What do you use for internet? On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 10:01 PM, G Mann <g2ma...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Some items to consider in generator selection for use in a real disaster. > > 1. If it's an earthquake disaster, Gas lines will be broken, or as a > precaution all main supply valves will be shut off until safety can be > ensured via inspection for the whole area. During that time, your NG > generator will be without fuel, you will be without electricity. > > 2. If it's a hurricane, with damage on even small scale, homes will be > blown > away ripping out the gas line connection which will once again require > shutting down the main supply to the gas grid system for the entire area. > Result, you are out of gas and electricity with no fuel source for the > "backup generator" > > 3. Nuke attack.... Let's don't go there. However, presuming you survive, > will the gas mains? > > Size selection is a matter of calculation of electrical load for > "necessary" > function. Easy enough to do with a bit of thought and work. > > Fuel choice: Gasoline doesn't store well, goes stale with time, and > presents a real fire hazard for storage. Diesel has fewer flash fire > issues, lasts much longer with simple biocide treatment to keep alge growth > in control. It is hydroscopic so should be sealed against water intrusion. > > Cost: Gas generators large enough to run a house systems can be in the > "less > than a 1000 bucks range. Diesel gensets cost more [$1500 to $10K about]. > lasts longer in useful hour life span, aren't available in smaller sizes > [3500 Watt is about the low end size]. > Propane fueled generators use more fuel than either gas or diesel simply > because propane [or natural gas] has less BTU per comparable volume of > fuel. > Propane stores pretty well, as in independent source from the vulnerable NG > grid , as a third option. However, you may have local permit issues with a > large propane tank in your yard. > > My personal experience: I live on a remote 36,000 acre ranch [that's 35 > sq. > miles] in western Arizona. The nearest power pole is 42 miles away, so for > me, "normal" is your "emergency". I have all the electrical items [likely] > that you have and the order of electrical generation works for me like > this. > 1. Solar system , 4.5 KW system.. Primary. normal house things, computer, > lights, refrig. > 2. Diesel Generator, 7.5 KW system... Secondary.... 120/240, 3 phase > available > 3. Diesel Generator. 3.5 KW system... Secondary backup. 120/240... > 4. Gas Generator, 3.5 KW system.... Reserve secondary backup, mobile rig > 120/240 with welders on trailer, also wired to run well pumps. > 5. Gas Generator, 1.2 KW system.... House system backup reserve, > [dedicated > to refrig/deep freeze and lights. [phased usage required since it's to > small > to handle start loads on all the items at one time. > 6. Numerous 12 volt solar panels dedicated to small battery banks to run > things like the electric entry gate, security cameras, electrified fences, > communication relays, etc. > > As you may guess, I'm a great fan of not depending on public services > [since > there are none where I am].... respectfully suggest that in a real > emergency > you quickly find yourself in the same situation. > > Grant... > > On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 8:07 PM, OK Don <okd...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Thanks for putting the "generator hat" on! > > I ran a crude spreadsheet calculation against the propane generators on > > Amazon, and found this one - almost too good to be true -- > > > > > http://www.amazon.com/Sportsman-GEN7000LP-7000-Watt-Portable-Generator/dp/B004BKI0ZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314673188&sr=8-1 > > > > It produces 8.86 watts/$, vs. a Generac 7kW at 3.89 watts/$. > > > > On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 7:52 PM, LWB250 <lwb...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > <Generator hat on> > > > > > > The whole thing when it comes to stationary standby generators is > > > determining what your critical loads are. Until you do that, you're > just > > > flailing around. > > > > > > Make a list of "must have" loads and write down their wattages. > > > > > > The worst case ones will be small, fractional horsepower motors, like > > sump > > > pumps and furnace blowers. Single phase motors are horribly > inefficient > > > when it comes to starting current, so you've got to have enough reserve > > to > > > handle their inrush current. > > > > > > From there look at things like fridge, freezer, basic lighting, garage > > door > > > opener, etc. > > > > > > Generac and other manufacturers have some good sizing programs on the > Web > > > that allow you to do the calculations. Just keep in mind that these > are > > > general values and not 100% accurate. It's a guide to give you an idea > > of > > > what you need capacity-wise. > > > > > > Once you know what you need kW-wise you can start looking. > > > > > > Stationary sets run off propane vapor or natural gas. Be careful when > > > shopping, as propane has a much higher BTU content than natural gas, so > > > machines are often rated on propane with deration percentages if it's > on > > > natural gas. Usually you'll see a 10%-15% deration on natural gas. > > > > > > Install often equals the cost of the unit, so be prepared. If you can > do > > > any of it yourself this is the place where you can save some serious > > bucks. > > > You will need a licensed electrician to do your transfer switch, > unless > > > you're doing downstream of your main breaker. This is typical, as a > > branch > > > circuit will be run to a transfer switch that feeds a small > distribution > > > panel where your critical loads have been broken out from the main > panel. > > > > > > While it's more expensive, it's foolish (in my opinion) to go with a > > > stationary generator and not have an automatic transfer switch (ATS). > > Think > > > about if you are away, and the power goes out. If it's an extended > > outage, > > > you risk food loss, possible damage to your home depending on the > climate > > > and season, etc. Sure, it's a peace of mind thing, but the additional > > cost > > > is minimal in the grand scheme of things. > > > > > > Generac has really dialed in the consumer home standby market, and done > a > > > good job with it. You'll find their products marketed at all the big > box > > > home improvement stores under the "Guardian" brand, among others. They > > have > > > done a very good job of balancing the price point vs. quality and > > longevity. > > > You can go more expensive, such as a Kohler, but even though I have > some > > > bias as a former employee of both, the Kohler is a premium product that > > > effectively does the exact same thing the Generac does. > > > > > > Maintenance is the key to longevity on these, just as it is on your MB, > > and > > > it doesn't take any special tools or knowledge. Change oil and filters > > > annually and keep it clean and you're pretty much done with it. > > > > > > If anyone has specific questions they are welcome to send me a PM. > > > > > > Dan > > > > > > </Generator hat off> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > OK Don > > 2001 ML320 > > 1992 300D 2.5T > > 1990 300D 2.5T > > 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
