Buying Advice Aurora Silent Diesel Generator

   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #21  
Realistically, if the generator is for emergency use then even 100hrs per year average would be relatively high. Maybe down south you need 24hr A/C but in New England we manage to use emergency power for only 4-6hrs per day without trouble. Seven days a year without grid power would seem unusual on average too. Maybe 50hrs a year is a better more realistic estimate. For off grid use to top up batteries etc in conjuction with solar or wind would probably use only 500hrs/yr assuming relatively efficient appliances etc (1.5 hrs/day is about what a sailboat genny runs).

Seems to me that most of us would be better off with gas or propane powered emergency generators as 100hrs/year would still mean about ten years from a 5000-10000W gas engine powered unit costing $500-$1000. Gotta have some other reason than just emergency home backup to justify a diesel unit at three or four times the cost. I'm guesstimating that the average gas/propane powered generator based on the Honda GX or clone lasts about ten years/1000-2000hrs with average maintenance. That does seem where the best bang for the buck is. I know gasoline has its hassles as does propane compared to diesel but still it seems most economical even factoring those things in to the equation. Off the grid is a different matter.



I agree about using the smallest gas genset you can get by with. I have a Honda 2000i, 3000i and the Onan CMQD5500. I also have a Miller trailblazer portable welder about 8kw that will wake up the dead when running. That said I can get by easily for a couple of weeks with the small rv and Honda 2000. As long as the natural gas is available I can run the furnace blower with the Honda 2000 at home.

Supposed to snow here all day and night, I will see if I need the gensets.
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #22  
I saw some figures on solar installation cost a few days ago. It was $5 / watt for home and I think $1 / watt for commercial. Since each home system is unique this makes sense. It looks like long term even the solar will be from central plants.



Pretty much my take on it too. Now if you wan't to be optimistic and go through all the work and expense......
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #23  
Funny we are talking gensets again, In the for sale section I have a 12,000 continuous, 14400 surge set for sale. Over the years (33 to be exact) we learned to get use to using gas gensets,, We lose power here very frequently. This last stint was a few hours over 10 days straight,, Very common, at least once a month and sometimes more, 18 hour losses are the norm,, Anyway, several of the big shots resigned from CT light and power after this last stint,, One would think, new england area, first in the nation of USA and shouldn't be a problem,,, well it is. Anyway, our two neighbors have propane powered generac sets,, I won't post how much it really cost them because undoubtedly it will start a flame war here,, They used a minimum of 100 gallons every 3 days or less,, One neighbor we finally convinced to run it at needed and not 24/7 burning up the fuel. We used 6 gallons a day of 93 octane gas costing 26,-28 dollars per day. As a past deputy fire chief I've learned a lot, When roads are shut down for lengthy periods and one can't get out, what do you do when that 100 gallon propane tank runs dry? Almost everyone to a "T" uses 1 or 2, 100 gall tanks here,, I never looked into it for I had no reason to, but maybe 100 tanks are all that is allowed, ALthough I am not positive on this,, I never seen the large "pig" tanks until crossing over into New York state and others.
When weather says large snow storm or like we have had recently, a tornado and hurricane, both doing extensive damage plus 13 inches of extreme heavy snow on Oct 29th, we fill the pick up truck and wife's car with gas. As in the past, when I run out of stored gas, we start siphoning from the vehicles and thus stay in business,, Your not going to do this with propane,, It works well with diesel also as long as you have oil for heat and fairly full tanks,, Just something I've learned over many years and numerous power outages.
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator
  • Thread Starter
#24  
Im pretty conservative when the power goes out. I like to run my wood furnace blow, grid and freezer. Ill sit in the dark and play with the kids. Oh, I need to run a 1hp well pump every once in awhile. It 600ft deep.
I was looking at 3500 kW gas gennys, but when I saw the diesel gennys, I thought...more reliable. My concern is really that I haven't heard of this company and if anyone has had real experience with the Aurora Company and how their products stack up.
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #25  
Funny we are talking gensets again, In the for sale section I have a 12,000 continuous, 14400 surge set for sale. Over the years (33 to be exact) we learned to get use to using gas gensets,, We lose power here very frequently. This last stint was a few hours over 10 days straight,, Very common, at least once a month and sometimes more, 18 hour losses are the norm,, Anyway, several of the big shots resigned from CT light and power after this last stint,, One would think, new england area, first in the nation of USA and shouldn't be a problem,,, well it is. Anyway, our two neighbors have propane powered generac sets,, I won't post how much it really cost them because undoubtedly it will start a flame war here,, They used a minimum of 100 gallons every 3 days or less,, One neighbor we finally convinced to run it at needed and not 24/7 burning up the fuel. We used 6 gallons a day of 93 octane gas costing 26,-28 dollars per day. As a past deputy fire chief I've learned a lot, When roads are shut down for lengthy periods and one can't get out, what do you do when that 100 gallon propane tank runs dry? Almost everyone to a "T" uses 1 or 2, 100 gall tanks here,, I never looked into it for I had no reason to, but maybe 100 tanks are all that is allowed, ALthough I am not positive on this,, I never seen the large "pig" tanks until crossing over into New York state and others.
When weather says large snow storm or like we have had recently, a tornado and hurricane, both doing extensive damage plus 13 inches of extreme heavy snow on Oct 29th, we fill the pick up truck and wife's car with gas. As in the past, when I run out of stored gas, we start siphoning from the vehicles and thus stay in business,, Your not going to do this with propane,, It works well with diesel also as long as you have oil for heat and fairly full tanks,, Just something I've learned over many years and numerous power outages.

