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Power Generators

H

hawkeye

Well-known member
I stole this quote from a different thread. But I wanted to use it to kick off this discussion. I don't know about the "Kohler" generator, but I've heard of a generator that taps into your natural gas line and automatically kicks on in the event of an outage. Very ingenius.

Wisdom said:
Speaking of Power Grids, I saw the last few minutes of our local news last night. They were talking about what to buy for emergency generators for back up power. They said that consumer testing came up with "Kohler" as the Residential generator to have for emergency back up. Mind you I'm not endorsing anybody's product but I have decided to send away for some more information. :) Just thought I would share.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Power Generators

Sorry everyone, I lost what I was trying to post when I was checking spelling..LoL Let's try again.
This paticular generator does run on a natural gas line or propane line. I already have a propane line running to my fireplace so I will use the propane. Not enough neighbors using natural gas so that's not an option for me. This brand does kick in automatically so there's no rush to get home if you are away. The models come in different sizes so you can pick what appliances you want hooked. They said last night on the news the average size runs around $3700. I should get something in the mail in the next week or two.:)
 
Re: Power Generators

hawkeye said:
I stole this quote from a different thread. But I wanted to use it to kick off this discussion. I don't know about the "Kohler" generator, but I've heard of a generator that taps into your natural gas line and automatically kicks on in the event of an outage. Very ingenius.
Click to expand...


Kohler is not the name brand of a generator, but the name brand of the engine that is in a generator. Kohler makes the engine for my mosquito fogger and my lawn mower...their 2 cylinder engines are the most reliable small engines on the market. Anytime I order a gas powered, small engine driven piece of equipment, my mechanics will always choose the Kohler engine model over a Honda, Tecumsah, Briggs & Stratton or any other brand.

So no matter what brand generator you buy, ask what brand the gas engine is also.
 
Re: Power Generators

This is a commercial site but it has a free online calculator to estimate the watts needed based upon what essentials you want to run during a power outage. It is a good place to start if you have no idea what wattage capacity is needed for your home.

http://www.homegeneratorsystems.com/select/calculator.cfm

Keep in mind that when it lists "Lights" 75 watts - that means one 75 watt light bulb/fixture.
 
Re: Power Generators

Almost forgot one of my favorite "go to" sites for general prep. advice is the Millenium Ark. They sell a diaster prep book and a few other materials, but have tons free information and links. For generators and other backup power sources, go to the main site, look down the menu on left side for "Off Grid"

http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Hollys.html
 
Re: Power Generators

I have seen the natural gas, whole house generators at Lowes & Home Depot. Sam's or Costco had them also.

A big one, installation included, for my home would be around $4,000.

They are sold over the internet also, but it seems it would be more costly to go that route.

The cost of running one was very high, as I recall. About $40/day. Unless that was a typo.
I was meaning to call the Gas Company to find out the cost per day of operating one, but have not done so yet.
Does anyone have a rough idea of what the cost would be per day/month to operate one of these?
 
Re: Power Generators

And I forgot to mention in the above post. If you go to Costco or Sam's to see the generators, they are easy to find. They are next to the caskets.
 
May not want to rely on natural gas

May not want to rely on natural gas

If you buy a natural gas powered generator, you are assuming that the electric grid is likely to go down but that your natural gas supply will be reliable. This may not be where you want to place your bets.

I was feeling lucky to have a gas stove and furnace (no oil deliveries in gasoline-dependent trucks) until last week, when I talked with the gas company man who came to do a routine replacement of my gas meter. I asked him whether service was likely to be interrupted in case of the 30% workforce absentee rate that is being predicted in a flu pandemic.

He said it was quite possible. Between the big storage tanks and people's homes are apparently many regulating stations operated by human beings. It is not a service run entirely by computers. And just as local electrical service can be downed by a problem at the pole or underground, the natural gas pipes can leak and need repair. He did not say explicitly, but I would guess that if they were unable to get a major leak repaired, they would have to shut off the supply one node back from the problem.

Remember Queens last summer? People were without power for days due to a local under-street electrical grid problem, even with repair people coming in from other states to help fix it. In a pandemic, there would be no one to come.
 
Re: Power Generators

The generator we just got can be switched to natural gas or propane. The gas would hook up to the house gasline, Propane would be from a large tank of propane outside the house.

My husband is an electrician and has installed a couple of these with another elec. What you want is the Automatic Transfer Switch. That will start up the generator within about a minute of power shutdown. There are also Manual switches, but the Auto would be less bother.

Consider shopping around for your price. My husband's associate is a local rep for one brand of generators. He will install one with the transfer switch for a price that might beat the big box places. Naturally, you want to make sure you get the work done by someone who is familiar with the installation.
 
Re: Power Generators

Thanks Hawkeye for starting this discussion! Also thanks Niko for sharing your favorite "go to site" Millenium Ark. I checked this out late last night when I couldn't sleep. Alot of good information, which makes me realize how important it is to keep on preparing for the unexpected. :)
 
Re: Power Generators

for folks that have these connected to propane tanks, be sure to identify how to manually turn the unit off such that it does not come on. the automatic transfer switches are useful for a number of applications, however if the power is out and it may be several months before you can get more gas, you will be better served to keep the units manually off until needed to keep from burning through your supply in a few days or weeks. do run it often enough to keep the battery charged (or put a solar panel on the battery).
 
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