Hurricane generators

[Seahawk]

i don't even remember the names of the storms...Camille, Emil, Dusty, Daffy, etc. that have caused us to lose power.

Except one, which I think was Ernie, Ernesto, one of my Cousins.

Popped up, got ugly late, none of the Weather Channel BS: Cantori was in Atlanta looking for his weather dick.

It hit at just the right angle, moisture already in he ground. Here is a picture of my driveway:



Six days without power...the crews were heroic. Best folks in a pinch.

[URY914]

Hurricanes and COVID? We're screwed.

[RWebb]

The real Hurricane generators are at a low ebb so far this season due to lots of African dust clouds.

Enjoy!

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

I forgot to mention the igen2200 has a plastic tank, and the 2500 has a metal tank. Something to consider for long term storage.

I always run mine dry.

[Baz]

I switched on my little Zenith window unit. It's only 5K BTU but stays in the window year round and I use it periodically just to supplement my central AC on certain days when it's ridiculous and I want to give my outside unit a break.

I also use it during emergencies.

Well...the fan wasn't spinning and it would just keep shutting down so I sprayed some WD 40 in there and spun the fan by hand (used a bread knife) and after some persuading she started spinning again and it's been running now for about 20 minutes. Yah!

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by URY914

Hurricanes and COVID? We're screwed.

You forgot the murder hornets

[Dan J]

I have Generac 10k's on 2 of my houses I also have 2 Honda 6500 eu portables that I use in my business. There's no comparison. The Hondas are not just better they're worlds better, in a different galaxy better. The Generac's ( propane B&S ) breakdown every single time even though they get way more maintenance then the Honda's The Honda's never give ANY trouble
When the worlds being a pain in the ass you don't need to be working on a generator
I would never buy another generac product

[gduke2010]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

One of my friends recently installed the whole house generator, natural gas fueled, Generac generator. There was a thunderstorm in his area of town a a string of power poles were felled. His generator kicked on automatically. He was really happy about the purchase, until it started having brownouts and flickering lights all over the house. Right now he is really mad at the generator and the company that put it in.

Every time there is a new thread on generators I seem to go down the rabbit hole of wanting one, and I start with the little Honda one to run the basics, but for just a bit more......

Soon I am looking at whole house generators, and then I slap my forehead. In the 22 years we have lived here there have been just two power outrages that lasted more than an hour. One was due to a major ice storm, and another was a thunderstorm and high winds that damaged a transmission tower. Those only lasted overnight and less than 14 hours total.

I will live live on the edge with no generator backup.

Natural gas might not be the best generator for hurricane back up power. Tree roots grow around gas lines and when trees topple, they break lines.

[GH85Carrera]

Natural gas lines are buried deep. Real deep. Few trees have roots that deep. The natural gas almost always works. It is the most reliable utility around these parts.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Natural gas lines are buried deep. Real deep. Few trees have roots that deep. The natural gas almost always works. It is the most reliable utility around these parts.

True. Back on the east coast the genies are mounted on 6ft+ pads and ng. Very reliable for light residential use. I wouldn't mess with with those air cooled kohler twins anyone, as I have a Hobart champion with a ch23. Not that reliable on the long term.

[Baz]

More progress today.

Turned in two rusty propane tanks in exchange for two fresh ones filled with 15 lbs. each (I think). They were $20 each including the trade in at HD.

I also have one under my grill, but unsure how much propane is left in it.

I also picked up a brand new 5K BTU window unit at HD that I will keep in it's box for just in case.

My new generator comes tomorrow and I want to see if it comes with the gas hookup hardware I need.

Next, I need to put together a schematic of where all the power cords are going to go, starting from the generator and ending inside my home and feeding all the appliances I want powered.

The one thing I would like to do is get a new power cord that goes from generator into the house. I was looking at them today but wasn't sure what gauge I should get. I would think a 14 gauge would do, but would mind spending a little more for a 12 gauge, if it makes sense.

I'm not good with electrical knowledge so if anyone here has any input I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Arizona_928]

Look at the guage and amp rating, and figure out the amps for the different appliances. Remember start up (fla) will more than likely stall the generator if everything is plugged in at the same time.

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey Baz the generator you are buying , how long is it supposed to be able to run on one full 20 lb. cylinder ?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Look at the guage and amp rating, and figure out the amps for the different appliances. Remember start up (fla) will more than likely stall the generator if everything is plugged in at the same time.

Thanks for the reply - I will work on a list today of what I want powered and post again.

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Hey Baz the generator you are buying , how long is it supposed to be able to run on one full 20 lb. cylinder ?

Good question and one that I intend to find out. Will post again when I know more.

I just went out to feed my cat and the generator was already delivered.....yah!

[Baz]

Found a chart with amperage use and if I'm using my fridge and AC looks like I'm at approx. 17 amps. Round it off to 20 and according to the chart that came with the generator, I would need a 12 gauge cord to supply 20 amps for up to 30', so that's what I will buy. I plan to keep my generator down at the street level by my garage. My house sits on a dune ridge so after running the extension cord about 12' in elevation plus whatever length is required to run horizontally from the generator location and through my window into my living room, 30' should be adequate.

There was no information in the literature about how many hours a propane tank will provide so I will keep looking for that info and post when I know more.



I got the generator out of the box and attached the legs, wheels, and handle, and now have to add oil and gas and then a test run. More later.....

[Baz]

Google is our friend, once again.

Just found this info:

With a fuel capacity of 4 gallons, the R4400DF can operate for up to 18 hours using gasoline (fuel consumption around 0.22 GPH), or for up to 11 hours (on a 20 lbs tank - propane consumption around 0.43 GPH) using propane.

==========

This means if I start off with a full tank of gas and full tank of propane I will have approx. 29 hours of run time before any re-fueling is needed. That's probably an optimistic number so will take with grain of salt, but at least it's a data point mark for now.