Back-up Generators, Advice?

[Sask 2210]

I live on 5 acres, @15 min. out of the city. Power outages are common, usually @ 5 mins. Last winter, however, had an outage last @5hrs., was -30 outside. Thinking about a generator for furnace, as well as keeping fridges/freezer running. Any advice on what brand, size, type of engine, featyres to look for? Like the Kubota Diesel, but have not done much research, yet...also, do not like the local Kubota dealer. Any advice appreciated,
2210

 

[kennyd]

To get some answers to your questions, you need to answer some first...

1. Do you want a portable genset, or a installed automatic genset?

2. Do you have natural gas, propane gas or neither?

3. How much are you looking to spend?

I installed a propane fired 15kw Generac Automatic Standby generator last year at my house. When the power goes out, it starts automatically and we have power back within 35 seconds. It runs about half of my house, and now has 36 hours on it. I could not be happier with it. I think they are the best value for residential backup gensets. I paid about $2800.00 for mine plus an additional $400.00 or so for the mics, materials to install it. The labor was free!

I will be happy to answer any questions about them, but please answer the questions above...

 

[Sask 2210]

The Kubota I was looking at is 22kW, diesel, with an optional trailer mount, which makes it portable, in a sense...hook-up to the truck, down to the gas station, or anywhere else, I suppose. I do not think I am looking to be able to run my whole house, just the essentials... heat, refrigeration, limited lighting, etc. As to price, again, not sure...expecting at least $5000, all said and done (I live in Canada, prices are higher!) I suppose the trailer option is not really needed, I just like the idea of hook-up and go, although I doubt I would take it anywhere, and gas cans for the diesel would be alot cheaper. Did your dealer do your hook-up (free labour), or did you do it yourself?

JD 2210, fel,60’’3pt. mower, 6&12’’ auger,550 tiller, 50bus.spreader, etc.

 

[kennyd]

I did the complete installation myself...

So I guess you want a diesel genset since you did not answer the natural/propane question?

For the stuff you want to operate, a 10kw or 15kw will be fine...

What do you heat your house with? If electric, you may need biggger than a 22kw!

How much was the Kubota Genset?

 

[Sask 2210]

Natural gas is expensive, around here...that is what heats my house. I never thought of using it, although it would probably be more convenient than diesel, as I would not have to haul fuel, I could just tie-in to the main line into the house. I do not know how much the Kubota was, the website kept telling me my Postal Code was invalid (like it knows where I live!) I might have to seriously think about natural gas, for the convenience factor... does fuel type affect the way the generator works?

2210

 

[kennyd]

You get more power out of propane than NG, but not enough to worry over. There are more BTU's per gallon in propane.

The NG is the best solution IMHO, there are no feul storage issues, no hauling 5 gal. cans, no filling the tank, and if there is a major power outage, the local gas stations may be without power also.
And so is a automatic system if your power goes out frequently. I know my wife could not/would not drag out and hook up a portable genset if I am not home.

Do a TBN and a Google search for Generac, find a dealer in CA and get a price...

 

[RonMar]

Fuel type dosn't really effect the way it works. fuel runs the engine that turns the generator. It all comes down to BTU's and the BTU content of a particular fuel which will determine the ammount of fuel used per KW/HR. Some fuels are more efficient than others so you will use less per KW/HR. Some things to think about are ammount of useage. Diesel and Gasoline have storage limitations and need to be either used or changed out at a regular interval. If you have another piece of equipment that uses Diesel such as a tractor, then you could combine the storage tank so that the fuel at least gets used/rotated on a regular basis for the tractor, you just have to remember to keep it topped off. Temperature is also a factor. Diesel in cold weather needs additives to stay fluid and useable or it needs to be kept at a reasonable temperature. A genset setting out at -30 better have a pre-heater on it and the ability to regulate it's cooling airflow or it will not start easilly or run at an efficient temperature. A genset setting out in the cold with a pre-heater cooking away will use a lot of electricity to keep warm. Ideally it would be in an insulated hut all nice and toasty untill it runs, then automatic vents open to admit large quantities of cooling air(airflow dependant upon temperature).

It is hard to beat Propane/natural gas for a backup genset. Even bottled, it has no real storage limitations. LPG does have temp limitations so some pre-heating of the fuel will have to be done in cold temps but this is usually accomplished with generator waste heat. As a fuel supply, natural gas piped to your home is virtually unaffected by power outages and you would not ever forget to fill it.

 

[hockeypuck]

Briggs and stratton/ Cutler Hammer makes a great unit in the 12kw or 15 kw size. I have installed a few 15kw's and a few 12's , but the 15 is quiter than the 12 and is a much better piece of equipment. That said, if it were my house and you were home most of the time, I would go with a generator on wheels and roll it out when the power goes out and plug it into a manual transfer switch, especially if you can get away with less than 10 kw of back up power. You could save you self muchos dineros and have a portable generator to boot.

Puck

 

[Sask 2210]

I found a Generac dealer 1 province to the west (Alberta), e-mailed him for a quote on the 5254 & 5255 models, one being steel, the other aluminum, 16kW generators, with automatic switch-over. Not sure if they would sell/service to where i live (@8hr. drive), and the website says they are the closest, so I’ll wait for his reply. I never put much thought into the fuel question, specifically the shelf life of gas/diesel. Thanks for pointing that out. Natural Gas would be the cat’s a#*, with no re-fueling necessary. You are right about 1 thing...my wife, also, would never haul a portable over, much less hook it up...she still refuses to drive any of my tractors (after a bad tilling experience, tilling things she shouldn’t....)!
Thanks for the advice, guys

2210

 

[kennyd]

Do you have the ability to do some or all of the install yourself? The two major things are the gas piping and the electrical. Here is the US, you can get good deals online on the units.

The 16KW steel or AL units are the new version of the one I have.