Generator Selection?

[grsthegreat]

I cant hear my gen running if im indoors. Outside, thats a different issue. Neighbors dont care. One side Neighbor has a 20 kw Standby generac i gave him for free. The other has a portable 10 kw unit from Costco which is far noisier than mine. Our houses are over 600’ apart, so i cant hear either one running...maybe a slight hum. Really, my ac compressor runs way more, and is pretty noisy.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I ain't leaving my tractor running for days at a time. That's why they make purpose built standby generators. PTO generator might be fine for powering tools out in the woods for a few hours, but they will not provide the quality of power needed for today's appliances and electronics.

"Quality power" is mostly a myth. Modern switching power supplies will run fine on a square wave. The only thing you need is a surge suppressor and a good ground, because a well pump kicking off will spike a generator circuit pretty hard. No matter how expensive your generator, that will be a problem.

 

[shooterdon]

I never thought I would get a whole house unit but it ended up being the best choice. Knowing I am covered if the power goes out and I am not at home is important as my sump pump runs every 3 minutes during the spring and I have a finished basement. If I am home, at a time of the year the sump pump is not needed, I can manually cycle the generator to conserve fuel just like I used to do with the portable. I like not having to worry about fuel issues. Propane lasts a long time. And I have an extra 500 gallon tank that lets me spot buy when prices are attractive.

It is not the best choice for everyone and most people are smart enough to figure out what is best for their situation.

 

[Diggin It]

We're not going to see a huge price increase due to demand, are we? If I ordered today, it might be December before I got it. If I order in December, will it be February and another $500 or more?

 

[grsthegreat]

Who knows

 

[coobie]

We're not going to see a huge price increase due to demand, are we? If I ordered today, it might be December before I got it. If I order in December, will it be February and another $500 or more?

Who knows if there will be a HUGH price increase.With the state of affairs this country is in I would order now.

 

[m7040]

Was wondering with a PTO generator if they need to be sheltered from rain? Do they have to be covered? May someone using a PTO generator can chime in?

 

[grsthegreat]

Just lost power about 15 minutes ago.....generator power supplied 15 seconds later. Not even interrupted my breakfast

 

[Diggin It]

If'n I ever get one up and running, I'ma gonna wanna know about that GitHub thing.

 

[grsthegreat]

If'n I ever get one up and running, I'ma gonna wanna know about that GitHub thing.

Well, it wont work on newer generac systems. The new generacs have encrypted controllers that wont allow 3rd party controls.

 

[LouNY]

Was wondering with a PTO generator if they need to be sheltered from rain? Do they have to be covered? May someone using a PTO generator can chime in?

It would be nice to keep it under cover but then it takes more time to get to it when needed,
mine spends 90% of it's time parked right were it will be used.
I have run it without even dropping a draw pin in the trailer.
I do have a piece of heavy plastic that covers it,
I run it with that plastic in place most times.

View attachment after.jpg View attachment IMG_20171221_150647405.jpg

 

[grsthegreat]

Well....stupid power is still out. About 9 hours right now. Stupid wind

 

[Diggin It]

Well....stupid power is still out. About 9 hours right now. Stupid wind

Status?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Beleive another thread had a post of pwer back on, 14 hrs later.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ OK. I found it on the Run thread.


Just wondering how these hold up on multi-hour runs and what their thirst for go juice is.

 

[grsthegreat]

Yup, 14 hours run time. 19.6 gal of propane. Definitely doesnt sip, but kept my wife happy and house cool.

 

[Industrial Toys]

COOL? I have a fire going!

 

[grsthegreat]

COOL? I have a fire going!

Yesterday it was smoky outside so we had to keep windows closed. House was warm and stuffy without ac. Still summer here...supposed to be 90 this week.

 

[TMGT]

Just lost power about 15 minutes ago.....generator power supplied 15 seconds later. Not even interrupted my breakfast View attachment 668943

That's a pretty nice readout. What are you using and can it be applied to the my generator with the Nexus controller?

 

[grsthegreat]

GitHub - jgyates/genmon: Generac Generator Monitoring using a Raspberry Pi and WiFi
This us the web site that talks about the system. I believe it also works with the nexus system.
Its 1000x better than Generacs mobil link system, thats probably why generac began encryption on their newer units.