FWIW...
There are three power sources for generators...gasoline, diesel, and
natural gas.
Gas generators are cheapest, but storing enough gas and having it on
hand "when you need it" is dicey. Your local municipality probably has
laws making it illegal to store very much gasoline because of the
inherent dangers. Your best bet is to keep all your vehicle tanks full
and then siphon as needed. Rather than sucking on a rubber hose, spend
the $15 for a gas siphon pump. If you do try to store gas, don't forget
to rotate your supply (pour gas into car tank when it is getting "old"
and fill the can fresh at the gas pump) and don't forget the gasoline
stabilizer additive. FWIW, there are kits available on the Internet that
will convert a gasoline generator to propane and/or natural gas. Some of
the kits claim that you can make the conversion and still use gasoline
in the engine. I haven't done this, but I've never heard anything to
dispute these claims. Be aware that propane is a pretty poor source for
a combustion engine and won't provide a very good "mileage" rating (as
compared to gasoline.) If I recall correctly, one of those 25 gallon
propane tanks you see at the grocery store will provide about 4 hours of
generator run time.
Diesel generators are more fuel efficient (more zap per gallon) and
diesel stores better (not as volatile) but is usually more expensive per
gallon, harder to find, and, unless you drive a diesel-powered vehicle,
you "have what you have" in the can(s) and nothing more. In other words,
you generally can't use up your supply and then start siphoning from
vehicles (yours or otherwise.) But, there's a better chance at finding a
supply of diesel in an "we're out" emergency than finding a supply of
gasoline. Diesel engines are also simpler and easier to fix, and less
prone to mechanical failure...you won't have problems with the
carburetor getting gunky while it sits around waiting to be used, etc.
Which brings us to Natural Gas...the best option/investment in my
opinion. Drawbacks: higher purchase price and installation costs, and
absolutely not portable. But for $ input for fuel compared to energy
output, natural gas is hard to beat right now due to the low price of
natural gas. Engines run clean, very efficient, and in a "SHTF"
scenario, the natural gas supply is projected to last approx. 3 days
beyond everything else failing. In other words, according to the guys
who maintain the natural gas pipe supply system, you should have
pressure on your natural gas service line for at least 3 days even if
NOTHING else is working...no electricity, no maintenance, no one coming
to help....a worst-case scenario. The point is that the pipe-supply
system used by the nat-gas system is so simple that it can continue
working even if there aren't any humans around to run it. (The 3-day
estimate is a worst-case scenario...your mileage would likely be much
better.)
As for sizing, this purchase is one that you do NOT want to
underestimate. When in doubt, stretch it out. Go the next size up...or
two. It's not good to live on the edge when it comes to working with a
generator, plus (since most of the equipment is now made and sold to us
from China) the actual power output ratings are, to be nice, "generous."
If you see a rating of, for example, 6,500 watts, figure that it is
probably good for 4,500 to 5,000 and work within that. On the other
hand, if you go with a name brand system, like Honda, Yamaha, or
Generac, you can be more realistic and trusting of the ratings. Also, be
warned that many generator brand names you may recognize have been
bought out and are now being used by Chinese companies to market the
same junk sold with other brand names.
Someone has already accurately pointed out that one issue with
generators is when the power goes out, your neighborhood will likely be
quieter than usual, and when you fire up "old genny" you're sending an
invitation to anyone within hearing range that "we have gas and we have
electricity!" The only way to deal with this I've seen is to put your
generator in a hole OUTSIDE. Make sure the hole is deep enough so that
the top of the generator is 6" to 12" below ground level and well away
from any living space. This will cause the noise to be reflected up
instead of horizontally. Of course, there's that issue with the hole
filling with water... You can achieve similar, but not as good, results
using cinder blocks to completely surround the generator.
One consideration you may want to look at is the "inverter" feature.
While it makes the generator more expensive, it produces a MUCH cleaner
sine-wave approximation of the 120 volts you get out of the wall socket.
This can be really important for computers or health support systems
(ventilators, etc.)
Last, when obtaining a generator, be sure you add generator maintenance
to your list of "to do" responsibilities. Buying, setting it in the
corner of the garage, then forgetting about it is a great way to make
sure it won't work when you need it. Be sure you dig it out and fire it
up every 6 months. If you choose to leave gas in the tank, be sure to
add additives to prevent the fuel from going bad and gumming up the
fuel-flow system. Generators don't like to be ignored unless you prep
them for long term storage.
Oh, and never, ever, EVER plug the generator into a wall outlet or
connect it in ANY way to your house wiring, unless you have the skill to
set up a bypass switch (or hire an electrician.) The easiest thing to do
is to purchase some heavy-duty (12 gauge or lower) extension cords to
run between the generator and anything you want to power...in other
words, don't let the generator world ever meet the electrical world
connected to the electric grid.
Hope this helps. Corrections from anyone appreciated.
Mike
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [NF] Recommendations on small office generators
From: Malcolm Greene <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Date: 11/6/2012 8:23 AM
Hi guys,
I know this post is probably pushing the boundaries of [NF], but it is
technical because I need to find a way to continue to operate my small,
home office based software development and consulting business during
extended power outages.
I'm looking for advice on generator types (gas or propane), brands,
generator sizing, and/or websites that can explain the tradeoffs
involved in purchasing a small office/home generator. There's lots of
price gouging going on in NJ and I'm suspicious of all the
self-proclaimed experts that have suddenly (and many times literally)
come out of the woods.
My requirements: At a minimum I need to operate 2 servers, 1 LCD
monitor, 4 laptops, a wireless printer, a router, cable modem, lights
across 3 rooms, and a motley mix of phone and iPad re-chargers. Ideally
I would like to operate a few more rooms of lights and the fans/blowers
on a basement based propane heating unit. I do not need to operate a
fridge, freezer, washing machine, dryer or any other appliances.
My neighbors have purchased gas based generators, but they're
constantly waiting in line re-filling gas tanks. This doesn't look like
a sustainable solution for me - especially if I am on the road
traveling. I have a large underground propane tank, so this would seem
to be a better solution, albeit at additional cost and complexity.
I do not need an automatic switchover capability - my servers have UPS
and shut themselves down gracefully. I want to make an informed
decision on when to switch over to a generator ... after I've had time
to shut down all the other devices/appliances I don't want to power.
Appreciate your advice!
Malcolm
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