Portable generators for emergencies!!!

[Katmar]

I need some Tim (the Tool Man) Taylor advice!!!!!!

After this most recent winter storm, and promising myself I would get a portable generator for several years, it is time to get serious!!!
I want an emergency generator to power the necessities for my home, such as furnace, refrigerator, a few lights, one TV, and, of course, my computer. Furnace is gas, so I suppose it shouldn't need as much power as electric. Hot water, however, IS electric, but I could probably survive without that.

I am looking for something EASY to use, and easy to maintain.
ANY advice, folks????

There is soooo much info out there that I have become even more confused. I figure about 5000 wattage would do, but what does watt surge mean?

Do I have to go out to the shed and run it every now and then to keep it operable when not in use for emergencies?

HELP!!!!!

 

[smokum]

How often are you out of power ??

Be wary of a "back feeder" set up !! Mostly because they're illegal and if you have any mishap your insurance wont cover anything, and most importantly, if installed without a proper transfer switch the chances of killing a lineman trying to fix your outage could be killed.

Also, sensitive electronics aren't recommended to be used from generator power without a power filter since its not as stable, also a generator produces a "floating neutral" and poor ground.

There's lots to be considered for this added mode of comfort.

VapeOn,
Greg

 

[Fishman7]

surge means what the unit can handle for a second or two while a load devices is starting

your fridge has a compressor the compressor draws more current for start up then settles down while running

a 5kw will provide whats your looking for it may in fact run your hot water heater *depends on its load draw) if ran by itself

so say you want hot water you disconnect all other loads run the HWH letit build its temp then disconnect and run you other load items
your HWH will reatin temp enough for a couple quick showers

hope thats helps

 

[Katmar]

I am a female, here!!! Have no clue what you are talking about. You need to dummy it down for me.
I am not looking for a mode of comfort, but a backup for emergencies.
Thanks for posting, though, even though I don't understand it...lol

 

[Katmar]

surge means what the unit can handle for a second or two while a load devices is starting

your fridge has a compressor the compressor draws more current for start up then settles down while running

a 5kw will provide whats your looking for it may in fact run your hot water heater *depends on its load draw) if ran by itself

so say you want hot water you disconnect all other loads run the HWH letit build its temp then disconnect and run you other load items
your HWH will reatin temp enough for a couple quick showers

hope thats helps

That DOES help, thank you. Now, to find one. There are so many types out there. I need something fairly simple and reliable.

 

[smokum]

Sorry........

To run what your asking, I'd suggest (even though a 5000 watt would do the trick if you we're selective with what appliances you were running at the same time), an 7-8000 watt.

I do however suggest you find a local sparky (electrician) to install a emergency transfer switch with a small emergency panel for those necessary loads. That way all "you" would need to worry about would be to plug in the generator to your transfer switch and fire it up.

Get one with an electric start (trust me, you'll curse it otherwise).

You'd also want a generator that has a 240v outlet (30 amp min).

You'll also need a special cord to hook this up (an electrician will know what you need based on your generator manual).

That's about all I can offer you for info... I won't help anyone in jerry rigging this set up as I've seen too many others get hurt.

If people think this is kidstuff, just remember..... it only takes 20 milliamps to stop your heart !!

-Greg

 

[Katmar]

Sorry........

To run what your asking, I'd suggest (even though a 5000 watt would do the trick if you we're selective with what appliances you were running at the same time), an 7-8000 watt.

I do however suggest you find a local sparky (electrician) to install a emergency transfer switch with a small emergency panel for those necessary loads. That way all "you" would need to worry about would be to plug in the generator to your transfer switch and fire it up.

Get one with an electric start (trust me, you'll curse it otherwise).

You'd also want a generator that has a 240v outlet (30 amp min).

You'll also need a special cord to hook this up (an electrician will know what you need based on your generator manual).

That's about all I can offer you for info... I won't help anyone in jerry rigging this set up as I've seen too many others get hurt.

If people think this is kidstuff, just remember..... it only takes 20 milliamps to stop your heart !!

-Greg

That is so much easier for me to comprehend. Thank you, Greg. That was very helpful!!!

 

[RatRacer]

Get a natural gas powered 12-15kw exterior pad mount generator with a automatic transfer switch. Automatically kicks on when power goes out and no need to feed it by a gas can, which you will probably be short on when you need it most alla Murphy.

 

[AJMoore]

I do have a "whole house" generator (propane) 15KW. It's far more complicated than you might think. I have a secondary circuit panel for the generator, a transfer (automatic) switch, an automatic start-up when the power goes out. I wouldn't touch the system, I have an electrician set things up. The cost for a new system can be very expensive, not so much the generator itself but the electrical and power source (you really don't want gas cans stacked up around your house).

And what Smokum said, you can kill somebody with the back flow.

 

[Katmar]

Get a natural gas powered 12-15kw exterior pad mount generator with a automatic transfer switch. Automatically kicks on when power goes out and no need to feed it by a gas can, which you will probably be short on when you need it most alla Murphy.

Afraid to ask the cost on that one?????? It does sound perfect.

 

[Katmar]

I do have a "whole house" generator (propane) 15KW. It's far more complicated than you might think. I have a secondary circuit panel for the generator, a transfer (automatic) switch, an automatic start-up when the power goes out. I wouldn't touch the system, I have an electrician set things up. The cost for a new system can be very expensive, not so much the generator itself but the electrical and power source (you really don't want gas cans stacked up around your house).

And what Smokum said, you can kill somebody with the back flow.

