Backup Generator

[mrblaine]

We were getting hit about once a month average and sometimes more often with an outage of 2-12 hours at a time. Kat can't deal with it being too hot or too cold so we need the AC and heat. We had a 20kw Generac installed with a 200 amp auto transfer. I don't need load shedding, I know how to turn shit off that we don't need. We are full electric so we had to have a propane tank installed. Of course, like all things you prepare for, in the year+ that we've had it, the power has only gone off once but it was flawless. In the meantime, it turns itself on once a week to charge up the starter battery and send diagnostics to Generac for the maintenance interval.

 

[Dead Pool]

When snowapocalypse hit Texas, we were without power for 6 days. I ran an old 3500 watt genny and it kept the ng heat running, fridge, 2 freezers, lights, and TV. Would not run the microwave or any bigger stuff. We kicked all the breakers off, threw the main, and wired it through the dryer breaker to backfeed the panel. With the main off, no threat to linemen, and no issues. I just put all the breakers back online one by one and ran stuff as needed. It got me by. I would like a better setup that my wife could do however if anything happens when I'm not home. Whole house is out of the question at this point. That generator was borrowed from my dad, I have since bought a 6500 HF unit so we can get a portable ac unit online if there's something that goes down in the summer. Poor boy whole house generator technology here.

 

[Wheelerfreak]

We have a Generac 16kw whole house with auto transfer switch that runs off propane. We lose power quite a bit out here, usually in winter when heavy snows cause trees to come down on the lines. I don’t have AC but do have a well, electric dryer and electric stove and it powers my house with no issues. I don’t run the welder or compressor when the powers out, so no idea if it will power that. Just last Monday we lost power fo 12 hours after some texting teenage bimbo went off the road and took out a power pole. Lights went out for 30 seconds and the genny switched over and it was back to normal. On a 500 gallon tank we were at 63% before and 60% afterwards.

We used to do the run extension cords to a portable gas genny bit until we lost power for several days while we were gone and lost a 20 cubic foot freezer full of frozen food. It sure it is nice not having to get off my ass to do anything to make the change over when we lose ( or loose as many are saying) power.

 

[larboc]

When snowapocalypse hit Texas, we were without power for 6 days. I ran an old 3500 watt genny and it kept the ng heat running, fridge, 2 freezers, lights, and TV. Would not run the microwave or any bigger stuff. We kicked all the breakers off, threw the main, and wired it through the dryer breaker to backfeed the panel. With the main off, no threat to linemen, and no issues. I just put all the breakers back online one by one and ran stuff as needed. It got me by. I would like a better setup that my wife could do however if anything happens when I'm not home. Whole house is out of the question at this point. That generator was borrowed from my dad, I have since bought a 6500 HF unit so we can get a portable ac unit online if there's something that goes down in the summer. Poor boy whole house generator technology here.

Do you keep oil on the shelf? Running out of oil is pretty common failure on gensets used for extended periods and if you don't have it its tempting to say f-it. Good idea to keep a gallon of 30w on the shelf so you can keep up with oil changes/top offs. I've seen a LOT of newer looking gensets with a hold in the block from running too long between changes/running out of oil. No filters on these engines so 20hrs is about all you should ask from an oil change and that would be easy to go way past in an extended outage like that.

 

[Dead Pool]

Do you keep oil on the shelf? Running out of oil is pretty common failure on gensets used for extended periods and if you don't have it its tempting to say f-it. Good idea to keep a gallon of 30w on the shelf so you can keep up with oil changes/top offs. I've seen a LOT of newer looking gensets with a hold in the block from running too long between changes/running out of oil. No filters on these engines so 20hrs is about all you should ask from an oil change and that would be easy to go way past in an extended outage like that.

I do have quite a bit of oil, but that's good advice for sure. Honestly, don't want to be changing oil every day in a scenario like that. Your comment and Wheelerfreak's now has me looking at Generacs. Thanks a lot.

 

[Wheelerfreak]

I do have quite a bit of oil, but that's good advice for sure. Honestly, don't want to be changing oil every day in a scenario like that. Your comment and Wheelerfreak's now has me looking at Generacs. Thanks a lot.

