Who has a genset?

My power is out once again due to the thunderstorm that just rolled through here.

Does anyone have something like a Generac setup or something comparable? I'm just wondering if its worth the investment. Living in the country for as long as I've had, even in town, when the power goes out, it's for several hours.

My Dad got a Generac and has worked really well. His power would go out on sunny days. I also sell exhaust flexes to them in Wisconsin - always seem to be a great group of cheese heads. Once they gave me free passes to the Generac 500 at Road America - including the food in the inside seats.

So I vote for Generac.

I have two. Both are 5kw max 4kw continuous. One is a Coleman Powermate I bought new years ago. The other is an old Generac that came with a truck I bought. They have saved me from a lot of discomfort, in more ways than one. One thing to remember: They need gasoline and if you don't have power, the closest gas stations may not, either. Getting fuel after loss of power can prove to be a challenge. If you have a propane tank at home, buying a generator that can be fueled by that may be the way to go. I prefer the Generac, BTW. But, I've heard the quality isn't as good now on the small models as it used to be.

I have a generator in my laundry room, thankfully I have needed it once since moving here.

I want to do a diesel standby at some point, perhaps an old detroit powered one will fall in my lap.

Do you mean backup generator, or really a genset? I'm going to speculate you really mean a residential backup generator. In which case I also have one.

Figure out what you really need vs what you want, calculate the power loads, then price the units. Very generically, you can by cheap 3kw units for about $300. They don't have very good peak loading, they don't produce wonderfully stable voltage, and they aren't very quiet. But they do the job.

For a lot more money, you can get a lot more unit.

I have no special breaker or such. If I need to power something, I run an extension cord. The closest I will come is to install a pair of outlets that simply join inside to outside, with no other connections. That way I can run the generator outside, plug it into the outside outlet end. Then inside I can run appliances by connecting to it. Little easier than running cords through windows.

I have a Honda 6500. It always starts, powers most of my house and is quiet as all get out.

I have run off of it for two weeks at a time and no issues. Add gas, turn key, and it starts. All the neighbors were jealous as their generators sounded like helicopter taking off and mine just buzzed nicely.

Make sure to take it out every few months and run it. Apply a load too.

My brother in law has a propane powered automatic general system. It's pretty sweet. They don't really know when the power is out because the system kicks in so seamlessly.

I've got a John Deere that puts out 9750 starting watts and 6200 continuous. Bought it on sale at Lowes for $700 a few years ago. It's big enough to run most of the house including furnace and well pump. It cost more for the switch and the 75 foot long wiring run than the generator, $1200 with a 20 foot extension cord to plug it in.

Picked up a Coleman Powermate about 10 years ago. I don't recall what it cost, but it was pretty cheap. Maybe 600 bucks at Costco. I think its rated 5500 watts running, something like 6750 surge. We don't use it often, but when we do, we sure as hell appreciate it in spite of its faults--namely it sucks gas like a pig and makes a deafening racket. I think it's an 11 HP Tecumseh. Love it.

As someone who will be building a new home in the not too distant future, this is relevant to my interests

We wont have natural gas in the area, so heat will be electric. This makes the possibility of winters without power a very scary thing. We will be burying a propane tank for cooking (I hate electric ranges), and the fireplace ( I want woodfire, but SWMBO doesnt want the mess). But we dont want propane heat because of the same reason - dont want to forget to get the tank filled, and then have no heat for a day or 3 until we can get a fill-up).

Im wondering then, if LPG is a better fuel source for a generator than gas? I havent done much (ok, any) research, but lets say I want a 5000w unit: is the $/W a better rate with propane or gas? Is one option better for generator lifespan than the other?

foxtrapper wrote: I have no special breaker or such. If I need to power something, I run an extension cord. The closest I will come is to install a pair of outlets that simply join inside to outside, with no other connections. That way I can run the generator outside, plug it into the outside outlet end. Then inside I can run appliances by connecting to it. Little easier than running cords through windows.

^this is genius, BTW...

I have a 7/8.xKW Honduh powered Black Max that I bought from Sam's for one large. I built a generator shack over by the power pole and put in a whole house switch (~300 from HF.) Sitting in the dark for a week after an ice storm a few years ago was the prodding for this. And I've used it exactly zero times in the 4 years since, which is JUST FINE WITH ME. I start it up once a month. There's a light on the outside of the shack pointed at the house that is always on "shore" power, regardless of the switch. If the "shore" power is out, I can turn the light switch on, fire up the generator, and I can tell when the power comes back on because the light be on.

4cylndrfury wrote: ^this is genius, BTW...

