General Tips for a home generator?

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

As I sit here with no power for 7 hours and counting, with no expectations of power the next few days, I am thinking about a generator

Home is under 3k sq ft. It would only be used 1-2 times most years. I have a lot of room under my patio, enough to walk under, so I'm thinking to keep it there

Any tips on what to do/buy, estimate of upfront and maintenance cost, etc

 

[NiteProwleR]

Go get one right now. Any one. Return it if its shit. I have one outside that cost me a bunch(Firman 7573) and I never use but its there for a reason. They select hard mfers like me during a freeze. Shit never happened back in the day but now they want us to live like philthy Californians.

 

[sparkuri]

If you cannot maintain it yourself, the first thing I'd do is look up techs in the area that are contracted & certified for certain brands.
Generac for example.
And with the incoming apocalypse, find out if the associated parts are manufactured here in the states.
It may sound like overthinking, but imo that's where we are.

Might even look into 3d priniting facilities in the area.
And get an inline EMP Shield(out of Kansas) specifically for generators.
And get one for the panel.
That will cover all electronics plugged in within 100 feet of the panel.

 

[MountainMedic]

Get down to harbor freight and buy a predator. Great generator.

 

[sparkuri]

Why do I waste time with paragraphs?
You fuckers don't even like my posts.

Here;

Derr, get uh Amazon!

 

[kvr28]

Get down to harbor freight and buy a predator. Great generator.

This, tri fuel if you can get it, gas stations may be closed but everyone has a grill tank in their back yard and it doesn't go bad.

You can get an interlock kit which is cheap for your panel without an outside disconnect if you want to feed the whole house.

Here is a video I made for @MountainMedic years ago when he asked about our setup


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz8SAjKOYso

 

[kvr28]

Why do I waste time with paragraphs?
You fuckers don't even like my posts.

Here;

Derr, get uh Amazon!

 

[sparkuri]

That's better

 

[Hauler]

In. I'm in the market for one too.

Had one priced up last year where it would automatically kick on if there was a power drop. Figured it to run HVAC, appliances and a few outlets in the middle of the house. Propane powered.

Price tag was $31k
I didn't pull the trigger as that felt insane. I meant to get a few more quotes - or even possibly look at just doing it myself but I sort of forgot about it.

Until we lost power the other day. Now it's back on my radar.

@rmenergy might have some insight in this arena

 

[Rambo John J]

I just have a Honda 5000 or something, runs on gas.
Pretty loud(sorry neighbors) as it is a construction Generator, but I could keep the house warm and food cold/frozen if needed.
It is not connected to the house and isn't powerful enough for that I believe.
Cost me a little over 2K many years ago.

 

[kvr28]

I have this for my house, runs everything but we have all propane appliances


View: https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Power-Equipment-201052-3800-Watt/dp/B08L9SWS3D/

 

[cruedi]

Get down to harbor freight and buy a predator. Great generator.

my son just got one for his house. HIs basement sump pump is off and the basement is flooding. that and the refrigerator are his top priorities. He's in college so when he's done I told him it's mine. (I did pay for it)

 

[vad]

Yeah those predator generators are pretty good. Comparable to Honda. The spark plug on mine was fouled out of the box and is a bitch to get to. Works well though.

 

[sparkuri]

In. I'm in the market for one too.

Had one priced up last year where it would automatically kick on if there was a power drop. Figured it to run HVAC, appliances and a few outlets in the middle of the house. Propane powered.

Price tag was $31k
I didn't pull the trigger as that felt insane. I meant to get a few more quotes - or even possibly look at just doing it myself but I sort of forgot about it.

Until we lost power the other day. Now it's back on my radar.

@rmenergy might have some insight in this arena

Totally, cuz why take the word of an actual 01 Journeyman electrician?
What the fuck could I possibly know??!!!

 

[sparkuri]

I'm rage-quitting

 

[kvr28]

Totally, cuz why take the word of an actual 01 Journeyman electrician?
What the fuck could I possibly know??!!!

How would anyone know that?

 

[sparkuri]

How would anyone know that?

All the og's know.
Then there's the 50 electrical threads....the "spark"....the avatar....

I suppose I could've put an automatic transfer switch as my avatar for our noobs.

 

[kvr28]

All the og's know.
Then there's the 50 electrical threads....the "spark"....the avatar....

I suppose I could've put an automatic transfer switch as my avatar for our noobs.

 

[White347lx]

As long as you're not trying to run central AC or anything too big just get a $500 harbor freight suitcase generator. It will run your lights, fridge, even a TV and your internet equipment for 8-12 hours on a tank of gas.
After a derecho took out power for 5 days and my antique 1300watt Kawasaki generator shit the bed I went through 5 different new generators before settling on this. $800, very quiet running and runs everything I need except AC:

And I have a smaller one that stays in our camper:

 

[NiteProwleR]

If you cannot maintain it yourself, the first thing I'd do is look up techs in the area that are contracted & certified for certain brands.
Generac for example.
And with the incoming apocalypse, find out if the associated parts are manufactured here in the states.
It may sound like overthinking, but imo that's where we are.

Might even look into 3d priniting facilities in the area.
And get an inline EMP Shield(out of Kansas) specifically for generators.
And get one for the panel.
That will cover all electronics plugged in within 100 feet of the panel.

I think

Might even look into 3d priniting facilities in the area.
And get an inline EMP Shield(out of Kansas) specifically for generators.
And get one for the panel.
That will cover all electronics plugged in within 100 feet of the panel

Honestly, I'd rather rob the man that took the time to do that. If an apocolypse situation came up, of course,

 

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

long as you're not trying to run central AC or anything too big just get a $500 harbor freight suitcase generator. It will run your lights, fridge, even a TV and your internet

Actually given the choice I'd prefer to run ac/furnace and fridge primarily. Secondary would be internet but usually if electricity is out then internet is out too. Not always though
I can sit in the dark or by candle light if the temp is good and I have internet lol

 

[sparkuri]

I think

Honestly, I'd rather rob the man that took the time to do that. If an apocolypse situation came up, of course,

I can guarantee you the man that planned that far advance had the plan that covered theives well before that.
You don't buy a bumping system, then install a car alarm.

 

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

So ideally I would store it here, maybe the back right corner. So it won't get rained on ever and I could access easily. I have natural gas for my furnace and water heater. I'd love to tap into that so it's always connect. If the natural gas fails I could use gasoline. I would like to power the a/c or furnace, two units each, and two refrigerators. Other stuff would be nice but not required
Is that fairly easily done with something like this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/13000-watt-tri-fuel-portable-generator-with-remote-start-and-co-secure-technology-epa-71386.html

 

[White347lx]

given the choice I'd prefer to run ac/furnace and fridge primarily.

Then you're going to need something over 9K watts, more like 12K. If you want to do it right then you'll have a big natural gas one bolted to a concrete slab. Even that can be rendered useless depending on your location like in TX when they had a brief touch of winter that knocked out power and natural gas for weeks. It's probably not an issue up north where gas is more commonly used and the infrastructure can support heavy use, but it's something to consider.

 

[White347lx]

Do you happen to own a tractor with a PTO? If so, I'd recommend a PTO generator. I also have one of those and it will run multiple homes if needed with 27K. I haven't lost power since buying it so I consider that to be a great investment! haha

$700 on marketplace right now for a 15K unit: