Generator for House

[Gliderjohn]

From kingoffleece:

The folks I know with Generac don't ever report any problems.

Have had two minor problems. The choke linkage came loose and did not properly choke the engine, just had to retighten a fastener. Second is the self diagnosis is a bit sensitive concerning battery condition, a simple reset solves that.
GliderJohn

[Nic in Western NYS]

The folks I know with Generac don't ever report any problems.

Calling Lowe's in Canandaigua today with a 10% coupon in hand seeing if a new one of those Generacs is in our near future.

[maquette]

We use a Generac as well, similar to the one Chuck was talking about. If you are buying new I think it's a good idea to upgrade to an aluminum cabinet so you don't end up with rust after a few years. Ours has been great for 9 years and I've replaced one battery. We live on the coast of NC and lose power frequently for various reasons. The ability to keep the freezer/fridge and some other electrical stuff running is worth the cost to me.

[elvisboy77]

Definitely get the whole house switch. Otherwise you will have to pre-select what you run.

 Pick whichever generator has lower fuel consumption but can handle your load.

 Does the propane also heat your house?  Make sure your storage supply can handle both loads if so.

I had a free natural gas unit offered to me, my sister did not want it, but I went with gasoline.  More portable, easier to store, way cheaper.  I bought some siphon kits so I make sure there is plenty of fresh gas in my 2 cars before a storm.  You need a manual transfer switch so that you do not electrocute anyone upstream doing repairs.  That little 240 VAC generator will make 13,200 volts on the other side of the transformer!

[Ncdan]

It is that time of year: wind, rain, falling trees, power outages... My wife and I (and perhaps a few hundred other people) live on a peninsula. When the power goes out, it stays out. Ours is not a high-priority area. Power can be out for days.

Thinking ahead, I would like to install an electric generator. (Our cabin/cottage is only 1,200 square feet, but we do have a few outbuildings with light-duty needs--such as the trickle charger for my Norge.)

I would much prefer a heavy, non-portable, automatic generator that is connected to our propane tank. I think I have narrowed my search to a Generac Guardian 11kW Home Backup Generator with Whole House Switch (about $3,100) or a Champion 8.5Kw Standby Generator with 10-Circuit Automatic Transfer Switch (about $1,800). I can get either through Cabela's (or possibly direct), our electrician is ready to connect whatever we buy, and Acme Fuel is ready to connect the propane line.

Thoughts? Others to consider?

Our farmer friends just use a portable, manual-start, gas generator, and our electrician has suggested the same, but I would rather not flip switches, go outside, start the generator, come back inside, flip more switches, and then worry about running out of gas.

A heavy duty welder is also a high amperage generator and sometimes can be bought for much less than a generator alone.