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As a retired mechanic, it's good to see someone putting out a clear, concise video explaining these issues. If you own a home, you should absolutely have an emergency generator AND no how to maintain it.
Gasoline is a synthetic fuel - when lite distillates are put in a cat cracker in a refinery - the cracker is charged with propane or butane - Then it's heated - the vapor fuels like propane dissolves in the distillates - just like carbon dioxide dissolves in a coke - The distillates are unstable and the propane flashes off over time and oxygen will displace it & oxidize the fuel - The stable will shield oxygen from passing into the fuel - so the gas will not oxidize over. time - But the gas will go flat in one to two yrs - because the butane or butane flashed off - it's best to store gas in an eagle safety can - it will not vent the vapors off the gas - Also plastic gas cans breath air through the plastic - so it's best to use a steel container - as long as air does not get to the gas it has an indefinite shelf life - I worked in the oil&gas industry for yrs and my family was part of it also - In 1983 the power went out in my area after a winter storm - I was burning gasoline that was stored in 1969;- After Katrina I was burning gas that was put up in 1983'in my chainsaws and generator for at least two months -
Consider a propane or LNG generator. We have a propane powered 10 kW Generac unit. A 100 gallon tank will run it for a week, 7x24. It also has the benefit of not having to worry about gasoline storage and shelf life.
We live where there is no natural gas service so we have a 240 gal propane tank (and a propane generator). There was a time when natural gas was considerably cheaper than propane, but that is no longer the case. Further propane has twice the BTUs as natural gas so it takes half the amount to do the same heating as natural gas. Further, if there is a power failure, gas appliances often run without electricity.
@@TheOnespeedbiker However, do you still have a 25 hour oil change schedule? Or a 50 hour change schedule. When Y2K was upon us, where I worked recommended 3X the wattage for your choice in gen selection.
You can run it for a week with light loads. I have the same generator. Med loads will consume 168 gallons for one week. Heavy loads can use up to 250 gallons in one week. I have 400 gallons or about 2-3 weeks worth.
Propane generators can be expensive. I bought a high end gasoline generator, and found a “Motor Snorkel Tri-Fuel Conversion Kit” to convert it to run either gasoline, propane, or natural gas, for FAR less money than an off the shelf propane generator. I think it even runs smoother on propane, but the main thing is you can store large amounts of propane without worrying about it going bad.
Conspiracies aside I live in an area where we frequently lose power. Fires knocked our power out for a few days while weather conditions have an effect on our power. It is prudent to maintain a source of power regardless of your circumstances. Being prepared is not being paranoid. Thank you for your valuable content!!
There are a couple of things I'll mention just because my degree is in Electrical Engineering. The thing with big non-inverter generators is that they don't create a very clean power so they are not great for any computer equipment like your internet equipment like your router, etc. The issue with varying speed on these is more that they don't always lock in to the 60 hertz frequency that some equipment really wants to have. The only other thing to look out for in an inverter system is whether it generates a true sine wave or something else. Some loads really want to have a true sine wave.
You need a inverter generator with a low THD. The newer appliances (refrigerator, washer, microwave stove, etc) in your home are computerized and need a pure sine wave to avoid damage to the electronics.
Not trying to be a smarta##.... genuinely asking. Is there not a way to fix that issue? Other than using solar or wind to charge a bank of batteries and use an inverter.
@@Michael-fs8km The build quality of the powerhead on those larger high THD generators is crap. Yes it is possible to clean up high total harmonic distortion by the use of devices called load or line reactors. They are basically very large copper inductors that pose a high resistance to the voltages at the higher harmonic frequencies of 50 60 hz. Not only are they extremely large and expensive but simply they are impractical at the portable generator level.
@@Michael-fs8km you can use a small generator for much faster charging than the very small solar panels they provide. that's what i do up at the cottage when the 20KW of solar panels are covered with snow...i charge my battery bank with a regular 3700watt champion generator for an hour or two in the morning and that'll give me power for about 24 hours (depending on my loads that day)
As an HVAC technician I just wanted to note that a regular natural gas or propane furnace can definitely run off of a mid sized portable generator. The only real electrical components in there are your inducer motor, blower and some low voltage controls. If you use electric heat or heat pumps than you can’t but your standard furnace is fine. Good video!
Another item to factor in when determining your wattage demands is your well pump. If your located outside of the city limits and on well water, don't forget to add in the power demands of your well pump!
@@thefunatnight that's right, I use to install water pumps and would say most pumps will run on a 240 volt 30 amp supply and if your well is under 200' you might even get away with 20 amps. My well is only 150' deep and 20 amps is perfect
Great video. I went along this road a while back and I added one caveat. If it is a very extended outage, and the inventory of generators is low, there may be individuals who would like to borrow yours since it advertises itself so loudly. As for batteries, I agree with your statements about caution EXCEPT for the newer Lithium IRON Phosphate batteries (LiFePo4) I've seen these batteries shot, beat with a hammer and run over with a truck and they would not catch fire, and they can safely be used indoors. Educate yourself and *Buy a good, well respected brand* Thank you again for this great video.
