Generator PTO generator

[mountain_man]

After experiencing an ice storm in Northeast that knocked out power for 7 days in the winter and hurricane Gloria (8 days) in the summer, we broke down and purchased a Coleman 5000W generator ($500 @ Costco I think). We've used it numerous times and most recently in Colorado during a fierce snowstorm that knocked out power for 3 days. Since we have a domestic well, the generator can power the pump (240V 10amp) as long as were not running other heavy appliances simultaneously (7500W would be more suitable). If you have any electric heating elements you'll need significantly more capacity.

An important part of the generator solution is the connection to your panel. I've used GenTran switches which are designed for generator power transfer GenTran.

I agree storing gasoline is an issue (I use Stabil), and also keep a siphon/pump hose handy. I use about 5 gals every 10 hours. If you have access to LP or Natural Gas, US Carburetion Kits make inexpensive conversion kits.

I considered a PTO generator, but keeping that tractor running at PTO speed for days at a time (no low oil shutoff!), along with not having it available for snow removal, etc. didn't seem seem like a good solution.

 

[Docsknotinn]

F-350, The X series has Diesel engine models available as well. I currently have a 5500XL generac with 25 hours. It is three years old with the idle down and is not a battery started model. In 2000 when I bought it generac was the only company with such liberal rateings on their generators, 7500 kw surge. This is now the 7500XL. The new 5500 is noticeably smaller without the nice panel and features. Mine has a 11 hp Briggs Vanguard and wheel kit, not the semi cheesy handles the new ones have. The trouble with a gas operated Genset is people. When the black out hit it was just like 911. People freaked out for gas. I live on the N side of the Detroit Subs. Van dyke was bumper to bumper grid lock all the way to Imlay city with folks who didnt get off the main road, thank god. In Imlay city which is at least a 30 minute drive normally there were lines at the gas stations miles long. I got lucky getting gas twice that day. I would imagine there were some folks that waited 12 hours in traffic to get gas. There were dead cars that ran out of fuel every where. Haveing said that if any one wants a good deal on a perfect Generac with wheel kit let me know because I for one am switching to diesel. They dont do much good if you cant get fuel. The diesel pumps had perhaps 1 or two cars in line at all the open stations I passed. I am looking at the PTO gensets now. They seem like a good price compared to the stand alone Diesel sets which start around $2800 for similar Kw rateings. I would also add that side by side the Generac is about the same Db as the 2210.

 

[jasnake65]

I ended up doing a search on the internet,Found some good prices compared to Northern Tool.Cheaper than i thought it would be for what i wanted. If im not home and the little lady is by herself she wanted to get a electric start so she dosen't have to pull,OK with me. And they even have them in stock with free shipping to boot. Do a little checking locally to see whats in my area,but not paying sales tax and free shipping
on a Generac i might not be able to pass it up

 

[Cdash]

Do what I do:

Keep an extra vehicle on hand (94 Jeep cherokee) with a 20 gallon tank that is kept close to full. When I saw the lines on Friday at the gas station near me that was running on generators or something, I turned around, went home and got the hose out and started siphoning. And by using a clear hose, I was able to do it without drinking any of it!!

I bought me a 5250W generator at Home Depot on Thursday as soon as I figured out how widespread this was. Never figured that power would come back on in less than 24 hours. But I intend on keeping it, I need to make up a cord to plug it into the 220V welder plug I have wired in my garage. That way, I just throw the main breaker, and backfeed the house thru my 50amp plug with heavy wiring. A nice 8 or 10 gage cord about 10 foot long will allow my generator to sit outside, be plugged into both and have the door shut.

I feel confident that my wife could hook this up by herself. The generator has a wheel kit on it, so I know she can move it, The cord will be kept with it and she knows how to work the breaker box. While I like the idea of a 12kW PTO generator, I am not too sure that she could get it hooked up and everything else she would need to do.

I am happy with it.

Besides, now that I have a generator, I won't have a power outage for the next 10 years, other than a flicker. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[accordionman]

HELLO TO ALL,
i bought a generac from HOME DEPOT, 15KW on propane.
cost $3236.38 with tax. less than NORTHER TOOL,and i
got to pay it off in 6 months with no interest. cannot
beat a deal like this.
accordionman
william l. brown
wright city, mo.
L3000DT/FEL,and other good stuff

 

[F350Lawman]

That's just what several friends have now done( 12kw) though. 100 gallon propane tank and you will never know the power is out or have to worry about fuel until day 5. You neighbors will hate you... better check your ammo supply /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Another great thing is that beefy transfer panel and outside hookup Generac gives you, if you buy a similar 15kw portable gas gen. you pay almost the same without the panel which costs $ 500

 

[Docsknotinn]

The Generacs are a great buy. No doubt there. I have a new Dodge hemi which is the only gas powered vehicle left here. I tried to Siphon it But I couldn't get the dang hose into the tank. It probably has one of those tee of the owner anti siphon gizmos.

 

[755inNY]

<font color="blue"> I would go with LP gas not gasoline or diesel. LP gas will STORE well and not go to varnish or jelly over time. A guy told me about a place here in the Midwest that wrecks out Motor Homes, and has the Onan and Kohler units at good prices. A propane conversion kit will get them set up perfectly. </font>

CJDave
I'm with you on the storage life problem with gasoline but LP gas isn't much easier to store and LP has less BTU output therefore less KWatt output. How long will a 20# tank last? This is probably the largest convenient size for portability. I suppose you could have one of those large 100# tanks parked at your house for standby purposes but what about refilling it during a long power outage. You also can't siphon a few gallons out your car to stretch out your supply. You also mentioned a propane conversion kit for used generators from motor homes. Aren't they already powered by propane?

What do you think about the tri-fuel generators (LP, Natural Gas and gasoline)? I have natural gas available and thought it would be nice to install a quick disconnect outlet (like a BBQ grill). I could still use gasoline if I wanted to use the generator as portable power out in the field or for the extra KW output.

For the gasoline storage issue, I always run my generator dry using stabalized fuel in the tank. I keep 7 gallons of stabilized fuel on hand. I pour the fuel into one of my cars at least once a year and replace with new, stabilized fuel. I put the stabilizer in as soon as I get the fuel (so I don't forget) and date the container.

Jeff

 

[755inNY]

Steve,

You can install a costly transfer switch that will power a limited number of circuits connected to it. Or you can turn off the main breaker at your service panel. This will keep the generator from back feeding the line. This is a critical step when using the generator.

I back feed the service panel with 220v from the generator going through a double pole breaker in the panel. This breaker is always off except for use with the generator. I turn the main power off first then I turn on the generator circuit breaker. I also have color coded the breakers which should be turned off to prevent accidental overload on the generator (electric stove, washing machine, dishwasher, feed to the barn, etc.).

I only have a 4KW generator and it does a adequate job. Your 6KW should be OK unless you have a lot of necessary high load devices. I need to be careful about balancing loads, giving priority to refrigerators and freezer in summer and furnace in winter. A larger generator would certainly eliminate some of the manual load control.

Jeff

 

[OkeeDon]

Having been in the business of dispensing propane for portable cylinders, I can answer a couple of those.

There is no trouble storing propane cylinders as long as they're outdoors. The propane won't go bad in a reasonable period - I've seen people store them for 5 and 10 years and use them with no problems. A 20# cylinder holds a little over 4.5 gallons. There is about a 10% loss of efficiency, so figure how long your generator would run on 4 gallons of gasoline and you'll be close. As for the loss of efficiency, the generator will still put out maximum power because that is dependent on RPM's and the generator will adjust itself to the proper RPM's no matter what the fuel. It will just use a little more propane to produce the same power.

Cylinders of 30# and 40# are widely available, but not at exchange sites. You can transport up to 90# in a closed vehicle; 4-20#, 3-30# or 2-40#. A 100# upright cylinder can be transported in the upright position in a pickup or trailer. It weighs about 170# when full. That's about the largest practical size that can be transported. 100# cylinders cost about $90 - $130 new.

Most motor homes have generators powered by the fuel they use - gasoline or diesel. Propane powered generators are certainly used, but since the motor home also needs propane for the water heater, furnace, stove and refigerator, there isn't much left for a generator. Very small motor homes usually have a 40# tank; large coaches usually have a 100# tank. My 28' Pace Arrow has an 80# tank. The only way I would run a propane generator in my motor home is with a second propane tank, and there just isn't room to mount one.

By the way, for anyone interested, most motor home generators do not produce 230v. The large bus-type coaches may have dual voltage, but they would be relatively rare in the used market - and expensive. Even a used Onan from a motor home would probably cost more than a new portable unit, as they run from $3,000 to $4,500 new for 4KW to 7KW.

Again, by the way, the nice thing about owning a motor home - even a 15 year old one like mine, is that in cases of emergency one can just move into the motor home. Move the essential foodstuffs into the RV fridge and you're good to go. We worry primarily about hurricanes. If one happened to come, we'd move in and take off out of the path. I keep the gas tank and water tank full and the holding tanks empty just in case. It holds 86 gallons of gas so I can drive 100 miles and still have 60 gallons or more to run the generator. It would only have to be run a few hours a day to keep the batteries charged unless we wanted A/C or the microwave.