Posted: 4/18/2006 11:18:00 PM EDT
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I want a generator that can power my house for an extended SHTF event. Since most military vehicles run on Diesel fuel, I can only assume that Diesel will be more readily available after refined stocks run down. But who knows? Suggest a generator capable of powering the home after it all goes to hell (Diesel or Gas). |
Three suggestions: 1. Survival Forum 2. Survival Forum 3. Survival Forum IIRC there's a tacked thread there. They've talked about generators more times than there's been chuck norris threads in general discussion. |
I don't really understand your premise. The military does use Diesel, but why would you take that into consideration...are they going to share with you? Good topic nontheless. Keep us posted. |
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With fuel prices what they are, I think generators will be of limited utility. They are just too expensive to run for any significant period of time. I have one, but since gas is no longer 85 cents a gallon, the only use I will ever put it to is for recharging batteries. |
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Diesel will probably be available longer than gasoline, we've seen this in hurricane areas Diesel stores better Diesel genny's can last longer Diesel gennys are more fuel efficient Diesel gennys cost a lot more You will probably need 15kw to 30kw to run the whole house, assuming you want to run central air Remember, genny's make noise. Noise attracts attention. The tallest nail gets hammered 1st. I chose to go a super quiet, portable Honda 2kw genny. Does what I need. |
| My Dad has a big generator be bought about 15 years ago. He lost power because of an ice storm for 3 weeks and said he never would be without power again. It has a 2 cylinder diesel engine. He also has a big ass fuel tank (I think 500 gallons) sitting next to it. The generator will run his AC unit and heat, and provide full power to his house. It's all automatic. If the power goes out for more than about 1 minute, the generator will automatically start up and start powering the house. It's a sweet setup. I think he paid about $25K for the setup. |
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Diesel will run longer and quieter. I have access to a number of generators--from Honda 6.5kw to Holt-Cat 125 kw diesel on a trailer. We used the diesel non-stop for at least 10 days after Katrina (at Kelly USA in San Antonio)--and the 125 kw was quieter than the 6.5 kw Honda. The issue you will have is how to hook your house up to a generator. Most of those things come with 30-50 amp plugs--but houses do not and are not set up to run on a generator if the electricity fails. Now, you can use multiple extension cords to power stuff--but that is just another PITA. two cents, pato |
Just have an electrician install a transfer switch |
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Sure, then all you need is a place to house that massive generator--the fuel to run it a while, and the cash to pay the electrician to place a transfer switch--not as easy as it sounds. Our diesels ran for about a day on 25 gallons--with a 100 gallon tank--so that's 4 days worth at constant load. We had a request to send one to East Texas during Rita--and the hospital that requested it didn't have the manpower or expertise to hook it up to their facility either. That said, unless you have a 1000 gallon tank to use--you are going to have limited time on the generator anyway---so you'll be the last guy on your block to swap to candles by a month or so. I think in a true SHTF scenario--staying put with a generator and stuff is just advertising for an unwelcome visit. pato |
| i know a guy lives in the woods. has a large propane tank because there is no gas line where he is. he also runs a small computer data center in his basement.. in the middle of nowhere on a t1 (which is an interesting story in and of itself). aniways.. he has generator backup and it runs off of the same propane. you can run a generator off of gas, diesel, natural gas or propane. some generators are multi fuel capable. personally if i was buying a shtf unit it would be portable and at least 10 to 15kw so i could run a small house, barn, emgergency shelter or medical unit on it. by portable i mean hit would have wheels and either could be towed or lifted up into a pickup truck bed.. |
| For a true SHTF Generator, forget all the Honda and Home Depot crap and check out this set-up. |
Nice! |
The noise problem is easily solved, if you feel like it. Install the generator inside the house inside an insulated room. It will need to be vented inside, and the exhaust piped outside. Have the intake suction go through a set of baffles (silencer? ) to reduce sound ecapage. Pipe the exhaust out underground to a water tank (make sure the pipe stays above the water level for some length to keep water out of the engine (I know from experience that this is bad, bad, bad). The water will act as a sound damper and also cool the exaust, further reducing noise. Some provision may need to be made for cooling (Forced air at least, or water cooled with a remotely mounted radiator)See, easy!  Aditionally, my parents house has an oil fired furnace, this is basically diesel, and the tank is a few hundred gallons, I think. If I was doing this, I would just have it run on heating oil. ETA: Also, mount the thing on rubber mounts to reduce vibration... |
You would have to find a place to sell you biodiesel, or know how to make it if you run out. Unless you overpower them, diesels will run pretty much forever. |
That page is pretty cool. The company that made the generator has the most fantastic customer service I've ever seen. Hell, they have that guys set-up on their website... |
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Depends on how long you expect the SHTF to be! A week? a few days? a month? Unless you got a warehouse full o fuel most wont last beyond four days. So it might be complicated BUT You might consider getting a steam powered generator! good ol' 1855 AD comin right at ya! Basically it runs the same as a locomotive engine but it powers a generator instead. All you need is something that burns and water, hello? forest? They are not cheap, cause no one buys them, they are more of a novelty item for people interested in Engineering principles and steam technology, but once you understand how they work and how to get one for a generator they are very cool. Also using solar panels cant hurt, and wind harnessing etc etc.
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That is impressive. |
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I suppose that my biggest concern would be getting a reliable generator that is powered by fuel that would be available for semi-short-term SHTF (3-months). Although I want to be ready when the Chinese invade and disable our power grid, what is more likely in my area is a gigantic earthquake. If I can get by for 3 months with readily available fuel (gas or diesel), I should be OK. If it goes beyond that, I'll have to start burning wood or something... So is the consensus that Diesel would be more available after the SHTF, or Mo-gas? |
Diesel stores better. Is less volatile. It also gives you more output per the gallon generally. I think if you look at generators comparing of the same rating a diesel powered generator will use less fuel than a gas generator. So keeping a 3 month supply of diesel requires less gallons than gas. |
I would strongly suggest that you scale back your expectations to operate just the essentials instead. Powering an entire house for more than a few days would probably require more generator, fuel and expense than you can stand. However, if you're willing to turn off the swimming pool pump, the Swedish sauna, the Jacuzzi and the 20-ton central air conditioner until after the SHTF has passed, you can probably run the essentials (your fridge, freezer, TV, computer and a few lights) on a generator and fuel supply that is small enough to last for many months. Ideally, you only run the generator for several hours, several times each day. This provides enough power to keep the fridge and freezer cold, and also allows enough time to recharge any batteries that are needed to run other low-drain devices during periods when the generator isn't running (e.g., TV set, lights, laptop computer, etc.). BOTTOM LINE: Plan on running a small generator hard, but only intermittently. A gallon of fuel will last a lot longer in a small generator that is only operated for a couple of hours a day at full load than a large generator that is operated around the clock at light load. |
Chuck Norris. Who's Chuck Norris? .
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