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[C.Ann]

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[NotUrsula]

In your circumstances, I think that a permanent installation is best (and safer). It will cost a bit, but if you're living alone I'd go for it if you can at all swing the expense. Portable generators take some expertise to use properly, and most of them could not reliably handle as much wattage as is on your list. A permanent one is installed by an electrician, and all you have to do is fill the fuel tank and flip the switch when you want it on.

I found a nice piece on the Tacoma Power website that explains the needed calculations to judge what you need: http://www.mytpu.org/tacomapower/safety/generator-safety/Default.htm

 

[DrCavin]

This thread was posted a while back that has some good stuff in it: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21652582

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First thing to do is look at the data plates on all appliances and get both the normal power need and, if indicated, a peak (start-up) power need.

Then add all of these together, plus the wattage of all light bulbs. This gives you your requirement. For safety you want a generator rated at least 25% over your requirement.

You do want a cutover switch installed by a professional electrician so you can hook the needed items into the generator by either throwing one or several switches; you don't want to have to plug in anything, with the possible exception of a special cord from the main cutover switch to the generator itself.

The generator can be stored inside a garage or shed, but for operation you are much better off having it outside any building, especially one attached to the house.

And also think about the fuel needs and storage.

 

[Carl]

I gave up on having a generator when I found out that the oil needs to be changed every day (24 hours of use.) Too much trouble and work. Also, hot and dirty work.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for the info..

 

[NotUrsula]

You heard correctly in the case of a portable generator; the temporary kind that runs on kerosene or diesel.

The professionally installed permanent kind allows you to use your home's outlets; you switch over the power at a main control box for the generator.
Guardian is the most popular brand of permanently installed home generator. These things are not small, they are about the size to two chest freezers stacked on top of one another, and they sit on a concrete pad outside. They are fueled by either natural gas (if you have service) or propane. Depending on local codes, a propane tank may have to be installed underground, which is a major added expense.

 

[C.Ann]

The professionally installed permanent kind allows you to use your home's outlets; you switch over the power at a main control box for the generator.
Guardian is the most popular brand of permanently installed home generator. These things are not small, they are about the size to two chest freezers stacked on top of one another, and they sit on a concrete pad outside. They are fueled by either natural gas (if you have service) or propane. Depending on local codes, a propane tank may have to be installed underground, which is a major added expense.

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[Laz]

Thanks for the info..

I just heard something on tv - via the Red Cross - that each item has to be individually plugged into the generator? How could that be accomplished if the generator is outside? Or did I just hear it wrong?

Not necessarily. I have a 5000 watt portable generator with an 8500 surge. It is on wheels. I had an electrician install a switch that takes my house off of the main line and works through the generator (this way I do not electricuit someone working on the lines). Along with this switch I have a small circut box with the breakers for each item I want to hook up. Form this small box I have a cord with one plug that fits into the generator. After I switch the power to generator and turn off all the breakers. I start the generator and plug in the cord. Then I turn each breaker on one at a time. This is done to keep the power surge down. You would be surprised how much power it takes to start a refrigerator compressor. Then I just let it run. When your main power comes back on, I reverse the process. I have the lights, refrigerator, two 1/2 horsepower sump pumps, and my furnace motor hooked to the generator. Remember that a generator is VERY heavy, so get one with wheels. Finally, NEVER run the generator inside.

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't know figures for anyone who has done it lately, and not with a tank, but numbers I've been able to find online indicate that the generator itself is around $4K, plus the installation, which is a major wiring project requiring conduit. I'd say you are looking at at least $10, and possibly up to around $20K with a tank.

A big investment.

 

[KirstenB]

We have the 5kw portable type. DH put it on a concrete pad, then built a little lean-to around it. It's about 12 ft away from the house, and well-ventilated, which is really important. What gives me pause about your situation is, the pull start on it is the same type as a walk-behind lawnmower. I can start it, but it's not super easy. Also, you have to add gasoline to it every __ hours. DH wired it into our house's circuit box, but he wrote me up a set of directions, because he used to travel for business all the time, and I couldn't remember exactly what order to do everything in. This cost us $500 for the generator, plus whatever an electrician would charge you to wire it.

On the other hand, some friends of ours have the large automatic generator that a pp described. It's autostart, but it's also $10,000. For that kind of money, I can pull a lawnmower cord for a looongg time!

Are you thinking of this for your summer home? We only lose power about 4-5 times a year. 4 times in teh winter, during a storm, and usually once in the summer. What made us get one was we lost power at Christmas, with a house full of guests, and a well/septic system. Not a good situation!

Anyway, generators are a popular theft item, so I'm wondering if you're sure you want one at a summer home. Mom and Dad got broken into several times, and the generator was always taken. If this is for your permanant home, disregard that last part.

 

[C.Ann]

I don't know figures for anyone who has done it lately, and not with a tank, but numbers I've been able to find online indicate that the generator itself is around $4K, plus the installation, which is a major wiring project requiring conduit. I'd say you are looking at at least $10, and possibly up to around $20K with a tank.

A big investment.

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[Castlebound]

Well in Missouri an underground propane tank is around $1500 for just the tank. You also have to have someone dig the hole, backfill part of the way with gravel for drainage, and finish with topsoil. If you go for an above ground propane tank many of our local propane companies will give it to you for free if you buy propane from them for a certain time.

I will probably explain this very badly since it is my uncle who is the electrician not me, but here it goes. You can have an electrician install a plug (around $300) for a portable generator on the outside of your house. This plug goes directly to your circuit box. You would turn all the circuits off except for the ones you want/can run. The plug keeps your circuit box from blowing up when power is restored. We paid $800 for our portable generator two years ago. It is big enough to run our well, lights, fridge, and tv. We looked into a permanent generator but they started at $6000 for just the generator. That didn't include the propane tank, wiring, and concrete.

 

[doxdogy]

We have a portable generator, down here. I want to say that it is 5000kw, there is enough power to run a small window ac, television, satellite and the dvr. It is gasoline opposed to kerosene or diesel. We have a heavy duty extension cord that is plugged into the generator and then we plug the appliances into the heavy duty extension cord. The reason we weren't concerned with the fridge is that down here during hurricane season, an window ac trumps the fridge.