[Chris65LeMans]

You may have heard that out here in California, they are shutting off power during “fire danger” conditions. (A normal condition out here.). They say if the power is turned off, it will take 3 days to get it back on.

So - I’m looking into a backup generator for my house. I’ll get a quote from Generac - what other companies should I look into?

[400 4spd.]

Mayflower.

[David Jones]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Mayflower.

...

[TAKerry]

I just saw that on the news, sounds crazy. Generac is the only one im familiar with and I know quite a few people with them that are very happy with their function. It sounds like you may want to jump quick though, I can imagine that electricians with generator sales will sky rocket.

[61-63]

We are out in the country and lose power after hurricanes. After Rita we were without power for twenty two days. Can't remember after Ike but it was something like that and a then a little less for Ike. I just wired an 8000 amp portable into the breaker box following each hurricane and it ran the water heater, lights, all house electrical except for the central air/heat which draws more amps. After twelve years I've now replaced that unit with a 10k amp portable unit I think the brand is a Champion. A Generac automatic permanently wired into the house which comes on automatically costs multiples of what a portable will cost you and as long as you crank and run the portable once every month or two it will last just as long as the high dollar Generac. If you decide to use a portable and wire it into the breaker box during outages be sure to flip the master breaker switch when using it so you don't feed power back into the street; or you could electrocute the power company guys. Apparently a permanent Generac does that automatically?

[Stuart]

Cummins is another quality brand for home generators. https://homegenerators.cummins.com

Originally Posted by 61-63

If you decide to use a portable and wire it into the breaker box during outages be sure to flip the master breaker switch when using it so you don't feed power back into the street; or you could electrocute the power company guys. Apparently a permanent Generac does that automatically?

By code, a generator must be connected using either a manual transfer switch or interlock to prevent this from happening.

[Sirrotica]

Kohler is another brand of standby generator,https://www.kohlergeneratordealer.co...4IJA&gclsrc=ds

Onan was bought by Cummins, and has already been mentioned.

If you think that the natural gas supply would not be interrupted, fueling a generator from the natural gas supply is ideal. Systems that run on fuel other than gasoline are better for long downtimes. Propane keeps indefinitely as well as natural gas. Diesel has a hell of a lot longer fuel storage life than gasoline does also.

I have a 5500 watt Powermate system that I have had to take the carb apart twice due to the gas gelling in the carb. I only have 20 hours on it in the last 8 years, so it sits a lot. Also mine is manual start, if it starts hard at all your gonna get tired pulling the cord in short order. 9HP at 389 CCs is probably as big of an engine that you want to pull start. If I were to do it again I'd probably go for electric start, but when you have no electric for days you'll take whatever Home Depot has in their store...…………...LOL.

I need to get the fuel drained out of the generator again too before winter, it's been in there a couple of months so if I leave it til spring I'll be taking the carb apart again. Maybe I'll just put some Stabil in and drain it in the spring. Winter is the prime time of the year in Ohio for power outages, so I need it ready to go for this season.

[TAKerry]

I live close enough to the coast to be affected by the occasional hurricane. I also have a small generator (2400 watt) that I hook up to my panel to run a few lights, refrig. and the well pump for water, which is the important part. Its not automatic but it works great for what I need for on rare occasion. A whole house job would be so much nicer but I cant justify the expense.

[TAKerry]

Another downside to the portable generator is that I need to plan ahead and have gasoline in storage to keep it running. The generacs I know of all run on large propane tanks. Less worry about running out of fuel.

[61-63]

I meant to say 8k & 10k watt not amps.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by 61-63

I meant to say 8k & 10k watt not amps.

yea, 8000 Amps was funny.

[61-63]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

yea, 8000 Amps was funny.

I wonder what diameter wire it would take to carry 8k amps? 10' mebby?

[Sirrotica]

You tube has plenty of videos covering the subject, brands, types, etc.

[Firedup6975]

We love our Generac got us through several power outages the las few years. Here is ours and the propane tank size that feeds it.

[dataway]

Originally Posted by Firedup6975

We love our Generac got us through several power outages the las few years. Here is ours and the propane tank size that feeds it.

Jeez, wash and wax that propane tank

I own my tank so it gets a nice carnuba wax once a year. I've resisted putting a giant GTO decal on it, or painting it Verdora Green

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by dataway

Jeez, wash and wax that propane tank

I own my tank so it gets a nice carnuba wax once a year. I've resisted putting a giant GTO decal on it, or painting it Verdora Green

It’s on a cement pad with white pine trees towering over it, kinda hard keeping it clean. It’s always shady there so the green stuff grows on it constantly. We do clean it once a year, just didn’t get to it yet. . Yeah we don’t own ours, and will be soon changing propane Co.’s

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by dataway

Jeez, wash and wax that propane tank

Propane tanks should be buried so as not to be a visual monstrosity.

We've done that at our last two homes that didn't have natural gas available.

It requires a special tank with a sacrificial anode, but it sure cleans up your landscape.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Firedup6975

We love our Generac got us through several power outages the las few years. Here is ours and the propane tank size that feeds it.

I have had a Generac unit similar to that for 7 years. It has about 450 flawless hours on it from the time of installation. I moved it from my previous house because the buyers refused to pay 2K for it already hooked-up to natural gas and an automatic transfer switch. So I unhooked-it and took it with me when I moved. My current house rarely loses power, but the generator starts and runs every week. I suppose in CA, it could cost 10K for the set-up I have, but I don't have nearly that much in mine. I bought the basic package from Norwall Power Systems on the internet. 17K generator and a 200 Amp transfer switch were $3300.00 delivered to my door. I poured my own pad, about $20.00 of concrete and $10.00 of gravel. The gas company installed about 40 ft. of black pipe and a larger meter for $470.00 including inspection. An electrician installed the transfer switch and wired the generator to the box for $1000.00 including 25 ft. of copper service service cable. So for about 5K I can run the whole house. Been very happy with it. BTW, Generac is owned by Briggs and Stratton Corp. if that makes any difference to you.

[Bentwheelbob]

I have a 20KW Generac fueled by natural gas. Within a couple months of installing it the June 29, 2012 Derecho hit and it ran for 10 straight days. A few years later a wet December snow storm hit and it ran for 7 straight days. I’ll never have a house without a backup system and have been extremely pleased with the Generac system.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I have a 20KW Generac fueled by natural gas. Within a couple months of installing it the June 29, 2012 Derecho hit and it ran for 10 straight days. A few years later a wet December snow storm hit and it ran for 7 straight days. I’ll never have a house without a backup system and have been extremely pleased with the Generac system.

What, no coal fired generator? LOL.