propane generator - portable

[arthurb]

ampsucker,

I bought a portable gasoline Briggs N Stratton generator earlier this spring. It has a 15hp engine, and has a 8500/13000 watt useage. I also had an automatic 10 circuit transfer switch install to use with the generator during a power outage. I would be more concerned about replacement parts availability and servicing this generator when repairs will be needed. I agree with the other members that have mentioned this before me.

Briggs N Stratton makes a home standby generator that is powered by LP or NG. It's rated at 7500 watts. There sold at Sears and TSC in my area here in Ohio. I came real close in buying this unit, but I wanted more then 7500 watts. I personally would feel more comfortable with a generator with a Briggs, Kohler, Honda or a Subaru engine so you know you'll have parts and servicing availability. I hope this info will help you, and good luck with your choice.

 

[John_Mc]

I have a Generac 4000XL generator. It's electric start (or at least it would be if I ever get around to replacing the dead battery), and came with it's own trickle charger which can be left plugged in all the time. 7.8 HP engine. It's rated 4000 watts continuous, 6600 surge. (I've not seen any other generators this size with that kind of surge capacity.)

It was made to run on gas, but I bought an easily installed conversion from www.propane-generators.com/ to allow running on propane or gasoline. I've got a 500 gallon propane tank buried in my yard to run my boiler, so it made sense to run it off of this. I don't have to worry about not having fuel available, and don't have to deal with stale gas.

The generator has performed well for me, bit on gas and on propane. I do notice that I have to manage loads a bit more carefully when running propane. I have no idea how much capacity I lose when running propane, but it still runs what I need it to run when the grid power is down. As an added bonus, I can still run it on gas when I need a portable generator.