solar quotes thread in the below forum.

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058329045/domestic-solar-pv-quotes-2024-no-pm-requests-see-mod-note-post-1

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058426986/changeover-switches-and-running-off-grid-via-solar-generator

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  • #4
    db
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭db


    I did this recently. Changeover switch cost 1100 and I got a 6kw inverter generator. The bigger the generator the more it will cost to run. I wanted something that will power the well pump, fridge & freezer, lights, boiler, broadband, tv and anything else is a bonus. I should be able to run the oven and one or two rings on the hob but these aren't essential as I can use portable gas rings and the bbq for cooking.

    Don't run a generator in a shed as it would be lethal. It has to run run outdoors. I have a 32amp input socket at the back of the house and when the generator is plugged in and changeover switch flicked the house runs off the generator.



  • #5
    chiefwiggum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭chiefwiggum


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123992882#Comment_123992882

    Have solar Con with a 5kw battery



  • #6
    chiefwiggum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭chiefwiggum


    Yep exactly what I'm kinda looking for . Pain when the well goes and no water to flush toilets! Would be just to run the essentials but the more the better. We also use the camping stoves..Great job.

    Cost to run doesn't bother me to be honest as it's only for back up and not everyday use.. I had planned to pipe the exhaust out through the wall of the shed. Do they need to be sheltered for outdoor use?

    What was your total cost if you don't mind sharing



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  • #7
    pauly58
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 334 ✭✭pauly58


    We have a 1000ltr IBC we bought for €99 connected to a downpipe from the roof plenty of water for flushing toilets. We also have a diesel generator 7.5kw for the house. It is stored in a metal shed with the cables run to the socket to the changeover switch.



  • #8
    chiefwiggum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭chiefwiggum


    We have 3.6kw gennie at the moment and it's grand for fridge,lights, chargers etc but would like a proper job done. Pauly good idea on the water tank..will look into that regardless



  • #9
    con747
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭con747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123993760#Comment_123993760

    Would you not just get bigger batteries since you already have the hybrid inverter and panels? I have a 5.5kW solar system with 10 kWh of batteries and can run the well, sockets, lights, oil heating if need be but it uses 400+ watts per hour, portable induction hob, and anything else that uses less than about 4 kW at any given time but a bit more when the panels are generating. I went 4 day's during storm Ewoyn without grid power and between solar and batteries it all kept me going. Something to think about, you can get 17kWh of batteries now very cheap.

    Edit

    I'm on my 8th power outage this year with more expected so I feel your pain!

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  • #10
    chiefwiggum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭chiefwiggum


    Thanks Con

    I could do with a new generator anyway for the garage to be honest. We have a kia Ev6 so can also plug into that with the V2L plug.

    Yep the storms are a pain. We live in a heavily wooded area in Wicklow and I swear to God every time it's above a breeze something comes down somewhere and brings cables with it 🙈. In fairness the ESB response teams are fantastic but overstretched..we went 9 days once!



  • #11
    con747
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭con747


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123994006#Comment_123994006

    I know, my landline came down in Eown but usually every time it was windy and after 3 months I cancelled it because it wasn't fixed. It's still dangling from the pole at the front of my garden so obviously I was the only one on it I suppose! Best of luck getting a solution that works. I always keep 40% in the batteries as well because I know I will need it regularly.

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  • #12
    db
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭db


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123993769#Comment_123993769

    Total cost will depend completely on the generator you get. A big Honda inverter could cost €5-6K or you could get a cheaper standard generator for a little over €1K.



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