Community Forums

SarahW · 11-03-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

There ya go! Perfect solution, and you will get more use and fun than a house generator

True for us! However we live in a metro area and don't typically have extreme weather or lengthy power outages. I think a whole-house generator is definitely a good solution for many people.

monkey · 11-03-2012, 08:48 PM

Even after 4 days without power a couple years ago in a big record breaking ice storm,, I can't talk the DW into a "standby" generator here... That was the first time ever I(we) had been without power more than a few hours. We did have (and still do) a little Briggs and Stratton 4K generator,, it ran our furnace , a couple lights, and warmed a pot of water for baths,, or the microwave for hot meals... We were the only one here in our neighborhood just 3 miles out of town,, I broke the ice off of the above ground pool to get water to flush the toilets,,(240volt well) now she made me get rid of the pool,, good grief,,, She says I can go the mile down to the lake... Maybe I'll just park my Jeep next time and make her drive her little honda car down there... Ya Right... Guess I'm saying,, what's it worth to BE PREPARED ??? That was part of my Boy Scout stuff... (I have ammo) .....

vsheetz · 11-03-2012, 10:04 PM

Agree about the MH and leaving the aflicted area - as I mentioned above we have the gas genny for the short term outages, longer term we would likely 'get out'a Dodge'. We keep the MH gassed and ready to travel as a contingency.

1ciderdog · 11-04-2012, 10:10 AM

I have a 12 KW Kohler that I bought online about two years ago. I think the cost was over $3,000. I did most of the installation myself. This is a back up for my solar system. This is a propane generator and I have a large propane tank that I fill about once a year. Previously I had a 10 KW Onan Diesel and that also worked well but was not in a sound deadening enclosure. Unless I am outside near the Kohler generator I can only tell when it is running by looking at the remote panel. I can buy propane for between $3 & $4 but off road diesel is normally above $4 in this area.

Oscar Mike · 11-04-2012, 12:23 PM

We have an emergency generator and a 500 gallon propane tank to run it for weeks if need be.

tekrsq · 11-04-2012, 04:35 PM

We researched this last year after another storm left us without electricity for 10 days. We've had several in the last few years with the longest time being 18 days without power. As mentioned, you need to figure out the likelyhood of losing ALL your utilities. For us, anything short of a major earthquake, natural gas will be the last to go. So for us, a natural gas generator is the best option. The downside to NG is that you have to figure in about a 7-10% power deficit as compared to gasoline or diesel. I desperately want to put in a 17-20 kw NG genny, but can't afford it right now.

As for Generac vs Kohler....get the Kohler if you can afford it. Generacs are decent, bt Kohler has been in heavy duty commercial use for a looong time.

CJ7ole · 11-06-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacmat

If I had such a large generator, 10,15 or 20 kw it would be diesel, and I would also have a permanent 200 gallon fuel tank connected to it. I presume a large generator is quite expensive and adding a large fuel tank would be a minimal additional cost.

How long will 200 gallons of diesel stay usable? I don't know the answer but with with gasoline even with Stabil in the tank you are pushing your luck after one year. Diesel can gel in extremely low temps and can get real funky with algae. Natural gas is a no-brainer if disruption is unlikely, propane will be pretty safe under most conditions.

BFlinn181 · 11-06-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7ole

How long will 200 gallons of diesel stay usable? I don't know the answer but with with gasoline even with Stabil in the tank you are pushing your luck after one year. Diesel can gel in extremely low temps and can get real funky with algae. Natural gas is a no-brainer if disruption is unlikely, propane will be pretty safe under most conditions.

Diesel is more like oil than gas, it can last a very long time (+5-10 years) IF algaecide is added and water is kept out. Those two limiting factors are the only things that could cause diesel to go bad. A good water separator and filter and occasional addition of algaecide will keep the lights on a long time. A gasoline generator has issues with gas going bad, gummed up injectors or carburetor, fouled plugs, etc. Between diesel and gas - I'd go diesel. LP or Natural gas - LP will last indefinately in a storage tank, NG you are at the mercy of the supplier up the pipe. Maybe O.K. in a storm, but in an earthquake, you could be left without.