Generators in a container | Smokstak® Antique Engine Community*

Braintrust:

I've got a couple generators to permenantly install at a few facilities but I'm concerned about security and noise. I'd like to install them inside a 20' shipping containers. Has anyone done this before? Two would be diesel and a third would be NG, 80kw diesel Cummins, 25kw diesel Cummins and a 45kw Onan NG.

Anyone done something like this before? I've had a few recommendations already but wanted to see if you guys had any brilliant ideas. I've read about using a bellows to pipe external air in for the radiator and putting large vents on the sides, possibly making large louvers in the wall for ventilation.

It doesn't get much below freezing up here but both diesels have coolant heaters already.

I've had the suggestion to build a stand of some sort to keep the whole thing off the floor of the container and to use secondary containment under whatever diesel tanks I use inside.

How much ventilation do I need? Where do I find the rubber bellows?

Thanks in advance!

Braintrust:

I've got a couple generators to permenantly install at a few facilities but I'm concerned about security and noise. I'd like to install them inside a 20' shipping containers. Has anyone done this before? Two would be diesel and a third would be NG, 80kw diesel Cummins, 25kw diesel Cummins and a 45kw Onan NG.

Anyone done something like this before? I've had a few recommendations already but wanted to see if you guys had any brilliant ideas. I've read about using a bellows to pipe external air in for the radiator and putting large vents on the sides, possibly making large louvers in the wall for ventilation.

It doesn't get much below freezing up here but both diesels have coolant heaters already.

I've had the suggestion to build a stand of some sort to keep the whole thing off the floor of the container and to use secondary containment under whatever diesel tanks I use inside.

How much ventilation do I need? Where do I find the rubber bellows?

Thanks in advance!

Eli, I have the answers to all these, but you can get answers here if you want to also.

(I thought this project sounded familiar, but after I stared at the username a minute I figured it out) If you’re thinking of using the usual steel intermodal shopping containers, they are much bigger than needed for gensets of this size.

The usual sound enclosures are lined with rigid mineral wool panels. Air typically comes in one end with a baffle (usually looks like a big scoop) pointed down, and exits out the radiator through another baffle pointed up. Exhaust is typically sent out above the radiator into that same upward facing baffle, but sometimes the muffler is on top of, or even inside of, the enclosure.

Now if you want to put all those little guys into one container, that’s doable, but a bit tight. You want at least 3 feet between the units and between the side of a unit and the side of the enclosure for easy access. You’d have to install them sideways, which will mess up ducting a little but it’s still doable. You want to position intake loggers so that they don’t suck in hot exhaust air. I would try to put intakes on the opposite side from the radiator exhaust. In buildings, I use the corners for generator rooms to help with this. Engine exhaust can go out the top. Line the inside of the container with rigid mineral wool panels to dampen the sound. Everything needs to fit tightly to avoid rattles.

You’ll need Day tanks for the diesel gensets. Usually code won’t allow you to share a tank between multiple gensets too, so you need one Day tank for each genset and a common stock tank to feed all the daytanks.

Personally, I’d try building a small concrete block on a slab building for this purpose, maybe with a perimeter stem wall depending on your climate zone and needs. You’ll get a MUCH better generator structure this way, and you can make the dimensions exactly what you need

Bill Lol folks I am lucky enough to have Birken in the same town as me. I didn't realize you were even on here. Lets talk in real life tomorrow, was just dreaming and wanted to see what people had to say. Still want you to see the 45EM as well!

Eli, I have the answers to all these, but you can get answers here if you want to also.

(I thought this project sounded familiar, but after I stared at the username a minute I figured it out)

I guess I didn't word that quite right. It's three seperate places I want to do it at, not three generators in one container. I just want to make it vandal/theft proof and allow the generator to run at the same time.

If you’re thinking of using the usual steel intermodal shopping containers, they are much bigger than needed for gensets of this size.

The usual sound enclosures are lined with rigid mineral wool panels. Air typically comes in one end with a baffle (usually looks like a big scoop) pointed down, and exits out the radiator through another baffle pointed up. Exhaust is typically sent out above the radiator into that same upward facing baffle, but sometimes the muffler is on top of, or even inside of, the enclosure.

Now if you want to put all those little guys into one container, that’s doable, but a bit tight. You want at least 3 feet between the units and between the side of a unit and the side of the enclosure for easy access. You’d have to install them sideways, which will mess up ducting a little but it’s still doable. You want to position intake loggers so that they don’t suck in hot exhaust air. I would try to put intakes on the opposite side from the radiator exhaust. In buildings, I use the corners for generator rooms to help with this. Engine exhaust can go out the top. Line the inside of the container with rigid mineral wool panels to dampen the sound. Everything needs to fit tightly to avoid rattles.

You’ll need Day tanks for the diesel gensets. Usually code won’t allow you to share a tank between multiple gensets too, so you need one Day tank for each genset and a common stock tank to feed all the daytanks.

Personally, I’d try building a small concrete block on a slab building for this purpose, maybe with a perimeter stem wall depending on your climate zone and needs. You’ll get a MUCH better generator structure this way, and you can make the dimensions exactly what you need

Bill

In most cases gens are just run with factory enclosure on a base tank and people don't normally mess with them.

You'll have tons of room. I've worked on 2 megawatt units slid into a 40 foot container, THAT is no fun.

Most times the exhaust is run out the top with a flap (aim the flap so when it's transported the wind keeps the flap SHUT) and the gen has the radiator pushed against the wall and minimal ducting is used to exhaust the hot air. Intake louvers let air into the container and flows through the fan, radiator, and out, and the action of the cooling fan is what ventilates the container.

I guess I didn't word that quite right. It's three seperate places I want to do it at, not three generators in one container. I just want to make it vandal/theft proof and allow the generator to run at the same time.

Yeah, I wasn't entirely clear on if you were making three separate packaged units, or all three gensets were going into one container.

I wouldn't bother with a masonry building for just one of those little gensets. Usually I spec generator buildings for large plants of 3+ gensets. A typical intermodal shipping container is going to be a LOT bigger than you need for one of the small gensets you're talking about, so I'd look into having an enclosure fabricated, or maybe seeing if a used enclosure was available that would work.

You could use a shipping container if you have access to them cheaply, you'll just end up with lot of extra room inside. If you go that route, I'd still do the louvers the way everyone is describing, but maybe I'd put the radiator out vent on the top of the enclosure and keep the "scoop" inside to save some exterior space around the unit. You'll need to provide a drain for water if you do that though.

BE SURE to do a GOOD paint job on the enclosure too! Those things always seem to rust. Maybe try contracting JohnnyC
Anyone with an airless sprayer could do it, just make sure you get a good solid coat of outdoor paint and proper primer since you want it to last. You'll want something under the container too so that the bottom doesn't rust out after a while.

Bill Put a couple of These, Billy Shafers' favorites, and drive EVERYONE out of the valley!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Onan-35-KW-Generator-LP-Or-NG-/?&_trksid=p.l The "COVETED" TECH-STAR!

On a SERIOUS note, Are you going to put all three in ONE container? Even with good ventilation, with all three running aren't you going to have trouble getting rid of heat? What about the Heat Soak that a metal container will have just by itself, sitting in the sun? You are going to have to figure in that effect on cooling your generators and having ample air flow.
The engine radiator cooling fans are going to really create a bunch of noise

I thought about getting a 20 footer for my 30 dda onan but after being told any permitly installed generator has to be 6 foot above flood levels which is 4 feet.. I'd have it 10 foot above ground! And having pylons set would of cost me about 15k.. that ended that idea..

You might be able to get some screw piles set for only a few thousand.

