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LP vs Gas generator
elkdropping
Member Posts: 728 ✭✭✭
Considering a generator. I was thinking about the potential advantages/disadvantages of LP vs gasoline models. Going to use it for blackout back up for sump pump, furnace blower & well pump, & few lights. Not a whole house application, just back up, subsistance. Any opinions and or experience, models, size, recommendations? Budget wise I would like to be in the $600 - $1000 range. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks guys!!!
Comments
17k for 2500sq ft and central air
220 volts are cheap too. I got my Generac 5500 watt for under $500 shipped. It can run my whole house sans A/C.
To small for my need though....
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200360137_200360137
http://www.generatordepot.us/gentron-pro2-6000p-propane-generator-electric-start.aspx
Good luck
Propane is not man portable. You need a truck to ship it.
I can fill my truck with 5 gallon cans, a fuel tank, ect.
I have NO way to haul propane.
I try to look in the future of "just in case".
I can allways find a way to transport gas. It is limited how I can transport propane.
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/
220 volts are cheap too. I got my Generac 5500 watt for under $500 shipped. It can run my whole house sans A/C.
That is the place I got my Generac for my motorhome in AK. They shipped the sucker there, freight paid, saving me over a grand. Nobody even came close to their price!
Some here are giving advice on generators for when the end comes. If that is not the problem you are attempting to solve then you need to come up with specific criteria that you want this generator to work under.
If it is just a generator to solve an occasional power outage that is a simple problem, and an LP or natural gas generator of sufficient wattage would solve the problem. That other problem to solve is how to incorporate the generator power into you home. Manual or automatic transfer. For that you will need a electrician.
Margaret Thatcher
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
Mark Twain
i went with a refub. coleman 7500 /10000 surge.
still going good br/sta parts are easy to come by
an i can load it in the pick up alone
not as easy as once could but can still get it up an in.
i think i gave 649.00 some tool sale that comes through once a year.
your lineman will hate you an might burn you out for it.
if you dont kill one of them while they are out in the cold rain or whatever kind of weather tryin to get your lights on.
some think you can get by with killin your main then tiein in with a couple of breakers this will work .
but please dont jackleg this part of it
a postive dicconet is best
Where is the, "Jeez not this s**t again" picture when you need it!
You asked, so I shall comply:
Margaret Thatcher
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
Mark Twain
Can I wire a portable generator up to my house easily?[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
kill the main and plug the gen into your dryer outlet to power the house circuits, easy......
Don't forget Septic pump if you have one. Sump pump under the house, likewise.
Microwave can do most if not all cooking, if you don't have Gas for cooking.
Don't buy a generator for your Electric range. I would not buy one for an electric water heater either, but I have Gas.
Water well is the load that forces most folks into the big generators. You gotta have water.
I have a Large Home, but I can run the whole shebang on limited circuits under or around 2KW, so my 5500 watt Cheapie Contractor quality Genset handles the load easily, with lots of headroom for incidental loads and/or Ham Radio loads 2KW+[:D][:D] if necessary.
I have Solar Panel/Battery system as an alternate power source, with Inverters fo 120VAC. Then I have 12VDC system for reserve/emergency lighting, welding, etc.
If you have Natural Gas Piped in, then get a permanent set-up for the whole house.
You will have to run whatever generator once a month for Half an Hour, UNDER FULL LOAD, in order to make sure it is always ready. You have to do this regardless of which fuel you use.
If you only have Propane/Gasoline available, I rate that as a flip of a coin. Propane to some degree, (and Natural Gas to a greater degree,) require derating the generator. That means that if your required load is 10KW then a 10KW Gasoline generator would juuuust handle it, but you would have to step up to a generator engine that is larger if you used Propane, and larger still if using Natural gas.
Those translate into higher costs.
Propane and natural gas gensets need less maintenance ON THE MOTOR END, but still require maintenance on same schedule at the Generator end.
Propane Gensets can be difficult to get running in extreme cold weather.
My choice of Contractor quality genset makes it more portable, cheaper to replace. Will probably need replacement more often.
You pick.
Diesel gensets are Heavy, and Expensive, relative to the others.
They are more efficient on fuel/power.
Can you make that stuff out of regular waste oil?
Also not to hijack but I was going to do the "flip the main and plug into the dryer outlet" thing. Is this a bad idea? If so why.
Make sure you have a HEAVY conductor cord from Genset to Dryer outlet, and that Outlet is TIGHT - if loose, you get a fire.
Also keep in Mind that when you backfeed, the Arc Quench feature of your Dryer Breaker will be severely compromised, as the ARCS that happen when a breaker opens are supposed to come from the "LINE" contacts, Not the LOAD side (as when you backfeed). Could get a FIRE there too.
is really a pretty compromised way to have power.
In a real pinch, you can use all sorts of oils to run a diesel - DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC! it will not ignite easily enough! and run at reduced power.
For long term, Diesel is a little better than Gasoline - Gasoline lasts no more than 6 months, Diesel stores well for about a Year.
LP and Natural gas are always good, no matter how long stored.
Open main Breaker and backfeed through the Dryer breaker is OK, SO LONG AS FULL LOAD TO HOUSE IS LESS than Dryer breaker rating!!
Make sure you have a HEAVY conductor cord from Genset to Dryer outlet, and that Outlet is TIGHT - if loose, you get a fire.
Also keep in Mind that when you backfeed, the Arc Quench feature of your Dryer Breaker will be severely compromised, as the ARCS that happen when a breaker opens are supposed to come from the "LINE" contacts, Not the LOAD side (as when you backfeed). Could get a FIRE there too.
is really a pretty compromised way to have power.
BUT... It DOES work just fine.U stated in the OP that it was for temp. outages, and only to GET BY...GO BIG on the feeder lead,ALWAYS disconnect the MAIN first .NO WORRIES!!!
No carbon wear from LP
17k for 2500sq ft and central air
he said $500-1000 range not $4000 range
not everyone has $4000 plus all the extras to hook it up including tanks, and fuel....I'd love to have a 14k-17k generac but it was almost $6000 installed turnkey
quote:Originally posted by forkliftking
Can I wire a portable generator up to my house easily?[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
kill the main and plug the gen into your dryer outlet to power the house circuits, easy......
This was a joke post. Actually I tie mine in to my welder plug in my detached garage.