good home generator , run day

[RED-Z06 2,221]

23 minutes ago, Evguy said:

@red-z06 that should get it done! 
mine is half that and runs about everything except air conditioning.

I only keep this one to help neighbors, single mother and a couple retirees...I can run my house and they can each run a cord to hook up fridges, freezers, heaters or window units.

 

I keep about 15 gens in dry storage to sell if we get a hurricane, makes it nice to be able to provide some help when something cant be fixed in a reasonable period of time after a disaster.

[RED-Z06 2,221]

1 hour ago, Jeff-C175 said:

I've got a 5500W and a couple 3600W and a 1500W 120V only. 

 

I can run whatever I need on the 5500W ...  EXCEPT my washing machine.  But if the power is out that long and I need clean undies, I'll just buy some.  Or turn them inside out.

 

My washing machine goes NUTZ on the generator.  Doesn't know whether to wash, rinse, or spin, or lock and unlock the door.  Control just bounces all over the place!

 

Probably an electronic washer?  The circuit boards or Logic Boards on electronics need a clean 60hz frequency at darn near or right at 120v, or they, at best...freak out or at worst such was the case with my brand new Milwaukee 5" computer governed grinder, burns up instantly.

 

An inverter generator puts out that clean consistent power, safe for electronics.

[Racinbob 11,081]

12 hours ago, RED-Z06 said:

Probably an electronic washer?  The circuit boards or Logic Boards on electronics need a clean 60hz frequency at darn near or right at 120v, or they, at best...freak out or at worst such was the case with my brand new Milwaukee 5" computer governed grinder, burns up instantly.

 

An inverter generator puts out that clean consistent power, safe for electronics.

 

The problem is harmonic distortion. It's a killer to electronics. Check the specifications carefully to see if you can find the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the unit. Typically they won't list it most likely because it's far too high. It needs to be <5%. Most are 15-20% if they will even tell you. I had a gas furnace that ran through a self diagnostics check at each start up. If I tried it on the generator I had at the time it would refuse to start. I determined it was the high THD causing the issue. No folks, a UPS like you may have on your computer will not fix the THD. I talked to several manufacturers and they all admitted that it's becoming a real issue with the electronics today. Take a look around. It's not just your computer or entertainment system. 

 

Most all generators provide pretty steady power at 60hz and nominally 120V (110-130V is fine) very few specify the THD. If they don't assume it's 15-25%. The best way around it is an inverter like @RED-Z06 mentioned but there are some 'regular' that will work too. The one I had was a Caterpillar (yes, I know they don't actually build the little guys) and I finally got Caterpillar to admit the THD was close to 25% on that unit. I found one sized for our needs and with a THD of <5%. It has already proven itself for many hours running this house and I'm comfortable that it won't harm the electronics.

 

If you're looking for a new generator to power your house do your research. If you are having a whole house unit installed you should be fine. They typically go WAY oversize which is better than undersize but costly. If you want them to size it down some because you don't care about running the clothes dryer in a power outage they will do it but also sell you a device that won't allow the dryer to run when on generator power because you're too stupid not to start it up when you shouldn't . If you want to go with a portable unit for home power why not just play it safe and get an invertor or a unit that specifies a low THD. Remember, if they don't tell you it clear that it's way too high. 

 

Now, don't get me started in the safe, proper way to install a generator to power your house. There are several ways to do it properly and just as many to do it improperly. I can't count the number of times I've been asked to help out. I'll gladly help them if they do it right. Improperly, nope. Don't even ask me a question. Period. 

Edited December 23, 2022 by Racinbob

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,275]

I did not test the generator, but will be shortly.  Power out since 4:00am 

[Red-Bovine 309]

We have a portable 5KW Generac that we used for years on an occasional outage that lasted a few hours or more. We had a 15 hour outage last year in November, so we decided to go bigger with the Natural gas fuel and auto changeover. We travel more and wanted to be sure the house was safe.

[RED-Z06 2,221]

The standby generator forums are popping this morning with "it minus 20⁰ and my natural gas generator wont start".  Good time to be had when the gas regulator freezes...they definitely wont start 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,562]

Fired mine up yesterday... 

Battery is toast so pullstart 4 times and it fired right up... May or may not replace battery... thinking permanent jump to the E-141 horn battery with quick disconnect ... one less battery to maintain... 

 

Needed a bit of the @peter lena red on the choke cable... all smooth now...!

[peter lena 8,629]

@ SLYVANLAKEWH gave up on the battery start years ago , just did not last , to be worth it , pull start is  quick with  choke , like the super  lube small bottle oil , on cables , local h/w store 6 $ , BTW  . those choke cables are what , I  regularly use a small light extension spring  on for cable pull assist  , like this . you can easily make a cable work like magic , with lube and a  light spring pull assist , the spring is always pulling against the cable , to assist close. that way its always  involved in the  pull assistance of the cable . note the spring extension rods I  bent up ?   makes adding spring easy . like everything I suggest , have many hours and starts  on this , get the cable smooth and easy first , then spring assist it , you will never go back ,don't be afraid to try it  have a good christmas ,  springy , pete

 

[pfrederi 17,739]

My  older 5kw unit is pull start (Tecumseh). I always drain the gas and run it out after use.  Starts on 3-4 pulls in warm weather.  Cold I give her just whiff of carb cleaner and she pops of 1-2 pulls. 

[Racinbob 11,081]

When I was researching the THD thing I looked at dozens of generators in the 8-10 kw range. Most were electric start with a pull backup. Much to my surprise many of them did not charge the battery when running. A few included a separate charger but most didn't. That's something to keep in mind if you're depending on the electric start. The one I ended up choosing did not charge the battery but I didn't care. It didn't come with a battery and I'm not getting one. I don't want another battery to maintain. It often starts on the first pull so that's what I do when it's warmer. Having a bad shoulder and full well knowing that my pull starting days are limited and out of the question for my wife. I also question if I could do it on a day like today (-10) even though it's in the garage. I purchase a medium quality jumper cables that I wouldn't mind modifying. They are only #8 wire but that's plenty big enough for this purpose.  I picked up some Anderson connectors, cut the clamps off one end of the cables and installed the connector. I also installed a connector in the battery leads on the generator. If I need the electric start I simply plug the Anderson connectors together and hook it up to the nearest battery. After the fact I decided to purchase another set of the identical jumpers and do the same thing to them. Now, for whatever reason, I can connect them together for clamps at both ends. 

 

[RED-Z06 2,221]

8 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

When I was researching the THD thing I looked at dozens of generators in the 8-10 kw range. Most were electric start with a pull backup. Much to my surprise many of them did not charge the battery when running. A few included a separate charger but most didn't. That's something to keep in mind if you're depending on the electric start. The one I ended up choosing did not charge the battery but I didn't care. It didn't come with a battery and I'm not getting one. I don't want another battery to maintain. It often starts on the first pull so that's what I do when it's warmer. Having a bad shoulder and full well knowing that my pull starting days are limited and out of the question for my wife. I also question if I could do it on a day like today (-10) even though it's in the garage. I purchase a medium quality jumper cables that I wouldn't mind modifying. They are only #8 wire but that's plenty big enough for this purpose.  I picked up some Anderson connectors, cut the clamps off one end of the cables and installed the connector. I also installed a connector in the battery leads on the generator. If I need the electric start I simply plug the Anderson connectors together and hook it up to the nearest battery. After the fact I decided to purchase another set of the identical jumpers and do the same thing to them. Now, for whatever reason, I can connect them together for clamps at both ends. 

 

Many generators have a 12v outlet that puts out constant low amp 12v current to be used for charging a battery, on-board or external. Its the V shaped or T shaped plug.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,562]

@Racinbob that is exactly what i'm thinking...!!! appreciate the pictures!!!

[Racinbob 11,081]

10 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

Many generators have a 12v outlet that puts out constant low amp 12v current to be used for charging a battery, on-board or external. Its the V shaped or T shaped plug.

 

I didn't know that and didn't see one but that's good to know. I have a 12v outlet but that's what it is, 12v. It won't do much good for charging. 

Edited December 23, 2022 by Racinbob

[Red-Bovine 309]

Well , if our NG regulator freezes and the power is out, we still have the old gasoline powered one. 

Edited December 24, 2022 by Red-Bovine

[Darb1964 1,042]

On 12/21/2022 at 5:34 PM, Red-Bovine said:

We just installed a 24KW Generac whole house standby system last May. It motors all by itself every Monday morning so it should be ready if anything gets blown over. Had a 15 hour outage last year in November and the Hubby said no more of this.

We put one many years ago and it has saved us many times. It' uses quite a bit of gas ,propane, but worth it, our home was built in1830 so even though I have insulated top to bottom it still cools off fast. Rather pay for fuel than frozen pipes. I think ours is 15KW.

[Red-Bovine 309]

We haven't needed it yet, but it's like the fire extinguisher hanging on the wall. Good insurance.