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Too clever by half |
I purchased a portable generator in the wake of a major hurricane. Used it for 2 weeks straight. Then not once for 7 years. We've used it many times since then, but it also seems that half the time the power is back on minutes after I pull it out and fire it up. I drain the tank and fog the engine when I store it, so I think twice before pulling it out. "We have a system that increasingly taxes work, and increasingly subsidizes non-work" - Milton Friedman | |||
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Member |
I bought a Honeywell 7000 with peak 8450 generator. Had my electrician install a panel to take us off the grid and power the whole house. My stove, water heater and furnace are gas, so I need power to operate the fan, fridge and freezer plus lights. We did an amp test when we installed it and the whole house running as normal used 18a which is about half the potential of the generator. Like so many others, we haven't had a power outage long enough to use it since. I'm all in @ $2K. | |||
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member |
I installed a 20k Onan standby about 15 years ago, along with a 200amp transfer switch that lights up my whole panel (so I can select which circuits to use). The transfer switch is a DPDT that switches to utilty OR genset power. So far, I've used it twice, once for a 7 hour outage and once for a 2 hour outage. We can run AC to the bedrooms and let the rest of the house go without AC. Also we can run all minor loads, like fridge, freezer, lights, TV, computer system, microwave, etc. Our outages are typically due to a microburst taking down poles. My neighbor next door is the chief APS trouble man for Wickenburg. I've learned from him that Wickenburg has 3 substations, each with a different feed. In an outage, he can quickly switch our neighborhood to feed from a different substation. The other night we had the 2 hour outage (2 hours for us, because he switched us over). I found out the next day some poles were down near downtown. The APS "pole crew" was on site then placing new metal poles. Those nearby that location were without power a good bit longer. The adage about having a genset is almost a guarantee for no future outages is just about true. | |||
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| Member |
When we lived in the country and on a well and septic system, I installed a Kabuta 25 KW diesel, and powered the entire home. (Approx. 7K SF) We didn't have an automatic transfer switch, so I had to flip a couple switches to transfer power from the utility to the generator. Over the 15 years, we had several outages anywhere from an hour to 2 weeks and was glad I had the generator. It helped that I had 300 gallons of diesel on hand for these times.....When we moved and built a new house that has natural gas available, I had an ATS installed from the get go and purchased a Generic 25 KW generator. It came in real handy when the hurricane came and the neighborhood was without power for days on end. I also ran power outside so my close neighbors could run an extension cord to their homes. | |||
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| member |
Our switch will transfer automatically, but I am paranoid about possible surges when this happens and having $20k or more worth of computer equipment, so I prefer to gracefully shut down all of the computer stuff and then transfer manually. I can then restart computer systems (enough to be able to use our house system) after the transfer. It takes me about 5 minutes to shut them all down, then I can step outside and make the manual transfer. | |||
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Ammoholic |
^^^^No UPSs? Jesse Sic Semper Tyrannis | |||
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Doubtful... |
Is that install cost for an ATS? I would like to put in a small manual switch. Best regards, Tom I have no comment at this time. | |||
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Member |
I'm at the end of power line and unfortunately lose power on a regular basis. Installed a propane 8000 kw generator with dedicated panel back in 1996. It powered basics- refrigerator, air handler fans, couple rooms. ATF automatically kicks in. Replaced that unit with Kohler 8000 kw in 2016. At that time, I put in a 2nd electrics disconnect for a portable gasoline generator in case of extended power outage - Yamaha 6500 portable. Haven't used the portable yet. Have used the Kohlwr at least once a month this summer. | |||
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| Ammoholic |
Manual transfer switch for standard install should be $900-1100 most cases, little less if it can be done with an interlock vs pre-made MTS. Generator costs vary widely depending on what you buy. Most cases is a very easy install. Under three hours usually. If you are serious about figuring out what's involved, email me some pics of your panel and meter and I can make some suggestions. If you buy all the stuff in advance installation should be <$500. Jesse Sic Semper Tyrannis | |||
