DCBryan1,
I initially used a 5 Kw Gasoline Generator, but, it was not enough, especially for the 3/4 H.P. well water motor, and/or Refrigerator, and other associated items. I would have to go and re-set it a various times, including middle of the night. because the breaker would be tripped. It was, also, tough to start the cold motor, on the generator. My wife could not do it herself, and even the electric start, if you had not used it in months, would not turn over the motor, easily.
So, I purchased a 15 KW Guardian Generator a few years ago. I had it installed, with Automatic Transfer Switch, and hooked up to (2) two 200 gallon Propane Fuel Tanks, which I also use for Hot Water and Heat.
The Automatic Transfer Switch, when it senses that the main power has been cutoff for 1 minute, it automatically shuts off the mainline electric and switches to the Gas Generator, which automatically starts on it own. Also, the Auto Transfer Switch, senses power has been restored by the Electric Company, shuts off the generator, and returns to mainline electric power. You don’t have to do anything.
Also, once per week the Gas Generator will turn on automatically, and run for about 15 minutes and then turn off, just to keep things running smoothly.
I figured the 15 Kw Generator, with 400 gallons of Propane Gas, which I never let it get down less than 50 gallons, would give me 2-3 weeks of continous run time on the generator.
If I have to, I can have the Propane Tanks filled up within 24 hours, by the local company.
Cost, Installed for all this, around $6,000.00
Now, if I am not home, my wife has no problem during electric power shutoffs.
I saw up thread someone say 2.5 gallon per hour on propane and I was thinking to myself that it seemed like a lot of propane. 500 gallon tank 200 hour run time?
Have you ever measured your consumption?