Portable Generator

[kcflhrc]

Oh lord, never mind. All this over a simple generator question. Maybe I should have asked about pallets or what oil to use.

 

[Garandman]

Oh lord, never mind. All this over a simple generator question. Maybe I should have asked about pallets or what oil to use.

Grumpycat is grumpy.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I've found good prices on PowerMax and DuroMax generators. Bought mine on Ebay - 8500/7000. Runs great.

Yes, I backfeed the thing into a 220 outlet located outside on the rear porch. As seldom as I need this, I decided not to invest in the transfer switch. Don;t forget to kill your main breaker!

Although this is pretty simple, I printed a checklist and have it attached to the generator to always remind me not to skip the breaker. The last thing you ever want to do is push power out on the main lines. Since we are building a new home, I do plan to have a proper setup on the new construction.

 

[kcflhrc]

Tractor Supply has a Champion 3650/4500 on sale for $299. That seems like a good deal. No wheels though, just the generator.

 

[jwstewar]

I have one of the Champion 3500 generators. Bought it at TSC several years back. At that time it was $299 plus I got a $75 gift card back for TSC. I also have a Generac 5500 generator that I bought when that derecho went through back in 2012 I think. Both have been good generators and both have several hours on them. When the derecho went through, I ran that little Champion for 72 hours straight only shutting down about 15 minutes once a day to refuel. The Champion is much quieter and starts much easier than the Generac. Also the Champion is truly putting out 60 hz, the Generac is a little higher than that, not sure on the exact number but if you plug an analog clock into it, it will gain time. Obviously since it is smaller, the Champion uses less full. Both have been good, can't complain about either one. I'm guessing the Champion has about 200 hours and the Generac probably 30. I pull both of them out of the building every 2 or 3 months. Let them run with a light load on them (both poles) for 15 minutes or so. Neither have had any issues.

 

[Egon]

For the type of service the OP is looking at any one of the low cost generators on the market should do the job. He has to determine what size is required.

I have a 3500 watt Generac and a 1500 watt Champion. Both low cost. Both do what is required of them.

But I do gotta warn folks about Bath Tubs. They can be hazardous to ones well being. But If'n you don't use them then it's hazardous to the Social Life. What does one do?

 

[buickanddeere]

Loading continuously beyond 80% of rated current is not a good idea with any consumer grade generator . Loading continuously beyond 2/3 of rated current on the bargain consumer generators is not recommended .

 

[GaryLock]

So can you offer any advice on make or model or just have the need to put down this generator?

Wasn't meaning to put it down, just super-surprised at the fuel usage. If someone is looking for a storm-generator, then they should make sure they have enough gas to run the thing for a while. My neighbors all have generators after our 2008 12-day blackout from the ice storm we had. Not one of them has more than a single 5-gallon can. I have tried to explain to them that it will barely get them through a day, used sparingly. they think that will be fine, and they can get more at the gas station. The next city over had gasoline, but you couldn't get there for 3 days due to downed trees. No gas station in town had power for almost ten days. So, I would just point out that fuel economy is actually quite important. I have two Honda EU2000s hooked together to give 4000 watts (max). Running both during daytime, and one overnight, gets me heat, lights, fridge, freezer, etc., all on less than 4 gallons a day. With 54 gallons total, that is two weeks of use without worrying about running out for fuel. And in the good practice of preparedness, if one went bad, I would still have the other to power the essentials.

 

[kcflhrc]

I think we all seem to forget that we live in different parts of the country with waaaaay different ideas of power outages. I think the very worst I can remember in the Kansas City area was around 2 or 3 days after a major ice storm. I have never not been able to get to or find gas in a storm. I like the generator idea for those very rare occasions, but truthfully, I may never see one of those rare occasions again. I have only lived rural for 2 years and our power appears to be very reliable. But all bets are off in an ice storm. I really need to rewire my 200 amp panel anyway so I may go ahead and put in a real transfer switch then. But for now, something very temporary will work just fine.

 

[jymbee]

You may want to rethink the propane idea, especially since it's a dual fuel generator.

...

If you have a dual fuel genny, you can run gasoline when you have it and keep your LP stashed away for the bad times.

Do these dual fuel generators produce the same amount of noise with both fuels?