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Whole House Generator

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I have a 17kw unit as backup, powered by Propane. The propane is easier to store than gasoline. We had a power outage of 3 days many years ago, installed the generator and have not had a long outage since. We also have solar panels but they will not let power through unless a very clean source of power like PG&E is putting power to the safety switch. This is to prevent the solar from feedback through the power lines when the power is out.

Nice to be ready for disaster, nice that we have not needed it much.

jerry
 
Jerry said:
We had a power outage of 3 days many years ago, installed the generator and have not had a long outage since.

jerry
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That's usually the way it goes. Same thing here, katrina was the worst we ever had. Everyone ran out and got big units for "nexrt time". I held off and used my regular stuff mentioned above. My b-i-l got an older used unit installed at his house. His power went out w/ Isaac but his gen only ran one day then quit. We beat on it a day but it didn't help. It would crank up and run then kill. It kept loosing inginion. We called and they thought it was the auto shut off programmed in the panel. The thing was too smart for it's own good. No smart panel needed, ~I'll~ tell my equipment when to run and when to shut off. Better living through technolgy my ares.

Don't even get me started on those "fobs" for new cars.
 
In my opinion fobs are supposed to go on the end of your watch chain when you are wearing a vest.
 
kellysguy said:
DART said:
For back-up I use two Optimas and a 1500/3000 inverter. I recharge off the car with cables. Both my generator and car burn the same amount of fuel when running and I don't have to put up with the constant noise or fuel use.
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+1 on this, I mounted the inverter on the top of a boat box with the battery inside; I charge it using a 12V lighter port on the side wired to a trickle charger from harbor Freight. I use mine to run the water heater (natural gas) and the sump pump. Also have a small 6hp portable (maybe 5k watts?) that handles lights and what not. My neighbor has a much larger set and backfeeds his panel through his dryer outlet using a double male "suicide cable". He flips the main and all of the individual breakers off; then picks a few breakers to feed and flips them on. I'm not a fan of that method, and wont do it, but it works. The linemen HATE that from what I understand.
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Here's the 20KW unit installed. As it's installed between the meter and the service line, it'll power the house and my barn. We tested it with the oven, dryer and one AC unit plus a lot of lights and had plenty of amps to run more. Not that we would run it to it's max, but we gave it a good test and it works perfect! Fully automatic, it starts when the power goes off and shuts down when power is restored. PJ



250 feet from the house.

 
I'd build me a little pole shed like thing and give it some cover.

Couldn't hurt.
 
kellysguy said:
I'd build me a little pole shed like thing and give it some cover.

Couldn't hurt.
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It has an aluminum casing along with the transfer switch made of the same material, sealed and heavily coated to withstand any kind of weather. At least that's what they say! PJ
 
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