$15k sounds high for what I'm assuming are four concrete piers. All you need is a crew with a rathole rig and some sonotubes, drop in some rerod cages and fill with concrete. Why so spendy for your particular quote? I've designed plenty of concrete piers to hold up cooling towers, which usually need several feet of clearance underneath for piping and airflow, and it's usually not very expensive and only takes about a day to complete. I've seen entire cell tower foundations go in in only a few hours, and those are DEEP.

Bill

You might be able to get some screw piles set for only a few thousand.

$15k sounds high for what I'm assuming are four concrete piers. All you need is a crew with a rathole rig and some sonotubes, drop in some rerod cages and fill with concrete. Why so spendy for your particular quote? I've designed plenty of concrete piers to hold up cooling towers, which usually need several feet of clearance underneath for piping and airflow, and it's usually not very expensive and only takes about a day to complete. I've seen entire cell tower foundations go in in only a few hours, and those are DEEP.

Bill

Because they have to be to hurricane force code.. and that means sitting on bedrock and anchored to it.. which is 15 to 25 feet deep here.. and most of this place was filled with rock and sand, so drilling through that take awhile and eats drill bits.. i talked to 3 local different pylon drillers and they all said the same thing

Commercial fishing vessels, heavy-duty freighters and even floating laboratories all have one thing in common: they operate off the grid. That means that they need an always-on power source to work in tandem with a propulsion engine to help fuel everything from the lights to the computers and the air conditioning.

Link to dingbo

Diesel-powered marine gensets are specially made with consideration of the harsh offshore environment to prevent corrosion on key components of the generator. . Because they’re a major investment for a business, they should be vetted and selected carefully in order to find the best option for your needs. Below are a few quick tips to follow to maximize the impact of your purchase.

Tip #1: Choosing new vs used gensets

When grappling over the decision of whether or not to purchase new or used gensets, look to your own knowledge of parts and equipment to help dictate which route to take. Consulting an aftermarket dealer that provides in-depth personal inspections of pre-owned gensets can likely help you get more value out of  used equipment. 

Also, consider the state of the ship and fleet the genset will be supporting. Do you want a generator with high mileage supporting the uptime of a brand-new vessel, or would you prefer a unit with fewer hours? Other considerations include wear and tear, as well as the manufacturer of the generator.

Tip #2: Do the wattage math

When deciding the total wattage your marine genset will need to support, err on the side of expanded operations. In other words, plan for future additions to your vessels that might require more power. For example, if next year, you upgrade your capabilities with additional computers, lighting and A/C, that’s going to require some extra juice. If you have the budget, plan for tomorrow, not for today.

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Need a quick conversion from amps to kilowatts, or vice versa? Use our power calculator to make sure you’re meeting the right specifications for your genset.

Tip #3: Consider the risks of your environment

There is a big difference between an operation that’s a few miles offshore and one that’s sailing to the far side of the world and battling inclement weather day in and day out. For the latter, you’ll want to look at more ruggedly designed marine gensets with waterproof, protective shells. Warranties should also be top of mind for protecting your investment. Should something go wrong, your warranty is your first line of defense.

Tip #4: Find the right size unit

Engine rooms are tight, cramped quarters without much room for maneuverability. Be sure you can accommodate the size of the generator you need to guarantee uptime. Make sure to also account for the room required to install the genset in a way that allows for easy access for maintenance and repair.

Tip #5: Decide on extras and special features

Modern marine gensets are able to sync up to your network to report on the engine and gearbox, and even self-diagnose any trouble it experiences. These special features are often the reason for choosing one major brand over another, depending on your preference. On the more practical side, consider all the different geographies your fleet may be entering to ensure compliance and emissions standards – especially with older, used equipment.

Power your vessel with confidence

Once you decide on the right gensets for your operation, you’ll find that all the work you put into the process pays off. With the right research and ongoing upkeep, gensets are reliable machines that dependably power your daily operations. 

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