Help me choose a generator

[TNTractor1]

I have been reading lots of info on this site and researching backup generators. I am seeking any advice before I purchase. Here is my situation: currently we have no back-up generator at all, so we are at the mercy of power outages, which happen maybe 2 or 3 times a year due to storms... the average outage probably lasts anywhere from 2 - 6 hours, of course every once in a while we will get an outage that might last 24 hours or more due to a bad storm or ice, etc. I have calculated I would want a generator that produces between 6000 and 8500 continuous watts. This would allow me to run most anything I need (not all at the same time of course). I would like to spend less than $2,500. Our entire house is electric, however we have a large (500 gallon?) propane tank that is only hooked up to gas logs... so it just sits there most of the time. After researching, I think I have narrowed it down to a portable diesel generator, a pto generator for my JD 2520 (20.5 rear pto hp) or propane. I don't know that I can find a good reliable propane generator for less than $2,500 though. Since I am only interested in emergency back-up power and not running a shop or tools, etc, a pto generator for my 2520 is appealing because it produces clean power for electonics and I would not (hopefully) use it all that often and not for long periods of time (except with the infrequent major outage). Here is a 10 kw pto generator that would seem to be a good match for my tractor... any thoughts:

IMD PTO 10-2S AVR PTO Generator - PTO10-2SAVR - 10kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator w/ AVR (540 RPM)

 

[MossRoad]

What part of the country do you live in?

I ask, because I would not want to tie up my tractor with a PTO generator when it may be needed for storm cleanup, snow plowing, etc...

 

[EE_Bota]

I went with the 7200Watt from Northern Tool, and made a special pallet for it to go onto my carry all. I bought the PTO shaft from Agri-Supply.
I cannot vouch for it in any way, since the power has not been out even once since I bought it. I like your choice too, though. I looked at the Harbor Freight one, but I could not find anyone else who has tried it, so I was afraid. I liked it because it came with the three point attachment, and the shaft, but I was, again, afraid.

NorthStar PTO Generator — 7200 Watt, 14 HP Required | PTO Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[crash325]

Do not tie up your tractor with a PTO generator. You may need it for other emergency things.

Up your ante just a little and get something really good. You want it to work when you need it, if you have to worry about it that is just 1 more problem.

Personally ( and that is just me ) I would get a generator / welder, even if you don't currently weld there are times when you will need something welded. With a generator / welder a friend can be called to weld for you.

I have had both propane and diesel, the propane will not last and wear out fairly quickly. Diesel is the best, as the fuel is more stable than gasoline.

 

[George2615]

I agree not to tie up your tractor with a PTO generator. There are several gas powered units in the 8-10KW range for under $1500 that would easily run your house.

 

[TNTractor1]

Thanks for all the input... I know I could get a gas powered portable generator, but I really like diesel for several reasons (storage life is better, engines last longer, etc) I also don't like the idea of tying up my tractor to run the generator, but at the same time, I am not a farmer... I am just a homeowner with 12 acres... 80% of my tractor time is spent mowing, so if I needed to use it to generate power for a while, I don't think it would impact me that much. Whatever I need to use it for could wait til the power was restored, or I could disconnect from the generator for a few hours to complete a task. I am not trying to argue FOR a pto generator solution, but just want to give everyone a clear picture of my situation. I have also heard it said that it's not good to leave your tractor engine running close to WOT for hours running a pto (which I agree is not a great use for a tractor in the grand scheme), but if I mow for a few hours each week, isn't that also what I am doing with the engine anyway? Also, I live in west TN... Thanks!

 

[KTurner]

Propane should last indefinitely, with diesel you'll have to maintain the fuel. How much fuel do you plan to store? Do you have something else that also uses diesel that would help you rotate the fuel so it doesn't sit for years?

Between my wife and I, we've had two extended (>10 days) power outages in the last 12 or so years. The first was due to an ice storm when she lived with her father. The second was after we bought a house in a more heavily developed area (underground power, in a neighborhood across the street from the local hospital) and was due to a hurricane (barely still a hurricane when it got to our area). How difficult would it be to refill the fuel if you run out of fuel during an extended power outage?

Whatever you get, be sure to run it routinely.

Keith

 

[Soundguy]

do ya need a welder to?

that 2500$ puts you at or near a 10k genny / welder.

otherwise for half that you could get a 12kw pto generator for yer tractor.... etc.

soundguy

 

[Travelover]

The irony of emergency generators is that a good one will last 3000 to 4000 hours. You will not wear one out in several lifetimes using it only during power outages. For me, I found the best compromise in a moderately priced American built generator, though I have heard good things about Chinese Champion brand generators on RV sites.

 

[nikdfish]

If you do consider an LP fueled generator, definitely check the fuel consumption rate. For a given power rating, LP fuel use is going to cost much more than a diesel unit. You will probably find an LP powered standby potentially costing $100+ in fuel use per day when running...

Diesel gen sets cost quite a bit more, so if it isn't going to see much use, then you may be OK with a lower initial cost for an LP fueled set & periodic larger runtime fuel costs. It would probably take several weeks worth of continuous use to burn the price difference equivalent in fuel.

Nick

 

[dave1949]

You say your pto hp is 20.5 and the advert says it needs 'at least 20 hp'. I would check into that, you may be marginal on power if you run the gen at full rated load.

Are you looking at the 8500W-10,000W generators to run your electric heat?

It can be cheaper to do some manual load management, like rotating heat zones, or reduce heat to use kitchen appliances--toaster, microwave, etc., or turn off your water heater except when you really need it to cycle, than to buy a generator that will do everything together.

Doing that for 5 days or so is not all that troublesome.
Dave.

 

[Toddao]

I am sitting here reading this as my generator is running , we had storms tonite. We are watching tv , frig, well, furnace , Internet , all the good stuff! It is a generac 6500 peak out put gas engine , we have had it for 11 years and need it more it the summer than the winter in northern VT. We lose power alot for some reason , twice this week . Would get a Honda next only because they are quiet . It only takes a few minutes to set up

 

[Toddao]

Don't forget you will also need the transfer switch,

 

[Larry Caldwell]

The handiest generator I have is a 1200w peak/ 1000w continuous little interruptor governed 2-cycle unit that will run 4.5 hours on a gallon of fuel. It will run the TV or computer, the refrigerator and a light bulb at the same time. It's so quiet you can hardly hear it. It cost me $149 at Coastal Farm.

I have wood heat and low pressure water without electricity, so I only drag the big generator out if it's time to take a shower, after the power has been out for 24 hours. It's a 5000/4400W unit that I paid $279 for at Harbor Freight in about 1997. It will run the water heater or the well pump, but not at the same time. Heat a tank of water, turn off the water heater, turn on the pump and shower. Repeat as necessary. It burns about a gallon of gas an hour, and is so noisy it will give you a headache 100' away. I bought an aftermarket muffler, which helped some. After I use it I drain the fuel system including the carb, fog the cylinder, bag the exhaust to keep bugs out, and leave it in the barn. You can store a small engine for years if you mothball it properly.

The last long outage, about 5 days, my wife had the flu. Hot showers and a warm house were literally a life saver.

I have a propane camp stove for emergencies, but have never used it. We just cook on the wood stove. For that matter, we have a FSC travel trailer, but we have never had to resort to it. The house is too comfortable. We have about a dozen wall hung oil lamps and candle sconces for light, which is about the safest way you can use flame for light.

Since you already have propane, you should think propane. At the very least, install propane hot water. That's a 4000W electric load you can eliminate completely. You can get simple propane carburetor conversion kits for most small engines, which derates the power about 15% but eliminates your fuel storage problem.

You can buy a cheap 7500W generator powered by a 13 hp.vertical shaft B&S riding mower engine. Convert it to propane and it will put out about 6500W. I think they cost about $750, including electric start. Don't waste your money on an expensive unit when you won't put 500 hours on an engine in a decade.

 

[tsteahr]

I have been reading lots of info on this site and researching backup generators. I am seeking any advice before I purchase. Here is my situation: currently we have no back-up generator at all, so we are at the mercy of power outages, which happen maybe 2 or 3 times a year due to storms... the average outage probably lasts anywhere from 2 - 6 hours, of course every once in a while we will get an outage that might last 24 hours or more due to a bad storm or ice, etc. I have calculated I would want a generator that produces between 6000 and 8500 continuous watts. This would allow me to run most anything I need (not all at the same time of course). I would like to spend less than $2,500. Our entire house is electric, however we have a large (500 gallon?) propane tank that is only hooked up to gas logs... so it just sits there most of the time. After researching, I think I have narrowed it down to a portable diesel generator, a pto generator for my JD 2520 (20.5 rear pto hp) or propane. I don't know that I can find a good reliable propane generator for less than $2,500 though. Since I am only interested in emergency back-up power and not running a shop or tools, etc, a pto generator for my 2520 is appealing because it produces clean power for electonics and I would not (hopefully) use it all that often and not for long periods of time (except with the infrequent major outage). Here is a 10 kw pto generator that would seem to be a good match for my tractor... any thoughts:

IMD PTO 10-2S AVR PTO Generator - PTO10-2SAVR - 10kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator w/ AVR (540 RPM)

I have that exact IMD generator you are looking at. It is excellent. The unit has a very strong starting/surge capacity. Overall the unit seems overbuilt for its 10kw rating. I would venture to say this 10kw generator head is significantly stronger than a typical 10kw portable gas powered unit. Your 2520 will have no problem running this unit. My scut is only rated at 18.7 pto hp but I have not had any issues with the tractor being pulled down. Engine speed has always stayed rock stable for the loads I have put on it. I bought my unit from IMD directly. They were excellent to work with, and the price was better than other online retailers.

