which portable generators do people have

[brokenknee]

That's the one I bought in Dec. plus bought the extended warranty because the 90 day will be up before I take it camping. It runs super quiet (less than 56db at 24'.
Per instructions I ran mine for 6 hours with about a 70% load to break it in then changed the oil. Very happy with the easy electric start but it is heavier than expected. Mine weighs about 110 lb with a full tank of gas. I made a lifting bracket to use my garage electric winch to lift it high enough to get in the truck bed and its short enough to fit under the tonneau cover.

I think I will leave mine right on the deck and locate the plug-in for the transfer switch on the deck also. I want it convenient when the power goes out at 2 in the morning when it is 30 below.

The transfer switch is going to run another $300.00. I know there are cheaper options, but I am looking for ease of use just in-case I am not home and the wife has to set it up. This is the switch I plan on getting. I like the idea of replaceable breakers. Reliance Controls 3 Amp 25-Volt 75-Watt Non-Fuse 6-Circuit Transfer Switch Kit-36HDK - The Home Depot

I already have the wire for the remote plug left over from another project.

 

[George2615]

I think I will leave mine right on the deck and locate the plug-in for the transfer switch on the deck also. I want it convenient when the power goes out at 2 in the morning when it is 30 below.

The transfer switch is going to run another $300.00. I know there are cheaper options, but I am looking for ease of use just in-case I am not home and the wife has to set it up. This is the switch I plan on getting. I like the idea of replaceable breakers. Reliance Controls 3 Amp 25-Volt 75-Watt Non-Fuse 6-Circuit Transfer Switch Kit-36HDK - The Home Depot

I already have the wire for the remote plug left over from another project.

What household circuits are you planning on tying in to the transfer switch. 3500W isn't a lot to run a house.

 

[PILOON]

Around here many stores will not a refund on generators as folks purchase for a storm event 'in case' and return it as it is no longer needed.
That is especially true if there is any signs of usage.
I was able to purchase a manual Square D manual transfer panel for a mere $100. ish that serves me just fine. It gives me 1 220 circuit and 5 110's which covers all my emergency needs.

 

[Soundguy]

Well, I was there when she brought it back. I heard her conversation with the manager and I saw the genset... The generator did have a wheel kid, not sure about the batt...

She wanted to return it, NOT a replacement.

It looked like smoke came out of it, other than that, it looked new.

She talked like a knowledgeable lady about mechanical things and said it crapped out on first use.

The only thing I heard about a pump was, what the manager told me after she left...

From what "I" gathered, it was a "buy once cry once" deal...

SR

No problem.. you hate HF.. we get that.

For the past quite a few years now.. HF is turning out quality that makes large box stores a bit frightened... you see virtually EVERYTHING is being made in china, and for a while now, china has had the industrial technology to make as good or as bad a tool as you want to pay for... some of the highest end electronic tablets come out of china.

Everybody puts out a lemon now and then.. and that could possibly be one.. however... if it 'looks' like it let the smoke out.. then I bet it had help.

If you don't know how to hookup a generator, a well, or isolate your loads , or loads from line.. then you can have problems.

If it was a simple overload issue.. the breaker would have popped... even a bad wire job that made a short would have made the breaker pop.

I helped an old guy hookup his well to his genny after he tried it once and burnt up his pressure switch during the last hurricane. I isolated the well from the house and put a new pressure switch on for him and wired directly to his portable genny.. he started it when he wanted water.. etc.

I'm betting that genny was used to backfeed, and somebody forgot it was hooked up and running and when the power came back on they flipped the breaker and it got hit with line 240 and it wasn't matching it's 240, and the breaker just wasn't a fast enough protection device.

 

[Soundguy]

When I was at Northern I asked if they work on the predator I was told by the salesman they do. Which tells me I would be able to purchase parts through them if needed.

Back in 04 I got a northern tool PTo generator ( northstar ). it is of course chinese in origin. it works perfectly fine.. I used it during irma.

 

[Travelover]

............
For the past quite a few years now.. HF is turning out quality that makes large box stores a bit frightened... you see virtually EVERYTHING is being made in china, and for a while now, china has had the industrial technology to make as good or as bad a tool as you want to pay for... some of the highest end electronic tablets come out of china...........

The China quality perception is evolving just like the Japan quality perception evolved - from laughable junk to best in class for many products. As it evolves, I can see being cautious on a product by product basis.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

No problem.. you hate HF.. we get that.

Because I came here and told the truth, THAT means I hate HF??

IF" I hated HF I wouldn't have been there in the first place! DOH!!

SR

 

[tjkubota93]

I too was going to mention peoples choices and priorities. But an Escalade or Granite Counter top really does quite little to enhance the quality of life. Having some serious back up power, on the other hand, mostly for a hobby, can really pay off and put quite a smile on ones face when things go dark.

