Posted: 2/7/2009 9:57:19 AM EDT
|
So I'd like to add a really good generator to my wish list.
Although I live in town (Stoughton), and I've never been without power for any significent amount of time, I'd like to be prepared. I've got one of those little 1000watt/15amp generators that we take camping (mostly for charging the 12V battery at primitive campgrounds). But I need a "real" generator, possibly one that I could buy a power isolation unit for to run my house off the grid, but thats not really a priority. It should be 220V capable, "just in case", as well as 110V. Any advice? |
|
I'm in Madison, and have similar questions. I would suggest what None told me to do. Head over to the OUTDOORS Forum, look under the SURVIVAL DISCUSSION thread. http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=10&f=17 If you cant find anything on generators (there is always something there), start a new thread, I'll be happy to add to it also. I own one 3500 watt Onan, but would like to add to it. I read in the Survival section a LOT about Honda generators and I like what I see. Just my .02 Dan |
|
I have a Coleman 5000 watt 7500 surge ran my whole house for four days a few years back.
5000 watt 220 circuit is plenty. Look for automatic idle adjust & quite muffler. There is a simple way to power your whole house with that size but I'm not going to post on a public forum it may be illegal by codes 
|
|
Ditto on the 5000W Coleman.
My primary power concern is my well, followed by freezer and fridge ( I can live for a few days without Direct Tv and the internet). When a tornado knocked out my power for 3 days, I found out that the 2500W that I already had (I used it for my job) wasn't enough "surge" for my 6" drilled well. I bought the 5000w at Sam's Club for $495, and it works fine. I use heavy guage extension cords. The 5000w would likely run everything, but because the freezer & fridge are located at the opposite end of my house from the well, I used the 2500w for freezer/fridge and the 5000w for just the well. If it had been a winter storm, I could've run the furnace on the 5000w as well. I "un-hardwired" both the furnace and well (in the same utility room), and fitted them with a wall socket and plugs. I cut a small hole through the outside wall of my utility room for a 10' "extension cord" that I made out of 6 guage wire. The inside end has a double receptacle, and the outside end has a plug, which I plug into the generator. This keeps the length of cord needed to an absolute minimum to prevent "line-loss". If the power goes out, I can unplug the well/furnace from the wall receptacle and plug them into the "generator receptacle", which is plugged directly into the generator on the outside. No need for them to run continuously. I'd run the 2500W for 15-20 minutes every other hour, and the 5000w only when the well tank ran dry. I used about 1-2 gallons of gas per day. |
|
Quoted:
Ditto on the 5000W Coleman. My primary power concern is my well, followed by freezer and fridge ( I can live for a few days without Direct Tv and the internet). When a tornado knocked out my power for 3 days, I found out that the 2500W that I already had (I used it for my job) wasn't enough "surge" for my 6" drilled well. I bought the 5000w at Sam's Club for $495, and it works fine. I use heavy guage extension cords. The 5000w would likely run everything, but because the freezer & fridge are located at the opposite end of my house from the well, I used the 2500w for freezer/fridge and the 5000w for just the well. If it had been a winter storm, I could've run the furnace on the 5000w as well. I "un-hardwired" both the furnace and well (in the same utility room), and fitted them with a wall socket and plugs. I cut a small hole through the outside wall of my utility room for a 10' "extension cord" that I made out of 6 guage wire. The inside end has a double receptacle, and the outside end has a plug, which I plug into the generator. This keeps the length of cord needed to an absolute minimum to prevent "line-loss". If the power goes out, I can unplug the well/furnace from the wall receptacle and plug them into the "generator receptacle", which is plugged directly into the generator on the outside. No need for them to run continuously. I'd run the 2500W for 15-20 minutes every other hour, and the 5000w only when the well tank ran dry. I used about 1-2 gallons of gas per day. I use a Honda EU2000i for the task that you mentioned that you used your 2500 watt for, and have a Power Arc 4000 Lincoln Stick Welder/Generator to power my well pump and possibly my electric water heater(never tried it on the water heater) The Honda ran 17 hours straight to power my freezer- fridge-TV-computer-microwave during a power outage. I shut it down once to refuel. The freezer and fridge never started at the same time so I can't attest if the little Honda would stall if that happened. Can't say enough about the Honda it does indeed work well. I use Amsoil ASE 10w30/30 oil and change around 50 hours of use. I run cords to power everything with the Honda. The bigger unit plugs into my house circuitry, and my plan is to use it sparingly. |
|
i have a 5000w unit i got from Fleet Farm a few years ago. it is a Honda 11hp. this past fall i added a tri-fuel conversion kit, http://www.propane-generators.com.. so i can run propane tanks.. i did this because propane is easier to store and no need to rotate. my assumption is that if gasoline is scarce propane tanks will still be available. three fuel options is always good.
i would recommend a transfer switch for you home...find a local electrician to install a switch on your panel. one plug and ability to use anything on you panel... no annoying cords to worry about. be sure that the generator has 220v and at least a 30amp circuit. we have tested this system on a mock power outage for our home... we have to be selective.. but we can run on "emergency power" for an extended period of time. switch the panel from furnace to water heater to fridge to sump as needed. |