Generator recommendations

[Squirrel322]

We are interested in getting a generator to provide power in the event of a power outage. Outages here are rare and usually short. However, the winters can be cold and we want a plan B to keep warm.

I know there’s a lot of varieties and options. So I’m looking for suggestions to help drive our research.

Thanks in advance !

 

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[DizzyDigger]

Squirrel, what type of appliances/heater do you plan to use?
Will you also use it to maintain cold temps in the fridge/freezer?

 

[ARC]

Portable ? = Yamaha.
Fixed ? = Generac.

 

[BillA]

long term = diesel
also for just sitting idle

 

[Flipperfla]

Yamaha

 

[BillA]

misread sorry (changed like)

Yanmar

 

[ToddsPoint]

We just purchased and had installed a Kohler 20 Kv. It was $5600 plus $1400 installation. Our power goes out a lot and we got tired of it. Had a small generator but it was a hassle to get out and hook up with extension cords. Wind knocked down a power pole a few days ago and Kohler kicked right in. Seamless. No more worries about losing a freezer full of beef. Not to mention keeping from freezing in winter or baking in summer with no power. Gary

 

[Squirrel322]

Squirrel, what type of appliances/heater do you plan to use?
Will you also use it to maintain cold temps in the fridge/freezer?

We are just starting to see what options there are and weigh this out. This all started with looking at getting our fireplace in working order for either gas or wood. After exhausting those avenues we decided an emergency generator might be best suited for our needs. We probably aren’t going to make the investment required for a set up like ToddsPoint’s. The chimney guy that was here yesterday told me about those and while they sound very nice, outages here are fairly rare and usually short. Of course if the SHTF we will probably wish we had something like that.

Primarily we want an alternative way to keep warm in the winter. The minimum would be something we could power a 1-room space heater off. Ideally we would like something that could power our gas furnace and the rest of the house.

I’m especially curious about non-gas powered generators as their noise is undesirable and I’m not crazy about storing the gas to run them.

 

[ARC]

The Yamahas can be modified to run on a multitude of fuels... including propane... and are quiet and reliable.

 

[worldtalker]

Robin diesel.

GOD Bless

Chris

 

[DizzyDigger]

For the more portable version, Honda or Yamaha is the way to go.

Electric space heaters are typically in the 1500-2000 watt category,
add in a couple lamps, maybe use the microwave? For any home
situation, I'd consider the absolute minimum to be a 3500 Watt generator.

I live in a rural area, and while the power generating dam is just upriver
about 30 miles, we often get outages lasting 8-12 hours, and have had
them last as long as 5 days....in mid-winter.

Home has a 15,000 Watt electric furnace, so running that off a gen.
isn't an option. I do have a 6500 Watt gas gen., and it can
handle 2 space heaters, a few lights and a fridge all at once.
In winter, if the freezer starts warming I just bag up the frozen food
and move it out in the garage.

 

[No gold in NY]

We have a Generac Portable Generator — 10,000 Surge Watts, 8000 Rated Watts, Electric Start, Model# 7686. $999.00. Runs the whole house except the electric range. Have used it a few years now. Always starts on the first pull.

 

[golddigger14s]

I would suggest a deul fuel (propane/gas) since even pure gas goes bad after 6 months. (No, don't use sta-bil in small engines)

 

[ARC]

The Yamahas can be modified to run on a multitude of fuels... including propane... and are quiet and reliable.

Well "multitude" should have been "a few"... for it can be converted to run 3... Gas... Propane... Natural gas.

Need one to run on Rum... errr... um.......... scratch that... Rum will keep me warm in the dark. :P

 

[DCMatt]

A couple of years ago I bought a Champion 3,650 watt portable unit from Tractor Supply. It was on some kind of super sale. With a set of wheels and a long cord I was all in for @ $400. It will run my fridge and a small space heater plus ports for USB devices. It has served my purpose.

Pull start. Claims to run 9 hours at 50% capacity on a 3.4 gallon tank, although I've never run it for that long consecutively. Not too noisy, especially if you place something to deflect the sound away from the house. One downside is it weighs about 100 pounds. That said I have rigged up a plywood ramp to load it by myself into the back of my SUV.

 

[Kray Gelder]

We are just starting to see what options there are and weigh this out. This all started with looking at getting our fireplace in working order for either gas or wood. After exhausting those avenues we decided an emergency generator might be best suited for our needs. We probably aren’t going to make the investment required for a set up like ToddsPoint’s. The chimney guy that was here yesterday told me about those and while they sound very nice, outages here are fairly rare and usually short. Of course if the SHTF we will probably wish we had something like that.

Primarily we want an alternative way to keep warm in the winter. The minimum would be something we could power a 1-room space heater off. Ideally we would like something that could power our gas furnace and the rest of the house.

I’m especially curious about non-gas powered generators as their noise is undesirable and I’m not crazy about storing the gas to run them.

If it's only heat you're concerned about, consider a portable kerosene heater. They throw out a good amount of heat. Kind of stinky, but we had one, and used it a number of times. You can also use it outdoors.

 

[Al D]

I love pellet stoves, easy to operate and a hell of a lot of heat

 

[ARC]

If it's only heat you're concerned about, consider a portable kerosene heater. They throw out a good amount of heat. Kind of stinky, but we had one, and used it a number of times. You can also use it outdoors.

Kray... don't they give off carbon monoxide ?

 

[Xraywolf]

Harbor Freight Predator line is pretty highly rated, if you don't want to spend and arm and leg on a premium brand. I have one, starts on the 1st pull for over 3 years.

 

[Kray Gelder]

Kray... don't they give off carbon monoxide ?

Monoxide, schmonoxide. Yes. I shouldn't have to print a disclaimer, LOL. Kerosene catalytic heater. We would "crack" a few windows for fresh air. In the colder climes they were very popular, and probably still are. There are probably some incidents with bad endings. Kerosene lamps were used in abundance in the past. Burning fossil fuels indoors, with no chimney may seem like a bad idea.........AARC, I withdraw my recommendation. We survived using one. Percentages, maybe. Skol.