Please post your generator choice and experiences

[techman]

As mentioned, storing gasoline is a consideration. Earlier I had a 7.5 KW gas generator, and after I got my Kubota, I ceased using gas around the house, except for some 2 cycle mix for the weed wacker and leaf blower. We had an outage in the winter, and the stale gas I had would not even start the generator. Took me hours to clear the driveway and find an open gas station in the snowstorm. So storage for me became a significant issue. That is when I switched to a diesel genset. If treated and you keep moisture out, as much as possible, diesel will last for years in a tank.

Just one more consideration. The cost to own is higher, but having the power, without fuel hassles, also has a price.

paul

 

[Dirtball]

1. I don't care for the cheaper gennys , but not everyone has the same budget. I am a hobby farmer and a hobby alternative energy guy, I get a kick out of having some comforts during outages and decreasing my stress level cause I own well maintained equiptment. I can leave my pets in the AC during a summer outage and go to work leaving the genny unattended.
2. I think a genny needs frequent oil changes with good oil and close monitoring. An air cooled genny that has a 1.2 quart oil sump and burns some oil running WOT in the heat under load shouldn't be allowed to run down 1/2 qt. would you let your tractor that holds 4 qts run on 2.4 qts? No.
3. There is so much written about how to size it, auto on or not, portable or not, fuel choice. I can say from experience that if you really NEED backup power, have plan B to the backup genny, cause everything can fail. A 12 yr old dry rotted $10 fuel line shut down my 20kw topshelf Kohler diesel genny once.
4. Honda EU2000i little suitcase unit is $1000. It will keep the fridge on ,lights, fan. You can trade it like silver bullion. Everyone knows what it is.
5. Yes 5. Those pretty Generac propane 20kw NG/LP for $3800 that sit outside on a pad...... sit outside on a pad. Do you leave your Kohler powered lawnmower and electric bench grinder outside year round in a cheap tincan? No you store them indoors. So the genny that lives outside will not fare as well as one that gets a nicer home in an outbuilding.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I recently went through this decision process and its was harder than I thought. Here is what I learned - and I am in the northeast, so we get "warnings" of hurricanes and blizzards so we tend to be better prepared or warned than other parts of the country.

A natural gas or propane fired generator uses more gallons of fuel per electricity created than gasoline and although you may have large storage tanks...they 1. May be near empty when the crap hits the fan, or 2. if a real bad disaster, the trucks to fill them might not be able to get to you or cannot fill themselves at their facilities Depending on your set up, you could be heating your house, stove, water and running your generator all on the same fuel source. If you get a propane fired generator - legally (I may be wrong or this may be different for different locations) the generator has to be mounted so not to shake the gas fitting that attaches to it. So having a portable genny becomes a "permanent" version.

Gasoline - when we lost power for over a week due to a hurricane - the gas stations could not pump either. Getting gas was a real issue. I prepared by buying lots of 5 gallon gas containers and when we are warned of a storm I fill them all up - they do not go to waste as I just add them to the cars when the storm is over. Also - most cars have anti siphoning devices installed so your car tanks become a significant challenge to get the fuel out - it can be done but its a challenge especially without power.....also my boat worked as a good source..just a thought.

I went through my whole house and added up all of the amperage and wattage and made my decision there. Also - I installed a throw swtich that allows me to manage what circuits are on or off. If you have a transfer swtich, you have to make the decision of what circuits you want to be able to run via the genny. Once wired that way you cannot change it without an electrician. For us - heat in the winter is the most critical not ac. But, my hot water heater takes 4500 watts just to run.

As for a PTO generator - I would think you may really need your tractor at this time...snow, trees etc.

Diesel - same as above with gasoline....you have to have a supply or its lights out again. And the bigger the generator, the bigger the fuel consumption.

I really liked the Generac stand by units that were powered by propane....but I went for gasoling due to being portable and the possible need to assist other neighbors by lending them my generator. I went with generac 7500 watts and I can manage my whole house with that..no ...not the ac....but I can heat, run hot water, coffee makers, freezers and fridges without issues.

I also installed a fuel drain on the generac and NEVER leave any fuel in the carb or tank. I charge the starting battery every month - I put a reminder in my outlook calendar.

 

[joshuabardwell]

For large whole-house generators, I haven't seen cases where the gasoline options were even that prevalent. It's generally propane/NG or diesel for the big water-cooled units.

When comparing gasoline and diesel fuel costs, make sure to figure that most people running a whole-house generator are buying off-road diesel (no road tax) and storing it bulk.

You're absolutely right. I was thinking more along the lines of portable generators. For whole-house generators, diesel or LPG/NG are the most prevalent options.

 

[3930dave]

If you have a local well respected equipment rental shop, check with them. My preference is an independent shop that is known for small motor service, as opposed to a big box rental counter.

A buddy of mine has had good luck getting deals on Honda generators from an area shop. Honda, and maybe some of the other big names, seem to require an established dealer to buy a minimum annual # of units for their rental fleet. So, you often can find a unit that is not that old, with low hours, and with the right shop - properly maintained.

Not saying that you can expect to find these for 10 cents on the dollar, but it may be worth the time to check in your area.

Rgds, D.

 

[RoyJackson]

For most people, I don't think diesel generators make sense. Here's why. It's true that diesel generators are more reliable and fuel-efficient than gas generators. Because they run at lower RPMs, they are usually also quieter. But they're typically around double the cost of a gas generator for the same wattage.

For most TBNers, a PTO genny would make most sense, most of the time.
The power outage in the SE and Mid-Atlantic areas (WV, specifically) have been extraordinary...same as the 4 day outage we experienced in south central PA during the snow storm last 31st Oct. So, for most of us...a PTO genny.
It really depends on what you'll need to power and how prepared (or over prepared) someone wants to be...

 

[Locoweed]

My thoughts are that in case of a emergency, I want something I can rely upon. That excludes anything made in China for me.

 

[patrick_g]

I have three generators: 1. 17KW LPG autostart Generac for house. 2. Small LPG Generac in slide-in pickup camper, runs A/C or microwave but not both. 3. 17.5 kw gasoline Generac on welding trailer which runs MIG, stick, plasma, grinders, chopsaw etc. They all work perfectly with no maint beyond oil and filter change. I have had 2 small Honda gas generators, hand portable 1000 watt and they both worked perfectly and started easily with pull rope.

 

[hr3]

I too have 3 generators..First in line is the Generac 8 kw run through an automatic transfer switch.. This is for the wife when I'm not home.. Second is a Honda 6.5 kw liquid cooled.. It's setup in the garage and is exhausted to the outside.. This too is automatic all you do is start it up and hit a button and it will automaticly transfer from the Generac to the Honda.. Last is a PTO setup.. 8kw again hooked up the the wifes g1800..

I like to cover all the fuel bases,,

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,
My first consideration would be the connection. The size of amperage needed, and then the generator itself. Having bulk off-road diesel helps with this part. Multiple tractors also helps with the type of generator. I have and use a bunch of different generators. But, when the power is going to be off a long time, a tractor is hooked to a pto generator to supply power.
JD 6430 using 540E with 30kw pto generator with the engine turning at a miserly 1580rpm using 1.1 gallons an hour. The load ranges between 5kw to about 22kw. Connection is through full power connection at the central farm distribution at the meter. Works great. :cool2: