Generator for home during power outages

[skfullgun]

I have a Honda EU2000 and a Wen 3500. The Wen was purchased for the RV trailer but it's used very little.

I had a Champion 1800 but gifted it to the neighbor during last year's freeze. It was too small for my purposes and I used it just for lights while fishing/camping on the beach - I only bought it ($189) to keep from exposing the Honda to the salt water environment.

Whole house generators are great, but require lots of fuel. Natural gas may not continue to flow in a long-term scenario.

The Honda will run for a full 12 hours on a gallon of fuel and power a freezer and refrigerator (by alternating between appliances). Yep, it was a pain in the arse, but doable. I accomplished this for over two weeks after Harvey. By the time I ran out of fuel the freezer and refrigerator were empty.

When the fuel runs low, I'll transition to a dorm-sized fridge and run it just enough to keep a small amount of perishable food from spoiling- if I am able to scavage any fuel.

I keep about 50 gallons of treated fuel, plus what is in the truck. And, the EU 2000 will run a 6,000BTU window unit at night to air condition one room for sleeping.

My sister chose the whole-house generator route for her urban home, but she is a bit "high-maintenance", and can't imagine a time when the natural gas and city water could possibly cease to flow. She also thinks "long-term food storage" means living close to HEB.

Then again, she thinks I'm a nut-job...

 

[oldag]

I have a Honda EU2000 and a Wen 3500. The Wen was purchased for the RV trailer but it's used very little.

I had a Champion 1800 but gifted it to the neighbor during last year's freeze. It was too small for my purposes and I used it just for lights while fishing/camping on the beach - I only bought it ($189) to keep from exposing the Honda to the salt water environment.

Whole house generators are great, but require lots of fuel. Natural gas may not continue to flow in a long-term scenario.

The Honda will run for a full 12 hours on a gallon of fuel and power a freezer and refrigerator (by alternating between appliances). Yep, it was a pain in the arse, but doable. I accomplished this for over two weeks after Harvey. By the time I ran out of fuel the freezer and refrigerator were empty.

When the fuel runs low, I'll transition to a dorm-sized fridge and run it just enough to keep a small amount of perishable food from spoiling- if I am able to scavage any fuel.

I keep about 50 gallons of treated fuel, plus what is in the truck. And, the EU 2000 will run a 6,000BTU window unit at night to air condition one room for sleeping.

My sister chose the whole-house generator route for her urban home, but she is a bit "high-maintenance", and can't imagine a time when the natural gas and city water could possibly cease to flow. She also thinks "long-term food storage" means living close to HEB.

Then again, she thinks I'm a nut-job...

With a whole house generator, I would be putting in a propane tank.

 

[skfullgun]

I would be interested in the figures if someone knows about how much propane a whole -house generator, on average, would use in a 24 hr period.

A quick search indicates 2-3 gallons per hour. At the low end, that's 48 gallons per day. So a 500 gallon tank, given those figures, would be good for about 10 days.

At $3 per gallon, that's about $144 per day.

Double-check my figures - I'm not a mathematician and I don't play one on TV.

 

[pronstar]

I would be interested in the figures if someone knows about how much propane a whole -house generator, on average, would use in a 24 hr period.

A quick search indicates 2-3 gallons per hour. At the low end, that's 48 gallons per day. So a 500 gallon tank, given those figures, would be good for about 10 days.

At $3 per gallon, that's about $144 per day.

Double-check my figures - I'm not a mathematician and I don't play one on TV.

Need more details for a guesstimate:
Size and type (inverter or not) of generator
How much of a load, can be a percentage of max output


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[no2gates]

With a whole house generator, I would be putting in a propane tank.

I looked into that, but I had 2 issues that prevented it:

1) I don't have a large enough property to allow the required space between a large propane tank and my house (only have 1/4 acre).
2) The propane company won't setup and deliver if I have an all-electric house and only use the propane for an emergency generator.

The area here was without natural gas for a few days along with no power, so a lot of people were completely screwed.

That's what drove me to install the solar system.

 

[Darkpriest667]

I looked into that, but I had 2 issues that prevented it:

1) I don't have a large enough property to allow the required space between a large propane tank and my house (only have 1/4 acre).
2) The propane company won't setup and deliver if I have an all-electric house and only use the propane for an emergency generator.

The area here was without natural gas for a few days along with no power, so a lot of people were completely screwed.

That's what drove me to install the solar system.

and if you have a lithium battery for night/backup you're in better shape than people with propane or natural gas. The sun doesnt go out and if it does none of it will matter anyway.

