Generator for home during power outages

[ERDFW]

I have an older 5k watt generator that i had around and pulled out and prepped during the February extended freeze. Although I didn’t have to resort to using it, it was nice to have around.

It a older non-inverter and LOUD generator. I’ve been thinking about selling it and buying a smaller (2-2.5k watts) generator as it would be smaller, quieter and also more fuel efficient.

Anyone care to share their generator experience during this freeze and what would you have done differently regarding using a generator to keep the home running?

TIA!

 

[no2gates]

My power was out for 5 days during the freeze. I have a 3400 watt (4200 peak) generator I bought new for $299 a few years ago. Had never used it until February. It ran for 5 days with no problems. The only times it stopped was every 12 hours when I had to add fuel.

Now, what I AM going to do differently this time is to have an electrician put a NEMA plug outside and tie into the breaker panel with a override bypass switch. Back in February, I was ill prepared and had extension cords going everywhere inside the house.

 

[vmax]

I had the Generac inverter generator during the freeze
It's a 2000 watt unit
Kept it stored with aviation gas ..so no ethanol
I got it out during the freeze and it started kn 12 degree Temps in my garage
It was plenty for us to make coffe..charge phones , some LED lights and run the fridge
I could not be happier with how it preformed when I needed it

 

[Coyote9]

I had the Generac inverter generator during the freeze
It's a 2000 watt unit
Kept it stored with aviation gas ..so no ethanol
I got it out during the freeze and it started kn 12 degree Temps in my garage
It was plenty for us to make coffe..charge phones , some LED lights and run the fridge
I could not be happier with how it preformed when I needed it

good call on the avgas, I use Stabil but will get a 5 gal can of avg asasp.

 

[Axxe55]

Had one, but fortunately, we didn't need it.

If you are wanting to upgrade to a better generator, try if possible to stick with a major brand of generator, and one that has a major brand of engine on it. If for some reason you need parts or repairs, it makes it much easier to source parts for repairs or maintenance.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

And I have several 5 gallon cans with years old gas....

 

[baboon]

I too have thought about a generator for the new place.

 

[Axxe55]

I too have thought about a generator for the new place.

Would not be a bad idea in the least. I think under some conditions, that if you live in a more rural area, and the power goes out due to storms, or tree damage or such, it might take longer for the electric company to get the power restored the further away you are.

When Hurricane Rita hit Texas, we didn't suffer any damage, but our electrical provider did, and we were out of power for about twelve days. Having the generator, made it seem like a long camping trip.

 

[baboon]

Luckily we didn't loose water or have pipes break other then the A/C drain line cracked during the freeze. The entire house is electric. I guess I'm more concerned about loosing A/C & both fridges, but lights and being able to cook are comforts I have kind of gotten use to! Bottom line I can afford it so why not.

 

[vmax]

good call on the avgas, I use Stabil but will get a 5 gal can of avg asasp.

Its about $1 / gal more than pump gas but who cares when you need your equipment to run..

 

[Texasjack]

It should be obvious, but don't buy anything Chinese. An inverter type is best if you're going to run any electronics. These days, a surprising number of things contain electronics - refrigerators, for example. Generator engines need to be run periodically - like once a month - or they lose a lot of lifespan.

When you run a generator, make sure that the number of appliances are limited. Consider putting hair dryers under lock and key.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "...everything was going fine, and then my wife decided to use the hair dryer..."

 

[mountainbull]

Think about a propane powered gen set, the 4 to 5 kw units are portable, and no old fuel or storage problems.
BBQ tank will last quite awhile,keep a few around, and you can cook on the grill

 

[Recoil45]

I have an older 5k watt generator that i had around and pulled out and prepped during the February extended freeze. Although I didn’t have to resort to using it, it was nice to have around.

It a older non-inverter and LOUD generator. I’ve been thinking about selling it and buying a smaller (2-2.5k watts) generator as it would be smaller, quieter and also more fuel efficient.

Anyone care to share their generator experience during this freeze and what would you have done differently regarding using a generator to keep the home running?

TIA!

What is your heating and hot water sources. If you have a gas furnace and gas water heater, a 2-3k unit is feasible. If you have electric heat/water, it's a while different ballgame.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[msharley]

If at all possible, diesel is a good way to go.

Using Off Road Fuel (or if you heat with oil, your #2 Fuel Oil)....you use about 1/5th the amount of fuel a gasoline job does...