This is how it's done. You can't exceed seven

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: My power is out once again due to the thunderstorm that just rolled through here. Does anyone have something like a Generac setup or something comparable? I'm just wondering if its worth the investment. Living in the country for as long as I've had, even in town, when the power goes out, it's for several hours.

IMO, if your power is out for a few hours, you don't need a generator. We have two, and almost never use them. If the power is out for a day or more, I'll hook one up. We do have a 900W that we use for the TV, sat, and a few lights if we really need to watch TV, like if HNIC is on.

Days, even weeks, without power in the snow don't have to be all that bad.

A propane stove throws a lot of heat. Live in the kitchen if need be. Boils snow to make all the hot water you want, if slowly.

Propane water heater (as opposed to electric) works with the power out, provided it's a mechanical controller. Beware the electric units that won't stay lit without electric power.

So I'd suggest considering a bigger tank than you need, just for available gas. It doesn't go bad sitting there in the tank. Pay a fill up fee each fall and you'll be reasonably safe for the winter.

But yea, a generator makes life easier, by far. It lets you keep the well pump running and the blower going (assuming you're going heat pump with gas/oil backup).

My neighbor, a circle track racer, has a 7k Onan out of an RV that he built a custom frame for. During hurricane season here in FL we have powered the essentials (fridge, fan, lights, cable tv) in 4 houses for a week with it. Not ideal but it kept us going.

In 2006 we were without power twice for a week at a time due to downed trees on our block from a hurricane. I seriously looked at getting a big diesel genset with a house switch but couldn't swing the $$$. Thankfully since then we have not had anything close to that sort of power outage. The other benefit with a big genset is that some can do 3-phase which would be great if I ever get that Bridgeport.

4cylndrfury wrote: As someone who will be building a new home in the not too distant future, this is relevant to my interests We wont have natural gas in the area, so heat will be electric. This makes the possibility of winters without power a very scary thing. We will be burying a propane tank for cooking (I hate electric ranges), and the fireplace ( I want woodfire, but SWMBO doesnt want the mess). But we dont want propane heat because of the same reason - dont want to forget to get the tank filled, and then have no heat for a day or 3 until we can get a fill-up). Im wondering then, if LPG is a better fuel source for a generator than gas? I havent done much (ok, any) research, but lets say I want a 5000w unit: is the $/W a better rate with propane or gas? Is one option better for generator lifespan than the other?

foxtrapper wrote: I have no special breaker or such. If I need to power something, I run an extension cord. The closest I will come is to install a pair of outlets that simply join inside to outside, with no other connections. That way I can run the generator outside, plug it into the outside outlet end. Then inside I can run appliances by connecting to it. Little easier than running cords through windows.

^this is genius, BTW...

I have a similar setup to Foxtrapper.

4cf, I would still recommend LP heat over total electric. You can't run electric heat off a small generator......and as far as forgetting to have the tank refilled. Find a reputable LP distributor in your area, and then have them put you on a "Keep Full" contract.

I picked up a Generac GP5500 2 days before Sandy came through last fall. Ended up using it for about 11 days total, running a line out to my neighbor for about 1/2 that time. I backfed through a 20A 240 circuit in my garage after opening the main, obviously (boo! hiss! you'll kill someone!) Random observations:

1) friggin' LOUD. The basic home generators wail away at 3600rpm (60hz) all day long. It has a decent looking muffler but 90% of the noise is from the mechanicals thrashing away. I've been looking at enclosures.

2) uses a fair amount of gasoline. My buddy was going through a tank (7 gal) every 20hrs being frugal with electric usage. I was shutting mine down in the evening and it worked out to ~5gal/day. I pulled gas from my cars and managed to make it 6 days before a trip to the gas station, by which time getting gas had become an inconvenience rather than a massive undertaking.

3) not the cleanest power ever. my furnace, a new Rheem, was completely unhappy with the power and would never fully boot up. Eventually my neighbor got his hands on a nice Honda inverter/generator and returned the favor with the power. My buddy had no problem running his new (Trane?) furnace with his GP5500 so YMMV. Since then, I've picked up a power conditioner that I hope will straighten things out with the furnace.

4) Still pretty happy with it. It always started easily on the first pull and ran hiccup-free. I think I put 110hrs on it.

I think I could sneak by with a small efficient 2000W Honda except I have two big ejection pumps in my basement to pump all gray water back up to street level. They require 240.

yamaha wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote: As someone who will be building a new home in the not too distant future, this is relevant to my interests We wont have natural gas in the area, so heat will be electric. This makes the possibility of winters without power a very scary thing. We will be burying a propane tank for cooking (I hate electric ranges), and the fireplace ( I want woodfire, but SWMBO doesnt want the mess). But we dont want propane heat because of the same reason - dont want to forget to get the tank filled, and then have no heat for a day or 3 until we can get a fill-up). Im wondering then, if LPG is a better fuel source for a generator than gas? I havent done much (ok, any) research, but lets say I want a 5000w unit: is the $/W a better rate with propane or gas? Is one option better for generator lifespan than the other?

foxtrapper wrote: I have no special breaker or such. If I need to power something, I run an extension cord. The closest I will come is to install a pair of outlets that simply join inside to outside, with no other connections. That way I can run the generator outside, plug it into the outside outlet end. Then inside I can run appliances by connecting to it. Little easier than running cords through windows.

^this is genius, BTW...

I have a similar setup to Foxtrapper. 4cf, I would still recommend LP heat over total electric. You can't run electric heat off a small generator......and as far as forgetting to have the tank refilled. Find a reputable LP distributor in your area, and then have them put you on a "Keep Full" contract.

Id read you can get away with running an electric heat pump off 5k watts if you turn everything else off while its running. Or maybe smaller electric space heaters in just the rooms that need it. My real fear is frozen pipes, so Id probably have a heater in the basement, maybe one in the bedroom, and keep the oven on 200° all day to heat up the kitchen. Id think I could get away with that setup with a larger home unit. SWMBO is pretty adamant about not using LPG for heat, mostly because of the tank filling bit (though, I will definitely share your opinion with her) , I dont care much either way.

My main concerns are heat, lights, the fridge, and the sump pump. Then its low draw stuff like charging phones and cable modems. A few years ago, the remnants of a hurricane (Ike?) made its way into the Ohio valley, and many neighborhoods were without power for days, some were out for weeks. We were out for 2 days (luckily, most utilities are buried in our area, so restoring the grid out by me was more of a logistics of getting substations on line, versus replacing transformers out on the pole...yet, I digress). If I hadnt had a battery backup on our sump pump, we wouldve been in trouble. I want to make sure Im able to keep my home safe, heated, and lit, and still keep food cold. I can add the generator to my homes build plans, and add it into the Mortgage, so a thousand dollar price tag isnt a big deal if the model I get is capable of doing the job.

I got a Coleman 7kW on craigslist for about $300, barely used.

(Dude kept a Harley Fat Boy in a storage space and had the generator there to run...A COMPRESSOR FOR HIS TIRES!)

Anyway, we have an outage event lasting a few days every year or 2 here in the land of old-money infrastructure.

Our bedroom is in an extension on the main house - we power lights, an in-room AC, the FIOS box, TV, and have a power strip in the kitchen to run the fridge/nuke/coffee pot.

It always amazes me in my neighborhood, which is incredibly affluent and educated, that when power goes out we're appropriately cooled or heated, and have TV, internet, hot water and cold beer - while 99% of my neighbors w/ advanced degrees are suffering like savages and cursing Pepco.

I have a Generac 5500 which I've used about 4 times but it's been a lifesaver each time. It won't run a heat pump but oh well that's life. At least I have cold beer, Internet, can cook etc. It is on the noisy side, I've seen 'screens' made from rigid foam etc and I might do something similar if I need it again. Be sure there's a lot of airflow; while camping at an enduro I saw one yahoo put an unvented plywood box over his and then he couldn't understand why it just quit running.

In reply to 4cylndrfury:

LP forced air only requires enough electricity to run the fan and thermostat.....leaving alot more juice for fridge, freezer, etc. Figured since you'll have the big tank anyways, it wouldn't be a bad idea just to do it all with it.
I'll look when I get home, but I'm pretty sure my coleman is under 4kw. It'll run my furnace, fridge, and multiple other things.

motomoron wrote: It always amazes me in my neighborhood, which is incredibly affluent and educated, that when power goes out we're appropriately cooled or heated, and have TV, internet, hot water and cold beer - while 99% of my neighbors w/ advanced degrees are suffering like savages and cursing Pepco.

Further proof that education does not = common sense.

We have a wood stove that will keep the house tolerable. A propane bottle top camp stove actually cooks pretty well, about like a gas regular stove.

My eventual plan is to use my ~500 W of solar cells to charge a battery bank, run my 1.5KW inverter off that up to my breaker panel where I want one of those fancy switch panels where you can put some circuits on shore or ship power. That way, when the power is out, I'll put the whole house on my generator during the day, then at night, turn off the generator and run selected low power circuits (TV, computer room, bedroom) off the battery bank/inverter. I am hoping to run one hot water heater off the generator, and MAYBE the smaller heat pump, doing the "adds up to 7" routine from Green Acres.