LiFePO4 is far less likely to self-ignite, much more probable that an external heatsource / fire is the issue, but if you do manage to involve them in a fire the gasses they give off are absolutely horrible. Amongst other things, HF (hydrogen fluoride) which when it meets moisture, such as in your lungs turns into hydrofluoric acid and you definitely don't want that stuff in your body. Yes, things have obviously gone badly wrong if your house is on fire but adding breathing in acid to your woes as you try to escape isn't helping. Stick the lifepo4 battery outside of the living space.
I don't rely on an unlimited supply of any type of fuel, so I purchased an Echoflo Delta Pro with a few solar panels. Keeps everything that I need running just fine. Rotate 2 small honda generator's that quietly run for 8 hours on a gal of gas keep the solar gen powered quickly if needed and then shut it off. Black out curtains or in my case heavy duty garbage bags and 🤷♂️ bring it on!👍
Tip: Run a backup generator for 10-15 minutes every month. And plug in something, even a lamp, to energize the electric circuits. Check oil, close fuel valve until it stops. Then drain carb fuel bowl. Honda's make this easy. Some generators if not run for a year, May not have a residual magnesium to start the electrical field.
We lose power quite often in our area, and I advise my customers (RV repair) all the time about generators, power banks, and all the pros and cons. You did a wonderful job at putting across a huge amount of information in under 14 minutes! Thanks for the info on suitcase generator repair vs open frame. That's something I haven't really been considering. Hours for a starter rope! Wow
I live in Houston and we have natural gas heating. I had several neighbors in dire straits during our wintergeddon. Even though you have gas heat, it doesn't work without electrical power for the fan of the heater. I have a Honda eu2200i - 2200 watts for camping, etc. I loaned it out and wired the neighbor's heating fan (3/4 hp - about 600watts) to it. They didn't have much but they were warm. Even a car battery and 750w inverter can be pressed into service to stay warm for a while. Just a thought.
Neighbor upgraded to a stationary whole-house propane Gentac system and I bought his portable gasoline Gentac 7000. Had a manual circuit-breaker interlock switch installed in the house breaker box and an outside socket to plug it into. Can run everything except the electric stove and clothes dryer. We can do heat and domestic water with wood or fuel oil, but the boiler circulation is fed with an electric pump. Also handy as our barn/coops have no electricity.
Keep the warranty up on the Generac. It is all electronic controlled. I got a call from friend in Afghanistan theater to check on his family as the $20,000 generac install was not working. Hoping it as a dead battery I discovered the control panel was dead... There is no mechanical override. The circuit board was $500 carryout. The unit was 3-months outside the 5-year warranty. I recommended we call in an Generac certified electrician as for $500 part, I was not going to start hanging parts unknowingly. Service tech confirmed my suspicion... $600 his family's power was back up and one less thing for him to worry about in a combat zone. This board is a known problem after the warranty expires. I would love to get a whole house as our power is out several times a year. I have yet to locate a "whole house" unit with mechanical backup. Good Luck
@@LestonDr$20k for a Generac is a pretty big Generac - most times the generator is $6k and the rest of the install including ATS runs about $5k, so I suspect there may have been other work going on (panel upgrade? service upgrade?). Generac tends to have fewer issues than most, but you do pay when something goes on them. As I work in IT, I compare them to Cisco or Juniper - expensive, but if you need it, worth it. As for no mechanical backup... yes, that's usually the case because a mechanical system will suck down fuel even worse than these big generators already do, and burn up the engine quickly - a normal 1-2k hour engine like most home standby generators use would burn up in 250 or less, and electronic throttle control is a requirement to get 20kw out of a residential LNG line. Despite not being fun when a board goes out, the lifetime cost is lower and reliability higher compared to mechanical systems.
I've had generators to run my house for years. Once they came out with the tri-fuel kits I now can run gas, propane, or natural gas. Mine id basically natural gas. Just pull out the gen, plug in the gas line and away you go. No need to shut down to refuel. I used to horde up 30 gallons or so of gas for the winter if needed and then burn it thru the truck in summer. Great videos and yes you have saved me time money and frustration over the years. Thank you for that. Regards Myren
Great video as usual. Funny, I have exact same gen as you, bought it because of Honda engine. Well worth extra money. I do run only ethanol free fuel in all my small engines though. So glad you carrying on with videos with changes in your life going on.
Thanks to you I do run my generator every month to make sure it will start, keeping the battery up. Also my snow blower ( like the one you repaired for a family member). Yes I used it in November here in Kansas to remove 9 inches of wet snow. Thanks again!
Another guideline is to get a generator with enough power capacity so that you are using 65% to 75% of rated power. You don't want these to run flat out for hours on end.
