Info on generators?

Doubledown

Doubledown

Active member
Ok, my last thread about the next purchase got me thinking when a generator was suggested.

What size generator do I need? Where is a good place to buy one? Who is a good, quality manufacturer?

I'm a Craftsman Club member at Sears and they have a 3600 watt portable that might do the trick.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07132736000P?vName=Lawn+&+Garden&keyword=generator

Bare minimum to run the 3 tanks return pumps only is about 500 watts. If I don't need the lights I can power my fridge and some house lights with it.
 
Do you have powerheads hooked to a UPS yet? You really need that first if your getting a portable generator. The portable will not hook itself up and turn on at night if you are sleeping.
 
I can tell you I bought a 8000 watt generator at home depot for $1300 during the 3 day power outtage and saved my 125 gallon tank. It completely ran it. The whole reefkeeper 2. Lights, return, pumps. And ofcourse I used it for the fridge and the sump pump too.

-Pumps are #1 as the first thing that kills your fish is lack of oxygen. Lack of water movement for a long period of time is what kills your tank. Bubblers work temporarily but if the power outage is to be more than 24 hours complete circulation is needed.

-Fish can go without lights for several days at a time. Well atleast 2-3 days no problems as long as they've been fed well.

So just add up your returns and pumps and see how much watts you need. Just a tip. You are going to have to keep filling that thing up with more gasoline every 8-12 hours.
 
I would go with a minimum of 5000 watts. Do not be fooled by the surge wattage. A true 5000 watt unit should surge somewhere around 6-6500 watts. That should be plenty to run the tank(s) and some essentials in the house.
 
I am in agreement with Cobra. 5000 watts minimum but if you have the extra $$$ I would go for one in the 8000 watt range.
 
For about 4000 you can get a automatic natural gas generator installed. With this you have peace of mind and a dry basement.
 
I am not planning to stay in this house for more than 2 years (of course I said that 2 years ago), so I am not sure if a whole house generator is needed. Can those units be moved to a new house when I do?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10853287#post10853287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by little_squid
honda hands down more money but well built of course
Click to expand...
I have heard this before and agree completely. Don't waste your money on buying anything other than a Honda!
 
Chris,
i have a 6500w version, that will power the whole house.
You can get an electrician to tap into your AC power from outside(240v)....into 2-120v dual outdoor outlets.
Power goes out; turn off main breaker, fire up the generator, plug er into both outlets...wala...full house power and real easy to do.
Granite you do have to home for this to take place.

HTH.

RK
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10854119#post10854119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doubledown
I am not planning to stay in this house for more than 2 years (of course I said that 2 years ago), so I am not sure if a whole house generator is needed. Can those units be moved to a new house when I do?
Click to expand...

Yes, they are heavy so a lift of some sort will be required but they are movable.
 
also check costco, i got mine from costco and it has worked out nice!!! I think its like a 12000 peak watt generator or something like that and also came with a honda motor.
I had to bust it out a couple of weeks back all night and it saved my food in the fridge as well as my tank, etc.
 
Anybody know any reputable dealers, electricians, who can install the natural gas powered kind? I am looking at those one of those Guardian rigs.

R
 
Make a big purchase, go with a standby generator and run your whole house. Your neighbors will hate you. The added bonus is the fact that if you are gone the electric is going to be off for about 30 seconds.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10858478#post10858478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishTruck
Anybody know any reputable dealers, electricians, who can install the natural gas powered kind? I am looking at those one of those Guardian rigs.

R
Click to expand...

Their not too hard to hook up yourself if you are at all mechanically inclined. It took me about 8 hours to install it once I had the pad set.
 
Chris - Here's the one I had installed in May that I purchased from Northern Tool. I went with the Natural Gas option. I had my local reefing electrician and plumber do the install on it. You can't go wrong with the automatic transfer switch for when you are not home or can't get home in time to power one up. It saved my basement from flooding when those bad storms hit last month. It also powered my tanks 100% in July for 4 hours when I was on a flight home from California.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200323151_200323151
 
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