OT - generators

[jacksonpt]

Over the past 10 days I've spent more time without power than with. So the time for a generator has come.

From what I can tell, there are basically 3 options...

A small gas powered generator
Something around 400w or so that I can plug a few small things into. This would be fine to keep the tank happy, but wouldn't work for my bigger appliances, never mind my furnace or well pump. Clearly the cheapest and easiest option. ~$250ish, but not really considering this as a long term solution.

A bigger gas powered generator
Would get wired into the house electric box and power everything in the house. More expensive than the smaller one, would still need to have gas on hand to run. Probably about $1750 for everything.

A bigger propane powered generator
Would be wired into the house electric and power everything. Would be "plumbed" into my house propane line, so no need to worry about having fuel on hand. Definitely the most expensive option, but also the most convenient. Probably looking at ~$4500 or so all told.

Am I missing anything as I try to get my head around all this? Anything else I need to know or should be thinking about?

Thanks.

 

[EllieSuz]

We just have a little gas powered generator that I got at B.J.'s for $200.00. We put a "pig tail" on the furnace so it could be plugged into the generator and it has worked great so far. It runs everything on the tank with no problem. Important to know that our longest power outage was less than eight hours, however.

 

[reefman5511]

Wouldn't suggest running certain electronics (computers, high end TVs, some furnaces, etc) since generators don't put out a constant voltage & you could getting spikes destroying them.

 

[jacksonpt]

Wouldn't suggest running certain electronics (computers, high end TVs, some furnaces, etc) since generators don't put out a constant voltage & you could getting spikes destroying them.

is that the case with most/all generators? That would be a potential dealbreaker if I couldn't power my furnace...

 

[spinoleo]

Wouldn't suggest running certain electronics (computers, high end TVs, some furnaces, etc) since generators don't put out a constant voltage & you could getting spikes destroying them.

name brand generators like honda and a few others have very good voltage regulators on them but ck model numbers on web sites to verify each model

 

[Dave VG]

I have a Generac 5500 watt 6500 surge generator and have no problem running my whole house and have for a day and a half before which includes a 220 watt hot water heater. Ran the house like I was getting electric from the pole LCD TV, computers and even the microwave. My initial plans were to buy one to run the tank, fridge and furnace but figured might as well go big and run the whole house and make everyone happy. Looking to add a propane kit so I can run either fuel.

 

[pascal32]

We have a KIPOR portable generator that puts out a sustained 2200. KIPOR is a Chinese company that knocks off Honda and Yamaha. Mine is a SINEMASTER which uses some sort of system to clean the power - we have run laptops on these with no issue. Mine is a near carbon copy of a honda - some folks even put Honda parts on it! It's portable and fairly quiet. in case that isn't enough we have a 5.5 V-twin generator in the 5th wheel with a 30 gallon gas tank

http://www.xtremegadget.com/elge.html

we have the KGE3000TI which has gotten a facelift - mine looks like the 2000 of current.

Last I looked at generators (5 years or so ago). Honda and Yamaha are the two top choices for portable generators.

Sound is huge - the less you pay the noisier it is.

Whole house generators are nice - personally I think the cost isn't worth it. we live with electricity 99% of the time. I'll tough out the 1% and have candle light story telling

if power is out keep the fridge shut!