Natural Gas/Propane Whole House Generator
Hey guys,
I was wondering if any of you might own a Natural gas or Propane whole house generator for when the power goes out. Any feedback or recommendations would be appreciated. I have noticed that a company called Generac is pretty common, anybody know of any other brands?
Thanks in advance,
Brian
I was wondering if any of you might own a Natural gas or Propane whole house generator for when the power goes out. Any feedback or recommendations would be appreciated. I have noticed that a company called Generac is pretty common, anybody know of any other brands?
Thanks in advance,
Brian
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I'd like to know also,I remember a post some time back on this but cant find it.[:)] 0 -
How often would you use it, I have a generator on wheels and I might use it once in several years. Just something you have to figure out now if you have some medical needs when the power goes out that's a different reason. If you have Natural gas I think I would go with that rather than having a big tank sitting around.[:D][:0][:0] 0 -
I have two 3500W propane powered generators for emergency use in my home and a single 5 gallon tank of propane will operate one of them for 20-24 hours. The big advantage to propane is that in a good quality tank, propane will last indeffinetly, while unleaded gasoline has a shelf life of about 6 months. There is also no danger of a gummed up carb on a propane fired generator, most of which are seldom used and sit idle for months on end. I also don't like the idea of storing large amounts of gasoline out in my garage. 0 -
Most Honda gas generators can be converted by simply buying a kit on line. They also make a propane generator if you are going to hook one into your house you HAVE to use a switch box and I would recommend you have it done professionally. The points about LPG are correct you can store it forever in a good tank and it is cleaner burning and you can even run it inside if you want to. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Wagion
you can even run it inside if you want to.
True to a degree, but not a blanket truth. You can still have an oxygen deficiency and although it doesn't produce carbon dioxide, it still produces carbon monoxide and it will kill you deader than a hammer unless it is well ventilated. All LP engines carry warnings not to use indoors unless fully ventilated.0 -
DO NOT repeat DO NOT run indoors............even if ventilated. It is an accident waiting to happen 0 -
Since I only need one about three times a year, and the longest time I ever ran one was for four days, I figured I would rather have a portable one, contractor grade, that I could take with me on little jobs, etc.
Either one will require service a minimum of once a year, and they both will require test runs at least three or four times a year...
I am fortunate that most of my needs are met by a two phase, 5000 watt cheapie. So I bought one at a "Roof failed" sale, got one (5KW) for $400, bought a "Generator Board" (box with breakers and ten circuit breakers, and a transfer switch/disconnect). So my house has all essential circuits powered in a generator scenario, and I preserve the utility of being able to haul/loan out my generator to friends. It has already come in handy in just those manners several times.
Best thing about the Propane/natural Gas ones you are considering is that they last a long time, IF YOU RUN THEM SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR, and change oil once a year or so. Worst thing about them is that you have to buy a larger unit to make the same power...IIRC, Propane is derated about 10%, and Natural Gas about 15%.
Make sure you do a good survay of anticipated needs - people often forget that starting loads are higher than running loads (water pumps) and often forget essential circuits like Septic system pumps.
It sure is nice, though, to have lights and heat, and have neighbors over for dinner when the winds are howling, or when there is a crystal stillness outside.
Honda has a nice package unit for 10KW gasoline/8KW propane/NG - all on wheels - my neighbor down the road has one.
Onan makes one that even comes with a neat cover - unless you knew what it was, you would never suspect that was a Generator unit. It is expen$ive, though. I am sure it is one with a very long service life.
A coupla years back, Costco had one they were offering as a package deal - Generator, sound deadening enclosure, and switchgear, with remote start...haven't seen it in a while - I think it was a "Mag...."something brand.
I think it is a great way to spend a lot of money for a little more security, and I also think that most people will buy one after a major outage, and then let it rot in their yard, never servicing it nor running it UNDER LOAD once every two months or so, until it rusts solid, and then it is junk. I doubt that it would add value to the home upon resale, rather it might scare away prospective buyers..."They must have power problems here".
My Two Cents, anyway.0 -
Generac = Junk (Guardian is Generac) Try to confuse the public by slapping a different name on them.
Cheapest one out there. They claim a good warranty but finding a dealer to honor that warranty can be very troublesome.
Generators is what our company does. Generac is the Yugo of genertors.
Your best bang for the buck is Kohler. Unless you have done it before or seen it done and are pretty handy, know what all the safety concerns are, have it professionally installed.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Wagion
you can even run it inside if you want to.
Good God!
Not only no but heck no.
A very good way to kill yourself and your family.
Ever hear of carbon monoxide poisoning?0 -
I do believe you are talking about a standby generator. The size of it will depend on the size of your house, and if you want to run everything, or just the essentials during a power outage. The average house would need about 20Kw to run everything, and about half of that to comfortably run the essentials.
There are some very good standby generators out there, and there are some poor ones. Most of the good ones have Honda Industrial engines, that as you said, run on propane, or natural gas. They can also be set up with an automatic transfer switch, and a time delay relay to start it when the power goes off. You can have as many bells and whistles as you are willing to pay for.0 -
I saw a very old Kohler [at least it looked old] in a church, and it still cycled regularly. Actually, there were two.
I'd buy a Carrier, but then again, I sell Carrier products. Installed, you'd probably be out $12K.
I never did figure out how to calculate the KW requirements.0 -
This indoor stuff is concerning me. I have my LPG generator in the corner of my basement, exhaust connected to the furnace's exhaust vent.
Am I OK?
PS..the fuel is outside the house. Tapped to the main LPG tank. Joe0 -
As long as the main vent leaving the house is large enough to handle the exhaust of the generator, and the furnace at the same time. 0 -
My generator is a Generac - 5500XL (8500 watt surge). I have been using it for over 5 years now and never had an issue accept the gas gauge seemed to be acting up and after 1 phone call, I had a new one in 4 days. It was a lot cheaper than most at just $399.
I start it every 2 months for 10-15 minutes of exercising if we didn't have any outages. And it runs probably for 4-10 hours 1/4ly during an outage. I also have a transfer switch that covers everything in the house accept the A/C and the washer/dryer.
I am not sure what makes one generator better than the next.0
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