I have a 15000w for this reason. Runs 60a constant. But I only usually pull 15-40amps. It powers whole house. Fridge, freezers, heatpumps, hot water, kitchen stove, all lights... Only thing is it burns 40L in like 16 hours. So it's costly. Around 100$ a day.
@@philliphall5198 I ran my gas generac literally almost non stop 18 days after a 2012 Hurricane destroyed my town. I maintained it with the highest quality oil+Lucas stabilizer, premium spark plug. That baby runs til this day with ease. We had small children under 5 at the time. I couldn't have them in the dark & losing 2 fridges full of milk & food they needed.
@@Wormanattiright. In Louisiana I run the hell out of mine after storms also. Around the clock. Other than fueling. After that she gets her break and cleaned and tuned up awaiting the next
YESSS !!!!😊 I fabricated and assembled my own home generator from various parts . Could have bought a Generac 20kw with all the bells and whistles but decided to do my own even though it cost me even more. I want to do all my own repairs and maintenance and not be pressured into buying crap I don't need. I know everything I need to know about my generator since I built it. From fabricating the aluminum cabinet and steel frame . Converting a Predator v-Twinn 22 HP to run on propane to mounting a NorthStar brushless generator head. Using Solid solenoid fuel valve and a few relays. The heart of my system is the DeepSea Electronics controller , DSE 7320 , the battery maintainer and the DSE 855 communication module. Fabricated the mounting brackets for a mini 40 amp alternator. So much has gone into my system including the transfer switch and added generator breakers and box next to the Main box. I'm proud of my work and have needed it 5 times since completion of its build. I've also added a second 500 gallon propane tank just for the generator adding the Remote Ready sensor to the dial connecting to the DSE 7320 controller . Since I use an air cooled engine I installed a oil temperature sensor in the oil cooler line to remotely read engine temperature.
I have an 11 kW Generac standby generator (natural gas). When I bought this house, a local store owner said it's real windy up on that hill. Be ready for power outages. First wind storm the power was out for 3 days. That's when I had the Generac installed. Winter and summer, it runs everything in the house during frequent outages (longest so far was 8 days). Automatic start, when the power goes out. Exercises for 12 minutes every week. It is installed right outside my home office window, and is quiet. Particularly when compared to the neighbors' very noisy gas generators that are 75 to 190 feet distant! Maintenance twice per year, mainly oil, filter changes, and battery checks. Two batteries replaced in 13 years.
Great video! Lots of great information. Thank you Chickanic! I’m a lineman for a power company. With climate change & more frequent storms/ power interruptions. The smart person will have a back up power supply. I bought the largest inverter generator available in a Honda for my house (EU7000is). Not only is it an insurance policy you hope you never need? In case you do it’s there. I have been to many job site, personal homes & businesses. Other than an automatic stand by generator. Stand by for me in an association is not an option. Your best bet is a roll out. When I’m out working suicide shifts the last thing I want to hear is my phone ringing with my wife on the other end. Our generator runs the entire house. I can run my 2-1/2 ton central air in the summer as well as the rest of the house. My wife can run a load of laundry as well as cook something in the oven. I don’t care. All I know is when I get home from work I can take a warm shower & crawl under the covers. It’s peace of mind. I use marine grade Stabil & StarTron fuel enzyme in my ethenol fuel. My genny sits inside a steel enclosure locked away from prying eyes. I have an auxiliary fuel tank that buys me 48 hours of run time on economy mode. I have a trickle charger on it 24/7. I replace the battery every three years. It’s wired into my circuit breaker panel with an inter-lock switch. I have a hard wire remote circuit so my wife can turn it on & off within the safety of our home. When it’s running I barely notice it is on. On standard mode it runs at 58 decibels & 54 decibels on economy load. I hardly notice we are on generator? Last thing I want to hear is the generator won’t start? Hence why I bought the best.
Have the same generator and love it. We use an interlock switch to protect you guys on the line, but to choose also what we want to feed. You guys, by the way are saints. Thank you for all you do!
@@barbaraburke6682 Thank you Barbara! It’s nice to be appreciated! Do you know there are lots of accessories you can buy for the Honda generators? I have a wired remote from Honda. An auxiliary fuel tank & manetic dip stick from an outside supplier. I have a trickle charger. I bought the lift kit, service manual & complete set of replacement spare parts. I have yet to do more than oil changes & replace the battery on my genny. It starts & runs everytime. We use Honda inverters at work & they get banged around with stale fuel & they start everytime. I’m with you. I love my Honda inverter genny too
As an emergency management professional and part on the emergency operations center for a large county. This is important information being shared. Thank you Chickanic.
I have that exact size Black Max generator here in NH. it runs my entire house except for the dryer. I have a gas stove and a gas furnace, all LED lights and low wattage TVs. I plug that in and start it up and except for the noise my house runs as usual. I love it!
