Cheap Generator

[techman]

Plus diesel can be stored for a looooong time.

paul

 

[dave1949]

Getting back to the original question: get water to the horses and run the septic pump, if the septic pump can go several days without running, can you store water for the horses in those 275 gal. totes where it wouldn't freeze? In a long outage, perhaps you could find somewhere to refill them, hauled in a pickup.

The water should be safe for you and the horses if you add treatment to it and replace with fresh water every 3 months or so.

 

[newbury]

those 275 gal. totes where it wouldn't freeze? In a long outage, perhaps you could find somewhere to refill them, hauled in a pickup.

Totes - easy to fill and transport.

I keep one filled with rainwater running off a metal roof. Be careful toting them partially filled in a SRW pickup. I saw a lawn co. truck w/ one about 3/4 filled do a tight turn at low speed in our cul-de-sac and it about went on two wheels as all the liquid sloshed to the side.

OP - It seems mission creep has destroyed your $300 generator target. There are many much better threads on generator/well pumps/fuel on the board, some of what is rehashed here partially.

Just remember the generator and adequate fuel in your possession is worth twice the generator you don't have. I've 4 generators from 1KW to 12 KW.
I'd rather have the 1KW running than the 12KW not running.

 

[IXLR8]

Those gasoline generators will run you out of house and home in supplying fuel for them. I'd get a diesel generator. You can get several different air cooled ones that'll use way less fuel than a gasoline one. Even for our 4 kw unit, I had to keep several containers of fuel around because it used 1/2 gallon/hr. The ones other people are talking about (10 kw ones) would burn in excess of 1 gallon/hr. A diesel would use 1/3 to 1/2 less. Generally, a carbed gasoline engine will burn 50% more than a diesel engine. A lot safer to keep some diesel fuel around than to have gasoline containers.

Ralph

I would love to have a diesel generator, but they typically cost 3 times a gas generator. I can buy a lot of gas for that price difference, and we loose power about once per year and so far it hasn't been for more than 30 hrs. I am having trouble justifying a diesel generator as much as I want one.

 

[s219]

I suppose diesel might be hard to justify for smaller units, but once you get to higher kW outputs, gas generators aren't even really available (in typical scenarios). From there on up, it's usually a choice between propane/NG or diesel.

Normally the justification for diesel vs. gas in a small generator comes down to longevity. Diesels are almost always liquid-cooled and run at 1800rpm, whereas the gas units are almost always air-cooled and run at 3600rpm. The diesels cost more but they will last longer, and run cooler/quieter. In the long run, that should do a lot to offset the initial cost differences.

 

[Egbert]

TSC Champion 3500/4000 240V $299.99

 

[RSKY]

I live in the county that was hit the hardest during the 2009 ice storm. We were without power for more than two weeks. I started out with a 2000 watt generator that my son-in-law had. Ended up buying a 4000 watt Chinese because it was all I could find. Cost me $400. After the storm it sat in a storage building for a couple years then I got it out and started it and changed the oil etc. Made the mistake of letting it sit for a couple more years with gas that had alcohol in it. Ruined the carb and with another problem, also my fault, it had I just junked it. I got my $400 out of it during the fourteen days it ran continuously providing power for our fridge, freezer, TV, etc. for the twelve people staying in my house. Of course there were extension cords running all over the house but so what. Also we had gas heat and city water.

The point I am trying to make is that some of my relatives and co-workers spent as much as $12,000 installing whole house generators that would come on automatically when the power went off. Those units have been sitting there for years without being used. I spent $400. Don't throw away your money buying a super duper diesel/natural gas powered unit that will be used at most a few hours a year. If you are like me you don't have the money to splurge on a never used gen set. The exception to this would be it there was someone in your home that had a medical problem that necessitated power.

Also make sure you run it until empty of fuel before storing and if possible buy gas that does not have alcohol in it. For sure don't store it with gasohol in it.

With your budget I would get one of the Chinese gensets, make sure you use alcohol free gas, and spent the money saved on something else.

Oh yes, one other thing, my wife could not start the generator. Make sure yours can or be prepared to spent extra for electric start.

RSKY

 

[tractchores]

The point I am trying to make is that some of my relatives and co-workers spent as much as $12,000 installing whole house generators that would come on automatically when the power went off. Those units have been sitting there for years without being used.

That's the best protection, either live by someone who just got a new one or get a new one yourself. After a couple extended outages I upgraded my 30+ year old Honda for a bigger Honda to run the hot water and with electric start so the wife could run it. That was 2 years ago... we've of course not lost power since.

There's a lot of people with barely used generators out there and usually they show up on craigslist eventually, but they don't last long. If you buy one that way make sure that you test it to ensure it puts out electricity (portable light or a power tool is a good test). Some of them have good motors, but the electric generation portion is shot and extremely expensive to fix... usually more than the generator is worth.

 

[Travelover]

...........
There's a lot of people with barely used generators out there and usually they show up on craigslist eventually, but they don't last long. If you buy one that way make sure that you test it to ensure it puts out electricity (portable light or a power tool is a good test). Some of them have good motors, but the electric generation portion is shot and extremely expensive to fix... usually more than the generator is worth.

I agree. In a metro area especially, there are lots of generators with low to no hours for sale. You have to watch Craigslist constantly and jump on the deal when it appears. I think that the OP can do it for $300.

Re whole house generators, the ones in my neighborhood automatically start every week and run for at least a 1/2 hour. These are run on natural gas. So, when there is a blackout they are ready to go.

 

[George2615]

I didn't read all the replies but unless you can find a good used generator the price you want to spend is too low. I'd suggest 5KW as a minimum not needing A/C this time of year. I had one but sold it a few years ago for $300 so they are available from time to time. I went with a 10KW which will run my entire house summer or winter. My old 5KW would run my 220V well pump, kitchen fridge, freezer in garage, all lighting, TV's, and furnace. Basically the entire house and garage / shop without the A/C.