A 100 gallon tank to me equates to a Bernz-o-Matic cylinder......:)

I run 2 -500's and a spare 500 by the shop for 1500 gallon total...

My 17 KW will run a solid month, 24-7 on a 500. Here's hoping that never happens.

The OP's comment about Aurora genny's...

I believe the only thing American is the name....
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #26  
lamarbur said:
Funny we are talking gensets again, In the for sale section I have a 12,000 continuous, 14400 surge set for sale. Over the years (33 to be exact) we learned to get use to using gas gensets,, We lose power here very frequently. This last stint was a few hours over 10 days straight,, Very common, at least once a month and sometimes more, 18 hour losses are the norm,, Anyway, several of the big shots resigned from CT light and power after this last stint,, One would think, new england area, first in the nation of USA and shouldn't be a problem,,, well it is. Anyway, our two neighbors have propane powered generac sets,, I won't post how much it really cost them because undoubtedly it will start a flame war here,, They used a minimum of 100 gallons every 3 days or less,, One neighbor we finally convinced to run it at needed and not 24/7 burning up the fuel. We used 6 gallons a day of 93 octane gas costing 26,-28 dollars per day. As a past deputy fire chief I've learned a lot, When roads are shut down for lengthy periods and one can't get out, what do you do when that 100 gallon propane tank runs dry? Almost everyone to a "T" uses 1 or 2, 100 gall tanks here,, I never looked into it for I had no reason to, but maybe 100 tanks are all that is allowed, ALthough I am not positive on this,, I never seen the large "pig" tanks until crossing over into New York state and others.
When weather says large snow storm or like we have had recently, a tornado and hurricane, both doing extensive damage plus 13 inches of extreme heavy snow on Oct 29th, we fill the pick up truck and wife's car with gas. As in the past, when I run out of stored gas, we start siphoning from the vehicles and thus stay in business,, Your not going to do this with propane,, It works well with diesel also as long as you have oil for heat and fairly full tanks,, Just something I've learned over many years and numerous power outages.

I am surprised how much propane was used. How big where these generacs?

Thanks for correcting me.
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #27  
Yes
I am aware the OP's question was about Aurora gensets., Like others I was trying to add another possibility in case one can't get off the property,, Both neighbors have 17,000 generacs, I agree it shouldn't use that much gas, however they did.. The one neighbor finally shut theirs down at night, like we do,, Get up early, restart and allow the furnace to heat the home then breakfast or whatever else one does. Regardless, I have never seen bigger than 100 gallon tanks,, It makes no economic sense to me to be messing with small tanks,, Again, however, I am not positive it is a local ordinance thing or not,.,. Or just plain habit by the local propane supplier.
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #28  
The downside of gas gens is you have to make sure the fuel is kept good continuously. Gas these days does not last long and gums up carbs quickly, pretty sad. Hopefully they get smarter with bigger gens like they have with smaller ones like the Honda EU series. Built in inverters and eco mode that has the gen running at a RPM that is what is needed for the load instead of 3600rpm even if nothing is running. I'm on town water so I can run all my necessary items on my father in-law's Honda EU2000. It's very quiet and sips gas seeing it's usually only idling. When both fridge and freezer are running it blips up to start the compressor then comes right back down. You having a 220v well would mean an expensive gen in this style but the inverter technology could possibly work into your wanting to go wind/solar at some point. My generator is a 4kw Generac I got cheap because one of the lifters broke. Cheap fix and does the job but way louder than the Honda. We lost electricity for a few days in October, I only ran it during the day and used maybe 8 to 10 gallons of gas. The Honda was maybe 1.5 gallons for a similar outage when I used it before I got the Generac.
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #29  
Sorry for this question, but I have been wanting to ask a question but can't find where to start one. It is about a generator, so thought I would ask how on here. any help? I have in the past but just can't figure out how or something changed and I am not aware of it. How do I start a thread????? thanks, John
 
   / Aurora Silent Diesel Generator #30  
lamarbur said:
Yes
I am aware the OP's question was about Aurora gensets., Like others I was trying to add another possibility in case one can't get off the property,, Both neighbors have 17,000 generacs, I agree it shouldn't use that much gas, however they did.. The one neighbor finally shut theirs down at night, like we do,, Get up early, restart and allow the furnace to heat the home then breakfast or whatever else one does. Regardless, I have never seen bigger than 100 gallon tanks,, It makes no economic sense to me to be messing with small tanks,, Again, however, I am not positive it is a local ordinance thing or not,.,. Or just plain habit by the local propane supplier.

Maybe they did not run them dry. It takes a minimum amount of surface area or volume of propane to supply enough flow to keep the generator running. It may shutdown when the tank is half full. 100 gallons sounds very small.
 
 
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