We lost power frequently in Powhatan VA so I bought the BlackMax 7K/8750 Watt that's shown in this video with the Honda Engine. The Honda motor started every time & ran smooth as silk, but after 12 years of regular use the electric generating portion blew up& I had to get a new one. The Yamaha is incredible! It starts just as easily as the Honda but runs so smoothly. It was about $1500 but it just runs perfectly. I did take the standard wheels off & added locking caster wheels which makes it so much easier to move around and locking them in place helps so it doesn't move that much. Give a Yamaha a try & you'll be hooked.
One of my maintenance jobs at the beginning of each month is to turn over the generator and allow it to run for a half hour. It’s no big problem, but I’m not crazy about the chore during the winter. Oh, well, during outages I’m grateful I have to do it.
We use a bunch of small power banks like those solar generators and hardly ever fire up the gas generator. And we lost grid power a lot out here in the country. Summer and winter.
Back in 1994 I went through an earthquake that knocked out power for 3 1/2 days (and caused massive property damage). I had a Honda EM3000 generator that ran everything I needed it to. If not for having a full tank of gas in the boat to draw from it would have been useless. Think about where your fuel will come from if there are no gas stations in operation. There were no inverter generators or lithium power stations back then. Open frame 3600 rpm generators are really loud and can have a lot of harmonic distortion. It doesn't cost much these days to get a quiet inverter generator (powered by a gas engine). Might consider getting one while you still can.
Hello from northern Wisconsin, I dealt with power outages for years using small generators. While these worked ok, finally permanently installed a 35kw Winco generator driven by a Chrysler 225 Slant 6 engine. This unit is fully automatic which is nice. It runs on natural gas, no fuel system problems. I can run my shop and home with power to spare. 😊
You have put out another great informative video. I have several generators. I bought the first as a backup when we lose power. The outages are getting progressively longer each storm that we have. It is wired with a proper power inlet out side my house. Our freezer, refrigerator, microwave and several lights are powered by the transfer switch panel. Not everything is powered by the generator. We couldn't agree more about the need to have a generator to keep us comfortable when needed. I have two inverter generators to use with our RV.
Same here, I started with a 6KW gas generator and a transfer switch, ran that setup for years. Recently, I purchased a whole home 20KW standby propane generator, kept my transfer switch box, and my gas generator as backup in case propane runs out and can't get a delivery.
Great video with a lot of great info! I grew up in the country and the power went out often. We never could convince my dad to get a generator. After I grew up and bought a house, I bought a small 3500w generator for it, large enough for the furnace, fridge, lights, etc. The next year, a hurricane hit. I was fine, but ended up loaning my generator to my dad for over a week. Only after that, did he finally decide that having a generator might be worth it. People really need to be pro-active about handling emergencies.
I regretfully live in Florida and rode out our last hurricane, we lost power for just over 2 weeks, and thankfully have a 8000w portable generator. I purchased a small AC window unit and shut off most of the house . It kept us comfortable from the heat and humidity, plus we were able to run lights and the refrigerator too! The biggest problem is the cost!!! Approximately $40 a day in gas, plus we had to drive 35 miles to find a gas station with gas, that was open ( we live in a rural area)
Man, $40 in gas/day is nothing in a situation like that. How much would a room at a hotel (with power) cost? If one could even be found. To be able to stay in your own place, keep somewhat comfy & protect your stuffs; that's a steal! P.S. never regret living in Fla!
@@laboulesdebleu8335 I beleive I said 40 gallons thats eight 5 gallon gas cans full and that will run me for a long time and I always top off all my other equipment and can drain it if neccesary and if I have to I can use my 2 cycle gas
Better to be prepared and have it then need it and not have ! My wife is on oxygen 24/7. So I have a generac as back up power plus a backup concentrator and oxygen tanks. Getting ready to buy a d/f remote start inverter genny asap. One day we spent all her tanks up on dr visits and shopping. The following day w/o reason we lost power for 6hrs during this time her oxygen supplier hadn't shown up. My 10yr old son with a neighbor helping SAVED HER LIFE by getting the generator going.
Thankyou someone finally told how Stabil works, instead of saying it just does not work , The key is do not slosh gas around. Thank you so much love your channel
I have been in Home Depot during a mass power outage due to ice storms. Seeing their clerks hand out 79 tickets to the people who will be able to stand in line for one of the 79 generators on the truck made me feel sorry for the next 80 people coming in. I was glad I just needed to pick up some wire to connect the furnace power line. Thanks for the update and explaining how the inverter generators and power banks work. I have considered an inverter to have for smaller work, but will probably just roll those funds toward a power bank
The time to buy a generator is not when you need it? You shop for one when there are no storms forecast. That way you get the right model instead of one that came off a truck at the last minute. It took my dealer 12 weeks to source a brand new genny for me because no one could buy one. Honda was backed up 6 months or more. My dealer found it in the basement of a dealer in another state. He picked it up & delivered it all in one day. I had already had paid for it in full at the time.
@@johnclyne6350exactly. I rotate through several gas cans all year between equipment and topping off vehicles. I shouldn’t have to go for a fill up for a few days even running wide open.
