Generator for Power Outages - Sizing - Natural Gas?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by spuggy

Some housewife did that here and killed a Puget Sound worker. Got charged with manslaughter. Can't find the story, but pretty sure she went to jail. Because ignorance and stupidity is not a valid legal defense.

If this actually happened, the linesman was sleepy. Sorry, it's his job to check that the line is not live.

Anybody can make a mistake at 3AM. Linesman, cops, doctors...

[aigel]

The Costco Yamaha job seems like the way to go right now. The reviews are quite good and it would allow me to maintain the freezers and electronics for a few days. I could buy one to see how it goes and if it is too little power in my testing, I could add another. Running two and having the ability to turn one off during low usage phases will make it easier to save on fuel as well over a big unit running full time. Fuel usage reported in reviews is quite low and I could stock enough gas in summer to be good for 1-2 weeks if I fill up the 993 and use it as a storage tank!

It is tempting to go bigger with NG hookup and house tie in, but that looks to be a $3k+ activity and to do it right I'd need a pro to help. Frankly, I'd rather have this ready to go sooner than later. I would hate to have a quake added on top of the coronavirus for example.

Still asking around what others are doing in the area. Most look to have the small jobs and do okay with them even running them way past preventative maintenance intervals.

Big thanks - never seizes to amaze me what you guys know!

G

[Bill Douglas]

And remember freezers don't lose temperture or thaw in a matter of hours. So even if you had a lightweight solution you could move the powercord between computers and freezers.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

If this actually happened, the linesman was sleepy. Sorry, it's his job to check that the line is not live.

Anybody can make a mistake at 3AM. Linesman, cops, doctors...

You can check all you want and if that line comes hot from some dipsiht backfeeding a panel he's in a trouble zone. Handling one line at a time is protocol but there's NO reason a dead line should come hot until they turn it on.

[chapo]

Since you are in Ca, if we have a big enough quake or fire they will shut down the natural gas. Get a dual fuel or portable. I have a Honda 2000 that is small , quiet, and bullet proof and only paid $900 new for it. It runs my fridge, internet, tv, and a few plug in lights. All I need. Don’t see why it couldn’t run an electric water heater as well.

[vash]

well FAACK!

there is a new recall on the Honda EU2200i. heads up.

something about a faulty electrical connection that can short and light the place on fire.

[aigel]

Thanks for the heads up Vash! The Yamaha arrived yesterday from costco. Will go play with it over one of these weekends and report back. I am glad it is in my garage already ...

G

[Arizona_928]

I went with Westinghouse for inverter generators. Igen 2200, and 2500. Yes I have two.
Maintenance between the two. Use one for 24 hours, and pmcs while running the second. All while sipping a gallon of gas for 8-10 hours.

I have around 500 hours on the igen 2200. Parts from Westinghouse were In stock and cheap. Purchase online, receive in three days through USPS. I've replaced carb, ignition coil, and pull starter. Each item was under 20$

[Crowbob]

What's pmcs?

[aigel]

Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services

I think our poster must have spent some time in the Army.

[Crowbob]

Ah. Thank you.

[aigel]

Unpacked the generator today and it all looks nice. Filled the oil. Now I need to go get some gas. It calls for 87 or higher octane. Would you buy 87 or go higher? How about for long term storage? Will higher octane be better? My plan is air tight storage in full NATO jerry cans but rotating it through every 3 months by burning it in the car.

Also will get a couple spark plugs and make sure I have 2-3 oil changes worth of 10W30. It takes 0.4l for 20 hours operation!

G

[aigel]

Gas is so cheap, I sprung for 91, that way it can go into the 993 as well if I need to escape FAST!

I filled two 20l jugs and added 5 oz of sea foam each for stabilization. Also got a gallon for the lawn mower and from that added maybe half a quart to the generator. It fired up in 3 pulls. It runs pretty quiet, more quiet than I thought.

I hooked up the garage fridge (full size french door with freezer) and it didn't strain the generator much at full throttle. In the eco setting where it runs just as many RPM as needed, the RPMs jumped at startup but settled quickly. I tried to get a freezer added but the darn thing wouldn't fire even with the lid open for 20 minutes. In about 30 minutes the gas ran out.

Reading online people say you should start a generator every 30 days, that seems excessive on a unit you let run dry. My plan is to run it every 3 months. The gas should be good for 9 monhts in a sealed can and I will rotate it through the cars accordingly.

Believe it or not, I have zero 10W30 in the house. Only 5W30, I think it would do in a pinch, but getting a couple quarts 10W30 as well along with a couple spark plugs to keep in the box.

Thanks for all the advice. Let's hope I won't need the generator, but I do feel better about my food storage now - ready for summer.

G

[Arizona_928]

I'm running the 10w30 synthetic Wal-Mart brand. I bought a few gallons and use it in all the small engines I have.

Benefit of keeping it empty until need? Rotating gas sucks especially with the slow flow gas cans.

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

Gas is so cheap, I sprung for 91, that way it can go into the 993 as well if I need to escape FAST!

I filled two 20l jugs and added 5 oz of sea foam each for stabilization. Also got a gallon for the lawn mower and from that added maybe half a quart to the generator. It fired up in 3 pulls. It runs pretty quiet, more quiet than I thought.

I hooked up the garage fridge (full size french door with freezer) and it didn't strain the generator much at full throttle. In the eco setting where it runs just as many RPM as needed, the RPMs jumped at startup but settled quickly. I tried to get a freezer added but the darn thing wouldn't fire even with the lid open for 20 minutes. In about 30 minutes the gas ran out.

Reading online people say you should start a generator every 30 days, that seems excessive on a unit you let run dry. My plan is to run it every 3 months. The gas should be good for 9 monhts in a sealed can and I will rotate it through the cars accordingly.

Believe it or not, I have zero 10W30 in the house. Only 5W30, I think it would do in a pinch, but getting a couple quarts 10W30 as well along with a couple spark plugs to keep in the box.

Thanks for all the advice. Let's hope I won't need the generator, but I do feel better about my food storage now - ready for summer.

G

I drained mine, ran it dry, changed oil, and I’m ready for the next blackout. My old boss gave me two sealed gallons of huskuvarna 93 octane ethanol free stuff. Label says it lasts stored for years. (Dunno?)

When I do need fuel, I buy 91 octane ethanol free stuff from a local gas station. I had to sign papers stating I wouldn’t run it in a road legal vehicle. I have two 5 gallon jugs. I do put it in my truck when I’m off raiding to get rid of it. My truck guzzles in 4wd.

[aigel]

Running it dry and storing it empty is what the manual calls for. Makes sense, no large volume of gas left in the carb evaporating and leaving a bunch of sticky varnish.

I have had good luck with seafoam in the KTM that can sit for several months between startups. I run that dry too. Nice thing is it has a fuel cut off switch.

The NATO cans come with a pre-smog era filler nozzle, no issue filling things quickly without fuss.

So, how often do you run your generators? Is every 3 months overkill?

Good tip on the Walmart brand synthetic.

Cheers,

George

[rfuerst911sc]

Ethanol free gas is the way to go , use that AND fuel additive and you have a fighting chance of having fresh fuel when you need it . I try to start my Honda EU3000 every two months and let it run for 15-20 minutes each time .

[Crowbob]

What I do is choose to use the gen once in a while to run electric tools instead of cordless. That way I’m not just burning gas and not getting anything done with it. I actually bought a used electric hedge trimmer pacifically for that reason.