Generator qwestions---we had serious power outage!!

[TractorLegend]

Ok mild power outage in Western WA...just dramatizing a weedle bit!! Only 4 days off line....
I want to get a TriFuel 20 hp Generator from Northern Tool. Its apparently capable of about 60 amps. I'd like to tap into our natural gas supply near the power panel.
I'm considering either a transfer switch or having entire panel retrofitted with one that is "generator ready". The walls around panel are finished so some dismemberment would be needed.
I'd like to be able to do wash and dry run lights freezer and fridge in the event of another storm (which will likely be in my great grandchildrens lifetime if I do all this!).
Is the transfer switch too small for a 60 amp gen?
The panel and transfer switch arent much different price for the part overall.
Labor likely would be.
Can the elbow on the output side of gas meter be turned into a tee with a quick disconnect fitting for purposes of gassing up tri fuel generator?
The meter appears to have a union at its outlet, then an elbow then straight pipe into cement stucco wall...
Any ideas appreciated.

ps haven't seen my tractor since Labor Day at rec property wahhhh!
Life happened....

 

[CurlyDave]

Can the elbow on the output side of gas meter be turned into a tee with a quick disconnect fitting for purposes of gassing up tri fuel generator?
The meter appears to have a union at its outlet, then an elbow then straight pipe into cement stucco wall...

Of course you can replace the elbow with a pipe tee, and then put anything rated for gas service in the female pipe thread of the tee.

You may need to increase the size of the gas meter--check with the gas company.

I'd like to be able to do wash and dry run lights freezer and fridge in the event of another storm (which will likely be in my great grandchildrens lifetime if I do all this!).

I think heat and/or AC will be the biggest loads, which you do not mention.

This generator Guardian Air-Cooled Standby Generator 9 kW (NG)/10 kW (LP) Dual Fuel, Model# 5241 |Residential Standby Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment , also from Northern Tool, may be better suited to the application you describe. It is not tri-fuel, but it is automatic, includes a transfer switch, and produces 75 amps @ 120 Volts on natural gas.

 

[IH3444]

You need to check you natural gas supply before purchasing a NG generator. I went through this several years ago and found I didn't have enough supply from the company gas line. You will be suprized as to how much NG these generators use, and gain respect for how much energy is actually stored in a gallon of gasoline, on top of then realizing how inexpensive gasoline is, when compared to fueling a NG generator. Definetly advantages to NG generators. Oil stays cleaner, constant supply, no road tax, etc.

 

[TractorLegend]

Good info about natural gas---I expect a natural gas run generator would derate power output some as opposed to running on gas.
I think the want of running on NG is that w/o power we have no gas station either.
Our home furnace is gas, so I suppose the draw is that of the blower and a possible tiny bit for gas valve closure.
Air conditioning is a fairly non issue in Seattle and we have none.

 

[CurlyDave]

I neglected to think about the wash/dry clothes part of your requirements.

Washer should be no problem.

A gas drier would be no problem. An electric drier would be a big draw, maybe your biggest. Not necessarily a problem, but think about how big the draw might be.

 

[kenmac]

Good info about natural gas---I expect a natural gas run generator would derate power output some as opposed to running on gas.




That would be 20% .Don't know how much you intend to run (amps). Leave off the a/c or anything 220 & you should be fine

 

[TractorLegend]

It appears an electric dryer is about 5750 watts. thats what i have.
heres a handy link for such info:
Portable and Emergency Generators Buyer's Guide | Northern Tool + Equipment


I would buy smaller gen if only the home were an issue but I have an auto shop with a compressor of about 34 amps (7.5hp) I'd like to be able to power up...thats why I thought the portable as opposed to stationary, I could use it both places.
If i had Bill's (Gates)money I'd just get all stationarys!! LOL
I queeried Northern as to how much nat gas per hour that tri fuel 20 hp uses as their spec sheet doesnt say.

Whats the big deal with turning off main breaker and powering your house with a generator through a 220 50 amp plug in (like a welders) and just choosing certain breakers?? as opposed to the transfer panel.

 

[Phils]

It appears an electric dryer is about 5750 watts.

Makes sense to me. When we first went "off-grid" we had an electric dryer. Our power was a Honda 5.5KW genset. Tried it only one time and the dryer took that generator to "parade rest" in seconds.

Bought a propane-fired dryer.

Phil

 

[reb]

Whats the big deal with turning off main breaker and powering your house with a generator through a 220 50 amp plug in (like a welders) and just choosing certain breakers?? as opposed to the transfer panel.

There are a couple of other recent threads here on the subject. The primary problem is safety. Check out this thread:

www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/90808-generator.html

 

[kenmac]

It appears an electric dryer is about 5750 watts. thats what i have.
heres a handy link for such info:
Portable and Emergency Generators Buyer's Guide | Northern Tool + Equipment


Remember start up amps on an electric motor is alot higher (mabe 2 x as much )than the total run watts/ amps . Remember to figure this in when sizing your gen.