PTO generator selection help

[PILOON]

For heat source to keep propane warm you could resort to using heated tracing wire as used in water supply lines.
Usually self regulating, water proof and sold by the foot.
effect.
Generally offered in 3 or 6 watts per foot and available for 110 or 220 power.

Properly installed the power company would keep you propane warm and when an outage the generator would take over that duty.
I have used tracing wire in many pump installations and they are very reliable as well as affordable.

Tracing wire is self regulating and only consumes power when it gets close to freezing so it is fairly economical to use.
I'd probably wrap a tank every 3 inches or so and perhaps simply use duct tape to hold it in place.

OH, and I'd add a wrap or 2 around the regulator as they do freeze up due to venturi effect.

 

[workinonit]

I'm just curious...what's the issue with putting a larger, say, 200 gallon or 500 gallon tank vs a 100 gallon? I have a 500 but could have gotten a 1000 if I wanted. I never understand thee propane tank size arguments.

 

[grsthegreat]

I'm just curious...what's the issue with putting a larger, say, 200 gallon or 500 gallon tank vs a 100 gallon? I have a 500 but could have gotten a 1000 if I wanted. I never understand thee propane tank size arguments.

Sometimes its the propane companies themselves. They allow certain size tanks depending on load. If you purchase the tank, you can get whatever you want, if you rent a tank, its their decision.

 

[tradosaurus]

For me its cost.

At $2.xx / lb of propane and the cost of the tank, 100 lbs is as large as I want to go.

Also since I would be buying a dual fuel generator I have the gas option as well.

 

[tradosaurus]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/CHAMPION-POWER-EQUIPMENT-10-000-8-000-Watt-Dual-Fuel-Push-Start-Gasoline-Powered-Portable-Generator-100297/301793638

Just bought this one. With 10% discount code and using my Ag exemption I was able to get it for $990.00.

 

[TheMan419]

The generator is for short term (2 days or less) not for long term.

Talking to long term residents in my area the one big incident was a once and a lifetime ice storm that cut power for 3 weeks.

I'm not planning on spending $6 - 10k on a once and a lifetime incident.

As far a cold and propane I would probably buy a waterproof heating blanket to minimize issues with the propane.
Amazon.com: ARRIS Heated Blanket, 5V Electric Outdoor Waterproof Fleece Blanket with Hood, Waterproof Windproof Stadium Mat for Camping, Picnic, Sports, Football, Concerts, 55 x 27.6 inc ? Kitchen & Dining

Amen. Since I am still capeable of dealing with a portable generator I see no need to spend that kidn of money on a whole house/standby generator. I get if someone is physically unable to deal with a portable.

We lost power for 24 hours right at the first of the year. The think we learned is that we want to have power in the barn so we can more easily water the animals. I will spend a few hundred to wire that panel for its own portable generator hook up. A cheap harbor freight generator will work for that use. However I am contemplating a $1200 larger inverter generator to run the house and moving the current portable to use for the barn during power outages.

I run mine on gasoline as for me it is easy to keep on hand. I fill up a couple 5 gal jugs in the fall and stabil them. That is enough to run the generator for 20 hours or so.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Sometimes its the propane companies themselves. They allow certain size tanks depending on load. If you purchase the tank, you can get whatever you want, if you rent a tank, its their decision.

Propane companies here, if you have a rented tank (not all charge rent) and you have a bigger tank, if you aren't using enough propane (you have a woodstove or saving fuel for a generator) they will come replace your tank for a smaller one.

Perhaps IF you are willing to pay "rent" for the tank, they will overlook that? I never asked, as I changed propane suppliers a couple years ago and even though I'm using a woodstove, they "so far" haven't bothered me, and I pay NO rent or other charges, I just pay for the propane.

They are still family owned, and that good service will probably change as soon as they get gobbled up!

SR

 

[workinonit]

The dealers here supply the tanks at no charge. I could have gotten any size I want. I use propane for my Wolf dual fuel range, dual fuel heat pump gas pack, second gas pack and one of my 2 hot water heaters. I have a 500 gallon tank. But when my mom was living she only had the standby gen and gas logs. She chose a 500. If you want your tank under ground you must purchase it. The only thing I own on the setup is the regulator which had to be replaced recently.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

How long do you expect a 100 pound tank to last??

SR

Just guessing, but it should be good for around 200 hours at 50% load, give or take a little.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Just guessing, but it should be good for around 200 hours at 50% load, give or take a little.

200 HUNDRED hours from a 100 pound tank???

What's in that 100 pound tank, nuclear fuel?? lol

SR