Skip to comments.
What's the best kind of generator, fuel-wise; propane, gas or diesel, for my home?
Posted on 02/26/2006 5:43:56 PM PST by Sun
We are on the market for a generator, and are wondering which brand to get, and what kind of fuel is safest, easier to obtain, or better all around.
Also, which brands of generators are best?
TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: generators; poweroutage
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-54 next last
To: JoeSixPack1
do you happen to have a link?
21
posted on
02/26/2006 6:14:34 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: Sun
Sun -- tell us more what you need. Please.
22
posted on
02/26/2006 6:15:27 PM PST
by
Blueflag
(Res ipsa loquitor)
To: Blueflag
We want to run the furnace, frige, water pump, and a few lights. Sometimes we have outages in the winter as long as three days. We have a fireplace, as a back up, but it gets smokey.
23
posted on
02/26/2006 6:16:55 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: ButThreeLeftsDo
I heard Honda is quiet. That's good.
24
posted on
02/26/2006 6:18:15 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: Sun
I couldn't find the link to the thread I mentioned but I do have a nice generator link for you. :-)
http://www.norwall.com/generac2.htm
PS: My advice is to go with a standby whole house system. WHatever fuel you decide on is secondary.
To: xcamel
sheesh! now thats a generator!
you could probably light up my
entire 2.2 sq mi town with it.
26
posted on
02/26/2006 6:19:45 PM PST
by
leda
(Dream a better dream and work to make it reality!)
To: _Jim
![](http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:NrxxPZoTdjMJ:www.kjmedia.club24.co.uk/kingofthehill/Hank_Hill.jpg)
Nothing like propane!
L
27
posted on
02/26/2006 6:20:34 PM PST
by
Lurker
(In God I trust. Everybody else shows me their hands.)
To: carlr
"For practicality gasoline.
Should be easy to start if it is cold where you are and fuel can be purchased conveniently.
Whatever you get don`t put in your basement and try to pipe the exhaust outside."
How often do you have to refill the generator with gasoline (roughly) on a zero degree night to run the furnace?
28
posted on
02/26/2006 6:21:16 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: xcamel
Do most gas stations have diesel fuel?
29
posted on
02/26/2006 6:23:22 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: Sun
I buy red (#2 heating fuel) and B35 bio-diesel for a 500gal bulk farm tank.
30
posted on
02/26/2006 6:24:49 PM PST
by
xcamel
(One should hope Global Dumbing is reversible.)
To: Sun
"Most" portable generators will have a 6 to 8 hour fuel tank.
To: Sun
To: Sun
Ok, you'll want to run the pump (probably 220/240V), the furnace (probably 220, maybe 110) AND the water heater (unless it's gas).
The fridge takes very little power, as does running a few lights.
While a sizable portable, gasoline powered, electric start generator like we have (purchased at Lowe's, off-season for about $500) will produce enough power, you must also consider the cost of getting a transfer switch installed. This device physically (temporarily) disconnects you from the utility electricity grid and allows the power from your generator to come into your circuit breaker box.
Without a transfer, you CANNOT run your 'embedded' appliances like a furnace or water heater -- only those you can plug in.
If you have a friend who is an electrician (or you are one yourself) you can purchase and use the following for just about $1000US +/- $200.
8500 W continuous, 10,000 W peak/start generator
240/100 V service
manual start (you pull the cord)
gasoline power (Honda or Tecumsah)
on a wheeled frame for portability
AND
The transfer circuit/hardware that allows you to run your house 'normally' from the generator.
I put 'normally' in quotes cuz you can't run it ALL on 8500 W continuous. You need to be careful about what's running, and particularly about what is starting up with big motors or current needs -- like electric heat, furnace blowers, OLD fridges, electric ranges ( only one burner, and probably NOT the oven). Micorwave never gave us a problem. And run only a few lights.
I know this set up will work for a three bedroom log home in the mountains of NC, with a 500' well (240V). We seldom lose power for more than an hour, sometimes for 6 hours, only once or twice fro more than a day. Frankly, the biggest concerns were (1) keeping the pump running so we'd have water for sanitation [it gets old getting buckets of water from the stream so you can flush a toilet] (2) power for the fridge (3) a few lights (especially for the bathroom) (4) power for the microwave and the coffee maker (5) one burner on the range and (6) hot water. We heated the home with a Woodstock soapstone wood stove. The back bedroom gets cold, but not too bad -- the ceiling fans distribute enough warm air to get the rest of the house comfy.
We don't try to run the furnace. Don't need to really. Refilling the gasoline was easy -- every time we needed more firewood, it was also time for more gasoline. If you forget, it's real obvious when you need more gas ;-)
The right set up to power a home in emergencies (some of our neighbors have it) are the propane OR diesel powered, autostart, pad-installed generators that sit next to your home and look like an over-sized boxy airconditioning unit. They MUST be 'hardwired' to your home by a qualified electrician.
Now, if you just want to be able to power the fridge, the microwave, the coffee maker, and some lights, maybe even a small electric heater or two -- just buy a portable gas generator of about 6000 - 8500 W and run rated extension cords to your devices.
Hope this helps.
33
posted on
02/26/2006 6:41:10 PM PST
by
Blueflag
(Res ipsa loquitor)
To: Sun
34
posted on
02/26/2006 6:42:17 PM PST
by
deport
To: JoeSixPack1
'"Most" portable generators will have a 6 to 8 hour fuel tank.'
Sounds good. Then we can get a good night's sleep.
35
posted on
02/26/2006 6:45:25 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: Blueflag
It helps a LOT - a WEALTH of information.
36
posted on
02/26/2006 6:46:00 PM PST
by
Sun
(Hillary Clinton is pro-ILLEGAL immigration. Don't let her fool you. She has a D- /F immigr. rating.)
To: Sun
You will want the GE locomotive generator. It runs about 6000 horsepower, but takes diesel and will power all your kitchen appliances and pc peripherals. The pistons are the size of garbage cans. It makes a fair amount of noise, so it would ideally be kept in a separate building.
37
posted on
02/26/2006 6:48:35 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(pas de lieu, Rhone que nous)
To: Sun
I have an electric generator.
38
posted on
02/26/2006 6:49:41 PM PST
by
groanup
(Shred for Ian)
To: Sun
I have an electric (powered) generator.
39
posted on
02/26/2006 6:50:23 PM PST
by
groanup
(Shred for Ian)
To: RightWhale
The good news about the GE locomotive generator is that it can run on idle with full tanks for at least 30 days and STILL provide enough power for a modest home.
Getting the device on site is an issue.
Reliability is proven though.
You can pick up a used one for just under $100K.
You forgot your sarcasm tag --
Sun, don;t listen to him ;-) he's pulling your chain.
40
posted on
02/26/2006 6:53:15 PM PST
by
Blueflag
(Res ipsa loquitor)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-54 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson