Generator install - where to start

[WinterDeere]

If you heat with oil get a diesel, a real generator . Not a 3600 rpm pos...

lol... I was leaning the other way, for a few reasons, in order of importance:

1. Location of propane tank is more favorable than location of oil tank.
2. Concerns with oil performance in cold weather. It's often below 0F when we lose power.
3. The relative ubiquity of propane-fired generators. Face it, they're everywhere, and options abound.

I'll admit we could bury the oil line deep to manage freezing, although we'd be snaking thru a half-dozen other utilities in that area. But still, the last several feet and the generator itself are in the cold. With our oil tank being in our basement, it's totally un-treated for cold weather.

If diesel genny could be installed in basement, instead of outdoors, then there would be many advantages of going that route. But does anyone do that?

 

[EddieWalker]

I've seen a few commercial generators installed inside a building. Either on ground level, or in a basement.

 

[ponytug]

lol... I was leaning the other way, for a few reasons, in order of importance:

1. Location of propane tank is more favorable than location of oil tank.
2. Concerns with oil performance in cold weather. It's often below 0F when we lose power.
3. The relative ubiquity of propane-fired generators. Face it, they're everywhere, and options abound.

I'll admit we could bury the oil line deep to manage freezing, although we'd be snaking thru a half-dozen other utilities in that area. But still, the last several feet and the generator itself are in the cold. With our oil tank being in our basement, it's totally un-treated for cold weather.

If diesel genny could be installed in basement, instead of outdoors, then there would be many advantages of going that route. But does anyone do that?

People do install diesel generators in basements, often for cogeneration use, where the generator provides heat and power to the house.

However, noise/vibration and diesel odors in the house are issues to contend with. There were a few companies in New England offering that service a while back, but I have not looked recently. Addressing noise and vibration is not something that many folks are terribly good at in my experience.

For your uses, it may not make a difference, but is your house, and your call.

All the best, Peter

 

[Hunter29]

Well then at least look into this...

TRANE TR22REG-DB 22 KiloWatt, Single Phase, Liquid Cooled Whole House Stand-By Generator at Sutherlands

Find 22 KiloWatt, Single Phase, Liquid Cooled Whole House Stand-By Generator and other TRANE products at Sutherlands

sutherlands.com

20kw Single-Phase Standby Generator - Lifan Power USA

The Trane 20,000-Watt LPG/NG Liquid Cooled Standby Generator is driven by a high quality 998cc 1.0 l automotive-style, liquid-cooled engine. This 20kW unit can provide automatic whole-house power for larger homes or essential circuit protection for small and medium businesses such as convenience...

www.lifanpowerusa.com

 

[Rustyiron]

If diesel genny could be installed in basement, instead of outdoors, then there would be many advantages of going that route. But does anyone do that?

You might consider a little auxiliary garden "shed" to keep the generator and it's fuel tank at your desired generator location.
(Like I did) Mine is just sitting on a gravel foundation just like the shed guys sell. You will need to supply ventilation and a linear air movement thru the radiator and over the generator portion.
I handled this with just a hinged panel and "picture framed" them just like a window and simply prop them open.
I ran power to it for lights, the block heater and battery tender.
My system is 100% manual. I don't want to rely on a bunch of automatic equipment and I have very simple 3-4 step starting instructions on the refrigerator magnet for my wife to follow if she needs to.
Treating a little 100g fuel cube for winter temperatures is not a problem providing the you're diligent about it, and with a block heater you have no worries. It's also handy having fuel on hand for your tractor.