Please post your generator choice and experiences

[Pete Judd]

On my go around the world sailboat, we rely on 12V, and have 10 golf cart batts. And a 6 hp diesel to power a 120 amp alt. It also has a diesel engine to push the boat when there is no wind. The boat has a 110 gallon tank that will give it a range of about 1800 miles under power. We power all our needs on 12v or a 2500 watt inverter. The boat is very "off grid".

Here at home we have been flooded in for days and with out power for over 9 days at a row, because the local PUD can not get their trucks over to my side of the valley. Our outages happen in the winter, and the stuff can be stuffed in ice chests on the deck, as day time temps, are low.

Out in a shed next to the house, I have some Phone Co. battery's that run at 24V connected to a 3000 watt UPS. It will power the pellet stove, some lights, and the frezzer, as well as the TV, and some computers and the DSL modem. We cook on propane camp stoves, flush with 5 gallon buckets filled at the pond, and can run the house on a little honda 800w inverter genset. I do keep an old Homlite 5k gas genset in the pump house so we can power the 240v deep well pump for potable water, but in 5 min it will pump up all the pressure tanks.

That said, I hate keeping gas around the house. Have some, but when flooded in, can't get to the station (if it has power), but I have always between 100-200 gal of off road diesel on hand.

This won't solve your cooling issues, but fans, sitting under trees, and finding other ways of getting out of the heat may be more cost effective. I see craigslist motorhome propane onan gentsets all the time for 3-500 bucks, and might solve a lot on your issues, and will power a window air unit, and your fridge and cool you as well, but just not as you have become used to.

 

[hr3]

With no meter on the base, there is no way for power to get back up the line. I hooked the output of the PTO generator to the load side, not the utility side.

My house has a 6 foot fence around it, including a motorized gate at the driveway entrance. Back then I lived by myself, so no kids in the household. Besides, it was about 15 degrees out, trust me, nobody was out enjoying a nice stroll that morning! I had a heck of a time just getting my tractor started.

That said, I agree that its bad practice and the only reason I resorted to this was that I had issues with my 8kw generator on an automatic transfer switch. I needed the power to keep my salt water fish and corals alive. Sometimes, during an emergency, you can be forced to do things that aren't always 100% safe.

The meter looks like a bypass meter we put in all the time.. The utility can pull down on the lever and change out the meter without shutting off the customers power... I could be wrong it's kinda hard to tell from the pic.

A better way would have been to unhook your 8kw from the transfer switch and tied in there,, All auto switches have a way to transfer without power to it..

 

[bucktaker]

The fuel cost is not cheap for gas with out 18 HP B&S old Coleman PowerMate 7500 but it will run the deep well pump or enough electric heaters or a window AC unit by managing the power load. Like in the 2009 ice storm to take hot showers (not needed that much) I had to cut heat usage to min with well off to heat hot water (80 gallons). Then keeping space heaters to min we would run the well pump and all four get a hot shower.

The thing will suck up a gallon of gas per hour so at $4 that is $100 per day for gas since we are all electric house.

$10,000 will get you a nice system and $2000 can get you an OK hack job. It boils down to money.

The ideal solution should work just fine if you in the hospital or dead. Yes dead. Hoaky hacks can work but do we really want to leave the wife and perhaps other family members without back up power?

For most of us this means contracting with a stable firm installing and servicing back up home generation systems. For some that may giving up one horse, a bass boat or at extra tractor or fun skid-steer loader, etc.

Quality mainly only cost once BUT it is always an upfront cost.

I am preaching to myself now but a back up system that requires us to be alive really is not a system with our family in mind. We may be alive but three days out of major surgery or forever limited from a stroke.

Hack jobs (portable equipment) and no code wiring are acceptable in a bind if we know and understand the risk AND do not make a major mistake when refueling at 3 am. In the 2009 we were only down three days (accidently bought the last house one a three phase grid) but had neighbors without power for about two weeks a quarter mile down the road but I can tell you feeding the generator every four hours 24 hours a day got old.

Be safe out there and consider a system that others can and will maintain for a fee if we are not able or around.

P.S. One option is to a small generator gas where you could power the frig/freezer from time to time and own a self contained RV with its on built in generator. Our old 20 year old motorhome if we park it full of gas and propane would give us a back up power living space if it did not become damaged. One plus of the old F700 flat bed dump is it has an open cap filler 50 gallon tank that I park full most of the time so a simple hose gives us access to another 45 gallons of gas right there.

My point is we can think outside of the box and let some of our toys do double duty.

Exactly as I do..... pair of honda eu2001's that are normally for camping with the LQ horse trailer. One will power the freezer, fridge, tv, sat dish, etc. one to loan to my parents, the horse trailer has a propane hot water heater for hot water and We have gas fireplaces for heat. If A/C is required we coudl huddle in Horse trailer.

 

[pclausen]

Howdy,
The connection is actually run back into the meter box and is tapped into the box on the back of the mounting.
click the picture for a zoomed larger picture.
View attachment 272582View attachment 272583
It is a 2 piece design. If you look at this pdf from thier website, you see the 2 piece design. TC-200M26W pdf You would just have the 2nd box mounted next to your meter with its pigtail either back to the collar, or wired back into the unit with short piece of conduit feeding to the 2nd box which houses its brains. (electronics) and, the TC-200M26W unit favors utility power. That means when the utility power is restored, it waits a short while to make sure its a steady 60Hz and 120 volts on each leg, then transfer back to it. That is when the power blinks off for about 30 seconds, and then comes back on from the utility.

Got it. Thanks!

How does the cost of this unit compare to, say ~$2000 for a "regular" 400A transfer switch?

 

[daybreak1998]

Got it. Thanks!

How does the cost of this unit compare to, say ~$2000 for a "regular" 400A transfer switch?

Howdy,
This link is from the utility for the prices they have. rec-electrical-services

A regular 400 amp transfer switch $2,400, electrician to install $200-800, permit $100, utility to pull meter and re-install, any other expenses.

PSP Products TC-200M26W was installed by the utility in about and hour, makes it easier to power all my dual 200amp panels at house, 100 amp panel at barn, 100 amp panel at shop, 60 amp panel well. One central hookup, to everything.

 

[General Lee]

Hopefully everyone is still following this thread, I'm the OP and am narrowing down on my choice. Its gonna be a portable unit and one I am considering is a Powermate with a Subaru engine. You don't see these as often as the Generac's so I'm wondering about the quality of the Subaru engine. Anyone have any thoughts? Its roughly in the Kw range I want. Generac brand jumps from 10Kw to 15Kw, and I'd like to have 12Kw if possible.

Powermate PM0601250 Portable Generator - PM0601250 - 12,500 Watt Electric Start Generator w/ Subaru Engine

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Hopefully everyone is still following this thread, I'm the OP and am narrowing down on my choice. Its gonna be a portable unit and one I am considering is a Powermate with a Subaru engine. You don't see these as often as the Generac's so I'm wondering about the quality of the Subaru engine. Anyone have any thoughts? Its roughly in the Kw range I want. Generac brand jumps from 10Kw to 15Kw, and I'd like to have 12Kw if possible.

Powermate PM0601250 Portable Generator - PM0601250 - 12,500 Watt Electric Start Generator w/ Subaru Engine

That looks like a nice generator.

Note it is 22 HP rated and as a rule of thumb it takes 2 HP gas engine to create 1,000 watts so treat is more like it is a 10-11 KW generator when computing electric motor starting ability and should not be disappointed. Day in and day out to keep the output at 112 volts or greater I find they will do about 50% off rated surge output.

 

[General Lee]

That looks like a nice generator.

