A Generator Thread for Preppers

Self | 31 July 2012 | Lurker

[PA Engineer]

I’ve got a bit more money, so I’ve been looking at the more permanent generator solution.

I have done something different. Another Freeper referred to it as a "submarine" method.

I use stacked inverters with 8-L16 Trojan Batteries. These are sized to provide power for refrigeration, water, coms, and some lights for about 5KW a day. The generator runs for about 1.5 hours a day to charge the batteries and run other items such as laundry and central vacuum.

This method is a fuel extender and does provide a bit more opsec because of the noise from the generator. It is more expensive, however it does use much less fuel and is quiet in inverter mode.

We experience numerous power outages a year and have used this system for over 14 years. We replaced the batteries last summer and upgraded the generator. One of the technological advances in battery maintenance is the BatteryMinder. This unit keeps the batteries charged and prevents sulfation.

This arrangement is worth it if you want to spend the money. When the electric goes out, the quiet inverter power up is just one switch away.

[sjm_888]

Thanks Lurker. Bump for later reference.

[MileHi]

Right on Lurker!

Can I add a couple things?

That means you’ll need to find out how many amps each thing you want to power in your house requires to not only run, but to START as well. For instance my furnace requires only about 5 amps to run, but 9 amps to start the fan motor. You have to take this into account as all electric motors as in air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, furnaces, etc, require more amperage to start them initially.

Exactly right. Here is a good rule of thumb:

The amps shown on the unit (run load amps or RLA) is the operating amperage. You can figure six times that for lock rotor amps (LRA) to determine starting amps if it is not given.

Now you’ll need to connect your gen set to the gas source somehow. Since I’ve opted for a semi-permanent installation (more on that later) I purchased 50 feet of ½ rubber hose suitable for use with low pressure natural gas. This came from the same vendor as the adaptor kit. A quick connect set up on either end and I can hook it directly from my gas meter right to the regulator on the Tri Fuel Kit.

Love that idea. I would add this. Use soap bubbles from a hardware/plumbing supply store to make sure there are no small leaks, ESPECIALLY if you connect in side a building anywhere.

Sounds like a great setup. Thanks

[BobL]

“Diesel is louder and harder to start in the winter.”

Agree - but preppers have different objectives. Some want to get through a post-hurricane scenario, where you still have civilization.

But for the serious stuff, having ANYTHING that attracts attention is simply not a good idea.

[BobL]

“I hope you are right....the 50lbs of Rice we have could go bad...plus I have 20Lb of Jasmine rice that I think WILL go bad....(don’t eat much in the way of carbs)”

When things go south, the Atkins Diet goes with them (and believe me, I’m familiar). Practically the only thing that matters is calorie count for the family. Nutrients can be obtained by the scraps of food that the government makes available, and other stored stuff - but without calories, one withers on the vine.

[FreedomPoster]

Good job, really nice post.

I’ve had a small genset for more than a dozen years now. My recommendations on maintenance:

o If you’re using gasoline, buy premium and use 2X the recommended amount of Sta-Bil.

o Set a recurring quarterly reminder in Outlook, or whatever you’re using for a calendering app, for a Saturday. Pull your generator out (or open up the enclosure if you go the Suncast route) and run it for about 15-20 minutes so it gets good and hot. Preferably hook up an electric space heater to give it a little load, it will run better. If you are using gasoline, DO NOT USE THE KILL SWITCH TO TURN IT OFF. Instead, close the fuel petcock and let the generator empty out the carburetor to turn off.

o On the Fall quarterly date, set a reminder to change the oil. Yes, change the oil annually even if you only ran the thing for the four exercise sessions. I use Mobil1 10W30, it’s reasonable enough buying it at Costco or in the bulk gallons from Wal-Mart.

I also helped a friend install a large fixed nat gas genset with an automatic transfer switch that his wife impulse bought from Costco after watching the mayhem in the wake of Katrina. And by helped I mean I did all the electrical planning and work, with him helping. Fixed about half a dozen code violations his electrician had left behind after supposedly fixing up the main panel when he moved in, too. If anyone has questions about that, hit me with a FReepmail.

I’ve seen that trifuel site before. I really should bite that bullet. I’ve always got the equivalent of about 2 full bottles of propane around in the three I have, and if I did that, I’d probably add a fourth to the mix. Or maybe even get a 35 or whatever that next size is.

[Squantos]

Good info BTTT !

[goodnesswins]

YEP...the calories is why we have it....have some SPAM too, and actually wouldn’t mind eating THAT now! LOL.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Another advantage of batteries is that you could spend some more money and buy solar panels and charge them during the day. That cuts down on the generator use, gives you noiseless operation when people tend to be up and about, and provides one more source of energy.

Even when you run out of propane and the natural gas cuts out, so long as the sun shines, you have some power to use.

And you could always buy a wind generator as well. And if you have a stream nearby, you could buy a water-powered generator.

One thing I’m working on is building up some LED lighting. Whenever I see clearance sales, I buy one or two. They use so little electricity, that if you were to use a battery system, you’d need very little to light up your house (and frankly, light is one of those things we all take too much for granted.

[BobL]

“YEP...the calories is why we have it....have some SPAM too, and actually wouldn’t mind eating THAT now! LOL.”

SPAM...there’s a reason I have everything else I can think of.

[BobL]

Why do I think you’ve been around the block, more than a few times?

[PA Engineer]

Another advantage of batteries is that you could spend some more money and buy solar panels and charge them during the day. That cuts down on the generator use, gives you noiseless operation when people tend to be up and about, and provides one more source of energy.

Excellent point. The arrangement is the primary leg of a stand alone system. I have 6-85watt helios stored away with a charge controller. This was until recently my worst case scenario purchase to run the well.

Western PA has not seen any blackouts this summer, but there definitely have been brown outs. The EPA has started forcing the coal plants to close. This will create shortages, where before we had about 20% overcapacity.

I have been using a data logger for line voltage and have recorded measurements to 105 volts. I do expect the problems to worsen. Now my worse case may end up being the full 5KW minimum load. The AstroEnergy 245Watt panels (20) look interesting. That however is one heck of an investment for a worst case scenario.

[Lurker]

Good information all. Thank you!

[babygene]

“Any suggestions? Brand Names?”

Onnan would be one but mine’s a Kohler...

[JDoutrider]

This ties in kart's prep thread a few days ago when I asked for input on some high end permanent generators...

The one's I've been researching (haven't made a choice yet) are:

Northstar Tri-fuel Generator

Generac Guardian

Kohler 14 KW RES Standby Generator

Hope that helps...

[STJPII]

Thanks

[Intolerant in NJ]

Bump.....

[goosie]

White rice will keep for a long, long time. Brown rice will keep a much shorter time because it goes rancid. I am not sure about jasmine rice.

[AlaskaErik]

I skipped those six circuit transfer switches and went with a whole-house transfer switch. It sits right next to the the cut-off switch box on the back of my house. That way I only have to throw one switch and I'm on generator power and I can run anything I want.

I also went with a 5 kw diesel generator. It powers my whole house without any difficulty, and I'm on well and septic. The only thing I don't run is my electric dryer. Diesel fuel is more stable and less dangerous to store and it can be stored much longer than gasoline.

Total cost for me was $1650.00...$1100 for the generator at Costco, $400 for the transfer switch and $150 to have it installed. Generator is stored in my garage and wheeled out when the power goes out. It's a quiet-run unit that I can't even hear in the house. I also have battery-backup for the computer and TV.

[IncPen]

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