Wildfire Sprinkler System
#1
07-16-14, 10:59 AM
Wildfire Sprinkler System
My mom has a sprinkler system outside her house for wildfire protection. It is a huge water tank with a basic water pump to pressurize the system. It is run on a generator which is started when a pressure switch reaches its cut-in point. Pressure drops when the glass sprinkler breaks as a result of the heat from the fire.
I did not design and install the system and it has been a real pain and I am looking for ways to improve its reliability. These are the main issues:
The existing generator has a manual choke and does not like to start with the choke off. But it will not run the pump if the choke is on.
I am thinking of switching to an automatic choke generator. Would this solve the problem?
Also, the pump must be plugged into the generator and loaded when the generator starts. (Since nobody will be there to plug it in by hand.) I feel this must be increasing the demands on the starter a lot. Is there any way to have the pump offline until the generator is started and then have it automatically connect?
Thanks so much for any responses!
I did not design and install the system and it has been a real pain and I am looking for ways to improve its reliability. These are the main issues:
The existing generator has a manual choke and does not like to start with the choke off. But it will not run the pump if the choke is on.
I am thinking of switching to an automatic choke generator. Would this solve the problem?
Also, the pump must be plugged into the generator and loaded when the generator starts. (Since nobody will be there to plug it in by hand.) I feel this must be increasing the demands on the starter a lot. Is there any way to have the pump offline until the generator is started and then have it automatically connect?
Thanks so much for any responses!
#2
07-16-14, 12:05 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
What you want to do is definitely do-able.
Your generator starts from a 12v storage battery ?
You will need someone mechanically inclined to connect a 12v solenoid to the carburetor.
You will need a time delay module to delay the connection of the pump to the genny.
Are these things something you'll be doing personally ?
What you want to do is definitely do-able.
Your generator starts from a 12v storage battery ?
You will need someone mechanically inclined to connect a 12v solenoid to the carburetor.
You will need a time delay module to delay the connection of the pump to the genny.
Are these things something you'll be doing personally ?