Thanks for just giving us the info in a clear and concise way without a bunch of filler or fluff. I appreciate your straight to the point and matter of fact way of explaining things.
Good info, as usual. Just a couple of things that you didn't cover explicitly. Propane is a good fuel source. Doesn't go stale and doesn't cause carb issues. In my opinion, the biggest pro for inverter generators is they produce a good clean sine wave so they're safe for electronics. Just about everything has sensitive electronics these days, including fridges. A friend of mine destroyed his fridge, I think because he was using a crappy generator. And thanks for the movie recommendation!
@@stevieg2755it doesn't need to be " smart " (ie, wifi, inside camera, huge touch screen etc) it just needs to have a switch mode power supply and a DC variable speed motor driving the compressor which is very common these days. Your typical PFC single speed AC motor driving the compressor is not as common anymore but they are more forgiving of crappy generator power.
@@Bassguitarist1985 good advice about new fridges -- like mine-- I do have a small OLD garage fridge. I might be the best route. Just move the necessary (& expensive) stuff to the small fridge and don't run the fancy fridge on generator.
I have 2 generators that I always use non ethanol fuel in with stabil. Both have not had to be used in 4 years, but every 6 months or so I start them and they both start on the 2nd or 3rd pull. This year we had to finally use one and it ran perfectly for 6 days in a row. This video has reminded me that I need to go re do the process I used last time so it is ready to go next time it’s needed.
I moved to a dual fuel generator since I got tired of having to do carb cleanings and rebuilds every few years. Propane with an electric start is a nice thing when it's 12 outside and your power is out for two days. A whole house unit will be our next upgrade but they aren't cheap!
Generally speaking, the whole home generator installation is equal to the cost of the generator. A lot depends on the generator size (kw, air cooled or liquid cooled), location relative to the home’s electrical connection, location of propane or diesel tank, etc. We had a 22kw Generac installed 4 years ago due to unreliable utility power. Soon adding solar panel farm to charge a battery array. This will become the first power source followed by the Generac on propane as the second. This will provide power for about four weeks depending on load and fuel supplies. Of course, an EMP will negate all of this and depending on the size/power of the pulse, it won’t matter how it is mitigated, your personal grid will be toast.
Te whole thing switch gear and everything (including maintenance reports and operating and installation books it was properly maintained and only has 500 hours total)$ 3500 because I don't want it to sit around and not be used.
That smallest Gen *Will Run Your Heat* if you have a gas furnace. All it has to run is the exhaust fans, thermostat & the main air mover. I run mine with a ~2000 watt inverter gen. Also runs some lights, internet, small fridge, & entertainment. Great vid
Good video. I set a reminder in my phone to start and run my generator every six weeks. I get out a small electric heater to put a load on it, run it for about 15-20 minutes while I clean up my garage. I always have the battery removed and on a tender. Simple enough, it ensures that the gen will be ready when I need it.
I run some power equipment off my generator every month just to keep everything flowing, so when I really need it for power I know it will work. Plus I keep the electric start battery on a battery tender when not in use.
I have a gasoline powered 7600watt portable generator, and found that when I use 91 octane premium no-lead, I don't have any problems with it, and I don't have to use Stabil or SeaFoam type products any more. It will stay fresh in the gas tanks of all my small engines here on my farm, so that's all I order for our 300 gal gas barrel. Works for every gas engine here, from tiller to mowers to chain saws to boat to antique tractors to 600 bushel grain truck. Also, when I run the portable generator for remote needs (we now have a 20kw whole house generator), I shut the gas valve off, and when it about dies, I pull the choke out to make it pull out more from the bowl.
Thanks for the timely reminder. I’m getting outs out this afternoon while the weather is nice. Time to change out the fuel and power up some equipment. Not only making sure it will start reliably but also exercise the generation components.
Just a few minutes ago I got done with the monthly exercising runs on my backup generators then I found this video. I do the same thing that you do as far as turning off the fuel supply valve and let the engine quit due to fuel starvation, I take it one step further. After turning off the fuel supply I wait until the engine starts to quit then I turn on the choke and the engine starts back up and runs out that small amount of fuel that was remaining in the carburetor.
Enjoy your channel. You are absolutely right about getting a generator and or a power pack. Living rural we have both. Thanks you do have an easy watch and informative channel. Thanks Dave and Rosemary
One difference between the generators and the "power stations" is that the latter only have their rated power. Once that's used up, you must recharge it. Generators supply their rated power as long as they are running for as long as you have fuel or are refueled. The power stations do have value however. You can use a generator to recharge the power station then shut the generator off. Assuming you have not had a proper generator transfer switch installed in your house wiring, you need to think of extension cords. Some 12/3 120v cords, but also if you want to supply, say a water heater, you'll need a 10/3 240v cord with the correct connector for your generator 240v outlet. You'll need more extension cords than you think and they need to be long enough to get the generator away from the door or window. Or look at how you'll get extension cords into the house before the power is out. Do not back feed your house wiring without a properly installed transfer switch. If the linemen discover you back feeding from your house, they will cut down your tri-plex from the transformer and you go to the bottom of the list for power restoration, often only after paying a hefty fine. and if your backfeed kills a lineman, well....
