Time for a new portable generator

[ericm979]

(We use a whole house battery/solar system now, no generator - yet. I'm considering adding a generator for winter power failures to top up the batteries...)

Solar + battery + generator to keep the battery topped up would be a good solution for us. We have frequent and often long power outages, especially in winter. But I can't find anyone who makes that. It seems like something you'd have to piece together.

 

[ning]

Enphase's units support this now. Can use any sort of 240v generator - manual start or electric (two different methods) automatic start driven from the main switch ("Enpower").

A benefit I see to the generator+battery system is that besides the security of topping the batteries in winter when solar production may be lower than usage (though we don't use a lot of power in the winter in general, a long dark storm in December or January can result in almost no solar), you can program the system to avoid the generator until some set percentage of battery, so most of the time the generator is off and then it's only on full-blast until it charges - and you can program allowed times to run it too (for quiet times - obviously programming assumes automatic start, and there's an override of the quiet time if the batteries get too low).

Something that really bugged me about running on generator is that it's out there chugging away even if you're only using 400W of power; my batteries can do that all day quietly.

 

[orezok]

If you plan to run electronic devices, and are going to buy a NEW generator, you definitely should buy an inverter style generator.

If all you are concerned about is our router and computer, don’t waste your money on an inverter generator. Buy a robust UPS instead. The generator only charge the batteries, and they don’t care about dirty electric and then the batteries run an inverter which puts out clean wave form electric.

 

[TheMan419]

Note that while many smaller non-inverter generators have a 240v outlet (my old 3300W Generac did), few inverter generators of any size do - that few that I've seen with a 240v outlet were (like 7000W+).

I used that Generac here and there for three years to cover our well, two refrigerators, one freezer, and occasional other small loads... and no, it didn't run all of that at once; if we needed to run the water, I'd have to disconnect the fridge/freezer loads and let the well run on its own - flush all the toilets as necessary, refill the dish tub in the sink, and a big drinking water jar, then wait a couple minutes for the well to turn off, and reconnect the fridge loads. It was cumbersome but it worked, and the 3300W unit was much less thirsty than a larger unit that would've run it all together.

(We use a whole house battery/solar system now, no generator - yet. I'm considering adding a generator for winter power failures to top up the batteries...)

Yes most of the inverter generators will not produce 240v until you get up to a larger size.

I want the larger size anyway. My thought process is if I am home shutting off the fridge to run the well is no big deal. The wife does not want to have to mess with that. She wants to just fire up the generator and know that she can run the basics of the house with no problem. Making sure you are not running the well, microwave and coffee pot all at the same time will be an easy sell.

I want the inverter type because when I get home at the end of the day I want to be able to watch TV or play on the net. Also for 90% of the day the load on the generator will be minimal so the ability of the inverter to consume less fuel will be good.

Given the lack of options for an inverter of the size I am wanting.... the Honda is out. At that price I might as well go whole house.

The Champion and HF units are basically at the same price point. So I would go Champion due to the longer warranty. Given I will then have two generators I will have a back up to the back up.

Around here if the power goes out it is generally not a wide area event. It is due to a storm. So you can get gasoline. You might have to go further than the station 3 miles away, but you are not going to have to go 30 miles.

Before a storm I make sure I have 15 gallons in the jerry cans and the 6 gallon tank on the generator is full. At 6 months I siphon off what is in the generator tank and run it through the car or lawnmower. Then refill with fresh stabiled gas. That system has kept the current generator running well for around 8 years. Knock on wood.

 

[fried1765]

Yes most of the inverter generators will not produce 240v until you get up to a larger size.

I want the larger size anyway. My thought process is if I am home shutting off the fridge to run the well is no big deal. The wife does not want to have to mess with that. She wants to just fire up the generator and know that she can run the basics of the house with no problem. Making sure you are not running the well, microwave and coffee pot all at the same time will be an easy sell.

I want the inverter type because when I get home at the end of the day I want to be able to watch TV or play on the net. Also for 90% of the day the load on the generator will be minimal so the ability of the inverter to consume less fuel will be good.