Note it is 22 HP rated and as a rule of thumb it takes 2 HP gas engine to create 1,000 watts so treat is more like it is a 10-11 KW generator when computing electric motor starting ability and should not be disappointed. Day in and day out to keep the output at 112 volts or greater I find they will do about 50% off rated surge output.

Thank you for your input. Those are good points, maybe I should step up to 15Kw then?? My central A/C is only on a 30 amp breaker, worst case scenario I'd like to run the A/C and 2 fridges and stand alone freezer. I'd alternate everything else. Any thoughts on the quality of the Subaru motor?

 

[aczlan]

Thank you for your input. Those are good points, maybe I should step up to 15Kw then?? My central A/C is only on a 30 amp breaker, worst case scenario I'd like to run the A/C and 2 fridges and stand alone freezer. I'd alternate everything else. Any thoughts on the quality of the Subaru motor?

They run Subaru-Robin motors in Power-Tracs and I have heard them spoken of fairly well on that forum. Some of them are a little cold blooded when first started, but so are some people

Aaron Z

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I would be OK with a Subaru engine based on what I have read about them.

This subject goes circular for me.

The big portables run 400-600 pounds per spec sheets. How portable is a portable that requires the use of a fork lift to get it off the freight truck?

When I start looking at price difference an auto start/run home generators can be had for little more money and do not require inside storage.

The circle seems to never end.

 

[meburdick]

"Portable" is only in reference to the fact that it can be plugged in when needed and unplugged when done. I don't much care for the term either, but "it is what it is'.

 

[gcmedica21]

Hopefully everyone is still following this thread, I'm the OP and am narrowing down on my choice. Its gonna be a portable unit and one I am considering is a Powermate with a Subaru engine. You don't see these as often as the Generac's so I'm wondering about the quality of the Subaru engine. Anyone have any thoughts? Its roughly in the Kw range I want. Generac brand jumps from 10Kw to 15Kw, and I'd like to have 12Kw if possible.

Powermate PM0601250 Portable Generator - PM0601250 - 12,500 Watt Electric Start Generator w/ Subaru Engine

Hello,
I have had a built in 16Kw Generac for 5 years and it has been great. Only problem i have had with it was during initial set up.......hose had a leak in. Warranty replaced it and has been rock solid since then. Maintenance has been done regularly. It does what i need. I have 3/4's of the house set up on it. Would i buy another one? Absolutely!!!

 

[patrick_g]

I strongly recommend that you not cut it too close in figuring your size. Loads tend to grow not shrink over time. Long trouble free operation is more likely if the genset is running under its rated output rather than at or close to max rated output. Upsizing for these reasons could be a good investment and not leave you wishing you had more power or lower maint.

Pat

 

[scott_vt]

Good Mornin General Lee,
I have a 8000 watt Pramac, Honda engine 13hp. Payed just about $1400 for it and no problems, although I would like to convert to propane at some time, no cans to carry that way...

Its a pull start that allways starts on first or second pull.

It will run the basics of the house, I have the plug on the corner of the house, so just have to turn off the main and throw one breaker. A 10 kw would probablly be about right for me, but this one came along and has worked flawlessly...

 

[YesDeere]

Been following this thread. Lots of info. It's a hard decision. But on the Subaru engines. I wouldn't be afraid of them. I've had one in my pressure washer for 5 years and it still will fire on first pull. Second if it's a bad day(rare). I think I read somewhere that there are more of these motors produced than any other small motor.

 

[CAS300D]

Subaru makes a great gas engine, with that said, unless your strickly going to stay with Gas, you should also look at Tri Fuel Generators such as Winco or Yamaha.

 

[General Lee]

Subaru makes a great gas engine, with that said, unless your strickly going to stay with Gas, you should also look at Tri Fuel Generators such as Winco or Yamaha.

I did look at a Winco Tri-fuel, it was more than what I wanted to spend.