 

[no2gates]

and if you have a lithium battery for night/backup you're in better shape than people with propane or natural gas. The sun doesnt go out and if it does none of it will matter anyway.

I do have a 13.5 kWh Tesla Li-Ion battery for backup. Just had the battery and solar system installed 8 weeks ago.
At some point I want to get a second battery, but I'll wait until the prices come down a bit.

 

[skfullgun]

I looked into that, but I had 2 issues that prevented it:

1) I don't have a large enough property to allow the required space between a large propane tank and my house (only have 1/4 acre).
2) The propane company won't setup and deliver if I have an all-electric house and only use the propane for an emergency generator.

The area here was without natural gas for a few days along with no power, so a lot of people were completely screwed.



That's what drove me to install the solar system.

Have you posted details of your solar installation? I'm interested.

 

[no2gates]

Have you posted details of your solar installation? I'm interested.

No.
My system is 44 LG panels with 375 watts output each panel. Hooked to a Enphase IQ gateway inverter, and a Tesla gateway and a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery

On a day like today, I'll generate around 95kWh of power and sent 42kWh of excess power to the grid.

 

[Tnhawk]

Six weeks ago I had a power outage for a few hours because some idiot hit a utility pole. Happened again today with a hit and run accident.

 

[no2gates]

Six weeks ago I had a power outage for a few hours because some idiot hit a utility pole. Happened again today with a hit and run accident.

I have yet to have a power outage to test the battery backup we have on our solar system, but I know it's just a matter of time.

 

[pronstar]

We have a planned outage coming up on May 5 - they’re doing utility work in my area all day.

Looks like I’ll be giving the genny setup a good workout


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[Grumps21]

We have a planned outage coming up on May 5 - they’re doing utility work in my area all day.

Looks like I’ll be giving the genny setup a good workout


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That’s actually very good

1) they notified you in advance
2) it gives the residents something to test against for a real emergency

Although it would be inconvenient, I’d be okay with a 24hr shut down with advanced notice as a test to my preparedness. We actually have a small window a/c unit we purchased capable of cooling a dedicated room along with a small countertop microwave oven for situations like this.

 

[popsgarland]

We have a planned outage coming up on May 5 - they’re doing utility work in my area all day.

Looks like I’ll be giving the genny setup a good workout


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Not sure what all you need to have powered up.

But I have a 5,000 watt generator you can use if you need a second one. It has 4 - 110 outlets and 1- 220 outlet.

Let me know if you need it.

 

[candcallen]

We have a planned outage coming up on May 5 - they’re doing utility work in my area all day.

Looks like I’ll be giving the genny setup a good workout


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I'm in little elm. You can use my basic generator too. It's a typical 3500 4000 with only a few hours on it. I basically test it an hour a couple times a year. It's good for a basic room AC or running refrigerator or lights and outlets in a room.

 

[pronstar]

Thanks guys

I’ve got a 9500w setup that’ll run my entire first floor (upstairs is just bedrooms) including HVAC


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[leVieux]

>
A few things I've learned about home generators:

Those living in rural or isolated areas should consider future service needs when choosing a unit & brand. On our coasts, marine generator services also sell & service home units, and will be there after a storm or flood.

If you run electric home heating, it puts a great demand on the generator. Be sure your generator is big enough.

If you live in a hurricane area, and anticipate long-time generator use, the water-cooled units should be seriously considered.

The generator should be installed at least as high from grade as your home's floors.

Unless you live in an earthquake zone, piped-in natural gas is great. If in doubt, "dual fuel" models and/or "CNG" may be an answer.

"Been there. . . . ."

leVieux
.

 

[no2gates]

Thanks guys

I’ve got a 9500w setup that’ll run my entire first floor (upstairs is just bedrooms) including HVAC


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That's a nice size generator. How big a tank does it have and how long will it run before having to refill it?

 

[pronstar]

That's a nice size generator. How big a tank does it have and how long will it run before having to refill it?

It has an 8 gallon tank.

I’ve only run it sporadically, longest run so far has been to power a bounce house at my son’s birthday party a few weeks ago.

It was a small load ran all day on a few gallons of gas. I didn’t really track it all that much…I was mostly concerned with not filling the tank too much because I wanted to run it completely dry.


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[V-Tach]

>


If you live in a hurricane area, and anticipate long-time generator use, the water-cooled units should be seriously considered.

After Harvey we ran our generators for 6 weeks before our power was restored.....

We upgraded after....lesson learned....