Is a generator to supply 'almost' all the power worth it?

[Robert Macy]

Utilities go down. Is it worth it to get a generator to supply almost
all the power to your home?

like 10kW or 20kW.

and if so, which one and how much?

Or just stick with a 2kW, or so and time multiplex each operation - a
little fridge time, a little heater time, a little well pump time,
etc.

[Jim Elbrecht]

On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 07:21:02 -0700 (PDT), Robert Macy
<robert.a.macy@gmail.com> wrote:


Not to me-- but I'm not you, and don't have any idea how often your
power goes out, how much you rely on electricity, or how adverse to
labor you are.

Seems like only *you* can answer your question.


5k works for me. Runs the freezer, fridge, furnace, a few lights
and a TV or 2. [don't turn the microwave on, though]

Jim

[Stormin Mormon]

It's personal choice, no set formula.

My view, is that it's not healthy to appear to be better off than your
neighbors. Some people don't understand the relationship between work,
planning, and having stuff. They only see that you're warm and lit, and they
are cold and dark. Some folks will try to bring you down.

Much like the old Russian who found a genie bottle. Having released the
genie, he was promised one wish. "I wish that my neighbor's cow should die."

I wouldn't want a whole house generator. And, if I had one, I'd be using
blackout curtains.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
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"Robert Macy" <robert.a.macy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:af695a10-ea85-4f4f-8a90-782573133423@8g2000vbx.googlegroups.com...
Utilities go down. Is it worth it to get a generator to supply almost
all the power to your home?

like 10kW or 20kW.

and if so, which one and how much?

Or just stick with a 2kW, or so and time multiplex each operation - a
little fridge time, a little heater time, a little well pump time,
etc.

[Ralph Mowery]

"Robert Macy" <robert.a.macy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:af695a10-ea85-4f4f-8a90-782573133423@8g2000vbx.googlegroups.com...
Look at the cost to run the generator and decide on how big of a generator
to get. If gas is used as in many common generators, a 5 kw will use say a
gallon an hour. Not exect numbers, but just tossing out numbers. That is 3
to 4 dollars an hour to run. The oil powered generators usually use less
per hour. YOu also have to store the fuel unless going with natural gas.
Propane will keep for almost ever. Oil and gas have to be replaced or it
will go bad. Decide on how much you want to store.

It usually takes a 5 kw or beter generator to run well pumps.

I say go to a 5 kw for most people and rotate the loads. If you have the
money or the power goes out a lot, then look at a natural gas, propane, or
oil powered unit and go for a bigger unit to power the whole house.

[Ralph Mowery]

"Robert Macy" <robert.a.macy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:af695a10-ea85-4f4f-8a90-782573133423@8g2000vbx.googlegroups.com...
Look at the cost to run the generator and decide on how big of a generator
to get. If gas is used as in many common generators, a 5 kw will use say a
gallon an hour. Not exect numbers, but just tossing out numbers. That is 3
to 4 dollars an hour to run. The oil powered generators usually use less
per hour. YOu also have to store the fuel unless going with natural gas.
Propane will keep for almost ever. Oil and gas have to be replaced or it
will go bad. Decide on how much you want to store.

It usually takes a 5 kw or beter generator to run well pumps.

I say go to a 5 kw for most people and rotate the loads. If you have the
money or the power goes out a lot, then look at a natural gas, propane, or
oil powered unit and go for a bigger unit to power the whole house.

[George]

On 8/3/2012 10:21 AM, Robert Macy wrote:

Depends, how often does the power go off and for how long? If like here
where I can't even remember the last more than few minute outage the
system you described works for me.

[trader4@optonline.net]

On Aug 3, 11:11*am, George <geo...@nospam.invalid> wrote:

And all the other factors we don't know. Like is this
Florida or California, ie the need for heat, AC, etc.
Availability of fuels, nat gas IMO is best.

If a well pump is a required load, then a 2KW
may not be enough.. The well pump is probably about
1500W running and needs significantly more at
startup. For a typical situation where you have
a well pump, nat gas furnace, refrigerator, I'd
say 5KW is going to be practical. And
10KW is probably plenty unless you expect to
run central air or electric stoves/ovens, etc.

[devnull]

On 08/03/2012 10:21 AM, Robert Macy wrote:


LOL, I've tried them all.

Thirty-five years ago, the electric power seldom went out...and if it
did it was restored in 4 hours or less. Today, same location, I average
about a week a year without power and the typical outage lasts 3 days.

Anyway, I started out with a 5 kW Honda portable generator and a bunch
of 12 gauge extension cords. Extension cords work ok but are a pain in
the ass to run everywhere. Moving a loaded refrigerator to plug is no
picnic either. And it seems like I was always setting up all this stuff
in the dark.

After a few years of that, I had an electrician install a power inlet on
the outside of the house along with a [main|generator] lockout breaker
in the service entrance panel. Set up and operation was easier than
using a bunch of extension cords but I still had to lug around the
generator.

Finally, I had a 17kW Generac and an auto transfer switch installed. My
power outages only last about 5 seconds now and I don't have to lift a
finger. Totally automatic.

Also, do you have a suitable location to operate the generator? While
I've seen people run portable generators in the rain and snow, that
practice seems grossly unsafe to me. Running a generator in an attached
garage is dangerous as well. There is also the issue of theft. Clearly,
portables would be easier for some thief to grab and toss in a pickup.

And finally there is the issue of the fucking ethanol they put in
gasoline these days. The power equipment dealers I've talked to all
recommend not using E10 fuel that is more than 60 days old. Don't even
get me started on E15 and small gas engines.

[Atila Iskander]

"Ralph Mowery" <rmowery28146@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:8uGdndqgOYyWdobNnZ2dnUVZ_rednZ2d@earthlink.co m...

If it's for a city house and you have natural gas.
Get a conversion kit that allows you to run either gasoline, natural gas or
propane.
Natural gas will usually be available most places barring the gas line
breaking.
Propane is also easier to store than gasoline with a longer shelf life.

[r.mariotti@fdcx.net]

On Fri, 3 Aug 2012 07:21:02 -0700 (PDT), Robert Macy
<robert.a.macy@gmail.com> wrote:


Living in the "country" where power goes out frequently I've had a
Honda 6.5KW/240V for 27 years and had I known what it was like I would
have purchased it sooner. This past year we've had two separate
occasions where the power was out for over a week and with septic,
well pump and electric ignited oil furnace (all 3 of them 240V), my
house certainly would have frozen had I not had it.

I do have neighbors on three sides who do not have generators and only
once did one ask for a hook up for the fridge to which I obliged. The
only issue I had was having to drive approx 25+ miles to replenish the
gasoline with multiple 5 Gal tanks.

You particular situation will dictate if its worth it for you or not.
I'd recommend Yes! Good luck.