Backup generator........

R

rgp

Well-known Member
Location
Milford,OH
Anyone have one ? Was it worth the cost ? What was the cost ?

I have Nat/Gas, so I have been considering one, I no longer feel like chopping / bringing in wood for the fireplace, etc.

It would be really nice not to have to worry about the power going out in severe weather. It has in the past..I dealt with it, & it @ that time, really wasn't all that bad but........... time/age changes things.
 

We are probably the only people left in Northern California that haven`t purchased a generator recently,due to PG&E`s power shutdowns. I have heard people spend anywhere from $200.00 to $10,000,depending what they want to power during an outage. My one sister has the fancy- dancy one that goes on automatically (or maybe you do have to flip a switch)when the power goes out. I`m sure my oldest sister does as well,as they have the means to buy the very best and she is on oxygen 24/7,so it is pretty much a necessity. We probably will get one eventually,if they are going to continue to shut power off. My hubby hates noise though-he really wants a generator but I just know it would bug the heck out of him lol.
 
My friend bought one about 9 years ago and has yet to use it. I think he said he paid $7,500 for it.
 

fuzzybuddy said:
I think, in California, getting a generator is like passing your driver's test-it's a right of passage. But the power hasn't gone out for more than a few seconds in 15 years here- Northeast PA.
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When we moved to this county 27 years ago,we were told to expect lots of power outages. We only ever had one or two-and they were very brief-10-15 minutes. That is,up until this past month.2 outages lasting 50 hours and 90+ hours.....
 
We have had one for years and have used it many times in the mid west. It is 2000 watts and works for us. I never had it wired professionally to run the whole house just use extension cords to what ever I needed at that time. Should have had wired into our home wiring, but I'm good at doing things half ass.
 
Got a 3600 watt gas generator, and like Norman, We use it to run fridge, freezer, Internet and wife's computer with extension cords. Also have a 5500 watt generator in each of the motor homes should I need one, and, I have a 5000 watt generator head that attaches to the tractor pto. Over prepared I guess, but, that's just me.
 
Not about cost,but this chart might be helpful.....
If you're curious about what your generator will power in your home look at this chart. Combine all your running watt items and then add your highest starting watt item and you will have your answer.
No photo description available.
 
We have a generator....It came in handy (during Sandy Storm in New Jersey) We were the only home on our block with one....A couple of
day's later, our neighbor bought one....The generator is for the whole house....
 
rgp said:
Anyone have one ? Was it worth the cost ? What was the cost
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Used one for my ( only ) source of electricity for 14 years while living off-grid in the Northern Alaskan woods.
True my power consumption was nothing like a normal home would be but it ran the lights, TV, DVD, coffee pot and computer. It was a Honda 2000i and cost $1,800.
DSCF0149.jpg
 
When we moved to the country, I bought a Coleman 6500 Watt generator. It's strong enough to run the lights and refrigerator/freezer, and give us some lights and TV, etc. I think I only paid about $500 for it (back in 2001), and we've only had to use it 4 or 5 times in all these years.....the worst outage here was about 18 hours. I start it up every 5 or 6 weeks and let it run for 10 or 15 minutes....to make sure it works if we need it. I just run a couple of extension cords to outlets in the basement, and that supplies power to both sides of the main breaker box. Naturally, it's not strong enough to run the electric furnace or AC, but it runs the motor in the outdoor wood furnace for Winter heat, and it runs the well pump for water. Anyone living in a rural area should have a standby generator, IMO.
Strange enough....the most use I ever got out of it was the last Winter we lived in the city, right after I bought it. There was a major ice storm in Kansas City the last Winter we lived there, and power was out for 3 days. I fired up this generator, and we had the kids/grandkids stopping by to warm up and have a hot meal....we had a gas stove/furnace/water heater....and several of the neighbors came by for a nice break, as we were the only ones in the neighborhood with lights, etc.
 
We have a generator that’s only 1200 watt. It cost us $600 and has been well worth the money. We live in a rural part of the country so when the electricity goes out, we are ready. It’s enough to run our fridge, freezer tv and a few other things.
 
My sister lives in rural Louisiana and they have two. They have a co/op for electricity and pecan trees all over their place. Limbs are always flying around. She says the least little wind and their electric goes out. They try and keep the trees trimmed as best as they can. Their house looks like a picture of an old timey southern place in the middle of a pecan grove. Beautiful but ice storms can take a toll there.
 
I have an 8K portable that runs on gas or propane. I think I paid around $700 for it. Propane is an easier fuel to store long term so that is what i have selected as my fuel.
 
rgp said:
Anyone have one ? Was it worth the cost ? What was the cost ?

I have Nat/Gas, so I have been considering one, I no longer feel like chopping / bringing in wood for the fireplace, etc.

It would be really nice not to have to worry about the power going out in severe weather. It has in the past..I dealt with it, & it @ that time, really wasn't all that bad but........... time/age changes things.
Click to expand...
My question would be how often do you lose power and how long is the power normally out.

