[necdb3]

HGIV, The large units consume a lot of fuel. Sometimes the small ones fit most needs as far as a frig and basic lighting. I do prefer the portable ones myself because as you stated, you can help another family if they need temp power. Nice to have a large and small portable.

[59safaricat]

I have a 20Kw Generac w/ an auto transfer switch fed by a 500 gallon in ground propane tank (which also feeds a burner for the pool and Jacuzzi) that came with the house. It keeps 2 A/C units and 75% of the house alive during power outages. Larger units like these all emit a pure sine wave which is critical for sensitive modern day electronics. Do not run laptops or especially computers off of any generator that doesn't produce a pure sine wave! I have 2 UPS units that keep two computer stations and the cable internet/phone alive for seamless operation until the generator fires up and the transfer switch kicks over.

I was chatting with the generator repairmen who was diagnosing a bad voltage regulator on my unit. He said Generacs are the cheapest units to purchase but are the highest repair prone with the shortest lifespan. He likes Briggs and Stratton for ease of serviceability. Kohler units are the most reliable and have the longest lifespans but at a high initial up front cost. When my Generac dies, I'll replace it with a Kohler.

[camerjeff]

I have a 9 year old Generac 14KW, it ran flawlessly for the 1st 7 years, then 15 months ago the throttle stepper motor went out, not bad $350 parts & Labor, then 13 moths later it went bad again. The warranty was 12 months, so the serviceman only charged me $250 this time. Then 3 weeks later the new one failed. This one was replaced under warranty. I asked the tech to check if something was taking them out. He said not that he can find. We loved it for the 1st 7 years, then the last 2 it only seems to fail when we need it.

I am on the road quite a bit, and I didn't want my wife to have to mess with a portable generator, or what she could or could not run when the Generator was running.

[Charlie Brengun]

Originally Posted by The Champ

John

Glad I don't live where you do.

I just paid $1.129 for 900 gallons for my annual supply (I buy and pay for it in the fall for delivery as needed). It went up from $1.059 last year. I've never paid $2.00 per gallon.

It can get even worse.. last year it cost me around $4.5 per gallon.. i think i should stop doing these conversions, they just upset me...

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by John V.

Champ, I actually pay $1.79 delivered but then they add a Hazmat fee regardless of how much I take plus taxes that runs it up to $2 give or take. Better when I need more because it spreads the Hazmat fee out. Tank rental not included.

I've used propane for heat since the 70's and have never heard of a Hazmat fee and most assuredly have never been charged one in either MN or WI.

My $1.129 is the net price - including all taxes, tank charges and delivery. If I owned my own tank the price would be less.

I ordered 900 gallons for the year @ $1.129 and paid $1,016.10. This heats my home, my detached 1200 sq ft shop (as needed), heats my water, my gas cooktop and my gas grill for the year.

At my previous home we purchased our own 500 gallon underground tank and had it buried so we didn't have to see it sitting in our yard.

When we were building our current home, I talked to the gas company about buying an underground tank and they offered to (if it was acceptable to my developer) install a 1,000 gallon tank to service my home and the 3 adjacent lots, run the piping and put in meters at no cost.

My developer (who lives across the street) was good with the idea, so that's what was done. The tank was buried between the two lots south of me and currently I have 2 neighbors sharing our tank. The fourth lot is not sold yet, but will hookup when built on.

Ironically, my developer/neighbor has a whole home standby generator to power everything in his 7,000+ sq ft home. It's worked like a charm for him for a number of protracted power outages over the years. However, this summer while fiber optics were being installed to our properties an undergroun power line was hit which caused a power outage. His generator kicked in as it should but somehow it started a fire. The fiber optic crews saw the smoke, called the fire department and the fire was put out quickly. But smoke was circulated by the HVAC system (hot muggy day) and he suffered extensive smoke damage.

I have frequently thought of installing a standby generator, just never did it. If I were going to stay in this home, I would do it today. But we've decided that we will be relocating somewhere within 24 months or less, so we'll just have to deal with any power outages that come our way.

[SRR]

Ok, after all was said and done A friend of mine gave me a Powermate 8000KW generator! He has solar with battery back up and didn't need it anymore. Unbeknownst to him It didn't make power so I watched a few YT vids to trouble shoot. When I removed the voltage regulator I noticed it was cracked and swollen. I ordered a new one from ereplacement.com and she works! The things I like about this is it's a key start and has an oil filter being a high end machine, also the tires are solid so no flats. I also ordered a battery for it, so I have a little over $100. invested so far. I just couldn't bring myself to lay out 1000's for a stand-by and have to a huge tank in the yard.

[Ben M.]

Excellent! Isn't it great to make something broken work again?