I think we’re all in for about $4500 for our Generac, that’s genny, plumber, and electrician. That was in 2018. I got it from Northern Tool since it was cheaper than anywhere else I could find it and it included the transfer switch.

ETA, I just found the receipt and it was $3500 for the genny with transfer switch and free shipping.

 

[larboc]

I do have quite a bit of oil, but that's good advice for sure. Honestly, don't want to be changing oil every day in a scenario like that. Your comment and Wheelerfreak's now has me looking at Generacs. Thanks a lot.

Make sure you're realistic about your needs. Do you REALLY have enough power outages that it's worth the cost and complexity of a permanent genset or will a $250 neighbor hater 4000 and a gallon of cheap 30w get you by in the off chance you loose power for days at a time in the future. I've seen people go the permanent route and the only run time they get is the monthly or weekly test runs which means you're changing oil and having wear and tear for no reason. A portable cheapo that's run dry after use can set there for a LONG time and fire right up when you need it. I use mine for portable applications often enough that I just keep it full of e0 and I never have any issues.

 

[KarlVP]

I use a Honda 2200w suitcase. Mostly use it camping, but when the power goes out I have a transfer switch for the house.

It runs everything we need it to (minus the range and the water heater). It does just fine running the pellet stove, tv, internet, lights, microwave, septic pump, refridgerators, and outlets in the house. Never even breaths hard doing all that unless the septic pump kicks on.

 

[rockyota83]

I use a Honda 2k converted to propane, it covers the basics and will run 24 hrs on a 20# BBQ. I don't have room for a large tank or I'd go larger.

how many tanks of propane have you ran through it so far?

ive been using firman/champion 7k watt(i also have a 12k generac that i dont use much because it just eats through fuel) gas/propane portable generators backfed through the panel for about 6 years now, a couple years ago i lived for about 9 months off one waiting for pg&e to hook up power to a new house.

propane is much better(except that i has less power), depending on how big your tank is it can run for a day or weeks at a time without having to refuel. going to the gas station to fill 5 gallon gas cans is fawking lame if youre using the generator for more than a tank of fuel. the other benefit is propane burns much cleaner than gas which keeps your engine oil much cleaner, probably have to change the oil 3 times less often vs gas. also get yourself a quick drain hose for the oil drain plug, no tools needed to change the oil and only takes a few minutes, synthetic is your friend when it comes to air cooled generators running full time when their not meant to be. i have thousands of hours on a champion(its the back up to the back up now) and although it wont run a full load anymore it still runs and puts out 75% of the power it should

 

[Firstram]

I think that gen has 17 or 18 days of run time on it by now, mostly propane. I agree, fuck dealing with gasoline storage or trying to stock up before a storm. I always use non ethanol and run the carb dry before storing long term but, the first time I really needed it the carb was fucked. I had to pull it apart during a hurricane and managed to pinch the bowl o-ring causing a leak. Had to rtv it every other day since the gas kept dissolving it. I ordered a propane kit as soon as the internet was back up. No good place in my yard for a bulk tank but I have 120 gallons or so in small tanks.

 

[Lilyota]

I get out there and pedal my bike that is hooked to an alternator and a bridge rectifier.

 

[smurfblue40]

Power used to go out here a lot a few years back, not so much recently. But… being the type of person I am, we have backup power.

I have a 5000w gas unit that needs a new engine, so Mrs told me to get something to fill in until I could fix it.

My current backup is a Champion 3500w dual fuel. I like the dual fuel because propane doesn’t go bad like gasoline does.

I plan on adding a small Generac 3000w inverter for the travel trailer in the near future

 

[LR Max]

My sister just got a Generac built-in with auto transfer switch panel. However their house loses power ALL the fawking time. Runs off their propane tank and seems like a really good setup overall. The unit waits 30 seconds then cranks up. It gets used a few times a month so with that amount of usage, it makes sense to get something automatic that just works.

Typically standby generators like that are good for 10 years/1000 hours. So I would say expect your generator setup to last that long. Can it/will it last longer? Probably. But typically generator companies stop making parts for generators after 10 years (so then you forced to buy new). Built in units typically require a service contract to maintain the warranty. For an application that you are always losing power, there is some benefit to that.

I've been looking at Generlinks that tap into the meter. Seems quick and easy to hook up a portable unit. But I checked with my local power company and they WILL NOT install one of these. Smaller co-ops have been known to be more cool about it. At $600/700 for a plug into the house, that is pretty handy.

 

[Lbhsbz]

I have a 3500W predator…we don’t lose power very often, but I’ve got a lot of meat in the freezer and I enjoy lights. When I upgraded my electrical panel, I made sure to put all the lights, fridge, and microwave on one leg. I can Pull the main breaker, flip off all the 220V breakers, and power up the one leg with the generator and run everything we really need. Weather is pretty mild so we can deal without heat or A/C.

I mostly use it to run a bounce house blower when I don’t feel like looking for an extension cord

 

[Tin Roof]

A heads up to anyone that gets/has a permanent generator, the factory oil is a lightweight break-in oil. They typically don't mention anything about changing the oil before the first annual maintenance because as a general rule backup generators don't run for many hours every year and it's not an issue. Last year when the derecho came through some generators were running nonstop for weeks with the factory oil and damaging the generators.
If you have a long-term outage change the oil after a day or two.

 

[woods]

I've got an oldish 5000W Briggs and Stratton one. Backfeed it in with a lockout dealio on the electrical panel. Runs everything. Freezers. Furnace. Well pump. Lights. Computer. Everything. One tank of fuel last pretty much 8h on the dot.

 

[budget76]

Lunchbox guys - realized I was due for an oil change. Picked up this kit to make life easier, going to install it when I do the change this weekend.

Amazon.com: MOEBULB Mess Free Oil Change Funnel Magnetic Oil Dipstick Compatible for Honda Generator EU1000i EU2000i Complete Combo Kit : Automotive

Buy MOEBULB Mess Free Oil Change Funnel Magnetic Oil Dipstick Compatible for Honda Generator EU1000i EU2000i Complete Combo Kit: Funnels - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[95stepside]

we've got this ugly bastard just in case. 50kw i think. It was big enough to run the barn when we still had dairy. Need to pull it out and run it once to make sure it still works...

 

[Texas97]

looking hard at the Generac 20kW whole house with auto-transfer switch. going to have someone give a quote installed.

whats the better fuel, LP or NG?

 

[bgaidan]

looking hard at the Generac 20kW whole house with auto-transfer switch. going to have someone give a quote installed.

whats the better fuel, LP or NG?

If you have NG, I'd go that route. LP only lasts until the tank runs out and you'll be battling everyone else that ran out during an extended outage to get refilled. NG is far less likely to be impacted by an outage...except what happened in the TX deep freeze last year.

Edit: NG should be much cheaper too.

 

[Texas97]

If you have NG, I'd go that route. LP only lasts until the tank runs out and you'll be battling everyone else that ran out during an extended outage to get refilled. NG is far less likely to be impacted by an outage...except what happened in the TX deep freeze last year.

Edit: NG should be much cheaper too.

sorry, this was a dumb question as i have to go LP since its gotta be in a tank. no NG lines available.

guess i should have said my options are diesel vs LP. and i think LP wins that battle, except that i can go find and refill diesel on my own if things truly got apocalyptic.

 

[Tin Roof]

sorry, this was a dumb question as i have to go LP since its gotta be in a tank. no NG lines available.

guess i should have said my options are diesel vs LP. and i think LP wins that battle, except that i can go find and refill diesel on my own if things truly got apocalyptic.

Typically for a diesel in that size you need to go with a commercial liquid cooled unit, and your cost goes up considerably.

 

[92 Green YJ]

sorry, this was a dumb question as i have to go LP since its gotta be in a tank. no NG lines available.

guess i should have said my options are diesel vs LP. and i think LP wins that battle, except that i can go find and refill diesel on my own if things truly got apocalyptic.

