Generator Recommendations???

[WildBill]

Thanks for the information. I heard about the natural gas generator last week on a radio show, but it seems like the initial cost would be too high for me to justify.

[oilman]

Depending on several factors (generator size, efficiency, total load, run time, etc..) you can figure on 75-100 dollars a day!

It can get expensive.

Wow! That is really surprising to me.

I just figured the running my house on electricity cost about $12 / day in August. I guess if you had a gasoline one that would handle a house, and you ran it 24 hours, it would probably use ~ 20 gal. At $3.50 / gal that would be $70 / day.

My 16kw Guardian propane powered generator quotes a fuel consumption rate of 2.5 gallons per hour at full load.

[Venus Pax]

I don't see the justification for the large, stand-alone natural gas ones either. Not only is it a large investment for something you seldom use, but I would worry that it would be a storm casualty. (I'm afraid a tree would fall on it just before I needed it.)

The small, faithful generator that stays stored in the garage is expensive to operate; however, consider the last time we had extended power outages. (Alicia was in 1983.) For the average hurricane, the little generator-on-a-buggy will do fine.

Mom & step-dad got power (in Orangefield) long before we did. We borrowed their generator. In spite of the expense of operating it and the noise factor, I think we'll invest in one before the next hurricane season. It powered our fridge, three lamps, a t.v., and (most importantly) a window unit for our bedroom. It also recharged our cell phones on an as-needed basis. (It fried a Chi iron. I won't risk it next time.) For the most part, we were comfortable, and Mars was able to go into work with a good night's sleep behind him.

(We finally got electicity back today!)

[KBCraig]

Except for lifesaving reasons, there's no reason to have a 16kW generator running full open 24 hours a day. Probably 98% of homeowners could use a 3.5kW unit a couple of hours a day and get by just fine. Those who want to light the house up like an airport runway while every electronic entertainment device is running, are choosing a very expensive indulgence.

[ranberndt]

I'll throw in some info on our 12.5 kw RUUD standby NG generator that we use to power our office in Kemah.

693cc B&G vanguard engine...nice. eats NG like nobody's business. very temperamental when you get close to max load. runs very well otherwise.

then come the maint.........change oil & filter every 30hours <only has 1.5 qts>....change plugs every 100 hours....only use high quality synthetic oil.

What "normal" homeowner or business has the ability to do all that maint. in the chaos of hurricane aftermath. sheesh.

if B&G would only put about 5 qts of oil in the pan for this unit it would be a-ok. That engine is TOUGH on MOBILE 1. it's black after only 24 hours of operation.

We got power back yesterday morning in Kemah....yeah!


ya'll be cool,

Randy B

[Liberty]

I just wanted to throw in that an small inverter that plugs into a car can be very handy to keeping phones and flashlights charged. Only good for a 100 or so watts but can be very handy when its all that you have.

[flintknapper]

Except for lifesaving reasons, there's no reason to have a kW generator running full open 24 hours a day.

Depends largely upon many factors (Age, general health, proximity to retail sources, duration of power outage, etc..), I think it is a narrow view to restrict it only to lifesaving purposes, else we could apply the same concept to the other 50+ weeks a year that we live in comfort.

Probably 98% of homeowners could use a 3.kW unit a couple of hours a day and get by just fine

.
IMO, 3500 watts is on the small side unless you don't mind playing "musical cords" (switching power cords between items). I can't speak for everyone, but in the summertime my Wife (and I) both want to be cool more than just a "couple hours a day". Would we "survive" without it, yes, but it is not necessary to be inconvenienced to that degree ..when the cost of a slightly larger generator (5-6kW) is not significant.

Those who want to light the house up like an airport runway while every electronic entertainment device is running, are choosing a very expensive indulgence.

Certainly true. Running a large (over 7-8kW) generator for extended periods can become quite expensive.

Some gen-sets are more fuel efficient than others...but initial cost is higher. Also, most generators run at a constant speed (don't have an idle feature, or other power regulating feature). If that is the case, then you might as well use up to 85% of the rated "continuous wattage" for your needs, as the fuel consumption is the same whether you have one light bulb on, or the whole house.