Generator vs Inverter Generator

[SwampSurvivor]

Inverter generators definitely have much better quality of power. And they idle down when not in use or based on load.

With that said, I picked up a new Predator 9000w / 7250w generator. Not an inverter style. Our central air / AC / Fridge / stove should be able to run without issue on the generator and any computer equipment and electronics are on commercial APS that have power filtering capability. I don't have to worry about that being an issue.

At some point , we are going to get an interlock and new panel installed so we can just power up one plug and not have to run a bunch of extension cords.

Our power goes out all the time.

 

[eljefino]

In OPs situation I'd get a 5000 BTU window AC unit and pop that in to cool one room in the event of a power outage that needs generator help. They consume about 450 watts. If running all the time, they do a surprising amount of good for dehumdifying the entire house. What comes after a hurricane? Days of swampy, nasty humid air.

He's well set up with his huge propane tank, but it still gets expensive running everything like you're grid tied. I did the math once, it was about six times more.

 

[nomas]

A lot of people think they need an Inverter generator when they might not . Example ....Plug in your laptop computer to it's charger and you're going to get some filtering from the power supply and the battery . You could even just turn the computer off and let it charge without worrying about " dirty power " . I own an Inverter generator in addition to a larger open frame unit . The Inverter generator was more about portability and low noise level . The larger one has been running everything with no issues .

 

[bobdoo]

I run either a 2kw Yamaha, or a 3+kw Yamaha. These are inverters, and sip gas. It's surprising just how long gas station lines get in a power outage...

I've needed them twice in 20+ years...

I have a 6-circuit switch, powering the essentials:
Computer room
Microwave & Refrigerator
Living Room
Bath Room
Sump pump
Oh yeah, and the furnace!

I will only power the furnace, or sump pump, at one time, due to startup inrush. So I get some exercise running to the basement to switch out the other circuits.

Although the 6-circuit sub-panel doesn't require an interlock, I turn off the main house breaker, then use the sub-panel.

 

[supton]

I have a small invertor, it can just barely bring up the furnace. Won't run the well pump, and the wife really wants me to fix that. But I'm reluctant to as over the years it's been rather rare to have outages last more than a couple of days.

I've found I'm addicted to the internet and being able to just bring up WiFi and some lights, run the heat intermittently, the fridge the rest of the time... it's nice.

 

[JHZR2]

I’ve always found the concept that one needs to run all kinds of loads with a giant genset to be silly and wasteful. And I have spent plenty of time in places where the grid is unreliable on a good day, and can be out for months after a hurricane.

For the mid Atlantic, the zone “Tomorrow” from Annie comes to mind.

Manage load, be quiet and efficient.

 

[Donald]

I guess in the end when the power seldom goes out and the power company has spent $$ on metal power poles and automatic back-feeding of substation should the primary path go down, how much do you spend on backup generator? It's not like I am a restaurant with $10K worth of frozen food in a freezer. All the food in my home refrigerator and it's freezer section might be worth $200? $300?

 

[Ranger83]

I have a small invertor, it can just barely bring up the furnace. Won't run the well pump, and the wife really wants me to fix that. But I'm reluctant to as over the years it's been rather rare to have outages last more than a couple of days.

I've found I'm addicted to the internet and being able to just bring up WiFi and some lights, run the heat intermittently, the fridge the rest of the time... it's nice.

You could put the router on a UPS.

 

[Donald]

You could put the router on a UPS.

I have my network equipment on a UPS and another for my PC equipment.

 

[martinq]

For a standby generator, diesel, propane and natural gas make good sense. Gasoline is a short-life fuel in most applications. You could also look into synthetic fuels for gasoline applications, it usually has a 2yr tank life.

 

[supton]

You could put the router on a UPS.

True, but I would need two, as I have fiber. And a transfer switch already installed. UPS batteries last only a few years, SLA’s age out.

 

[eljefino]

I guess in the end when the power seldom goes out and the power company has spent $$ on metal power poles and automatic back-feeding of substation should the primary path go down, how much do you spend on backup generator? It's not like I am a restaurant with $10K worth of frozen food in a freezer. All the food in my home refrigerator and it's freezer section might be worth $200? $300?

So what's the problem you're trying to solve here? Wife wants a generator. Get a $100 used one, give it some tune-up and pre-storage love, maybe buy a 6-pole "sidecar" transfer switch if you're handy with electrics. Then you've met her needs or desires.

 

[Donald]

So what's the problem you're trying to solve here? Wife wants a generator. Get a $100 used one, give it some tune-up and pre-storage love, maybe buy a 6-pole "sidecar" transfer switch if you're handy with electrics. Then you've met her needs or desires.

Wife is worried the Russian hackers will take out the power grid. Or something like that. But without solar you might need to store a lot of fuel to be without power for weeks. Diesel fuel needs to be stored above ground. Propane could be below.

I saw one for sale on eBay that was in a large trailer. It had 12KW generator that you use to start the "big generator". Big one was in mega watts.

 

[eljefino]

^ "Some kind of" generator is way better than nothing. Anything after that would only be incremental improvements.

Being without power for weeks you'd have major infrastructure problems at the supermarket and whatever else; I'd use that opportunity to "bug out" like you proposed to a different state.

 

[Al]

You have propane so you will not freeze in the winter. You don't lose your electricity often. A frige is fine for a couple days if you don't use it. I would buy a rechargeable. Lithium battery/inverter for led lights and call it a day.

You are looking huge $$$s for your present route. Thats just me. A and I DID what I say here. I bought a 1500

 

[Al]

I’ve always found the concept that one needs to run all kinds of loads with a giant genset to be silly and wasteful. And I have spent plenty of time in places where the grid is unreliable on a good day, and can be out for months after a hurricane.

For the mid Atlantic, the zone “Tomorrow” from Annie comes to mind.

Manage load, be quiet and efficient.

This 100%

 

[Fair enough]

I have a 900 water inverter, was enough to power side by side fridge, lights, battery chargers, more. Uses a lot less gas than large units. I was surprised. The fridge was the main thing. Powered it easily. Ran five days in the worst outage. I have old school gravity gas heat and gas stove.

 

[andrew_j]

Generator is least expensive purchase. It consumes more however it will take days of a power outage to make up the fuel savings .

 

[nomas]

Generator is least expensive purchase. It consumes more however it will take days of a power outage to make up the fuel savings .

Huh ?

 

[mk378]

Huh ?

Something about first cost vs. operating cost I think. The generator that uses less fuel costs more up front.