Do you own/operate a Generator?

[radhak]

BIL is moving out of town, and has a 5700 watt Generator to sell. He bought from Walmart after Hurricane Wilma but never even unpacked it. He paid $550 and just wants to get rid of it, so I listed it on CL for $350.

LOML was wishing we could take it ourselves, but I feel it'd be a liability. The chances of an extended power-cut are low, and even then I'd rather not deal with the hassles of managing a Generator just to get some fan going. If I had to run the 'fridge with it, I'd need to lug it all the way to kitchen ( !) , or run an extension cord, right? Not safe, I'd say.

So how big is your generator and how do you use it?

[crokett]

My generator is 5500W and I have a transfer switch wired in. Where we are extended power outages are likely and I don't have a main breaker to disconnect from the grid. Extension cords are fine so long as you plug whatever you want to power into them. The danger comes when you do something like plug your generator into a dryer outlet to back feed your house. If you don't turn off the main breaker, then you can be powering the grid which is dangerous.

[MikeMcCoy]

I have had a Honda for several years and often think about getting rid of it now that I no longer live in Florida. I've only had to use it for extended use a couple of times but was really, really glad I had it when I needed it. They make heavy duty cords for these things that have multiple receptacles to feed things inside the house. After Hurricane Ivan, I ran a refrigarator, small window air conditioner and satellite TV for the 37 days that we were without power.

[radhak]

I assume the transfer switch will disconnect from the grid? And installing it needs an electrician?

[radhak]

for the 37 days that we were without power.

wow - 37 days is a long time! Where in FL were you?

[Stytooner]

I have a 5550 and love it. Had to use it several times since Ivan. I look at it like this, it's like a spare tire. You rarely need it, but when you do and don't have it, you are SOL. It is good piece of mind for us. Several days without an AC and Ice down here gets a bit bothersome.

[MikeMcCoy]

wow - 37 days is a long time! Where in FL were you?

I was in Pensacola that year. I had not used it for two years but wound up using it for extended periods 5 times during that year. That's when I decided to move back to Charleston.

BTW I run my appliances plugged in direct rather than through the house panel.

[dbhost]

I wish you were closer. I need a generator for this upcoming hurricane season...

#1. You should have a transfer switch installed in the house wiring. I'm no expert on this, but I believe they go in line BEFORE the main breaker on the house...

#2. At 120V nominal, you are looking at 47.5A service. Not wonderful, but not nothing either...

#3. You will need to have plenty of fuel on hand to use the generator.

#4. Coastal Texas suffered long term, widespread power outages, on the scale of several months due to the damage from Hurricane Ike. You live in Florida where you are even MORE prone to getting hit by a hurricane.

Even where we evacuated to well over 150 miles inland, lost power, water, etc... following Ike for nearly a week.

If you can afford it, and you live in a wind storm prone region, a generator should not be considered a luxury, but rather part of your disaster preparation supplies.

[gsmittle]

I too have a 5500 watt genset and manual transfer switch. The transfer switch is in line after the main breaker. There are six switches on the transfer switch and they move those circuits from the main power to the genset, isolating those circuits do they don't backfeed into the main. I think. I'm not an electrician, so my info is worth exactly what you paid for it.

LOML thought a generator was a needless luxury until we had six days of no power after an ice storm. I bought one shortly after that, and of course haven't needed it since.

g.

[LCHIEN]

i have thought about a generator set.
But not gotten one (Texas Gulf coast is at moderate risks for power outages following a hurricane, after Ike we were without power for 3-4 days).

Pluses:
1 5500W or so genset could run fridge, tv, some lights, fan, even a small A/C window units (which i don't have) etc. to make life much more bearable.

Minuses:
1 Most convenient would be a transfer switch which basically selects either the generator or the Utility pole as the source of power for your house. Installation of a manual one could cost almost as much as the generator. Automatic ones even mroe expensive because hey not only need to sense power out plus start the gnereator plus shed unwanted loads. If you don't use a transfer switch then you will need to rely on long extension cords. During an outage, you will need to leave a door or window open for the cord. Security of the house and generator will be an issue. (basically the noise and lights being on will announce to every thief or deserate homeowner that there's a portable generator worth at least $500 here.)
2. storage space. It would have to be located outdoors away from the house (exhaust fume - can't be in the house or technically even close to windows or doors due to Carbon monoxide poisoning). Needs 3x4 floor space. Should be covered but ventialted. Also needs to be secured against theft.
3. Fuel. Gasoline are most popular. But gas goes bad after a few months. You would run through 5-20 gallons per day depending upon usage load, so you would need to keep quite a few gallons in storage because when a hurricane comes, it'll be hard to get and even harder if there's prolonged outages afterwards when you need it. So you need a weeks worth (figure 100 gallons), but you have to swap it out every few months to have fresh gas which means pouring it out of multiple 5 gallon containers into your car and then taking them to the gas station to refill and add stabilizer. When running during a power outage, the tanks are smallish (5-8 gallons), you'd have to fill it up 3-4 times a day. And it's a potential fire hazard and carcinogenic as well.
4. maintenance. Besides the gasoline issues above, you also need to start and run the thing every week or maybe every month at the least to ensure it will start when needed. Another chore. Change oil after every so many hours (I don't recall the recommended interval but its not that long for those small engines - no oil filter, no oil cooler, not like a car) measured in like 48 hours. So you need to change oil frequently during an extended power outage, too.
5. Noise factor. noisy. particularly sounds worse when everything else is off (like during a power outage). Both annoying and a security issue.
6 reliability - if you fail to take care of 2, 3, 4 above faithfully the generator probably won't work for you when you need it the most.

There are some large, natural gas-fired units in the 10-20 KW range that will power your whole house and not run out of fuel yet not require you to store fuel, that would be closer to ideal (still need a large pad maybe 4'x6') for it with automatic transfer switch and automated self-start and periodic test. But we're talking big bucks here.

[dbhost]

I realize quite painfully the amount of gasoline used by a typical generator. But remember the fuel consumption rates are for the generator at full load. And yes they DO use a LOT of fuel... Gasoline is problematic for storage as it does NOT hold well... However, fuel stabilizers help gas keep for longer periods.

[Ed62]

We have a 12KW Generac, natural gas generator with automatic transfer switch. I paid $2800.00 (give or take a few dollars), and my son installed it for us. He's a licensed electrician, and he works for no pay.

We don't need it very often, but it sure is nice to be able to run the central air, watch TV, get on the web, etc. whenever your heart desires. It takes care of most of our house, including the garage.

Ed

[radhak]

Loring has summed up all my misgivings, but with much more preciseness and clarity.

Another issue for me : when not in use, that large generator will sit in my garage, and that's the only place in the house left to me to furnish/decorate or not (okay, not exactly in the house), and I will be da**ed if I give that up !

[LCHIEN]

We have a 12KW Generac, natural gas generator with automatic transfer switch. I paid $2800.00 (give or take a few dollars), and my son installed it for us. He's a licensed electrician, and he works for no pay.

We don't need it very often, but it sure is nice to be able to run the central air, watch TV, get on the web, etc. whenever your heart desires. It takes care of most of our house, including the garage.

Ed

like i said, that's the way to go. Nat Gas seldom goes out in a storm so its always available without storage issues. Unfortunately in Houston, my two A/C require ~15KW just by themselves. Although I could see just occupying the downstairs for around 9 KW in the aftermath of a storm.

[OpaDC]

like i said, that's the way to go. Nat Gas seldom goes out in a storm so its always available without storage issues. Unfortunately in Houston, my two A/C require ~15KW just by themselves. Although I could see just occupying the downstairs for around 9 KW in the aftermath of a storm.

Actually had neighbor here that had house rewired so that about half the house is on "whole house" generator, natural gas. Not sure of the specifics or how it was done.