Whole house generator?

[ImaCannin]

What is your choice for a whole house propane generator?

[midnight rambler]

Suggest you forget a propane/LPG generator unless you're only utilizing it for hours, not days or weeks because they are serious fuel hogs. Get a diesel generator. When I plumbed my current house for LPG I stubbed out for a LPG generator. Then I researched the matter and concluded LPG is a very bad choice for extended use more than 3-4 days, a 10-12 KW LPG powered generator will empty your 500 gallon LPG tank (actually at 80% max fill it's 400 gallons) in short order

[ziero0]

Using a Honda EU2000i in the evening for 2-3 hours to top off the solar batteries, charge smart phone and run the tv/internet a 5 gallon can of gasoline lasts perhaps 3 weeks. These can be converted to lp for around 150 bux. They burn cleaner and smell less on lp but my rule is to change the crankcase oil and wash the air filter every time I refill the 5 gal gas can. It signifies 50 hours of run time.

[Tumbleweed]

I have a gasoline powered Generac 17500 watt portable generator. I have it for emergencies and for jobs where there isn't power available. It's big enough to run an electric welder, freezers, water pumps and heaters. It's has a sixteen gallon fuel tank and will run about twelve hours on a tank of fuel and that can get expensive. I need one at times to keep livestock waterers open so things don't freeze up and break in winter. The power here tends to go off in winter storms and has been off for a week and a half recently in the winter time. I had the electric company wire mine into my power pole so I can plug it in and it cuts off the power from the power company. It will run everything I use.

Link here to one like I have

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...9773_200379773

[woodman]

MR, I too checked into a propane generator and even put money down for installation but I ended up cancelling when I realized how expensive it would be to run. Unless one has considerations like TW, it is wiser to go with a smaller unit that is not wired in. I made a cord for my small generators and plug it into a 220 outlet when the power goes out. I have to manually throw the switch in my basement but the savings is worth it. I have to be careful not to overload it by running too much at one time.

[ziero0]

I need one at times to keep livestock waterers open so things don't freeze up and break in winter.

We always used an lp stock tank heater with a 100 lb cylinder.

[Hitch]

It really depends upon two questions, how long you anticipate going without power, and secondly, how much power you actually plan on needing (in watts).

Here in CA, we are in fire season, which means the potential for roving blackouts. Usually these last a few days per area, but can be up to a week or more. Most people I talk to are going solar, with a Honda EU2000 gas generator as a backup, like Ziero posted. One guy I know already has a massive solar setup, and he's going to get forklift batteries, which are huge, to supply power to the house.

I just installed a 2000 watt inverter charger. If the power goes out, instantly the inverter kicks on so I don't even have to be home. My next step is installing the batteries, then solar. I have a small 650 watt generator that I can use if needed to charge the batteries, but won't be able to do much else.

[ziero0]

he's going to get forklift batteries, which are huge, to supply power to the house.

Battery banks are like bank accounts. To many you can't be too large with either. This is a symptom of mental illness.

I just installed a 2000 watt inverter charger. If the power goes out, instantly the inverter kicks on so I don't even have to be home.

My inverter runs all the time. It is 800 watts from Harbor Freight and their tariff was $40. It was so cheap I bought a spare.

The inverter is modified sine wave. Avoid the true sine wave units. They are less efficient and put out lots of heat.

The battery bank is one marine battery from Walmart in parallel with two 6v golf cart batteries. This is enough to last all night. There are 4 solar panels around 20 years old at 100w each.

[woodman]

I think the most important consideration when choosing a whole house generator is "how much and how long". Diesel is the most bang for the buck, but gas/propane is a cheaper outlay initially. If you see a need for long periods without grid power or are off grid, then diesel is definitely the best.

[ziero0]

Diesel is the most bang for the buck.

We had an ice storm 12 years ago. The neighbor had power so he loaned his 150hp Deere with Pto generator to a neighbor. His daily cost for fuel was $60.