Hard-Mounted Back-up Generators

SS_Sean

SS_Sean

New member
The dehumidifier thread got me to thinking about generators. While I have a 4000w portable sitting on the back porch, it doesn't address times when I'm not home. The ability to know a generator will automatically come on and ensure the tanks dont crash may just be worth the cost. What size and brand do you use for hard-mounted generators, and for what size house? I have a 1550 sf house, with a 530g reef system. I've heard good things about Generac, just not sure what wattage is needed.
 
You should contact a local installer to have them evaluate your actual needs...including wiring and transfer switch
 
Natural gas is still available during a power failure. Getting a natural gas-powered generator seems a pretty good idea to me. As albano noted, I would get a qualified electrician in to verify your needs and figure out how to wire the generator into your system safely and correctly.

Dave.M
 
The neighbor who lives behind us got a whole house, automatic start-up generator after Hurricane Charlie about 10 years ago. I think they paid over $10K for the hardware and install. Kind of pricey unless you're away from home a lot or have regular power outages... or can afford $10K easily... (I wish). LOL!
 
dave.m said:
Natural gas is still available during a power failure. Getting a natural gas-powered generator seems a pretty good idea to me. As albano noted, I would get a qualified electrician in to verify your needs and figure out how to wire the generator into your system safely and correctly.

Dave.M
Click to expand...

Be careful with natural gas fed from a utility, or any gas fed from a utility. During superstorm Sandy, We had a natural gas fed generator for one of our smaller offices for the datacenter and the utility shut down the gas as a precaution. We ended up losing all power and the generator was useless until the storm was over and they turned the gas back on. The whole point of a generator is a backup system that does not rely on any external means. So having a local gas supply is needed in my opinion.

I have a Generac 20Kw standalone and I buried a 500 Gallon liquid propane tank. My house is ~3200 sq feet.
 
Great suggestions here... I've got a call into my electrician. Just collecting information at this point. Any other input is greatly appreciated.
 
Honeywell 17kw bought at Costco. Waiting on an electrician to get it hooked up. Total cost should be right around 5k.
 
SS_Sean said:
The dehumidifier thread got me to thinking about generators. While I have a 4000w portable sitting on the back porch, it doesn't address times when I'm not home. The ability to know a generator will automatically come on and ensure the tanks dont crash may just be worth the cost. What size and brand do you use for hard-mounted generators, and for what size house? I have a 1550 sf house, with a 530g reef system. I've heard good things about Generac, just not sure what wattage is needed.
Click to expand...

I would avoid Generac, they need to be balanced by someone who is qualified to (most who install them aren't for whatever reason) and generally are over rated and under perform per the specs. Kohlers are built better, don;t need balanced and aren't over rated spec wise. This won't be cheap by any means. I had a 9 kw model (or there about) priced on the home we just had built and it was going to be another 10K for the generator, switch and install
 
Dmorty217 said:
I would avoid Generac, they need to be balanced by someone who is qualified to (most who install them aren't for whatever reason) and generally are over rated and under perform per the specs. Kohlers are built better, don;t need balanced and aren't over rated spec wise. This won't be cheap by any means. I had a 9 kw model (or there about) priced on the home we just had built and it was going to be another 10K for the generator, switch and install
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, I bought my Generac from Generators direct 3 years ago. I installed it myself, had an electrician do all the wiring, switch, AC offload ect, and its been humming along every since. No issues. No need to be balanced. I just do the maintenance and never had an issue. Power goes out, it turns on and works perfect every time.
 
Dmorty217 said:
I would avoid Generac, they need to be balanced by someone who is qualified to (most who install them aren't for whatever reason) and generally are over rated and under perform per the specs. Kohlers are built better, don;t need balanced and aren't over rated spec wise. This won't be cheap by any means. I had a 9 kw model (or there about) priced on the home we just had built and it was going to be another 10K for the generator, switch and install
Click to expand...

Balancing? Never heard of this...
 
i installed a generac 20k on my house just before sandy hit my area, never had to balance anything, just runs and runs when needed, ran for 2 week till power was restored, was was the most popular guy in town. all i do is the routine maintenance ,
 
I just recently built my home and a whole house generator was absolutely part of the build. It was no fun at the last house having to get up at 2am in the morning and drag the generator outside and try to hook it up in the pouring rain when the power went out for a few days. You will love the whole house generator and if you can afford it is a no brainer. I worked with the electrician and drew out a conservative list of all of the equipment I would be running on my system (1000 Gallons) and what the total wattage of the fish tank would draw. I have a 3600 Square foot home and I am running a 17k Honeywell. The electrician recommended the Honeywell over Generac from personal experience and I took his advice.
 
gilweb said:
Be careful with natural gas fed from a utility, or any gas fed from a utility. During superstorm Sandy, We had a natural gas fed generator for one of our smaller offices for the datacenter and the utility shut down the gas as a precaution. We ended up losing all power and the generator was useless until the storm was over and they turned the gas back on. The whole point of a generator is a backup system that does not rely on any external means. So having a local gas supply is needed in my opinion.

I have a Generac 20Kw standalone and I buried a 500 Gallon liquid propane tank. My house is ~3200 sq feet.
Click to expand...

+1, I have a 500g above ground tank and have lived in the house for 3yrs with no power blips to date "knock on wood." But I have often thought of getting an LP gen or going solar with hybrid grid tie and battery back up.
 
Dmorty217 said:
Per manufacturer if the generator doesn't have valves balanced after whatever the time period of run hours is the warranty is void... look into it
Click to expand...

i think you mean to have the valves adjusted, ie intake and exhaust, and yes they need adjustment every once in awhile due to wear and tear, it just a lash adjustment, done a million times on engines over the years, need feller gauges to do it.
 
Yes, definitely valves adjusted. Just got off the phone with Generac thinking I was missing something and they thought I was crazy. :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Anemone
Power Outages
Replies
3
Views
1K
alton
alton
Reefing102
My UPS - Do you have a UPS back up?
Replies
7
Views
947
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
D
What light(s) to mount against back wall of AIO for small refugium & scrubber?
Replies
0
Views
430
duganderson
D
T
220G Tank Setup - Flow/General Advice Needed
2
Replies
23
Views
3K
The Reef Addict
T
bobafet1
Slowly coming back to the hobby
2 3
Replies
58
Views
5K
AZBigJohn
AZBigJohn
Back
Top