I've got several of them. The smallest is a 1800 watt inverter generator that's pretty quiet. I use it at autocrosses to run a misting fan setup I built. I also use it at work on occasion. I have a 3500 watt that I use to run the A/C in my enclosed trailer. It's one of the noisy ones made by Homelite. I have a 6000 watt that I built out of parts. The engine is a military surplus 2 cylinder, the generator came out of a trash pile with a blown engine. It runs pretty good, but almost never gets used. The big one is 10000 watts. I built it out of a free 3 cyl Kubota diesel and a Harbor Freight generator head. The generator is over driven so the engine turns about 2100rpms. It's quiet and will run the whole house as long as you don't try to turn everything on at once. On my list of things to do is a transfer switch so I can light up the entire panel at home.

Here's the 10kw.

4cylndrfury wrote: As someone who will be building a new home in the not too distant future, this is relevant to my interests We wont have natural gas in the area, so heat will be electric. This makes the possibility of winters without power a very scary thing. We will be burying a propane tank for cooking (I hate electric ranges), and the fireplace ( I want woodfire, but SWMBO doesnt want the mess). But we dont want propane heat because of the same reason - dont want to forget to get the tank filled, and then have no heat for a day or 3 until we can get a fill-up). Im wondering then, if LPG is a better fuel source for a generator than gas? I havent done much (ok, any) research, but lets say I want a 5000w unit: is the $/W a better rate with propane or gas? Is one option better for generator lifespan than the other?

Though you may not be interested if you really wanted a wood fired stove, one thing we've really liked out of our most recent new construction is having the propane plumbed out and connections provided for a grill. Upside is having a 500 gallon propane bottle for the grill and not having to deal with the 5 gal/20 lb bottles. Downside is that should we ever really screw up, we could open up the grill and run 500 gallons of propane out through it...

I believe it's already been answered, but compared to gas or diesel, the shelf life of propane approaches infinite, so that's one of the things that makes it a nice generator fuel source.

We have a wood fireplace insert that will keep us warm- best backup you can get!

Far as generators, inverter generators, though expensive, are freakin' magic, and so quiet you can stand in a circle around it and have a conversation at normal volumes. Prompted me to get the yamaha 2000i, but neighbor bought this Ryobi 2200 from HD for $599: Ryobi 2200

It runs the frigerator, washer/gas dryer, 5000btu window unit. Not suitable for whole house, as it is 110v only, but I'd strongly consider a 220v inverter with some of the above mentioned tie ins (or just open the mains and back feed).

The major coup would be to get a used prius, big battery bank, and big inverter, and use the prius to start on demand to charge your system.

In reply to 4cylndrfury:

One of my coworkers installed a whole-house generator after being without power for over a week after Irene a few years ago. He also doesn't have natural gas and went with a LPG set-up. A large percentage of the cost (damn near $20K) was the tank installation (not a DIY'er and not poor). I believe the tank was sized to run the generator for at least a week (I'll ask him tomorrow). He said it worked great when Sandy took him out for a week, although being the first extended outage and not sure how much fuel it would use, he only ran it on a 12 on, 12 off schedule.

Since you're planning to install a tank for a range anyway, consider a larger tank if you want to run a generator off it. Your tank vendor should be able to help you there.

It'll definitely be cleaner running that gasoline and should require less maintenance, with the added benefit of not having to worry about finding and buying gas (this was an issue around here during Sandy). Bear in mind it should also be a permanent installation connected through a transfer switch. No dicking around with extension cords. However, if you want to do this, plan for it during the house construction and have your electrical contractor install the transfer switch while he's wiring everything else. Even if you install the generator later. It'll save you a good amount of money.

If you go onto a site like Katolight, Onan or Generac, you can down-load specs that will tell you fuel usage at full and half-load at various KW sizes to help with tank sizing.

Yes - this is what I do for a living, but for larger commercial installations. As you can imagine after Sandy, we're doing a TON of generator installation designs around here (NJ). Granted, the ones we've been installing are too large for natural gas or gasoline and run on diesel - typically in the 1000+ KW range. The engines are usually 10 or 12 cyl diesels running 4 turbos.

Since my house has oil heat, I've considered getting a small diesel generator and piping it into my oil tank. 250 gallons would run a smallish 6500W generator for a long time. However, I'm planning to convert to natural gas soon, so I plan to make provisions for a NG generator. It's odd - coming from the commercial side, the way residential generators are often wired into the house just seems strange... I'd want a 2-3 pole ATS feeding a sub-panel, but house systems never seem to be done that way.

I loose power several times a year. Two years ago, I set my house up to go off the grid when power is out I'm running a relatively small 4000 watt generator that runs everything but the well pump. If I want to run the well pump, I need to shut off a few appliances.