Yeah propane won out for me too. Didn’t want to worry about fuel stabilizer in gasoline or diesel and fuel going bad from sitting. Propane doesn’t suffer any of these drawbacks. Propane also burns cleaner so the motor shouldn’t need quite as much cleaning and maintenance.

 

[[486]]

sorry, this was a dumb question as i have to go LP since its gotta be in a tank. no NG lines available.

guess i should have said my options are diesel vs LP. and i think LP wins that battle, except that i can go find and refill diesel on my own if things truly got apocalyptic.

propane 100%
get a few yard tanks off craigslist though, most of the haulers seem to offer a better rate per gallon if they're dropping off 800 gallons at a time, which would be 2 500 gal tanks from totally empty to 80% (max fill)
so the hot setup is to get 3x 500lb tanks, because the thousand gallon tanks go for nearly as much as three 500s

 

[rockmup]

looking hard at the Generac 20kW whole house with auto-transfer switch. going to have someone give a quote installed.

whats the better fuel, LP or NG?

We just went 5 days without power. My neighbor shows up with a 100' cord coming from his 24KW unit telling me to turn my shit off and use his, so I did. Ran his whole house, all my shit except the house AC unit as well as the other neighbors shit. Never skipped a beat.
We are going to get one if we stay here.

 

[Dan]

A 7-10kw portable genset should cover the average person pretty well. I have a few champion generators and a Cummins/Onan that's generating power as I type this. The Onan is just shy of 2500 hours and I usually replace the champions at around 1600-2000. All I have are dual fuel generators and most have never seen gasoline in the tank.

By business is dependent on generator power so I have been through quite a few. After the champions reach the 1600 hour mark they get moved to the staff house that also is dependent on generator power (except the water heater and fridges).


…...…..............................................

If you have NG, I'd go that route. LP only lasts until the tank runs out and you'll be battling everyone else that ran out during an extended outage to get refilled. NG is far less likely to be impacted by an outage...except what happened in the TX deep freeze last year.

Edit: NG should be much cheaper too.

What are you paying for natural gas?

When shit goes down hill your probably going to be limited to what's in your tank whether it's ng, propane, gasoline, or whatever. That was proven in Texas, didn't really matter what fuel you were using

 

[Texas97]

A 7-10kw portable genset should cover the average person pretty well. I have a few champion generators and a Cummins/Onan that's generating power as I type this. The Onan is just shy of 2500 hours and I usually replace the champions at around 1600-2000. All I have are dual fuel generators and most have never seen gasoline in the tank.

By business is dependent on generator power so I have been through quite a few. After the champions reach the 1600 hour mark they get moved to the staff house that also is dependent on generator power (except the water heater and fridges).


…...…..............................................




What are you paying for natural gas?

When shit goes down hill your probably going to be limited to what's in your tank whether it's ng, propane, gasoline, or whatever. That was proven in Texas, didn't really matter what fuel you were using

My corn-less gasoline ran my 12kw generator just fine whenever it was 8 degrees outside

 

[Dan]

My corn-less gasoline ran my 12kw generator just fine whenever it was 8 degrees outside

Why did you quote me in that? I use propane because it's cheap and I have about 2000+ gallons on hand most of the year. I don't know if my area has ever seen 8 degrees.

Edit: oh because you're in Texas, haha.

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

looking hard at the Generac 20kW whole house with auto-transfer switch. going to have someone give a quote installed.

whats the better fuel, LP or NG?

My buddy/neighbor is/was an electrician anf general contractor and can wire up your set up and we're less than an hour N.

I can see if he wants to do it as a weekend project for a little side $ if you want. I'll even tag along to watch and drink beer.

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

A 7-10kw portable genset should cover the average person pretty well. I have a few champion generators and a Cummins/Onan that's generating power as I type this. The Onan is just shy of 2500 hours and I usually replace the champions at around 1600-2000. All I have are dual fuel generators and most have never seen gasoline in the tank.

By business is dependent on generator power so I have been through quite a few. After the champions reach the 1600 hour mark they get moved to the staff house that also is dependent on generator power (except the water heater and fridges).

Do you run home off a generator or just an rv at jobsites?

Id sure like to not be dependent on an electric co and have maybe a solar/generator set up.