Who has a backup generator at their house?

Question

AND...what kind is it? How many times have you had to use it? How many things could you run on it? How much did you spend? Would you buy one with more power next time, or is the one you have sufficient? What types of problems have you had with running it. Do your neighbors always ask to hook up to it?

Excellent responses.....I live in Kansas, where there is usually at least one outage due to ice every year. They last for a couple hours to a couple days, but always in the dead of winter when heat is so important.

Answer 1

I have a Generac 5500XL generator. It's been used on several occasions, the longest being 3 days after Hurricane Juan blew through Nova Scotia in September 2003. Otherwise it's been on for a few hours here and there, test runs and so on. It was purchased used for $750. A 7kW generator would be more suited for my home, but it is difficult to justify the expense for something which doesn't see much use. If money wasn't a concern I'd have a 12kW automatic transfer diesel powered unit. There are 12 circuits being powered - fridge, furnace, freezer, well pump (240V), rec room, microwave oven, bedroom lights, kitchen lights, kitchen outlets x2, septic pump. 5.5kW is adequate, but I have to be careful about what items in the house are being powered. Certainly not a big deal, especially compared to the alternative of no power at all! As a used generator, I had to do some minor repairs. The carburetor needed cleaning, fuel tank had rust from the fuel gauge and needed to be flushed. I installed an inline fuel filter while at it. The electrical side needed minor work, including change from bonded neutral to floating neutral to work properly and safely with my transfer panel. Otherwise it's been very good, starts on the first pull every test run. Neighbors are too far away to connect, but after my power was restored following the hurricane I loaned it to a neighbor whose lines were pulled off the house. They had it for almost two weeks. A portable generator will be noisy and you need a suitable supply of gasoline on hand.

Avoid the Chinese built generators if possible. I've come across wiring errors, wires left out, improper use of circuit breakers, and so on. The chassis rusts quickly. Overall questionable quality throughout. If you purchase a generator you should expect it to be reliable and dependable so you can count on its use during a power outage. Keep looking and spend a few extra dollars.

Read my web page for safety, electrical connections, carbon monoxide issues, etc. Far more information than I'd ever be able to type in here.

http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html

Answer 2

If you have access to natural gas the best would be a unit that uses it as fuel. Advantages include - reliability, no refueling, automatic periodic testing, low noise, compact size, built-in weatherized cabinet. Disadvantage is cost.

One must really think long and hard about installing a generator vs its cost/hassle. How many outages have you had in the last few years? how long have they lasted? how much inconvenience did you/would you experience? do you live in a winter area where you require heat? Do you have friends/family on the other side of town where you could seek refuge for a few days?

I have lived in many areas of the world (including Florida)and never have felt the need for a generator. A refrigerator will hold food for about 12 hours - its freezer will hold food for days if unopened.

If you do opt for a generator, I would size it to handle everything EXCEPT the air conditioner.

Answer 3

I have a 10kW unit that I have never used other than to test run. My neighbors are too far away top hook up to it. As long as you have sufficient fuel locate it in a well ventilated area with some type of sound insulation to lessen the noise (and know how to safely hook it up you are good to go. (remember that safely includes not back feeding away from your house too.!)

Answer 4

PEP BOYS HAS' EM REAL CHEAP... (CHINESE)

TWO WAY TO LOOK AT IT...

GET ONE BIG ENOUGH TO TO LIVE LIKE YOU DO NOW...
VERY EXPENSIVE, NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OR FUEL!

IF YOU HAVE CITY WATER & SEWER, GET ONE BIG ENOUGHT TO RUN YOU REFER., & A SMALL WINDOW UNIT. YOU ONLY NEED TO RUN WHILE ASLEEP... MAYBE A LITTLE DURING DAY. THE CITY CAN RUN THE CITY WATER PUMPS ON GENERATOR, & ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE IT, STUFF LIKE A WATER PUMP STATION ETC... GET FIRST PRIORITY AFTER A STORM.. THIS IS ASSUMING YOU DON'T LIVE IN NEW ORLEANS & ALL OF YOUR STATE & LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE MORONS, & YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE WELFARE CRACK HEADS!

THE SMALLER YOU CAN GET BY WITH ( REMEMBER ITS AN EMERGENCY) THE LESS; LUGGING IT AROUND, ITS SMALLER& LESS FUEL - IT RUNS LONGER ON WHAT FINITE SOURCE YOU HAVE ( LIKE MAYBE A TANK OF GAS OUT OF YOUR SECOND CAR)! LET THE KIDS SLEEP ON THE FLOOR OF YOUR ROOM YEE-HAAA CAMPING!