Back up Generators - finally looking.

[IXLR8]

One of my Maine neighbors has the noisy Kohler, the other a Generac, the other a cheap portable construction generator and I have a Honda inverter generator. My Honda is the quietest, followed by the Generac, then the portable generator and the Kohler is the loudest and drowns out all the other generators when it is running, it is also the farthest one from my house!!
I'll look into the Generac's and the Winco's, heck, it's only money and it doesn't cost to research.
GRSTHEGREAT- Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[jaydee325]

My step son was in a car accident and he is now confined to a wheel chair. He was using a portable generator for back up power but that is no longer an option for him. Wife wants to buy him a whole house standby generator and run it from the 500 gal propane tank that is there. I am still working on sizing it, which will depend on if she also decides to give him central AC as the house is in NC. My question is, do folks have recommended brands we should be looking at, or brands to avoid. My neighbor in Maine just installed a Kohler standby unit and it is LOUD, it drowns out all the other generators in the neighborhood when it is running. So Kohler is off my list unless someone knows this might be just one bad model. I don't know what model he installed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If there is a medical need, then you should be able to have insurance pickup all or part of the cost.

I've had 2 Generac 22kW units (2 different houses) and have been completely happy with them. I even went with the same dealer since they did a stellar job for me in both cases.

The Generac's are the air cooled Guardian units, but I am not concerned with the noise given the part time nature of the need and does not bother us. Also, deciding between a unit with the capacity to handle AC or not is really a moot point (IMHO) since the cost differential between say a 14kW and a 22kW Generac Guardian series is only about $1300.00 (refer to the Generac website). Also, there are other loads you can preferentially leave off like cloths driers or ovens in order to have the head room to cover AC.

As stated above, you can go with the liquid cooled units but those carry a pretty steep premium in cost.

I'd also let the installing dealer to the power requirement evaluation.

 

[grsthegreat]

honda inverters are super quiet, but also limited in output power (i believe 7,000 watts, but i may be wrong there) and they are not auto start. i really cant believe how quiet they are. but they cost almost the same as a generac 22,000 watt unit.

i have quite a few customers that are disabled and rely on generator for living. especially those with oxygen generator units. i have had some insurance companies install units for special needs customers.

my neighbor has very bad copd and very low lung function. i gave him a lightning damaged 20kw unit i repaired because he could not haul out the portable to fire up when power failed. his insurance co would not help, and he could not afford it himself. people forget that some people cant just pull out a portable generator when needed.

 

[Racenut]

We got a generator for my mother in law on the PG&E program. Had the rebate check in 2 weeks. Was actually surprised it came that fast. We got a dual fuel portable unit. Electric start with remote. 7500 watts running, 9500 peak, which is small for some people, but mom has simple needs and a smaller unit will be better on fuel. But not bad for an almost free generator, the rebate didn't cover sales tax.

 

[IXLR8]

honda inverters are super quiet, but also limited in output power (i believe 7,000 watts, but i may be wrong there) and they are not auto start. i really cant believe how quiet they are. but they cost almost the same as a generac 22,000 watt unit.

i have quite a few customers that are disabled and rely on generator for living. especially those with oxygen generator units. i have had some insurance companies install units for special needs customers.

my neighbor has very bad copd and very low lung function. i gave him a lightning damaged 20kw unit i repaired because he could not haul out the portable to fire up when power failed. his insurance co would not help, and he could not afford it himself. people forget that some people cant just pull out a portable generator when needed.

Yup, my Honda is super quiet, not sure how they do it. I park the unit about 20 ft from my bedroom window and I can't hear it running when I am sleeping. You are correct, only 7Kw, but that handles everything except my air compressor. It is push a button to automatically start the fuel injected unit, as long I remember to exercise it and the battery isn't dead. Which is the setup my wife needs when I am away from home.

 

[Hay Dude]

Natural gas is arguably the best fuel source for a home generator if you're fortunate enough to have the service available. Very few have it in my rural county.

The reliability of NG has definite advantages of other fuel sources but it isn't perfect. Distribution compressor stations can lose power during a wide spread outage. During hurricane Katrina, NG distribution was shut off for weeks in many cities due to the widespread destruction. After the loss of gas pressure, water entered the pipe distribution system and it took a lot of time and effort to purge.

Oddly enough, those with gas powered generators sometimes fair the best. Gasoline can be brought in to stricken areas by tanker and generators used to power up gas stations.

Weather and Ground conditions play a big role in the fuel of choice. We are blessed here to have nearly zero earthquakes and hurricanes with a lot of wind. Our worst weather anomaly is usually flooding and they have never cut the gas because if it. In fact, pressurizing the lines probably prevents more problems (unless lines are ruptured). Thankfully never an issue.
You guys on earthquake ground, forest fires and hurricanes may not fare well with gas.