Maybe kind of like asking what's a better buy? Some Fine Italian Gucci (sp?) loafers or a sturdy high quality pair of work boots?

Granite can help your re-sale value, but is useless as far as utility.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

There's a guy on YouTube who tears down tools and evaluates the guts. His language is suitable for a shop, with some Canadian slang. Lots of fun and very informative.

AvE
- YouTube

 

[brokenknee]

What household circuits are you planning on tying in to the transfer switch. 3500W isn't a lot to run a house.

The furnace would be number one, then the refrigerator, hopefully there would be enough left to run the internet and or tv. I want to get the six circuit transfer switch that way I can cycle things if I need to. I also like the option that I can purchase a second generator and parallel it to run more circuits. We have a gas stove, so would not worry about the microwave.

I know my well would not be an option as it runs on 240 volts and the generator I am purchasing only puts out 120 volts. Since we moved here a little over a year ago the power has been out 3 times; once for about 3 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours. The 8 hour outage it was 35* below and the house got down to about 48* before the power came back on.

Talking to a co-worker that lives in the area, he said they were without power for a week after a storm two years ago.

I have a food grade 55 gallon drum for water storage that I could use for flushing the toilet, washing dishes etc. We also keep some bottled water on hand.

 

[KubotainNH]

The furnace would be number one, then the refrigerator, hopefully there would be enough left to run the internet and or tv. I want to get the six circuit transfer switch that way I can cycle things if I need to. I also like the option that I can purchase a second generator and parallel it to run more circuits. We have a gas stove, so would not worry about the microwave.

I know my well would not be an option as it runs on 240 volts and the generator I am purchasing only puts out 120 volts. Since we moved here a little over a year ago the power has been out 3 times; once for about 3 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours. The 8 hour outage it was 35* below and the house got down to about 48* before the power came back on.

Talking to a co-worker that lives in the area, he said they were without power for a week after a storm two years ago.

I have a food grade 55 gallon drum for water storage that I could use for flushing the toilet, washing dishes etc. We also keep some bottled water on hand.

This is basically my current setup. 6 pole transfer switch(I'm not using the 220 as my gen is 110 inverter) with a 3600w gen. I can run my furnace (oil burner with 4 zone pumps), refer, full size freezer, all the ceiling lights, network gear plus I have a couple plugs in the kitchen. I can plug my micro or whatever in those. With everything but the micro running it's just a bit above idle except it blips up when a compressor starts on the two appliances. The micro will pull a bunch of power but we did make much of Thanksgiving dinner on it one year. We shut the refer & fridge off for that. Tried to run a griddle at the same time, that was too much.

 

[brokenknee]

This is basically my current setup. 6 pole transfer switch(I'm not using the 220 as my gen is 110 inverter) with a 3600w gen. I can run my furnace (oil burner with 4 zone pumps), refer, full size freezer, all the ceiling lights, network gear plus I have a couple plugs in the kitchen. I can plug my micro or whatever in those. With everything but the micro running it's just a bit above idle except it blips up when a compressor starts on the two appliances. The micro will pull a bunch of power but we did make much of Thanksgiving dinner on it one year. We shut the refer & fridge off for that. Tried to run a griddle at the same time, that was too much.

That is good to hear. The generator should be in tomorrow so I will pick it up after work. I will not have a chance to fire it up for a week or two as I am having carpel tunnel and elbow (allmer?) surgery done. I had my right hand / elbow done last year. I need to try to get all this stuff done before I retire in two years. Might look at having my shoulder done next year.

 

[Garandman]

I doubt it was the well or pump that was the problem...

With HF, it's hit or miss whether what you buy is junk THAT day or if it will last a little while...

Which raises the question of why you were in the store?

 

[goeduck]

Which raises the question of why you were in the store?

Maybe it was morbid curiosity?

 

[check]

A lot depends on the ambient temperature. I used to do a food booth at a craft fair. We found a wonderful 6' cast iron griddle, and found that a 20 lb. tank would not provide enough gas, so bought a 100 lb. tank. There was no room for a 100 lb. tank under the grill, so we dug a hole and set the tank in the hole. Of course, it iced up. When we dug the tank out it, the dirt around it was a solid block of ice. Keep a heater on that little 20 lb. tank and it will work fine. Otherwise, the propane cools by evaporative cooling until it won't evaporate any more. A larger tank has more surface area, so the propane stays warmer, but if you plan on running a propane generator in sub-zero weather, some means of heating the tank is a good ideal. A system that tests fine in the middle of the summer may starve and die at 10 below.

This never happends to me, and it gets down to -30 or more in the winter.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Which raises the question of why you were in the store?

Well, it wasn't to buy a generator! lol lol

SR

 

[Garandman]

Well, it wasn't to buy a generator! lol lol

SR

Here’s the generator you mention was returned. Hundreds of positive reviews.

