Author Topic: Backup Generator  (Read 13886 times)

Offline Dan

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Backup Generator
« on: October 30, 2012, 02:38:51 AM »
Any DDF'ers have something like this?

Might even pay for itself after one long blackout if you keep a freezer or 2 full of perishables.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LNN868/?tag=cl03f-20
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline HelpMe

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2012, 03:01:22 AM »
Neighbor has a whole house natural gas generator and loves it. The funny part I would say in the last five years it was needed maybe twice for a total of a couple hours.
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Offline DrDanny

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2012, 03:08:48 AM »
Neighbor has a whole house natural gas generator and loves it. The funny part I would say in the last five years it was needed maybe twice for a total of a couple hours.
A relative of mine has one for his beach house I haven't spoken to him today but IIRC during Irene it got flooded so it didn't help him

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2012, 03:16:21 AM »
A relative of mine has one for his beach house I haven't spoken to him today but IIRC during Irene it got flooded so it didn't help him
Maybe he sould have bought a boat.  :)
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Offline joesmoe

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2012, 04:37:47 AM »
Neighbor has a whole house natural gas generator and loves it. The funny part I would say in the last five years it was needed maybe twice for a total of a couple hours.

We use to have one of these. It came with the house when we bought it (we weren't too interested in it). There was a couple day blackout in Michigan in early 2000's, and it actually came in REALLY handy.

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2012, 02:02:44 PM »
IMHO - if you are buying a non-portable generator, I would say to get something over 10k Watts - as it will be hooked directly to your home electric, and you want enough power to power your house.

Offline joesmoe

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Backup Generator
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2012, 02:53:20 PM »
Our generator only powered the important things in the house such as refrigerators, about a third the lights, security system, and 1 outlet in each room (which of course we would overload the hell out of pluging in everything under the sun.

Offline satturn

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2012, 03:01:31 PM »
1)first of all it really depends on what you want from it- if you want full house power so you can run all your appliances and electrical devices like u do regularly- this one seems a little small.
2) If you just want to keep your freezers/fridges running- then just get this one-http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-30466-Portable-Generator/dp/B003X78KAE/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1351622893&sr=1-1 - it can power all those things while saving you a lot and all you need is gas and some extension cords.
3) The installation cost will probably double the overall cost of the item. If you get the small one- all you have to do is run extension cords when needed. Just the automatic transfer switch- which is the brain that turns the generator on when the power goes out- runs $500+

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/stories/40-How-To-Pick-the-Perfect-Automatic-Transfer-Switch.html

4) natural gas has its positives- but if the electricity goes down- how do you know the gas won't either?

5)you can get a bigger portable one for alot less
http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-30469-Portable-Generator/dp/B003S3RZDQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1351622893&sr=1-3
- and have it wired to a removable connection port outside your house- so you get the same thing as the other one- but you just need to turn it on manually.

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-20216AK/p1118.html

IMHO- if you want the lack of any discomfort-and have the cash (i know the electricaian who installs them in a very popular jewish community- and he loves them too-they are a great profit maker) go for it!
But if your worried about the buck- there are simpler and cheaper alternatives.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2012, 03:09:14 PM by satturn »

Offline Centurion

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2012, 06:16:48 PM »
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004E2GCFC/ref=sr_1_2_olp?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1351635255&sr=1-2&keywords=APC%C2%AE+-+Back-UPS+Pro+1000+Battery+Backup+System%2C+1000+VA%2C&condition=new

i have one on  freezer / fridge

one for computer/printer/router/phone

the generators are more difficult to connect .. if this works for you its a better bang for your buck
you can only make a first impression ONCE

Offline AsherO

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2012, 06:46:53 PM »
i did a test about 3 months ago - i shut the power and came home 6 hours later still running.
you can only make a first impression ONCE

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2012, 07:53:26 PM »
A fridge uses about 700w - not that much.

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2012, 08:32:35 PM »
if you dont open to often or at all the temp barely drops   in israel the people that dont use electric just unplug the freezer before shabbos and everything stays frozen
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Offline mclovin

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2012, 12:34:00 AM »
i think the specs said 20 minutes at half load (300 watts)

Offline HelpMe

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2012, 02:35:26 AM »
4) natural gas has its positives- but if the electricity goes down- how do you know the gas won't either?
Can happen but don't bet on it.
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Offline joesmoe

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #15 on: October 31, 2012, 08:57:54 AM »
Using a UPS battery backup for a refridgerator is not a great idea, as other said just leave it closed. Your only going to be able to run it for an hour or so tops.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #16 on: October 31, 2012, 11:38:17 AM »
There are two big differences bet a built-in generator and a portable generator not mentioned

1) with a portable, you will need to buy alot of extension cords and have them running through your whole house. (Assuming you want light in all parts).
You will also need portable lights.

2) A portable generator will need to be refueled every couple of hours. With a built in generator,  its normally attached to your gas line and you don't need to worry about refueling.


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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #17 on: October 31, 2012, 11:52:07 AM »
2) A portable generator will need to be refueled every couple of hours. With a built in generator,  its normally attached to your gas line and you don't need to worry about refueling.
I would add - that in cases of 2-3 day power outages gas stations are likely to have also lost power and you will need gas for the generator...
Also running on natural gas is much cheaper that regular gas.

They do sell portable generators that run on natural gas or propane too.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #18 on: October 31, 2012, 12:09:52 PM »
I would add - that in cases of 2-3 day power outages gas stations are likely to have also lost power and you will need gas for the generator...
Also running on natural gas is much cheaper that regular gas.
Good point.
Quote
They do sell portable generators that run on natural gas or propane too.
How would that work?

They make small (<10k watts) with a port for a natural gas line?

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Re: Backup Generator
« Reply #19 on: October 31, 2012, 03:43:20 PM »
How would that work?

They make small (<10k watts) with a port for a natural gas line?
Not sure about natural gas, but they make that accept propane tanks