Many times when great numbers of homes are damaged and have ruptured pipes the gas co. Will shut off nat gas. I had no otber option but propane. Some subdivions just 1/2 mile away have nat gas.Hurricane Laura flattened about 10% of homes around this area.
I have 2 generators. One is a dual fuel but I only use propane in it and have 4 of the 20 pound tanks for it. The other is a slightly larger unit at 5000 watts gasoline only that I keep drained of fuel. I do keep some fuel for it as I need a fair amount for all the lawn equipment so it gets cycled out during the summer months, really not used much from December to March. I plan on using the propane to I run out , then going to the gas generator. If it will not start, I can always fuel up the propane/gas unit on gasoline if needed. I do only buy the ethanol free fuel for the small engines and put in the Sta-bil needed or not.
Propane is the way to go. My Hondas say the are inverter generators but the large one is loud and the small ones are not quite. Thanks for your great advice. Everytime I get ready to buy a solar generator something new hits the market.
I went with a 16kw generac propane. Hurricane Laura had us out for 2 1/2 weeks. Due to regs could only have a 125 gal tank, ran for 4 days. Had trouble getting my supplier to come for refill. Had two 5kw gas units for freezer and a smoll portable a/c unit. Finally found an out of town tanker to fill up my tank. He came by every 3 days to top us up. Since then I now have an added 125 gal tank. Should keep us for at least 6 to 7 days.😅
We have a newer gas furnace, and we had a "regular generator" I used for the old furnace. I spoke to the dealer, and he told us the manufacture said to run off an inverter generator (more of a true sign wave). According to the them, a "regular" generator could damage the electronics and void the warranty. Just something to check on when shopping for a generator. Enjoy your videos!
Nice video. IMO, a 3-4 bdrm house wants a >15 kWh battery reserve. That feeds a 4 kW inverter. W/ a 5 kW+ gasoline generator back up. Been testing this out on our 5th wheeler trailer. And you are correct that gas gennies need regular TLC. I fire ours up every ~3 months for an hour, & have it serviced once a year. I live in central Florida "Hurricane Alley".
Generac make whole house generators as well. Having them auto switch and running on Natural gas or propane is slick. If you tap into your electric panel make sure to shut off your main so you don't backfeed power to the grid. A lineman will appreciate that.
Also, when starting the generator that is hooked up to your house, make sure the circuit breakers are off. If you start the generator and there is an immediate load, you could damage the generator.
I had a brand new Predator generator, the biggest 1 they sold,when my house burnt, we ran that thing 24/7 for almost 3 months of winter by the camper in our driveway, never missed a beat & I still use it during power outages, it’s been like 4-5 years since the fire, so suprised, but works like a dream
Thank for the info! Interesting, my wife and I were just talking about getting a generator a couple of days ago. I’m leaning toward the battery powered type with a solar charging panel. Congrats on your very own new shop, by the way!
Great video, don't forget about THD "total harmonic distortion" in generators. You really want to keep it under 5% but it's hard to find a good price point portable generator with low THD. Northerntool has some and I went with a Champion 100520 and converted to natural gas/propane. NOTE: the conversion to natural gas you will lose about 20% of your rated watts over gasoline, but take that in consideration on your watts needed calculation.
If you're not concerned about noise, they make open frame inverter generators which gives you the best of both worlds. Also, A soft start kit will reduce the LRA of a compressor by as much as 75% allowing you to use your generator to power your AC or heat pump.
An other very informative video. Thank you. I have had a portable generator for 25 years. It’s a god sent when you need it. Starts up one pull every time. Is a Colman with a brigs engine. I always run it dry and test it four times a year. Cheers. I also use stable.
You forgot a couple of other good ones: and 2019 Netflix released a movie called contagion I believe, 10 months later, Covid was introduced to the world. X-Files had a spinoff series, called the lone gunman. Their pilot episode was about hijackers taking two planes and flying them into the World Trade Center sparking, a war between the US and Iraq, six months later 911 happened.. can’t make this stuff up.
I keep a 2000W Honda inverter generator and a 3000W Honda with the gas completely drained from the tank and the carburetor and ready to go if there is any issues. Live in FL and Hurricane season is when we mostly need them. Good video.
For those portable power banks. Most now use LiFePO4 batteries - these aren't risky like normal lithium ion batteries. Also - most of them need ~3 monthly charging and have parasitic battery draw when turned on - so the ontime may not be as long as you might otherwise calculate.
Bre, again great video. I have a stand - by generator since after the 2003 Northeast black out. 20 years of peace and mind. After about 2 1/2 days of NO electricity, I decided to get one. Just a little bit of maintenance yearly and no problem. If I can do it, anyone can. If any of your viewers have any medical conditions, such as I do, I highly recommend them to get one.
If you install a soft start kit on your a/c condensing unit, your generator will start and run it. There's a channel here on UA-cam called DIY HVAC Guy that has great videos and he explains how to do it.
I moved to a homestead out in the sticks 27 years ago and bought a Honda commercial job site generator. I use it 2-3x per year. Still starts right up and runs great.
Some people want a whole house generator but figuring out the total house wattage is the most important thing to do the other thing is what type of fuel is the other thing is important because of the engine horsepower The best UA-cam channel that that talks about generator is James condon
When the power goes out a few of my neighbors start up their generators and it sounds like a freaking circus. I have a Westinghouse 1000 power station and their trifold solar panel. When I here those generators fire up, I plug in my Marshall amplifier and play guitar for them, it's much louder than their generators😊 If the power stays out too long they're going to run out of gas and I'll still be blasting my guitar.
Evidently you can add inertia to a small generator by spinning up a bench grinder, which will momentarily run as an alternator when starting another large load. Inductive motors can do interesting things. I'd love to see this in practice.
Similarly it in possible to parallel non inverter generators, but is rather complicated. If the voltage, frequency, and phase are in sync, they'll lock together like a single engine. Don't try this at home.
Bre, good info and video. My rule is to ALWAYS use non-oxy fuel for all of my small engines. I also add Seafoam at about 1oz per gallon. The non-oxy lasts MUCH longer than regular gas. Just make sure to get it from a non-mixer pump as you mentioned in an earlier video. Everyone has their own "secret formula" for small engine fuel but this has always worked for me. I refresh my non-oxy every 6 months or so. Just dump the old in the truck and fill the cans with fresh.
I’ve had a Honda E2000i since about 2015. It has eco mode and is pretty easy to service. Plug, air filter, oil, and carb are all easy access. It will run my refrigerator during power outages. It will run 8hrs on a little over a gallon of gas. I test it monthly to make sure it stays running well.
Bre did briefly mention a transfer switch, but I think it is worth mentioning, please do not connect a generator to your home wiring unless you can do it safely with a transfer switch. Improper generator connection can backfeed the electric grid and electocute the lineman trying to fix it.
If the linemen did their job to begin with maybe it wouldn't need fixin'.. They deserve what they get..... hahahahaha Just use an interlock kit,, problem solved..
I skipped out on the transfer switch and went through my electrical company and they put a switch/connector in front of my regular meter that will allow me to hook my generator to, once they know what type of generator you have they supply the cable that connects to your generator all you need is your fuel supply and stage the generator. When the power goes out I turn off the main power supply and the remaining rockers and connect the cable to the generator and I switch all the rockets back on one at a time minus the 220v, plus I'm running everything that runs on 120v throughout the house with 2 of the largest portable AC from Lowe's. I had it installed about 7+ years ago and haven't had a problem. Great video Bre!
The best thing you can do for your generator is run it every couple months with some kind of load on it. A small electric heater works great for that. Only need to run it for 20 - 25 minutes when you do. Letting them sit until you need it is not a good idea.
Exactly as you say. Data centers have big diesel units, but they have scheduled maintenance and run test to ensure they can kick in when it is needed to.
@@szplI used to work a mechanical piping job and we would rehab city sewage pump stations. Every station that had a generator or diesel powered emergency bypass pump would exercise them every Wednesday for 1 hour
yeah when it gets over a day try to find a station pumping gasoline Its so bad in my state the state made a law that gas stations now need to invest in emergency generators so they can power the pumps. Why don't the make a law that electric utilities have to pay all costs for outages over 1/2 day. When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's , back when American was Great, before deregulation cause "we don't need no stinkin laws buisness knows best gov't bad" we didn't have outages all the time I think I remember like 2 we found some old kerosene lamps to use (we had a kerosene heater for part of the house, ekkkk). Now we are spending $5,000, $10,000 to subsidize 'privatized' utilities pulling in double digit profits, and even our gasoline prices are going up so they can subsidize them.
'DIY solar power with Will Prowse' is an excellent channel for inverter and battery information. 'John Daniel' is another. My system is fairly small at 10kwh LiFePO4 battery bank and a 6kw split phase inverter. But it's just for the workshop. I can run power tools for a week or two, and then run the generator for a couple of hours to recharge. I haven't added solar or wind to help the generator yet either. LiFePO4 battery technology is much less prone to the fire issues.
YES and YES. Inspired by my battery operated tools I went battery backup with a tiny elec start inverter gen to recharge them if need be, hope to add solar some day.
My wife and I have a Predator 8750 inverter generator (Harbor Freight). We have used it a few times in the past year or so due to power outages. It runs the whole house, including 2 deep freezers, but if we want to run the water heater, we shut off most of the other circuits for about a half hour. We haven’t had any trouble yet with the Predator.
Another little bonus is having a plug in on your back porch so your generator can feed straight into your electrical panel, allowing a few circutes in the house that you can feed into for optional creature comforts without extension cords.