In my area, power outages don't happen often and they are very brief, the most annoying thing to me is the loss of the television for an hour or two.
 
Pete said:
Used one for my ( only ) source of electricity for 14 years while living off-grid in the Northern Alaskan woods.
True my power consumption was nothing like a normal home would be but it ran the lights, TV, DVD, coffee pot and computer. It was a Honda 2000i
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Yup
Not for 220 (stoves, etc) but lights, computers, fridges, small tools

Honda is the best for the buck, and very dependable
Ran ours 8-10 hrs/day for over four years

aand, they're quiet
 
Aunt Bea said:
My question would be how often do you lose power and how long is the power normally out.

In my area, power outages don't happen often and they are very brief, the most annoying thing to me is the loss of the television for an hour or two.
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I see your point, the longest was 2008 Hurricane Ike, four days. But the whole purpose is similar to Insurance, {in case} & hope ya never need it.
 
Appreciate all the replies, allot of good information.

As I said to Bea, four days is the longest we have been out . But four days in deep winter, and trying to bring in wood with the [likely] accompanying snow,.....is something I would just as soon avoid.

Think I'll call a local company, & at least get an estimate.
 
rgp said:
I see your point, the longest was 2008 Hurricane Ike, four days. But the whole purpose is similar to Insurance, {in case} & hope ya never need it.
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I hear ya and I agree.

I would also look at other options like being able to override the electric start on the furnace, buying a couple of kerosene heaters, getting out of town for a few days, etc...

Good luck with your decision.
 
Pete said:
Used one for my ( only ) source of electricity for 14 years while living off-grid in the Northern Alaskan woods.
True my power consumption was nothing like a normal home would be but it ran the lights, TV, DVD, coffee pot and computer. It was a Honda 2000i and cost $1,800.
View attachment 80151
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Are those outside or inside? What do they run off of?
 
MarciKS said:
Are those outside or inside? What do they run off of?
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Generators run off Gas, or diesel.....and should ONLY be used outdoors...the carbon monoxide fumes they generate are almost like leaving a car running in a closed garage. There are a number of sizes and prices....varying anywhere from $300 for a small 1500 watt that might be good to run a camper, to large "whole house" automatic units that can supply 25K watts, or more, and costing $10,000 or more.

When we moved to this rural area, I bought a Coleman 6500 watt unit for around $500, and we've only had to use it 3 or 4 times in 17 years. I fire it up every 4 to 6 weeks and let it run for 15 minutes, just to make sure its ready to go if/when we need it. It's not strong enough to run things like the furnace or AC, or stove, but it gives us lights and TV, and fans if the weather is hot, or our outdoor wood furnace during the Winter.
 
Gary O' said:
Yup
Not for 220 (stoves, etc) but lights, computers, fridges, small tools

Honda is the best for the buck, and very dependable
Ran ours 8-10 hrs/day for over four years

aand, they're quiet
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How much gas did you use per day? Just curious.
 
Don M. said:
Generators run off Gas, or diesel.....and should ONLY be used outdoors...the carbon monoxide fumes they generate are almost like leaving a car running in a closed garage. There are a number of sizes and prices....varying anywhere from $300 for a small 1500 watt that might be good to run a camper, to large "whole house" automatic units that can supply 25K watts, or more, and costing $10,000 or more.

When we moved to this rural area, I bought a Coleman 6500 watt unit for around $500, and we've only had to use it 3 or 4 times in 17 years. I fire it up every 4 to 6 weeks and let it run for 15 minutes, just to make sure its ready to go if/when we need it. It's not strong enough to run things like the furnace or AC, or stove, but it gives us lights and TV, and fans if the weather is hot, or our outdoor wood furnace during the Winter.
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The type I am speaking of run off natural gas, they are plumbed in, and start automatically when the line power goes out.

We have had long [3-5] day power outages ,how often ? Hard to say, in a stormy season, maybe 2-3 times. The one that concerns me the most would be a winter outage ........ When it's really cold.

Did I call for an estimate yet ?...No, but I did look on line and it seems to be $ 2-3,000 for a house of 1200 sq/ft .......such as mine.
 
rgp said:
The type I am speaking of run off natural gas, they are plumbed in, and start automatically when the line power goes out. We have had long [3-5] day power outages ,how often ? Hard to say, in a stormy season, maybe 2-3 times. The one that concerns me the most would be a winter outage ........ When it's really cold. Did I call for an estimate yet ?...No, but I did look on line and it seems to be $ 2-3,000 for a house of 1200 sq/ft .......such as mine.
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It sounds like a whole house, "auto run" generator might be worth looking at, if you have had that many outages. Around here, the Generac brand is probably the most common, and best rated. You would need to have an electrician install a "transfer box" to your house wiring, and your local gas company could fairly easily install a Natural Gas line to the generator....and then, you would hardly notice any power outages.

Check out the big "Home" Stores....Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.....you could probably get a good estimate from them....my guess would be the price of the generator, plus around $1000 for the parts and labor for the xfer box and gas line.
 

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