I filp flopped on a generator.

[coobie]

After much research I was **** bent on buying a generac 8kw or 17kw propane unit because of cost I was leaning towards the 8kw.I ended up buying the 17KW unit for about $1500 bucks extra.I had it installed today and needless to say I am impressed with this generator.Thanks to all for your input.coobie

 

[kennyd]

After much research I was **** bent on buying a generac 8kw or 17kw propane unit because of cost I was leaning towards the 8kw.I ended up buying the 17KW unit for about $1500 bucks extra.I had it installed today and needless to say I am impressed with this generator.Thanks to all for your input.coobie

I have been enjoying mine for 4 years and 95+ hours so far (I added a hour meter to mine). You will never regret buying the bigger unit!:thumbsup:

 

[eepete]

Generators, tractors, there's nothing like getting a few more KW/HP.

Now if you have the same experience I did, you'll not loose power for 2 years. Got mine in '97, it has about 250 hours on it. About 180 of those are "real".

Pete

 

[Wildbill34]

I have had mine (15kw), for about 7 years now and it has yet to fail me when it was needed. Had it running for a week or so a couple of winters ago. We went on living while everyone down the road was calling to see if we got our power back. Then of course I said, I didn't know it was gone.....lol.

I have a company come out twice a year for service and never worry about it.

 

[littlejohn2009]

As a new comer I miss the background on this, but I do wonder what you paid in total for the setup.??

 

[schmism]

As a new comer I miss the background on this, but I do wonder what you paid in total for the setup.??

make shure to include any options included, like automatic start, transfer pannel, wireing hookup etc.

 

[Abe460]

I've been itching to get a true "backup generator" for my home for years. I have a few of the little wheeled generators you can buy from Lowes..etc. They're great for keeping fridge cold and one room with ac during an extended power outage...which happens a lot with our rural power.

I'm wondering how much propane they use. If we have another hurricane like Rita, I'll be out for over a month. My entire home is electric so propane would be only for the generator. That being said; what kind of tank do you guys use? How often does it need to be filled and is it above ground or what? I understand the calculations for usage, but just don't know how long a 17KW generator could run at full usage on x amount of fuel.

 

[coobie]

As a new comer I miss the background on this, but I do wonder what you paid in total for the setup.??

I paid $4850 installed.coobie

 

[coobie]

I've been itching to get a true "backup generator" for my home for years. I have a few of the little wheeled generators you can buy from Lowes..etc. They're great for keeping fridge cold and one room with ac during an extended power outage...which happens a lot with our rural power.

I'm wondering how much propane they use. If we have another hurricane like Rita, I'll be out for over a month. My entire home is electric so propane would be only for the generator. That being said; what kind of tank do you guys use? How often does it need to be filled and is it above ground or what? I understand the calculations for usage, but just don't know how long a 17KW generator could run at full usage on x amount of fuel.

According to my 17kw owners manual under FULL LOAD 2.51 gals per hour.I have a 500 gal. propane tank that will run my mine.coobie

 

[Toyboy]

I had an 8kw at my former home that was connected to our 500 gal propane tank which also served the house. It was listed at 2gal hr? under full load or something like that ....can't remember Anyway, that was never an issue. Whenever we'd go off the grid and onto standby we just paid more attention to what we were using. Your biggest draw will come from electric motors...fridge, freezer, sump/septic pump, well, heat/AC... you get the pix. But thats just when they start...something like 3 times the draw to start them, then to keep 'em running. The odds of all of them being called for at the same time is about a zillion to one. Now I'm talking about a conventional home with a combination of gas/electric. If your home is all electric, thats a different story.

I would say in your case a 250gal propane tank would be fine. 500 would be better. You can always call for refill if needed. The tanks do sit above ground but can be located quite a distance from home to not screw up your view.