What's the best kind of generator, fuel-wise; propane, gas or diesel, for my home?

[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?

[Sun]

do you happen to have a link?

[Blueflag]

Sun -- tell us more what you need. Please.

[Sun]

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.

[Sun]

I heard Honda is quiet. That's good.

[JoeSixPack1]

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.

[leda]

sheesh! now thats a generator!
you could probably light up my
entire 2.2 sq mi town with it.

[Lurker]

Nothing like propane!

L

[Sun]

"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?

[Sun]

Do most gas stations have diesel fuel?

[xcamel]

I buy red (#2 heating fuel) and B35 bio-diesel for a 500gal bulk farm tank.

[JoeSixPack1]

"Most" portable generators will have a 6 to 8 hour fuel tank.

[JoeSixPack1]

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/?source=goog&kw=EMportable_generator

[Blueflag]

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.

[deport]

Go here for Consumer Reports, ratings, info

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/search.htm?query=home+generators

[Sun]

'"Most" portable generators will have a 6 to 8 hour fuel tank.'

Sounds good. Then we can get a good night's sleep.

[Sun]

It helps a LOT - a WEALTH of information.

[RightWhale]

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.

[groanup]

I have an electric generator.

[groanup]

I have an electric (powered) generator.

[Blueflag]

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.