which portable generators do people have

[ultrarunner]

Really not proud of how little I can get along with. I would love to have a whole house generator to power everything when the grid goes down. It is just a matter of economics. My main concern is not freezing to death or having the house freeze up breaking all the pipes.

Bigger generators cost more to begin with and I can only assume more expensive to operate.

Count me on the side of how well I can live with how little I need...

It's why I don't drive my 12 mpg truck when all I need is to get myself from point A to B...

 

[Einthewoods]

I just have a small (3500) Generac. Just enough to be able to keep the fridge and freezers going in the summer if the power goes out for any length of time. I can heat and cook without electricity, have plenty of lighting (oil lamps, solar lamps, battery/rechargable) so no need for more.

I do have a few APC UPS protecting all of my computer and sensitive electronics (TV , etc.). I have low enough load on any single one that they can run for an hour or so without shutting anything off. So used conservatively, you can keep things going and recharge off of the gen if really needed. Never have felt a need to be that "connected" though.

I think I have used the gen out in the back property more than ever at the house. I have run cement mixers, jack hammers, blenders (margarita's) and ice makers when I have needed. LOL

 

[Gem99ultra]

I just have a small (3500) Generac. Just enough to be able to keep the fridge and freezers going in the summer if the power goes out for any length of time. I can heat and cook without electricity, have plenty of lighting (oil lamps, solar lamps, battery/rechargable) so no need for more.

I do have a few APC UPS protecting all of my computer and sensitive electronics (TV , etc.). I have low enough load on any single one that they can run for an hour or so without shutting anything off. So used conservatively, you can keep things going and recharge off of the gen if really needed. Never have felt a need to be that "connected" though.

I think I have used the gen out in the back property more than ever at the house. I have run cement mixers, jack hammers, blenders (margarita's) and ice makers when I have needed. LOL

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I agree 100% about not needing to 'be connected'. I do have one of those 10K $650 DuraMax generators that I bought on their Fire Sale last year. But even 10K was way more power than really I needed during our last 3 day power outage. And that's what I bought an 'emergency' generator for in the first place.

In fact, I also have a pair of 2K Honda generators that I supplied our basic needs for 6 weeks during the Hurricane Ike when living back in Texas. Those two little quiet generators kept us going just fine, although it would have been nice to have had that 10K DuraMax at the time. I suppose that one's particular situation calls for different power supplies. The little Honda's are my go-to for remote minor use electricity. So far I haven't needed a whole-house generator for any extended period of time. If we lived in a very remote area where it was not unusual to be out of power often and for long periods of time, my desires for backup power would be different. But, fortunately, we don't.

 

[Garandman]

I few have used line conditioners or higher end UPS power supply for insurance.

I scored an old large Sine Wave UPS that was being tossed out... all it needed was new batteries...

It was for a $400,000 medical laser and the manufacturer simply sent a new one...

A friend of mine bought an old data room UPS that needed new batteries. He sourced them locally. He can run lights internet and heat circulation pump for a few hours.

We had a Honda EU3000iS we used to backup our server UPS. Also tried an EU2000i and it seemed to work OK. We only had to run it a couple times.

 

[ultrarunner]

Generator with Battery Back up can be a good work around... the Battery Back Up is nearly instantaneous and can handle momentary surges better allowing for the generator to be sized smaller which means more efficient operation over all.

The down side is batteries require maintenance/replacement which adds another cost factor.

 

[two_bit_score]

Generator with Battery Back up can be a good work around... the Battery Back Up is nearly instantaneous and can handle momentary surges better allowing for the generator to be sized smaller which means more efficient operation over all.

The down side is batteries require maintenance/replacement which adds another cost factor.

It’s that ‘other cost factor’ that gets you every time.

 

[goeduck]

It痴 that 双ther cost factor that gets you every time.

Yes and with a UPS every few years it gets you again.

 

[check]

Have a 6500/5500 King portable with electric start that I bought years ago during a power outage. (It was the last one left when I got to the store!)

Runs great, and now we use it at a rental property. Uses about 5 gallons in eight hours.

 

[3930dave]

If you are stuck, and only have one hammer to use, then you'll probably appreciate having it. Given a choice, many of us have multiple sized hammers around though.

Same with generators. Compact suitcase gens are very popular - easy to move, relatively quiet, and easy on fuel - so they fit a lot of short-term needs. Step up to 5kw or so, and you can run most household essentials in a longer outage.

Needs vs. Wants...... hard to beat the convenience of a whole-house auto xfer system - esp. if on natgas or propane to get away from fuel stability issues. If I still traveled on business (aka still made the same money....) like I used to, I'd probably have have an auto-xfer system in place here by now.....

Some people on here have major agricultural systems (water, heat, ventilation, dairy herds, blast freezers, manure pumps.....) to keep powered - they Need to have a high capacity generator in place - either dedicated/pre-wired, or at least a high-capacity PTO gen available quickly.....

You can't break large granite rocks with a tack hammer.....

Many times in a household outage, all that needs to be run is a cell charger, table radio, or laptop+router for communication needs...... there's where I like an inverter+battery..... You don't need a 2kw gen running constantly for those kind of light loads.

All systems take money, planning, and maintenance..... specifics vary....... when pressed in an emergency, even today's all-thumbs average consumer could probably manage to unbolt 2 cables, and connect a new/fresh battery, perhaps even getting the polarity correct

I wouldn't make the same bet, with anything involving carburator issues.....

(Re. thread title: 2kw Briggs, 7kw Briggs - continuous power rating, both gasoline).

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I saw a crash last week where a semi carrying neat toys on a flatbed took out some wires at a gas station.

Later that night I went through the area again, stopping for fuel at another gas station. All kinds of people were filling up jerry cans, and even questionable containers which is what got me noticing. Apparently, the power was still out in the area.

I personally, don't ever want to be that guy standing in lines at the pumps to get emergency fuel. Now, that it's the new tax year, I will be getting my Bulk Diesel Tanks Filled, although I don't even need it. Just like to have it. There are easily enough things to go wrong with backup systems, never mind running for fuel, or making calls.