Back up Generators

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject: Back up Generators

I was curious how many guys have generators for power outage's and if so what you power up. I have a portable 6250 watt start / 5000 watt continuous run I use for outages and building tree stands. I used it this weekend because of the storm. I powered my freezer my fridge and a 10,000 bdu window ac unit Very Happy

( I like my ac) I was afraid to plug my flat screen into it. I was just looking at "line conditioners" does anyone have any experience with these . If I understand them correctly using one would allow me to run my TV or computer off a generator with no power issues . I figured I would get some input .

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

I've used some on industrial control systems to prevent electrical noise problems. I'll have to do some research on units for use with generators.

eeyouelder · Member Joined: Jan 26, 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Quebec

A few years back we had a bad storm and we were without power for 23 days. I was lucky enough to have a 4000 watt unit and we were allowed to stay home and had no loss whatsoever, except for a few trees that got blown down. My hunting/trapping gear was adequate for our survival. I had enough fire wood to keep the house warm. The standard voltage here is 110/220 volts, the hot water tank and kitchen stove are 220 and all the rest is 110 volts. We had enough food in the freezer and canned goods to keep us happy for many a moon. The government suggests that we keep provisions for 72 hours. With that 23 days experience the wife agrees that we should keep at least 30 days’ worth. Gasoline was a scarce necessity but I had about 200 gallons of it. I also have a small 600 watt unit that served us well when we did not need all that power and therefore saved on scarce fuel. Propane was another necessity that I was happy that we had enough for the 23 days period. I now have added water to my provision list and keep a stock of 10 gallons on the shelves. Rotation of all these goods is the rule so that we always have relatively fresh supplies.

English Mike · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

5kva/240v here.
Enough for the fridge-freezer, lights, PC, heating pump/controls & one out of kettle/coffee maker/microwave.
I always have between 60 & 90 days worth of food (& more than enough TP....) in store too.

This came about after being left without power for 6 days back in 1992.

Ominivision1 · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

Joe, I have for years ran a apc ups for all my pc's and a/v equipment including a 60" lcd tv. The apc ups I use are HERE and they include line filtering for use with generators as well as surge protection and battery backup.

3 years ago we lost power for almost a week due to an ice storm and we had 7500/10000 watt generator running the boiler (heat) as well as most lights and tv's and computers with no problem at all.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Those cheaper commercial "construction" Generators are hard on delicate electronics so be careful with a plasma TV or computer plugged into one.

I use our camping generators for emergencys. I have dual Honda EU2000i generators with the parallel kit that ties them together for 4000watts @ 15Amps. I had a third generator, a Honda EU1000i but I never used it after getting the 2000's so I sold it recently. I am kicking around getting the 6gal extended run fuel tank for the Hondas, as its annoying to have to keep putting gas in them every so often.

I would like to get one of those home 15kw "Guardian" generators that use natural gas for fuel. That would be the best all around solution as it automatically starts up and maintains itself. Homedepot sells them locally, my only problem is my power comes in on one side of the house, and gas on the other LOL.

-DallanC

Ominivision1 · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

I forgot to mention as Dallan says, be aware of them cheapo gen sets. My unit is a GP7500E Generac (Guardian) unit. Its not a cheap unit but has all the features to run your house and electronics.

As a side note, if and when power goes out here, I have a dedicated transfer switch to plug into when power is expected to go out on only circuits I deemed necessary like boiler, lights, tv, AC optional but plenty of available wattage. When power does go out, gen starts up and takes over.

Now we have the option here to convert it to natural gas or cng, I think I'll pass right now because of the portability of the unit, granted it weighs just over 200lbs, but can move it to where ever I want.

stovepipe · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:18 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

I got shotguns. Lot's of them. Peep's come over to my place with their petrol powered juice makers when it gets dark...go figure.

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

My generator has a automatic voltage regulator but I think I will add some sort of line conditioner I was looking at this one on line www.amazon.com/Tripp-L...B0000512LA

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

shrpshtroe, I have to laugh, that is the one I was looking at when I started researching this. It looked pretty good to me, as far as protecting just computers or TVs.

BigBlue · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

During Irene, I ran my chest freezer, fridge, a 52" LCD TV along with the satellite dish, and a few lights. I switched the fridge with the coffee maker when the need arose for a caffeine fix.
I get my water from a well and the generator I have isn't big enough to power the pump. I'd really like to get one that will handle the well. Luckily I thought to put buckets out to gather water from the rain so that we could flush toilets. We keep a pretty good supply of bottled drinking water on hand so that was never a problem.
Don

stovepipe · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

Blue makes a great point. Water. That would be the biggie here. I can find food OK but water? I gotta 750 gallon tank on my roof for my building- just over my head. When things start shakin' I fill all the tubs and sinks in here and lock the doors!

Anything left of the front yard Biggie? Obama's coming to town to stump for votes- ask him for some new yard gnomes! (kidding, hope ya's well).

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Back up Generators

I have 1,5,& 10k gens,solar panels,12volt to 110volt inverters,batteries,55gal barrels of stored water,a well that is powered by generator when normal power goes out,wood heat,propane backup,and food stores!Oh did I forget to say that I'm an electrician...."Let er buck"! Laughing