Generators

[[JiF]KellysHero]

Who has one, what it's wattage, who makes it, what would you get if you could get another one? After our recent power outage, I thought it would be good to pick one up. Would like to run a fridge, freezer, a light, TV and maybe a computer. There is gas, liquid propane and diesel options, with the liquid propane (uses the same gas for your grill) as tops on my list. With our recent outage, a lot of gas stations either ran out of gas, or had no power to pump, so unless you keep gas on hand, could be problematic. While most places carry liquid propane so should be easier to get. Thoughts?

[[JiF]zougathefist]

In general,
I would be more inclined to swerve to avoid a Dog than a Cat,
does this make me prejudiced?

[[JiF]corn]

The fuel you use is pretty much a personal choice.
Also depends on how much you are willing to pay.
Some people keep a 5 gallon can of fuel handy at all times.
Check to see what the total amp and wattage you will need.

Here are a few generators that are priced nicely.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... 777+770943
This is a good site here.Also has tips and reviews.
http://www.findgenerators.net/

BTW-Some people actually rent generators to see which ones they want to buy.
CAUTION! DO NOT START A GENERATOR WITH EXTENSION CORDS PLUGGED IN.
This could cause a surge to burn up your appliances.

[[JiF]KellysHero]

Thanks for the links and the constructive reply Corn!

[[JiF]Mike]

I would only add that liquid propane is also pumped, therefore power is a requirement to get more. Though you aren't going to use the propane is your lawn mower when your supposed to save it.

I have a small generator, I think it's like 1270W or somethin. I wanted a small one for odd jobs and emergency use for lights and the well pump. I bought this one off of Craigs List for $75. Guy told me it needed work as it would shut off cause the oil was low. He thought it was burning oil, but come to find out the guy had it so overfilled with oil he probably damaged the sensor. I just disconnected the sensor and it works great! Just have to keep an eye on the oil and check it every few hours. Luckily I've only had to use it once, and that was to pump out my parents basement in those flash floods we had...the oil level didn't change after a few hours of running.

If I were to get a new one and price was not an issue (like that'll ever happen) I would go with one on a cement pad outside. One that would kick on and go to work automatically with an ABT once power was stabilized. Granted this could cost $10,000...but hell how cool would that be!!

[[JiF]corn]

What you purchase is really based on what you REALLY need.
My dad has a 5000 watt generator he is using to keep his freezer running and a ceiling fan blowing in his house.
At night when it is cool enough, he turns off the generator.
He may be out of power for 2 weeks still.
Some people need (comfort zone) a TV,AC,Refrigerator and other gadgets on chargers.

IMHO- I would get between 2500-5500 watt gas powered.

[[JiF]Lonewolf]

I would look at something like a Guardian whole house automatic switching generator for natural gas as a standby.
http://www.guardiangenerators.com/HomePage.aspx

I know our local Farm and Fleet runs them on sale every now and then for around $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the size and it includes the automatic switching unit. We have several people around me that has them and when we lost power last year for about week they was the only ones with whole house power. I'm hoping to get one of the Guardian generators after the first of the year and hook it up to my natural gas.

Here are a few generators that are priced nicely.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... 777+770943

For the price of those listed there that Corn posted you could get the whole house generator for less.

[[JiF]Djsmg]

Thats an interesting idea there Lonewolf...

I wonder if we can get some of those up here (or if they are listed to use in this country)...

[[JiF]corn]

I was thinking...hmm!
I use natural gas to heat and cook with in my house.
Could i use one of these to power my house, instead of the electric company?
Would my gas bill be just as high as my electric bill?
My Electric bill is sometimes 450 U.S. dollars per month.

There is a Guardian dealer a few miles from my house, i'll have to check it out.

Thanx for the information Lonewolf!

[[JiF]Djsmg]

Corn I have a sneaking suspicion that it would possibly void the warranty on the unit or shorten the lifespan of the unit if used as a primary source of power.

Atleast that is what I have seen happen on the larger emergency genset units on job-sites around here.

[[JiF]Mike]

$450! Damn I thought my $200/mo was bad. Thank you for making me feel a little better about mine!

[[JiF]zougathefist]

Thanks for the links and the constructive reply Corn!

Hmmm,
methinks I detect sarcasm directed at Zouga

[Sir Die-a-lot]

I was thinking...hmm!
I use natural gas to heat and cook with in my house.
Could i use one of these to power my house, instead of the electric company?
Would my gas bill be just as high as my electric bill?
My Electric bill is sometimes 450 U.S. dollars per month.

There is a Guardian dealer a few miles from my house, i'll have to check it out.

Thanx for the information Lonewolf!

Corn, remember that you'd have to have it serviced regularly as it would run 24/7 all year long. You'd also have to procure replacement power when servicing or when it fails. And remember that the conversion of thermal power to mechnical and then to electrical is always with added losses to each step of transformation.
And natural gas prices will only keep on sky rocketing in the future years due to the ever increasing demand for it. Remember that we occidentals are power ogres.

And at 450$ a month for electricity, are you lighting the whole town ? Especially if you heat with gas already !

[[JiF]corn]

I just have 4 kids at home, who keep the AC working harder.

My 9 and 11 year old still leave lights on.
Maybe i should beat them more often, with a spiked club

[[JiF]Mike]

I wanna get some solar panels on my roof and a nice big battery bank in the house. If only I could afford it! We did make the switch to those mercury containing fluorescent lights throughout the house and our bill did go down. I also just made the power strip my entertainment center is using much more accessible so at night I kill the power to everything. I hope to see it go down some more. I feel like the electric bill is really the only monthly bill I have any significant control over.