Given the lack of options for an inverter of the size I am wanting.... the Honda is out. At that price I might as well go whole house.

The Champion and HF units are basically at the same price point. So I would go Champion due to the longer warranty. Given I will then have two generators I will have a back up to the back up.

Around here if the power goes out it is generally not a wide area event. It is due to a storm. So you can get gasoline. You might have to go further than the station 3 miles away, but you are not going to have to go 30 miles.

Before a storm I make sure I have 15 gallons in the jerry cans and the 6 gallon tank on the generator is full. At 6 months I siphon off what is in the generator tank and run it through the car or lawnmower. Then refill with fresh stabiled gas. That system has kept the current generator running well for around 8 years. Knock on wood.

If you can buy ethanol free gas, or aviation 100LL, you can go much longer before siphoning.

 

[kenmbz]

I have my router , NAS and WiFi on UPS, so Generator type doesn't matter.
TV etc. are fine on the Champion without issues.

 

[ning]

I have my router , NAS and WiFi on UPS, so Generator type doesn't matter.
TV etc. are fine on the Champion without issues.

I think a modern TV has the same issues as a router/nas/wifi - they're all electronic circuits and are presumably similarly sensitive to power deficiencies. Whether or not you actually run into trouble with a normal generator is another matter - I know that "you're not supposed to" use them together, and there are certainly anecdotes about problems, but ... has anyone on TBN ever had a problem?

 

[PILOON]

I always shut the fuel off and run mine dry.
Also keep an intelligent 'keeper' permantly hooked up.
My genny is an 'offshore' 9000 watt and I always watch TV and use my computer while on the genny and never any problems.
Also only use hi-test gas and full synthetic oils.

My take is that most modern electronics are low DC powered and some sort of transformer circuitry is used to convert to that DC and that in itself softens any pulses or wild spikes that damage components.

That said I experience many outages where I live (as many 'blips' as 15 over 24 hrs) and usually some 2-3 serious ones per month ranging from 3 hrs to 6-7 hrs.
Now I'm going on 9 years on my TV and about 7 on this laptop with no repairs needed.

Conveniently my generator sits outside in my lean to wood shed which is up against my concrete foundation so I don't even hear it running in the house.
While exhaust is thru a hole in the shed wall, I also installed a 12 inch 'muffin fan' to exhaust any carbon monoxide that occurs.

This home is well insulated and with the 9000 watt genny I can run 2-3 small ceramic heaters for the colder days until hydro is back up. Plus we have a slow combustion wood stove if needed (and the fireplace).

For cooking we use an induction hot plate and or the microwave oven.
For washing modern hot water tanks keep water usable to even shower for a few days.
Most important is running our septic and well pumps which are on dedicated circuits.

Life is good when U plan well for it.
Only downside is I need to be here to start the generator, but then being retired I mostly am.

 

[fried1765]

I always shut the fuel off and run mine dry.
Also keep an intelligent 'keeper' permantly hooked up.
My genny is an 'offshore' 9000 watt and I always watch TV and use my computer while on the genny and never any problems.
Also only use hi-test gas and full synthetic oils.

My take is that most modern electronics are low DC powered and some sort of transformer circuitry is used to convert to that DC and that in itself softens any pulses or wild spikes that damage components.

That said I experience many outages where I live (as many 'blips' as 15 over 24 hrs) and usually some 2-3 serious ones per month ranging from 3 hrs to 6-7 hrs.
Now I'm going on 9 years on my TV and about 7 on this laptop with no repairs needed.

Conveniently my generator sits outside in my lean to wood shed which is up against my concrete foundation so I don't even hear it running in the house.
While exhaust is thru a hole in the shed wall, I also installed a 12 inch 'muffin fan' to exhaust any carbon monoxide that occurs.

This home is well insulated and with the 9000 watt genny I can run 2-3 small ceramic heaters for the colder days until hydro is back up. Plus we have a slow combustion wood stove if needed (and the fireplace).

For cooking we use an induction hot plate and or the microwave oven.
For washing modern hot water tanks keep water usable to even shower for a few days.
Most important is running our septic and well pumps which are on dedicated circuits.

Life is good when U plan well for it.
Only downside is I need to be here to start the generator, but then being retired I mostly am.

I believe that your "hi-test" gas in Canada is all ethanol free.
That unfortunately is not the case in parts of the USA.

 

[caver]

I've had more stagnate fuel problems with the Hondas I own than any other engine.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've had more stagnate fuel problems with the Hondas I own than any other engine.

It's because they have the carbs leaned out so much, these days...

I've seen the same problem with several brands of these later build small gas engines, I've fixed all of mine by NEVER putting E fuel in them!

SR

 

[fried1765]

It's because they have the carbs leaned out so much, these days...

I've seen the same problem with several brands of these later build small gas engines, I've fixed all of mine by NEVER putting E fuel in them!

SR

That is the answer!

 

[caver]

It's because they have the carbs leaned out so much, these days...

The guy I bought my property from has a small engine business and he said the same thing about Hondas.

 

[LittleBill21]

The guy I bought my property from has a small engine business and he said the same thing about Hondas.

i bought a honda snowblower, jetted it up 2 sizes, and runs perfect now

 

[Patrick Herd]

I think a modern TV has the same issues as a router/nas/wifi - they're all electronic circuits and are presumably similarly sensitive to power deficiencies. Whether or not you actually run into trouble with a normal generator is another matter - I know that "you're not supposed to" use them together, and there are certainly anecdotes about problems, but ... has anyone on TBN ever had a problem?

A colleague lost a laptop charger to a small two stroke generator. Not from "spikes" or "impure sine waves" but from the governor sticking at WOT and causing the output to be 300+ Volts.

 

[check]

I believe that your "hi-test" gas in Canada is all ethanol free.
That unfortunately is not the case in parts of the USA.

Nope. Some gas stations have ethanol free high test gas, and some don’t.

 

[rekees4300]

Nope. Some gas stations have ethanol free high test gas, and some don’t.

Around here an ethanol free gas station is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, according to this website, there are 16211 in the USA.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[TheMan419]

Around here an ethanol free gas station is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, according to this website, there are 16211 in the USA.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

I ran into one due to road construction. I had to take a different route home from work for a couple weeks. The station had a sign out that they had E-free gas. They had some name for it, I forget what it was. In anyevent I do not know the cost difference between that and the E10 we get at the pump.

Looking at your link there is a station just south of me that has it. Might have to check them out.

 

[grsthegreat]

Here in n idaho ethanol free is about. $.30 more than reg gas…. Generally.
lately its about the same price as diesel, as diesel took a big hike in price.

 

[Spanky100]

I ran into one due to road construction. I had to take a different route home from work for a couple weeks. The station had a sign out that they had E-free gas. They had some name for it, I forget what it was. In anyevent I do not know the cost difference between that and the E10 we get at the pump.

Looking at your link there is a station just south of me that has it. Might have to check them out.

The 100 percent gasoline here is called "REC 89". It is 89 (R+M) octane and does include taxes for road use. Last night it was 1.00 dollar more per gallon (4.299 versus 3.299) then 87 Octane "Regular" gasoline with 10 percent ethanol. I use it for all my 2 cycle equipment and my gasoline generator with a carb. With Fuel Injected equipment I use 10 percent ethanol fuel as no carb subject to fuel varnish. I still use fuel stabilizer. My 14 year old 2000 watt inverter generator usually starts in 3 pulls for long storage times of 8 months.

Last night I filled up my 5 gallon REC 89 can for my neighbor (using my generator)who lost power Wednesday afternoon. there was a waiting line for the (2) REC 89 pumps due to the large amount of people without power from the recent storms. We shared stories about our un-reliable power company and how we hated to re-build carbs that used to run on 10 percent ethanol. I fit right in. The nice couple in front of me with 65 gallons worth of red 5 gallon containers said go in front of us as we will be here awhile.