Help me choose a generator

[ayelvington]

I have a Silent Diesel generator that keeps us going several times a year.

The trouble with high-speed generators (3600 RPM) is that they produce a lot of electrical noise that electronics do not like. I have to shut down our home network when we're on the generator since the uninterruptible power supplies consider the dirty power a power failure

I do recommend that any diesel generator have the following:
-glow plugs
-easy access to compression release
-easy to install hot-start

Mine has none of the preceding features, and they are sorely missed...

Good luck

Al

 

[Pete Judd]

One thing that TNT has not stated is how much power he needs. I bought a 7500 out of a crunched motor home, It runs on propane, so no worry about fuel going bad. I am a big fan of diesel, but in this case, propane is better. We have been flooded in with out power for up to 7 days, and heat the house with pellet heat. A couple of 20 gallon tanks will take care of the frezxar and fridge, but we only run it a couple of hours a day, and use it to power our UPS that run the computers and entertainment. We could and have gotten bye with a small Honda 800 watt inverter type that used almost no gas. But, when you are stuck at home because of high water, it is not possible to get to a gas station.

 

[bradm64]

I went through all the same questionsa bout a PTO versus a portable versus an automatic standby. Then the wife asked what about if I were out of town, etc for work when we had an outage? She was not comfortable with moving the tractor, hooking up a PTO generator, or moving a portable to the right spot, connecting, getting it started, etc.

So we ended up with an Generac standby with automatic transfer, LP powered off our existing 1000 gallon tank for furnace.

Not saying this is the way to go for everybody, but if you do have to travel for work any, might be something to consider.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[EE_Bota]

I went through all the same questionsa bout a PTO versus a portable versus an automatic standby. Then the wife asked what about if I were out of town, etc for work when we had an outage? She was not comfortable with moving the tractor, hooking up a PTO generator, or moving a portable to the right spot, connecting, getting it started, etc.

So we ended up with an Generac standby with automatic transfer, LP powered off our existing 1000 gallon tank for furnace.

Not saying this is the way to go for everybody, but if you do have to travel for work any, might be something to consider.

Just my 2 cents.

Although I have a PTO generator, your point is a good one, and a similar one is "will the power be off an hour or a week?" I can imagine, without knowing all the details of my outage, waiting a while (2-3 hours) to see if the power will come back on. With an automatic, there is not need or desire to wait.

I'm not suggesting everyone is as lazy as myself, but truly, if my power went out today, I have no need for power at all unless and until my refrigerator and freezer temperatures are threatened. I could easily wait 8 or more hours, and since I can, I most likely will wait. Naturally, if there is an inch of ice on the trees, a massive tornado or hurricane, I'll jump right on it. But all other outages, I'd simply wait. Folks with automatic standby equipment will be way ahead of me.

But honestly, I would turn my standby off too, and wait for the fridge and freezer threat, then turn it back on. That's just me. Everyone has to know themselves, and their situation. Match your generator to your reality, you will be happy. Adopt a different unrealistic view, and you will be displeased. I think this thread is helpful, and I hope it is helpful to the OP, because it makes you think through all the finer points of your TRUE situation.

 

[jmanatee2]

I have put in two Generac propane powered Home standby generators

1st in FL was 12kw
2nd was in CT 15kw

The 15kw is to big for my home but I got it for $2100 out the door with transfer switch and warranty.

In the north you need to consider the flow of propane is dependent on evaporation. You must have a horizontal tank to give enough surface area to evaporate enough propane in the winter.

Both units have been flawless. They are a selling feature. When I move I will buy another one.

We run Battery backups on all electronics (TVs, Stereos, Computers, etc) It is very nice to be sitting around the TV or working on the computer on a stormy night and have the power fail but the TV / Computer doesn't go off (because of the UPS), the generator starts by its self, warms up and switches the house back to power (in less then 1 min).... We never miss a beat, don't have to go out in the storm, mess with extension cords, gas etc...

If we are away and the power is lost, our fridge keeps running, if it is the winter it starts and keeps heat on....

I would go automatic if you can.