Using PTO generators for emergency backup is not popular on this forum, but for some people it is a convenient and cost effective alternative. There are pros and cons to every method of backup power. Pros to the pto gen woth noting are big power and high quality for the money, minimal maintenance and can tolerate long periods without being used with special storage routine. Cons have already been covered by others in this thread.

It is worth noting that if you have short (say 2-3 hour) power outages it might take a little longer to set up the PTO generator than a portable unit, depending on how you normally have your tractor configured. (IE do you have a back hoe attached or some other implement normally on the 3ph). If you don't want to be without power for more than a few minutes a standby unit would probably be a better alternative.

Considering the amount of quality power for the money a good pto generator is hard to beat. For under $2k I was able to get 10kw of clean, reliable (not made in china) power installed with a whole house transfer switch.

 

[TNTractor1]

I have that exact IMD generator you are looking at. It is excellent. The unit has a very strong starting/surge capacity. Overall the unit seems overbuilt for its 10kw rating. I would venture to say this 10kw generator head is significantly stronger than a typical 10kw portable gas powered unit. Your 2520 will have no problem running this unit. My scut is only rated at 18.7 pto hp but I have not had any issues with the tractor being pulled down. Engine speed has always stayed rock stable for the loads I have put on it. I bought my unit from IMD directly. They were excellent to work with, and the price was better than other online retailers.

Using PTO generators for emergency backup is not popular on this forum, but for some people it is a convenient and cost effective alternative. There are pros and cons to every method of backup power. Pros to the pto gen woth noting are big power and high quality for the money, minimal maintenance and can tolerate long periods without being used with special storage routine. Cons have already been covered by others in this thread.

It is worth noting that if you have short (say 2-3 hour) power outages it might take a little longer to set up the PTO generator than a portable unit, depending on how you normally have your tractor configured. (IE do you have a back hoe attached or some other implement normally on the 3ph). If you don't want to be without power for more than a few minutes a standby unit would probably be a better alternative.

Considering the amount of quality power for the money a good pto generator is hard to beat. For under $2k I was able to get 10kw of clean, reliable (not made in china) power installed with a whole house transfer switch.

Good to hear! That is sort of my thinking too. However, after reading such good reviews about the value of Champion brand generators, that might be the most cost-effective route for me. For around $1,000 I can get a 6500 watt gas generator AND a 2000 watt inverter generator (for the electronics). They are chinese made, but they all seem to get great reviews on many websites.

Champion Portable Inverter Generator 73531i | eBay

Champion 6000 Watt Portable Generator 41115 | eBay

 

[TNTractor1]

To me the pto generator is appealing because, it is lots of clean power for the $$$... I already have the diesel engine (my tractor)... I have no attachment for the rear pto, so my pto is always ready to hook up... I could store extra diesel in a tank and rotate it just by using my tractor... I will probably only use the generator for 100 hours or so in a decade.

 

[tsteahr]

Good to hear! That is sort of my thinking too. However, after reading such good reviews about the value of Champion brand generators, that might be the most cost-effective route for me. For around $1,000 I can get a 6500 watt gas generator AND a 2000 watt inverter generator (for the electronics). They are chinese made, but they all seem to get great reviews on many websites.

Champion Portable Inverter Generator 73531i | eBay

Champion 6000 Watt Portable Generator 41115 | eBay

Those champion units look like great bang for the buck. But I wonder if a inverter unit is the best choice for electronics that are sensitive? I'm no expert, but I thought inverter generators output was a modified square wave? A regular direct driven rotor in a stator should always provide a fairly smooth sine wave, so long as the shaft speed is constant and the voltage regulator is decent. I would just make sure you know the output you are getting from the inverter if you are looking for clean power.

 

[TNTractor1]

wow, something else I just noticed on that IMD pto generator: According to the specs it's rated at 10 Kw and 20,000 surge watts!

Rated Watts 10,000 Watts
Surge Watts 20,000 Watts

IMD PTO 10-2S AVR PTO Generator - PTO10-2SAVR - 10kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator w/ AVR (540 RPM)

 

[hosspuller]

Unless you use enough diesel to insure fuel turnover, Propane is the way to go. :thumbsup: Propane doesn't gum like gasoline or support alge growth like diesel.

Fuel consumption is only a concern for economics or long run hours. With a 500 gallon tank, even a half tank is more than you'd likely have in diesel or gasoline. Just have it filled before storm season. Then you'll be prepared for the worse.