There is no way I want a whole house generator. Too much expense. But thank you.
I do NOT want to install anything dangerous, either!! But I am looking more toward portable.

 

[RatRacer]

Afraid to ask the cost on that one?????? It does sound perfect.

Around 4K, plus installation.

I run a setup that Greg subscribes against, with a 5500W generator, here in hurricane alley. A 5500W just barely covers my basic needs with managed appliance use. You will be shocked what a coffee maker does to a generator when you turn it on.

 

[Katmar]

Around 4K, plus installation.

I run a setup that Greg subscribes against, with a 5500W generator, here in hurricane alley. A 5500W just barely covers my basic needs with managed appliance use. You will be shocked what a coffee maker does to a generator when you turn it on.

I was afraid of that. It seems like one of the safest and most reliable ways to do it. I only have outages maybe once every year or 2, usually due to heavy snow accumulation or ice storms.

I think I will go the way of a portable and make sure an electrician does the safe set up.

Any advice on make or anything else I should know??

Thank you all for your help.

 

[BNSF Conductor]

To determine your basic home power needs, start with these three questions:
1.Do you use city or well water?
Well pumps require a larger 240 volt generator (3800 watts or above).
2.Is your heating system electric, heat pump, or gas or oil forced air?
Gas or oil forced air systems can get by with a very small generator – as little as 2500 watts. The power needed is based on the size of the furnace fan motor. See below for details.
Electric furnaces and heat pumps typically need 15,000 watts or more to run and
3.Is your hot water heater electric, gas, or oil fired?
Gas or oil fired heaters use less power – as little as 2500 watts.
I would definately go with a Honda.

 

[Katmar]

To determine your basic home power needs, start with these three questions:
1.Do you use city or well water?
Well pumps require a larger 240 volt generator (3800 watts or above).
2.Is your heating system electric, heat pump, or gas or oil forced air?
Gas or oil forced air systems can get by with a very small generator – as little as 2500 watts. The power needed is based on the size of the furnace fan motor. See below for details.
Electric furnaces and heat pumps typically need 15,000 watts or more to run and
3.Is your hot water heater electric, gas, or oil fired?
Gas or oil fired heaters use less power – as little as 2500 watts.
I would definately go with a Honda.

1. well water , but it is a community well.
2. natural gas furnace
3.electric hot water, ( but I could do without that in an emergency. Can heat water on gas stove, if need be.

Does Honda have the electric start?
Would 5000 watts be sufficient? Maybe a light or 2 thrown in and some tv?

 

[Fishman7]

if all your looking at is a couple lights and the fridge or small loads

look at the honda EU2000 ive had that unit running my boat when we camp a couple lights a small fridge tv dvd player bettery charging system and a 5500btu a/c unit

if you remove the a/c it runs a coffee pot by itself

its great on fuel usage and they even make a 6 gallon feeder tank that lasts us the whole weekend easy reliable starting
you dont have to get all integrated in a install buy a few good quality 12 gauge extension cords thats a very basic portable set up light weight to boot

the eu 2000 is going to run about 900.00 the tank of i remember is about 150.00

yes you van buy a 5500kw home depot special for close to the same $$$ but you will never beat the honda units they also sell the 4000 unit but doubles the price size and weight

the eu 2000 does not have electric start but is so easy to start its funny
set the choke turn the knob to run and 1-2 pull its running every time no matter how long it sits

if the unit is going to be stored make sure you use "stabil" fuel stabilizer that keeps the gas good for about a year
then drain and change or run it dry and re-fill

 

[Katmar]

Also,
Are the newer portables easier to maintain??? My uncle used to tell me that they were a pain the the .... because you had to go an start it up and run it fairly often to maintain it. Is this still true?

 

[Katmar]

if all your looking at is a couple lights and the fridge or small loads

look at the honda EU2000 ive had that unit running my boat when we camp a couple lights a small fridge tv dvd player bettery charging system and a 5500btu a/c unit

if you remove the a/c it runs a coffee pot by itself

its great on fuel usage and they even make a 6 gallon feeder tank that lasts us the whole weekend easy reliable starting
you dont have to get all integrated in a install buy a few good quality 12 gauge extension cords thats a very basic portable set up light weight to boot

the eu 2000 is going to run about 900.00 the tank of i remember is about 150.00

yes you van buy a 5500kw home depot special for close to the same $$$ but you will never beat the honda units they also sell the 4000 unit but doubles the price size and weight

No, this is for my home in case of power outage. I need to be able to run furnace, fridge, few lights, television,, etc.

 

[Fishman7]

understand its for your home i mentioned my boat with a 5000 btu load only as a example

you asked for a "dummied" down version

if you would like to have a technical version please provide me with a total load from each item
light 1 = --- watts
light 2 = --- watts
any other devices tv's dvd's ect watts voltage and amperage
fridge =--- watts or amperage
furnace watts of amperage and voltage 120v or 220 for the blower assy

this data is generally located on the units data plates

get me that info i will be happy to do a complete load calc on your intended system and give you a minimum suggested size of the unit you should buy

just as a side not i am a licensed electrical contractor

 

[motorcity57]

bought it brand new 4 years ago off e-bay. made by briggs & stratton. cost me 500 bux. used 3 times in those 4 years, most of the reply's are about a hook-up to your electric panel. i don't do that. i just run a couple extension cords from the generator into the house. i plug everything i need in it. cable box, television, fridge, deep-freezer, a light or 2. even plugged my air conditioner in when it got real hot.
keep 5 or 10 gallon of gas on hand also. when the power goes, the gas stations cannot pump gas. good luck.