Looking to buy a generator.

[ento-reefer]

I am shopping for a generator and since I have never owned one I am a little unsure of the features/specs that are most important. I am looking to purchase one that will run on propane gas, has an automatic transfer switch, and enough power to run several circuits. We don't lose power enough to justify the cost of a unit big enough to power the whole house.

If anyone has experience with a particular brand and can point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

Ellen

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Usually if your looking for an auto geny that runs on propane it will power your house in emergency settings (lights, fridge, heat, water pump, aquariums, TV's, radios). They just dont make too many smaller genys that run on propane.

Generac and Honda make great generators.

I picked up a 6000 watt geny from home depot. It uses gasoline, powers two tv's, all my tanks (3 systems + 1 fresh), lights and thats only running at 30% capacity. I built a dog house style building that sits on top of cement slab behind my garage. When the power goes out I roll it in their, chain it down, start it up and start plugging things in.

Since i bought it in Feburary, ive lost power twice for more than 12 hours...its saved all my clowns, their babys, all my corals, all my fw breeder fish and kept us busy with TV for lights until the power came back on.

The best $600 i ever spent on this hobby. Hands down.

 

[ento-reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15252324#post15252324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1DeR9_3Hy
Usually if your looking for an auto geny that runs on propane it will power your house in emergency settings (lights, fridge, heat, water pump, aquariums, TV's, radios). They just dont make too many smaller genys that run on propane.

Generac and Honda make great generators.

I picked up a 6000 watt geny from home depot. It uses gasoline, powers two tv's, all my tanks (3 systems + 1 fresh), lights and thats only running at 30% capacity. I built a dog house style building that sits on top of cement slab behind my garage. When the power goes out I roll it in their, chain it down, start it up and start plugging things in.

Since i bought it in Feburary, ive lost power twice for more than 12 hours...its saved all my clowns, their babys, all my corals, all my fw breeder fish and kept us busy with TV for lights until the power came back on.

The best $600 i ever spent on this hobby. Hands down.

I have debated going that route and just picking up a portable gen. The problem is my husband and I both travel quite frequently and I would like the piece of mind knowing that if we aren't home and the power goes out all won't be lost.

Thanks for the advice as I may want to pick one of those up as a backup for right now.

 

[snorvich]

My generator matches your specs. It also checks itself out once per week. It is enough to run my pond, multiple tanks (but not MH lights), garage door openers, water, refrigeration. It does NOT run whole house lighting as I don't really care. For slightly more money, I could have added that too. I don't remember the brand but any really good electrical contractor can suggest options. I certainly would never try to install one myself. HIGHLY recommended.

 

[ento-reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15252588#post15252588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
My generator matches your specs. It also checks itself out once per week. It is enough to run my pond, multiple tanks (but not MH lights), garage door openers, water, refrigeration. It does NOT run whole house lighting as I don't really care. For slightly more money, I could have added that too. I don't remember the brand but any really good electrical contractor can suggest options. I certainly would never try to install one myself. HIGHLY recommended.

Thanks for the reply Steve. Yeah, what you have is about what I am looking for. I don't need the whole house to run just the critical items. I don't think I or my husband will attempt the installation as neither of us knows anything about electricity. I just wasn't sure if there was a brand that many found better or gave you the best value for your money.

 

[SlowCobra]

You will want to look into Generac for an auto initiating generator. It is my experience that it always better to get a little larger than you think you need. Running a generator at or near it's full duty cycle can leave you with blown circuits and making owning the generator a moot point.

 

[jimsplace]

My local Home Depot handles the Multi-Power brand which makes a generator which runs off of either gasoline or propane. I looked at it a few months back I think it was 5500 watts and was $900+. I felt I needed a little more power so I went with the same brand but 7500 watts. Really liked the Honda's but they are expensive.

 

[ento-reefer]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I am going to check out some generators this weekend.

 

[NyReefNoob]

honda makes the best generators more $ but worth it

 

[Gdevine]

I have a 6500 that I converted to now run on natural gas. This way I don't have to worry about gasoline any longer as I just hook it up to my gas line next to the meter. You can convert a gas gen to run on natural gas for about $100 at http://www.propane-generators.com/

 

[sikpupy]

How long would a 2.5-3hp gen run (in general) on a BBQ propane tank?

Oh, and what was needed, a full sinewave producing generator? Does it say that in the general listings or does one have to search deep in the manual for it?

 

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15257728#post15257728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ento-reefer
Thanks for the tips everyone. I am going to check out some generators this weekend.

I was mistaken. We eventually selected one that ran on natural gas because of ease of installation and maintenance. All else is as you wish, however. Let us know Ellen, what you eventually do. A generator is important for us for sure.

 

[L98-Z]

http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-AP...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245983977&sr=1-1

Here's my vote.