I find it interesting you were in the store, though, this tempers some of your other comments about quality tools.

875 Max Starting/7 Running Watts, 13 HP (42cc) Generator EPA III with GFCI Outlet Protection

If someone is running regularly for hours a week, I’m sure a $4,000 fuel injected Honda makes sense. That $600 noisy, thirsty HF unit will keep the lights on.

 

[TheMan419]

Here’s the generator you mention was returned. Hundreds of positive reviews.

I find it interesting you were in the store, though, this tempers some of your other comments about quality tools.

875 Max Starting/7 Running Watts, 13 HP (42cc) Generator EPA III with GFCI Outlet Protection

If someone is running regularly for hours a week, I’m sure a $4,000 fuel injected Honda makes sense. That $600 noisy, thirsty HF unit will keep the lights on.

Yep it depends on what you need. Bought my gen from Costco. 6700 watts with I think 8k surge. Probably sucks a little under a gallon an hour. With some load management I can run the house on it. Just need to make sure the boiler pumps and well pump don稚 kick on at the same time. Easy enough to do.

 

[buickanddeere]

I keep seeing people running barely large enough generators right to the edge of tripping, instead of leaving some margin for motor starting and generator reliability . A consumer grade generator is not really built to operate continuous at "max rated" amperage.
Your generator and your electrical loads will last longer if the generator has power to spare instead of lugging the genny's guts out.
I also see people with little four, six or eight circuit transfer panels ??? It doesn't very much to install a interlock slider on a breaker panel. That way all the lights and receptacles will work on the generator. Just open the breakers to the electric stove and electric clothes dryer to prevent overloading the generator .
For the cost of the re-wiring and installation of a little 4,6 or 8 circuit transfer panel. When the FPE Stab-Loc panel had the main breaker failed. I just swapped in an entire 200 amp panel with a built in transfer switch. 18 circuits on the generator side so all lights, receptacles and well pump operates. Also installed the 100amp version in the daughter's house. There was a jackleg installed FPE Stab-Loc and a pony panel in the utility room there. The cut and past of the individual page did not format very well . Here is the link and look on page DE1-8 for the "All in One" https://www.schneider-electric.ca/d...istribution/en/shared/catalogue/DE1.pdfNumber

Loadcentre Catalogue Number https://www.schneider-electric.ca/documents/electrical-distribution/en/shared/catalogue/DE1.pdfTrim
Catalogue Number
Main Wire Size Al or Cu (AWG/MCM)
Standard QO
Tandem QO
3▼
QO403L100S 
Included
12-1 Al or 14-1 Cu
12▼
24
QO312ML1
QOC16UC
4 - 2/0
20▼
40
QO320ML1
QOC24UC
4 - 2/0
24▼
48
QO324ML2
QOC30UC
4 - 250
30▼
60
QO330ML2
QOC30UC
4 - 250
42▼
60
QO342ML2
QOC42UC
4 - 300
Total Number of Circuits
Number of circuits available for (generator) critical loads
Loadcentre Catalogue Number
Main Wire Size Al or Cu (AWG/MCM)
Standard QO
Tandem QO
Standard QO
Tandem QO
4
8
CQO48M30DSGP
#14-8
4
8
CQO48M60DSGP
#8-2
18
36
QOGP3P3036
#14-8
18
36
QOGP3P6036
#8-2
40
80
18
36
QOGP3P604436200
#4-250
40
80
18
36
QOGP3P604436150
#4-250
40
80
18
36
QOGP3P604436125
#4-250
40
80
18
36
QOGP3P604436100
#4-250
QOｮ Loadcentres and Circuit Breakers
QOｮ Main Lugs Loadcentres - Type 1 Indoor
QOｮ Main Lugs Loadcentres (1ﾘ - 3W)
Mains Ampere Rating
30 70
100
125
200 225
QOｮ Main Lugs Loadcentres (3ﾘ - 4W)
Mains Ampere Rating
100 125 125
200 225
QOｮ Generator Panel (1ﾘ - 3W)
Mains Ampere Rating
Box Size (see page 16) 1
2
3
4
4
4
6
7
8
9
11
11
11
12
14
Box Size (see page 16)
5 7 8 10 10 12
Box Size (see page 16)

30 4 60 4 30 6 60 6
QOｮ 疎ll-in-one SE Generator Panels
200 150 125 100
 Service entrance approved.
● Will not accept QO-GFI or QO-EPD breakers.
✚ Maximum 20A QO-GFI breaker or AFI breaker.
▲ Maximum 70A branch breaker.
◆ Does not include a door. Order kit # QODK60-2.
▼ Shunt trip feature not available on any 3ﾘ loadcentres.
12 12 12 12

 

[CajunRider]

Generac 22kW propane for whole house.
If I go easy on my electricity usage, my propane tank will last me about a month.