My two cents...

 

[TEXAS "All or nothing"]

Back in Feb I had no los of power, but do have a 40k gen that uses ng when in need.

 

[Big Dipper]

Think about a propane powered gen set, the 4 to 5 kw units are portable, and no old fuel or storage problems.
BBQ tank will last quite awhile,keep a few around, and you can cook on the grill

Remember too, in an extended power outage gas station pumps do not work. Either plan for propane or a way to store and cycle gasoline.

 

[lightflyer1]

I just use a small 2k watt Honda (EU2200i). Small, quiet and fuel efficient. Very portable and can be used for camping, hunting and other such events very easily. It won't run the house at all but will run a few lights and the refrigerators, TV and charge phones and computers and such. Natural gas for hot water, stove so no issues there. Fireplace for heat if needed. If you are going to try and run the whole house you will need a sizeable generator for AC and high draw items like it. Something in the 10 to 15k range at least. Always wanted one of those whole house Generac units on natural gas but it is overkill for the few times we lose power. Picked the Honda up for $300 used a few years ago and got rid of the big honking 7500 watt Troy built I had.

 

[FireInTheWire]

My experience..

We live remotely at the end of the distribution line. Although it's inconvenient... Our power on, to power off ratio isn't all that unbalanced. I'd say we have power 95% percent of the year. Which, isn't all that bad. People have gotten so used to being able to flip a switch on, that when the power does go out, the brain makes it high priority to get it back on and these outages stand out in our mind. If you add up the (power off minutes) to the (on minutes) we are not in the dark often.

There is massive value in a little back up power though. The old saying "when you have nothing, a little seems like a lot"

The key factor here that needs addressed first- Heating and A/C. For me, if its 0 degrees, we need heat or you'll die. I regard freezing temps more dangerous than heat. If we don't have power in the summer, its inconvenient. Lay low, cool off with water, run a fan(low power consumption) or open some windows. Old school folks did it for many years.

Heating- it's a key element. If you have supplant heating i.e. wood burning stove, propane fireplace ect.... you'll be OK. Electric heating and AC is big power and with big power is big fuel.

https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100478-2000-watt-inverter/
I bought this little bugger^^^ It's been good so far. It's portable for many chores around the farm and camping. In a power out scenario, it's enough to run stuff like the 120v control for my on demand water heater, plenty of led house lights, fridge, couple of deep freezers and maybe TV, CPU and some fans.

If you have money for a whole house generator.... more POWER to ya. I can't justify it every time I sit down and do the numbers.

 

[thescoutranch]

During The ice storm we lost power for five days. We were fortunate enough to have a lifeboat in that we had a motorhome in the garage. But even this had some shortcomings that were addressed after the ice went away. Motorhome has a 7000 W generator built-in that runs off of diesel. But at the time we did not have an inverter for the RV so if you want to AC power you had to be running the generator. So left the garage doors cracked open and fresh batteries in the carbon monoxide detectors. Ran an extension cord from the RV back to the house for a chest freezer.

Not the greatest set up, but after the storm I added an outlet and wiring so that the RV generator can backfeed the house after disconnecting the main breaker going to the house from the grid.

Picked up a 4000 W inverter for the RV that way we can enjoy TV and AC power without having to run the generator, for at least a while. Picked up a flexible exhaust tube to run out the garage door so I didn’t have to have the garage door open as far to run the generator. Also picked up an AC powered carbon monoxide detector so I’m not dependent on 9 volt batteries to stay alive; it’s on when the generators running.
Well this generator will not run the entire house, it will run enough circuits to make life better. One of the big things I noticed during a storm was that your septic pump will not be pumping or alarming without power, so you could possibly back up your sewer into your house.

When the power finally came back on I noticed that my septic alarm was in the high alarm mode. No visibility of that without AC power, also no way to pump it out to the septic field without AC power

So I’ve written up a little procedure for myself, for operating the house off the generator with which circuits to kill which ones to bring back online.

I realize not everybody has a motorhome, but this was the path we took after the lessons we learned during the ice storm/power outage

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I bought a portable AC unit several years back.
It has been a life saver the few times that the power has been off for any extended period of time.
I've got a 5kw gas generator that runs all the needed stuff, but is loud.
For the night time, I bought a 2kw quiet generator. I can put it in the backyard, and run the AC, and fridge.