Generators......back up for home

[boneaddict]

Im gravity.   I am one of the few homes in the area that "purked".

[PolarBear]

Septic?    Pressurized?    I'm not familiar with that.  Mine is all downhill...


what size genny did you get at costco?

My folks had a septic with a float that pumped grey water down the road to  mound system. I wired them up with a transfer switch and a duel fuel (gas and propane) 12,000 kw generator. Wasn't sure if you were hooked up to sewer, gravity etc...  For my place I got a Honda Power Pro 12,000 kw gas generator.  Like was said above, run ONLY non ethanol fuel in it and run it out at the end of the season.

[300rum]

When I had my house built I had it wired for a BU Generator and had a 1k gallon propane tank installed and stubbed out.  I have researched the Generac and similar to the point of exhaustion but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.  I need it to ensure that I can water stock, run the freezers and fireplace fan.  We have multiple longer outages throughout the year.   

From what I can gather about the Generac, there are tons of great reviews from people who don't actually use them.  When people actually need it, there are a ton of bad reviews (hurricanes, etc.).  There are also a ton of bad reviews when it comes to Warranty, availability of service tech's, and the amount of maintenance needed to keep it up to the manual.

My Brother-in-law is an electrician and has wired quite a few Generac's (at least a dozen or 2) and he says they work great when they install but once again, doesn't know anyone who has actually needed it. 

I have come to the conclusion that what I really need to do is get a Diesel Generator and then store a few hundred gallons of Diesel (I'll use it for the tractor too).  There seems to be quite a few mil surplus and other Diesel generators available.  They are big enough and seem to be easy to work on and there are many more Diesel tech's to be found then Generac tech's. 

I am also thinking of getting one on a trailer so I can move it with me too. 

[trophyhunt]

The neighbor and I each bought 10,000 watt loud generators off harbor freight for $1000.  They have lasted 15 years, we are on wells, all electric, they have not let us down.  I had an electrician just wire in a plug that feeds the entire panel.

[KFhunter]

When I had my house built I had it wired for a BU Generator and had a 1k gallon propane tank installed and stubbed out.  I have researched the Generac and similar to the point of exhaustion but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.  I need it to ensure that I can water stock, run the freezers and fireplace fan.  We have multiple longer outages throughout the year.   

From what I can gather about the Generac, there are tons of great reviews from people who don't actually use them.  When people actually need it, there are a ton of bad reviews (hurricanes, etc.).  There are also a ton of bad reviews when it comes to Warranty, availability of service tech's, and the amount of maintenance needed to keep it up to the manual.

My Brother-in-law is an electrician and has wired quite a few Generac's (at least a dozen or 2) and he says they work great when they install but once again, doesn't know anyone who has actually needed it. 

I have come to the conclusion that what I really need to do is get a Diesel Generator and then store a few hundred gallons of Diesel (I'll use it for the tractor too).  There seems to be quite a few mil surplus and other Diesel generators available.  They are big enough and seem to be easy to work on and there are many more Diesel tech's to be found then Generac tech's. 

I am also thinking of getting one on a trailer so I can move it with me too.

That's what I come up with, we had a portable generac Dad paid waaay too much for and it was dead after a year or so, spit a valve or something catastrophic like that I don't remember exactly..the engine needed a rebuild but it cost too much and it just ended up being garbage.   

been using cheap loud brigs I got for like 400 bux at walmart for years now without issue but dang they're loud



I really like the diesel tank for both tractor and generator idea

[KFhunter]

these are super cool,  expensive at $650 bux though,  but easy button!

[boneaddict]

 

Thats sorta what I was dreaming of ....dang

[boneaddict]

If I were to just plug one in, and didnt have the 50 amp plug in available yet, the dryer seems like the most logical place to plug it in.   I'm not sure what kind of adapting Id have to do to get the right plug on the end of the genny cord.   Ive heard people say they just plug it into an outlet, but that seems a little underguaged

[Buckhunter24]

Theres a few people who have a rough idea of how electricity works spouting things out. I wouldnt do a thing without a permit/inspection when it comes to electricity, the consequences to others and your own liability are too high.

[Fl0und3rz]

I have a 7500W Deere (Honda) that I just ran extension cords to some equipment during the last ice storm years ago.  I had dreams of a transfer switch, then we sold the house. 

Only advice I can offer is that Stabil is the real deal.  I was lazy on yearly checks, keeping it ethanol free, etc.  Years old gas with Stabil, and it started right up, with some fresh gas to top off, when we used it this year.

I've honestly not had any problems with ethanol gas in the various two strokes with Stabil.

[KFhunter]

If I were to just plug one in, and didnt have the 50 amp plug in available yet, the dryer seems like the most logical place to plug it in.   I'm not sure what kind of adapting Id have to do to get the right plug on the end of the genny cord.   Ive heard people say they just plug it into an outlet, but that seems a little underguaged

4 prong dryer outlet?    or 3 prong outlet?

[boneaddict]

I do believe it’s 4.   I’m not there now, but pretty sure.

[Whitpirate]

these are super cool,  expensive at $650 bux though,  but easy button!

Got a link KF?

[KFhunter]

amazon or home depot,  search:     meter transfer switch

40 amp is nearly a grand 
30 amp is $650 ish

[colersu22]

What kind of panel do you currently have?  I installed a Siemens panel and it has the option for a generator breaker lock so I wired my generator plug into the breaker and it will back feed my panel.  They key with this set up is in order to have the generator breaker on the main has to be off which keeps you from energizing the service wires.


https://www.amazon.com/Siemens-ECSBPK03-Generator-Mechanical-Interlock/dp/B004Q01YUK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=57196217478&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6umZoPaN5gIVx0XVCh0XeQGzEAAYAyAAEgLzGvD_BwE&hvadid=274742483665&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1027770&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t3&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10798611786609623167&hvtargid=aud-836288731366%3Akwd-303529677049&hydadcr=14654_10062234&keywords=siemens+generator+interlock+kit&qid=1574979141&sr=8-3