 

[shooterdon]

I did not read the thread

Things to consider

Will your wife be able to put it on line in you are not home or are injured? PTO units suck for most women. Auto transfer is nice.

NG is best and propane next. No fuel to treat or go bad and no carb issues.

I had portable units and got a whole house Generac two years ago. IIRC cost installed was $6500-7000 for 13kw.

We had s three day outage a little while back and it sure was nice to be prepared.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I just picked up a backup generator today. It's probably about 50 years old, a 4000 watt 3600 rpm Dayton generator run by a 10 hp Briggs and Stratton. It's a rope pull motor, but does have an electric start. It has good compression, and the guy said it ran about a year and a half ago. He stored it with the gas tank empty, and the oil showed use but was fairly clean. $50.

 

[ponytug]

Interesting selection of outlets, and a great score!

All the best, Peter

 

[Grumpycat]

Price a Tesla Powerwall. 13 kWh for $10,000 for the first one, $7,000 for each thereafter to expand your capacity. The installer will want to sell PV solar too but that is optional. 26% Federal tax credit. Possibly more from California.

Will not only carry you though most outages but can be automatically configured to charge from the grid at night when T.O.U. is low to assist in daytime use.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Interesting selection of outlets, and a great score!

All the best, Peter

There are two 15a household plugs on the other side of the generator box. No sign of breakers, so there must be fuses in the box. There are battery lugs on the back of the box for the starter. I have an old pair of garden cart wheels that I could stick under it. The 230 volt plug is labeled 17.5 amps. At 4000 watts. the motor would be running at 53% load, give or take. It hasn't even run hot enough to burn the paint off the cooling fins.

I just moved it into the shop with the tractor. I have more firewood to cut, but am eager to check the wiring and try to start it. The engine has a lot of spare power, so I might put a dual fuel carb on it for fun.

 

[bdhsfz6]

There are two 15a household plugs on the other side of the generator box. No sign of breakers, so there must be fuses in the box. There are battery lugs on the back of the box for the starter. I have an old pair of garden cart wheels that I could stick under it. The 230 volt plug is labeled 17.5 amps. At 4000 watts. the motor would be running at 53% load, give or take. It hasn't even run hot enough to burn the paint off the cooling fins.

I just moved it into the shop with the tractor. I have more firewood to cut, but am eager to check the wiring and try to start it. The engine has a lot of spare power, so I might put a dual fuel carb on it for fun.

Great find and good luck with your project!

 

[tradosaurus]

I live out in the country and racked my brain what type of generator I needed, how often I would need it and how I would fuel the generator.

I settled on a 10,000 watt Champion duel fuel generator. Champion Duel Fuel Generator

In 5 years on my property the power has gone out a few times, the longest 12 hrs.

I use non-ethanol gas to store while the generator is not used but will use regular unleaded if I need it. I have the option of using propane but a lower watt capacity. I start and run the generator on the 1st of each month for about 10 minutes.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Price a Tesla Powerwall. 13 kWh for $10,000 for the first one, $7,000 for each thereafter to expand your capacity. The installer will want to sell PV solar too but that is optional. 26% Federal tax credit. Possibly more from California.

Will not only carry you though most outages but can be automatically configured to charge from the grid at night when T.O.U. is low to assist in daytime use.

I've been looking at the Tesla Powerwall ever since they were first put on the market. It's a convenient solution for short duration outages.

Powerwall | Tesla

Powerwall is a home battery designed to store energy from solar or the grid, so you can use it anytime you want—at night or during an outage.

www.tesla.com

In my case, a single 13KW unit would power the household essentials for just under 24 hours. Unfortunately, outages around here aren't frequent but when they happen, they can last for days.

I would need at least 2 units for around $17K. Figure another $2K to install a transfer switch and I'm pushing 20 grand. Add the cost of solar and... just wow!

Sure, there are few maintenance issues but what about the useful life of the units? For that kind of money, I could buy a top of the line diesel generator and fuel it for decades.

Still, it's an intriguing concept which, in my case, could become practical if the price drops 30% or so.

 

[TractorTYMe]

Last fall I got a power meter mounted Generlink switch($1000) and a Duramax XP12000EH for ($1300) yes it is a manual setup, but worked very well for our 1st power outage vs the money I had to spend to keep essentials going in my house. I only have a 2 bedroom 750sq/ft house.

 

[Dftodd]

I live out in the country and racked my brain what type of generator I needed, how often I would need it and how I would fuel the generator.

