Rick,

Very nice and excellent idea. This would power everything needed and for a very good price!

I have one at our cabin in Idaho; It's the Guardian model. I have it running on propane and for the past 7 years, no problem. I use Amsoil motorcycle oil in it.

Bump...

Thinking of an auto generator for the Montana shack. I guess it will run off the existing natural gas supply. House is 1800 sq ft, single level, 3 bedroom, and we would need the generator to operate the central heating system, well pump, refrigerator, etc. I really don't anticipate any significant power outages, but we are away from our cats sometimes during the winter and I would like the peace of mind knowing that the heater will always work automatically.

That being said, do you guys think something in the 15kw range would be sufficient? Where do I shop? Honeywell at Costco? Home Depot?

I posted earlier regarding the fuel cost during Katrina. Found out that , if you read the fine print on the gas bill, during times of major power outages the natural gas suppliers can charge a higher rate...because of the increased demand. Louisiana politics. I simply added a plug to my box and just plug in a 9500 watt generator and switch over. Most power outages we have are during the warmer months, so no need for heater requirements.

15kw should be plenty. General makes a 15kw and Onan makes a 12w which i believe would also work fine for you. Most likely you will not be running max demand unless you are having a party. We've had multiple day long outages up here and get along just fine. Our system is fully automatic with transfer switch and it works very smoothly, noting for me to do. Had it now for ten years and just normal service.

This seems like overkill, but the price is good: http://www.costco.com/Honeywell-17-kW-Automatic-Standby-Generator.product.100144364.html

That is a bargain. Wonder who makes the guts of the thing? I am not familiar with Honeywell for generators but at that price they're almost disposible after ten years.

Those of you that bought whole house generators and had them wired in to your home service (to switch automatically)...do any of you have a guess as to electrician/installation costs? I installed gas service to the spot where my generator is planned to go and had my general contractor get me an estimate for install. I was shocked at the install (including switching and cabling) estimate which was much more than the cost of the generator.

If I recall mine was 1/2 the price and that was 10 years ago.

After I expressed shock at the original $65K estimate, this guy wanted $45K total (I priced generator at $14K)...

He suggested I get a less expensive generator and I asked if that changed the install costs and he said no...so I said, "why would I do that if I pay you the same to install less capability?"

To be fair, he would have to run wiring about 15-20 feet to get to the power panel from the generator's planned location..

I have a pretty darned nice house (and it looks bigger and nicer than it really is), and suspect it was the "Porsche tax" sort of thing. I didn't say no, but said I will have to make more money before I can do that sort of thing. That was a year ago and power here has been much more reliable and I have a gas log in fireplaces on each floor...so I may just choose not install one due to install cost.

That's absurd!

In my case, they get expensive very quickly when you factor in propane tank installation, cable runs, etc.

I have looked at this from every angle and, in my case, can't pull the trigger on the auto, whole house concept. I tried to make the leap, but failed to make the math work for me.

Even though I am at the end of the grid (and we lose power in hurricanes and big winter storms) I decided to stick with my PTO powered generator and a Honda powered 8kw backup I can both plug into the house with a single cable.

For short term power loses, it takes me five minutes to get the essentials running with the Honda gen...for long outages, I bring the tractors downs with the PTO gen and I'm good to go for weeks.

I added battery backup to the sump pumps, a sensing unit that calls me when the power goes out.

The key is the plug into the house grid with the proper transfer switches. One cable, a few circuit breakers and you're in business.

The gas part seemed pretty reasonable to me (since I wanted to change the range anyways). The guy excavated/installed a 1000 gal underground tank, ran lines to my range, grill, 3 fireplaces on 3 levels plus valves, gauges, manifolds, etc), and the spot where I wanted to put the generator. He also ran a line to where my furnace and hot water heaters are in case I change over later. He also pulled all the permits, inspections, etc., and had the tank filled for about $8K.

Just need the electric guy to pull permits and install the generator. I guess I need to get another estimate.

I completely understand. We have lived here a long time so much of the infrastructure was already in place. Once I wired the house to accept one cable from any generator, using the stuff I already owned made more sense...quad redundancy, no single point of failure.

I also have enough firewood for years.

Permanent or portable? We're designing solar/generator/battery combinations which also supply hot water. Battery allows the Gen to operate at full load (most efficient zone) and allows quiet hours overnight.

Pm me or email me for details.

It would be permanent. Mounting is on the side of the garage right next to the circuit panel and the gas meter, so I believe installation would be a snap. Your solution sounds intriguing, but I think it would be overkill for me. I really don't think I'll need the generator for more than a few hours a year, but there is always this to worry about:

Govt: China could take down U.S. power grid - CNN.com

I had a local electrician who had done lots of wiring installs for generators do mine. I built an enclosure next to my garage and had installed a capped piece of ABS through the wall for the generator cable at a later date. I had a transfer panel, so he just had to wire up the panel and power the circuits I wanted in the main panel. He actually did more work than I thought would be needed. The labor charge was $350. He said he usually built the transfer panels. I didn't ask what it cost for that.

10,000 kw gasoline generator from amazon...$1000
Switch panel, $400
4 hours to install, with plug outside to plug it into...
$200 miscellaneous wiring...
$18, 6 gallons gas

$1600 or so, easily runs most of the house.

If I have to gas it up twice a day, if the **** hits the fan, so be it.

Neighbors spent 15,000 to 25,000 dollars. That's insane, for something you might use once a year. As a perk , I can take the generator other places, or sell it later.


Bo

The plus side is that you can pull from panels, batteries, grid or generator. The system will minimize pull from grid. There if you need it, but saves money anyway.

The generators we use are diesel, but we can feed them Natural Gas for 50-75% of the fuel. But you will still operate if the NG goes away.

My Generac is about 100 ft from my house and never bothers me or my wife. It's the sound of security so I can well handle it. When everyone else is sitting in darkness it very tolerable.