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Member |
We were without power here for 3 weeks following Hurricane Ivan and again for a week following Hurricane Dennis. I installed a 40kw diesel generator with automatic transfer following that misery and the most it has carried the load is 8 hours once, and many, many runs of an hour or less. It powers all out buildings and the whole house and gives us great peace of mind during hurricane season. CMSGT USAF (Retired) Chief of Police (Retired) | |||
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Member |
Ice storm put lots of people here out of power for 3 to 4 weeks several years ago. Pipes froze etc, bad deal. Some had to move out to a Hotel, but thats rare. On a related note the local power company just replaced a perfectly good pole at the corner of my lot with a much taller one. I asked about it and they told me it was for a smart meter antenna. I now have my meter and it's pretty neat. Instant automatic outage reporting, and there is an app for that. Shows a map down to house level who and how many have outages in real time 24/7. No more wondering if your neighbors are out too or if it's been reported etc. Also can get a day by day usage report. Collecting dust. | |||
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| Member |
That was my thought too . It would save him a LOT of time and trouble . | |||
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Corgis Rock |
This is what I do. The longest we have used it was three days. Ice storm, power lines out all over. I ran through my stabilized gas stock and had to get more. We shut down at night and pulled the generator inside. There’s enough power to take care of freezers, refrigerator, furnace and TV. When running, I chain the generator and am more armed the usual. “ The work of destruction is quick, easy and exhilarating; the work of creation is slow, laborious and dull. | |||
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| member |
Everything on UPS's, which gives me enough time to shut down gracefully. Again, I don't want all that expensive computer and network gear running when the genset kicks in. Maybe a little paranoid, but that's me. | |||
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Member |
This got me thinking about the last thread we had about home back up systems a month or so ago and I was asking about window bangers. I was planning on using the 8k/10K duel fuel generator and having an electrician put in the receptacle and interlock kit. So I go into Lowes last week with my 10% coupon and was going to pick up 3 window ac units to use on the one side of the house. I put 3 of them on my push cart and I glance over to the grill/lawn equipment section. On the floor are two Generac Guardian whole home open box units both with 200amp auto transfer switch. One was a 22kw for $4200, the other was an 11kw for $2600. So quick math skills kicked in and said this 11kw was just a few bucks more than my new portable generator/window banger setup. I knew one of the clerks there and asked if I could apply my 10% coupon. He asked the manager and came back with a YES! Left the push cart with the window units and arranged for delivery of my new 11kw Gaurdian with 200amp switch for $2,340. Waiting on approval for my county permit. I all ready sold the other brand new portable unit to recoup that cost and have installed the generator pad at the location worked out with my electrician and propane provider. The best deals are always the ones you're not expecting.This message has been edited. Last edited by: steelcityfishanddive, | |||
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Alienator |
I got a great deal on a Champion 3400 peak inverter generator last fall when I thought we would lose power from multiple storms. We ended up never needing it. Thanks for the reminder, I need to get the interlock installed and unbox it still. SIG556 Classic P220 Carry SAS Gen 2 SAO SP2022 9mm German Triple Serial P938 SAS P365 FDE P322 FDE Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" | |||
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| Ammoholic |
Sweet deal! Make sure you have A/C disconnected from generator power and load shedding for electric cooking/heating. Jesse Sic Semper Tyrannis | |||
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Member |
We installed an 80KW Propane Genset with automatic Switching after a two week hurricane outage for our farm. Let me tell you it is no fun watering livestock with 5 gallon buckets lugged from a spring fed pond. Sometime after dumping all that money on the system the Feds upgraded the power feeds to our house since it was on the way to a major defense contractor that was expanding their facilities. We went from regular summer power outages of an hour or so to nothing...ever. Oh well, like you said it is good insurance for What If. La Dolce Vita | |||
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