I settled on a 10,000 watt Champion duel fuel generator. Champion Duel Fuel Generator

In 5 years on my property the power has gone out a few times, the longest 12 hrs.

I use non-ethanol gas to store while the generator is not used but will use regular unleaded if I need it. I have the option of using propane but a lower watt capacity. I start and run the generator on the 1st of each month for about 10 minutes.

Sams club was had a pallet of champion dual fuel generators, 4,400 watt for $372 yesterday while wife and I were there.

Ended up picking one up for a just in case.

We were quite comfortable at our house in the winter with an old 3,000 watt Chinese model for the occasional power outages. Had a wood burning fire place insert. So the generator would operate the blower fan to get heat out of the insert. As well as a few lights, TV, and microwave.

Gave the old Chinese model to my son when we moved.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Great find and good luck with your project!

It was apparently a Winco product, though I don't see the name anywhere. I found a video of one with an identical cart under it, and pretty close to the same engine. The title says 1957, the voice says 1963. I suspect it was a 1963 model, purchased right after the 1962 Cat 5 that hit the PNW.

Mine has a 4000 watt generator rather than a 3500 watt, and a slightly later Briggs 23A engine. I looked inside the generator box - no fuses. The engine is good for 7 kw, so I hope the windings aren't fried. If they are, I will just scrap it. There's enough copper in it to get my $50 back, and the engine would be worth something too.

I'll probably redo the cart with space for a starter battery and a small distribution panel with breakers and a 15 amp GFI receptacle. I'm torn between keeping it original as an antique or sticking a dual fuel carb on it. That's a rainy day project.

The drought is back with a vengeance here in the PNW, so I'm cleaning up downed trees to prep for fire season. There's room for 9 cords in my woodshed, and I may get there. I'm working on cleaning out old firewood in the back of the woodshed. I'm burning wood I cut 20 years ago. It's like an archaeological dig.

 

[Grumpycat]

I've been looking at the Tesla Powerwall ever since they were first put on the market. It's a convenient solution for short duration outages.

Powerwall | Tesla

Powerwall is a home battery designed to store energy from solar or the grid, so you can use it anytime you want—at night or during an outage.

www.tesla.com

In my case, a single 13KW unit would power the household essentials for just under 24 hours. Unfortunately, outages around here aren't frequent but when they happen, they can last for days.

I would need at least 2 units for around $17K. Figure another $2K to install a transfer switch and I'm pushing 20 grand. Add the cost of solar and... just wow!

Sure, there are few maintenance issues but what about the useful life of the units? For that kind of money, I could buy a top of the line diesel generator and fuel it for decades.

Still, it's an intriguing concept which, in my case, could become practical if the price drops 30% or so.

The first Powerwall is $10k because it includes the Tesla Energy Gateway which monitors in/out flow and serves as the transfer switch. Also HVAC and other high users require a soft start mod under control of the Energy Gateway. I suspect the soft start also allows Tesla to disable that device if available power is insufficient.

The warranty is 10 years.

Not sure about the options to pair with a traditional generator. Other PV-battery off-grid solutions integrate generator options.

 

[ponytug]

The first Powerwall is $10k because it includes the Tesla Energy Gateway which monitors in/out flow and serves as the transfer switch. Also HVAC and other high users require a soft start mod under control of the Energy Gateway. I suspect the soft start also allows Tesla to disable that device if available power is insufficient.

The warranty is 10 years.

Not sure about the options to pair with a traditional generator. Other PV-battery off-grid solutions integrate generator options.

"Pairing" with a generator is just an extra transfer switch between the gateway/powerwall(s) and the house. The house either pulls from the generator, or from the powerwall(s)/grid.

If you have solar, solar can recharge the powerwalls, and when paired with a generator, can recharge the powerwalls while the generator is supplying the house. What you can't do is charge the powerwalls with the generator, unless you are 100% off grid 100% of the time, in which case the powerwalls can be programmed to work with generators.

Perhaps at some point in the future Tesla will support generators more fully, but not at the moment.

All the best,

Peter

 

[JDZ735M]

"Pairing" with a generator is just an extra transfer switch between the gateway/powerwall(s) and the house. The house either pulls from the generator, or from the powerwall(s)/grid.

If you have solar, solar can recharge the powerwalls, and when paired with a generator, can recharge the powerwalls while the generator is supplying the house. What you can't do is charge the powerwalls with the generator, unless you are 100% off grid 100% of the time, in which case the powerwalls can be programmed to work with generators.

Perhaps at some point in the future Tesla will support generators more fully, but not at the moment.

All the best,

Peter

Very Interesting!