Generator for home during power outages

[Saltyag2010]

My power was out for 5 days during the freeze. I have a 3400 watt (4200 peak) generator I bought new for $299 a few years ago. Had never used it until February. It ran for 5 days with no problems. The only times it stopped was every 12 hours when I had to add fuel.

Now, what I AM going to do differently this time is to have an electrician put a NEMA plug outside and tie into the breaker panel with a override bypass switch. Back in February, I was ill prepared and had extension cords going everywhere inside the house.

Do you want the part numbers for the stainless Generac power boxes and cord sets?

Since copper and the insulation prices are thru the roof the pre-made sets are cheaper than building them

 

[Axxe55]

There are quite a few generators on the market that are multi-fuel use, and IMO, those are not a bad idea as it gives you options of fuel sources. Diesel fueled generators are also another good option. Diesel fuel doesn't go stale as fast as gasoline does.

If you buy a generator for back-up power, you need to run it for a while at least once a month to keep it in tip-top condition when it really might be needed. If it's gasoline, with the fact that most gasoline available is an ethanol blend. I'd recommend either running the generator on regular basis and keeping it topped off with fresh gasoline, or just putting enough gasoline in it to run it about once a month. I'd also suggest using some sort of ethanol fuel treatment, and or a gasoline treatment in the fuel for the generator.

 

[lightflyer1]

Try to find fuel without ethanol. Some of the Murphy's (Walmart) carry it. I have an antique car (1935 Ford sedan) so I am always on the lookout for this fuel.

 

[Axxe55]

Try to find fuel without ethanol. Some of the Murphy's (Walmart) carry it. I have an antique car (1935 Ford sedan) so I am always on the lookout for this fuel.

If you can find a source for non-ethanol fuel that would also be a very good suggestion. If possible, if a person has a source for non-ethanol fuel, all of your small engine tools or appliances would benefit as well.

 

[oldag]

My power was out for 5 days during the freeze. I have a 3400 watt (4200 peak) generator I bought new for $299 a few years ago. Had never used it until February. It ran for 5 days with no problems. The only times it stopped was every 12 hours when I had to add fuel.

Now, what I AM going to do differently this time is to have an electrician put a NEMA plug outside and tie into the breaker panel with a override bypass switch. Back in February, I was ill prepared and had extension cords going everywhere inside the house.

Do you remember how many gallons of gas you used?

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Do you remember how many gallons of gas you used?

For my 5kw, it was about 10 hours on 5 gallons.

 

[ERDFW]

I store some non-ethanol gas for the generator and lawn equipment. My old 5k generator won’t sell for much money so I just opt to keep it as a backup. I realize that during extended electric outages, the gas station might not have power for me to replenish my gas supply and even if they did, I might not want to go out in the snow to refuel. I am wondering if it’s worthwhile to convert it to multi fuel as I have natural gas available and have extra tap outside to run it to the generator. I’ve priced the tri-fuel kits out on the market, and it cost more than my generator is worth. Which goes back to my original question, does it make sense to just sell the old generator and buy a new tri-fuel generator instead of converting an old generator?

 

[Axxe55]

I store some non-ethanol gas for the generator and lawn equipment. My old 5k generator won’t sell for much money so I just opt to keep it as a backup. I realize that during extended electric outages, the gas station might not have power for me to replenish my gas supply and even if they did, I might not want to go out in the snow to refuel. I am wondering if it’s worthwhile to convert it to multi fuel as I have natural gas available and have extra tap outside to run it to the generator. I’ve priced the tri-fuel kits out on the market, and it cost more than my generator is worth. Which goes back to my original question, does it make sense to just sell the old generator and buy a new tri-fuel generator instead of converting an old generator?

I have never personally converted one to multi-fuel use, and it probably can be done, but I'd also have to guess it would be probably more expensive and less reliable than just buying one already configured that way from the manufacturer. Plus it would have a warranty, and be designed from the get go to run on multiple fuel sources.

 

[outdare]

I used this on our champion generator. No issues so far.

I agree that buying one already setup is easier
I think most come as a hybrid now.

Generators

Buy Generator Propane and Natural Gas Conversion Kits for most Gasoline Engines.

www.uscarburetion.com

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[BRD@66]

Thanks folks for this thread. BTW, QT (that's then name of the gas station, not just another acronym) has alcohol-free gas for (I believe) about 30₵/gallon more than "regular".

 

[Axxe55]

Thanks folks for this thread. BTW, QT (that's then name of the gas station, not just another acronym) has alcohol-free gas for (I believe) about 30₵/gallon more than "regular".

I haven't priced the non-ethanol lately, but in the past it was usually running about .15 to .20 cents a gallon higher that the ethanol gasoline.

 

[jordanmills]

I store some non-ethanol gas for the generator and lawn equipment. My old 5k generator won’t sell for much money so I just opt to keep it as a backup. I realize that during extended electric outages, the gas station might not have power for me to replenish my gas supply and even if they did, I might not want to go out in the snow to refuel. I am wondering if it’s worthwhile to convert it to multi fuel as I have natural gas available and have extra tap outside to run it to the generator. I’ve priced the tri-fuel kits out on the market, and it cost more than my generator is worth. Which goes back to my original question, does it make sense to just sell the old generator and buy a new tri-fuel generator instead of converting an old generator?

Probably worth it for the savings in fuel consumption (or the availability of fuel). Most or all of the parts should be transferrable to another generator as long as it's not too much bigger (engine about 12 hp is the dividing line). Personally I would do it.

 

[SA_Steve]

If you want to power your central air heater: its igniter might require you to have a jumper that connects the generator's neutral to the ground.

 

[billtool]

I have a back feed interlock for the home power. Had a plumber install a quick disconnect fitting at the gas meter. Purchased a tri-fuel generator from Costco. Runs gasoline/propane/nat gas. I discovered during Hurricane Ike that if my power is out- very likely the gas station power is out as well. I could only store about 30 gallons of gas and both vehicle tanks. That wasn’t enough to get us through 13 days. Go tri-fuel

 

[Coop45]

Try to find fuel without ethanol. Some of the Murphy's (Walmart) carry it. I have an antique car (1935 Ford sedan) so I am always on the lookout for this fuel.

Home depot and Lowes stock it.

 

[lightflyer1]

Home depot and Lowes stock it.

When has HD or Lowes carried fuel at the pump? We are talking about buying regular gas with no ethanol in it. Never seen it at HD or Lowes.

 

[pronstar]

Something to consider if you want to power your home AC:
Install a soft start kit to reduce the starting load on your generator.

I had one on our RV, but was unaware until recently that they make ‘em for home as well.


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[Axxe55]

When has HD or Lowes carried fuel at the pump? We are talking about buying regular gas with no ethanol in it. Never seen it at HD or Lowes.

Lowes does sell non-ethanol fuel, mostly premixed though. They do sell one for four-stroke engines by Tru-Fuel, priced at $5.98 a quart. That would be $23.92 a gallon!

 

[lightflyer1]

OUCH! Not going to buy fuel by the quart from them ever! Maybe they take ammo in trade.

 

[Axxe55]

OUCH! Not going to buy fuel by the quart from them ever! Maybe they take ammo in trade.

I have bought the premixed a few times in the past, and I had thought I had seen some for four-stroke engines as well. Yeah, pretty danged expensive.

I now use a premium two-stroke oil and Lucas ethanol fuel treatment in my two stroke engines. So far, pretty good.