In reference to Subaru.....One generator I'm considering was a Powermate w/ a subaru engine and I found a little dealer near me that sells Subaru brand generators, but they are quite a few hundred more ($700) then the powermate. Same wattage too.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I read a blog of a guy who imported a Lister from India and set it up to run a generator. He had to take it apart and clean it up before running it, but eventually ended up with a great unit. People who have never run a Lister don't know how reliable and versatile they are. I have seen 100 year old hit and miss Listers that ran pumps for decades without repair. They are also very forgiving of fuel and will run fine on stove oil.

Listeroid Diesel | Otherpower

 

[John White]

Well this last storm that rolled through here a few days ago left many people without power for over 10 days in blistering heat. In the last 6 years we have been without power longer than 5 days three or four times. I have a 6000kw watt down in my home shop. It is about 400 ft from the house and I have a 100 amp service line to it to run my welder. When power goes down, I just unplug my welder, and plug in my generator. (after turning 200 amp switch off and tapeing it) It has a battery start, (cant hardly crank one by hand any more due to a bad shoulder). This time I almost got caught with my pants down and alot of people it did. This storm rolled in so fast that we didnt have time to think about it and was almost un prepared. I usually dont keep more than a couple of gals of gas on hand. (for the mower) Luckely this time I had 4- 5 gal cans full. We had been planning on a trip with our Utility vehicle and I had purchased 20 gals to take. After the storm hit there were no gas stations open and after 3 days when a couple did get generators, the lines were long and a 3 or 4 hour wait in very hot tempetures. I had luckely just filled my truck up a day before it hit. I ran my well, ref. , freezer, lights, tv, cealing fan, and wife washed clothes, all off the litle gen. I really missed the AC and it was very uncomfortable. I would run through about 8 gals a day and that was from about 6am to 10 pm when we went to bed, and shut gen down a couple of hours in mid morning and mid afternoon. Freezer and frige stayed pretty cold. My son had bought a 5000 watt sometime ago off of Lowes. I had to go over and take the carb off and clean it. Although he had sta bil in it. I think it had crud in it from the factory. My neighbors gen blew up after about 4 days. This almost disaster led me to do some serious thinking about self preservation. There were some people stealing generators and a couple fights while wating for fuel. If I had not had the 20 gal of fuel we would have been in bad shape. (after about 4 days I bought another 20 gal. lines were shorter then and drove 30 miles to a place that was not hit as hard as our area. I decided to give a diesel generator some serious thought. First of all I have 5 vehicles (back hoe, dozer, dump truck, service truck and farm tractor) that are diesel and I usually try and keep them at least 1/2 full. I probably could have eaisly scrounged 50 gal. I had a budget to work with $1400 and I knew I wasnt going to get much of a diesel gen for that amount. I had seen some of these small single cylinder that advertised 7000 watt but were only 5000 watt continous. A couple of people I know have them, some like them and I know of a couple that blowed after using them for 4 days straight. I wanted at least 10000 watt to try and be able to run the AC. I couldnt find one in my price range. But on Craigs list I found one of these little enclosed trailer generators they use to run the lights when working on the highways at night. The guy wanted $1500 for it. He said he bought it for emergency power outage and it had been sitting in his back yard for 3 years and never used it. (started it every month) His wife said she wanted it out of the yard. I drove clear to Chicago yesterday and got him down to $1200. It has a little Kubota 3 cyl diesel, with a Leroy Somar 6000 watt (continous duty) I wish it had a larger gen. (he said I could buy a 10000 watt get head off e-bay for $400.) I dont know if it will run it or not. Needs a few things done to it, but that little engine sure sounds sweet. A generator is a thing like a $500 Smith & Wesson in your night stand, that you may never use in your life and you think of all the things you could have bought with the money, or a fire extinguisher that you might have for years that never gets used, but when you need it, how much is it worth. You could not buy a generator for any price for about 3 or 4 days after the storm.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

John what is the HP on that Kubota three cylinder?