The power company frowns on you feeding power back into the electrical panel like that. If you don't kill the main circuit breakers to the power line coming in to the panel, it can feed power back out your panel and down the lines that workmen may be working on. That could result in their electrocution.
This was a great topic and a well organized presentation (starting at a basic level and then moving logically forward with possible solutions). I feel like I now know what information I need to gather to make a decision that meets my needs. Thank you for publishing this. I should also add that I found several of the comments from viewers very helpful as well.
Thanks for Watching! Find a link to all of my "Must Have", Favorite Tools HERE!! www.amazon.com/shop/chickanic?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfchickanic_9ERPFPBNGQ924P8NS63B
As a retired mechanic, it's good to see someone putting out a clear, concise video explaining these issues. If you own a home, you should absolutely have an emergency generator AND no how to maintain it.
As a retired mechanic, 25 year Marine Corp veteran and Bald Eagle breeder, I disagree.
Love your work, thanks
@inthedarkwoods2022 Because your generator runs off electricity huh?
lol
@@inthedarkwoods2022
@@inthedarkwoods2022 Why?
I live in the boonies, I trust the grid about as much as the government. Good video
Your explanation of Sta-bil sitting on top of the gas was worth the entire video.
most ppl know that
@@darinp5612Some people don’t.
@@christopherjohnpaul5591 those that don't have that common knowledge, won't last a week
I didn't@@darinp5612
Gasoline is a synthetic fuel - when lite distillates are put in a cat cracker in a refinery - the cracker is charged with propane or butane -
Then it's heated - the vapor fuels like propane dissolves in the distillates - just like carbon dioxide dissolves in a coke -
The distillates are unstable and the propane flashes off over time and oxygen will displace it & oxidize the fuel -
The stable will shield oxygen from passing into the fuel - so the gas will not oxidize over. time -
But the gas will go flat in one to two yrs - because the butane or butane flashed off - it's best to store gas in an eagle safety can - it will not vent the vapors off the gas -
Also plastic gas cans breath air through the plastic - so it's best to use a steel container - as long as air does not get to the gas it has an indefinite shelf life -
I worked in the oil&gas industry for yrs and my family was part of it also -
In 1983 the power went out in my area after a winter storm - I was burning gasoline that was stored in 1969;-
After Katrina I was burning gas that was put up in 1983'in my chainsaws and generator for at least two months -
Consider a propane or LNG generator. We have a propane powered 10 kW Generac unit. A 100 gallon tank will run it for a week, 7x24. It also has the benefit of not having to worry about gasoline storage and shelf life.
We live where there is no natural gas service so we have a 240 gal propane tank (and a propane generator). There was a time when natural gas was considerably cheaper than propane, but that is no longer the case. Further propane has twice the BTUs as natural gas so it takes half the amount to do the same heating as natural gas. Further, if there is a power failure, gas appliances often run without electricity.
@@TheOnespeedbiker However, do you still have a 25 hour oil change schedule? Or a 50 hour change schedule. When Y2K was upon us, where I worked recommended 3X the wattage for your choice in gen selection.
You can run it for a week with light loads. I have the same generator. Med loads will consume 168 gallons for one week. Heavy loads can use up to 250 gallons in one week. I have 400 gallons or about 2-3 weeks worth.
My sister bot Propane generator. Requires that she pay Co. she bot it to come on a reg. basis to do maintenance. $$$
Propane generators can be expensive. I bought a high end gasoline generator, and found a “Motor Snorkel Tri-Fuel Conversion Kit” to convert it to run either gasoline, propane, or natural gas, for FAR less money than an off the shelf propane generator. I think it even runs smoother on propane, but the main thing is you can store large amounts of propane without worrying about it going bad.
Conspiracies aside I live in an area where we frequently lose power. Fires knocked our power out for a few days while weather conditions have an effect on our power. It is prudent to maintain a source of power regardless of your circumstances. Being prepared is not being paranoid. Thank you for your valuable content!!
JP Morgan is taking it seriously not sure the word conspiracy applies here
There are a couple of things I'll mention just because my degree is in Electrical Engineering. The thing with big non-inverter generators is that they don't create a very clean power so they are not great for any computer equipment like your internet equipment like your router, etc. The issue with varying speed on these is more that they don't always lock in to the 60 hertz frequency that some equipment really wants to have. The only other thing to look out for in an inverter system is whether it generates a true sine wave or something else. Some loads really want to have a true sine wave.
You need a inverter generator with a low THD. The newer appliances (refrigerator, washer, microwave stove, etc) in your home are computerized and need a pure sine wave to avoid damage to the electronics.
Not trying to be a smarta##.... genuinely asking. Is there not a way to fix that issue? Other than using solar or wind to charge a bank of batteries and use an inverter.
@@Michael-fs8km The build quality of the powerhead on those larger high THD generators is crap. Yes it is possible to clean up high total harmonic distortion by the use of devices called load or line reactors. They are basically very large copper inductors that pose a high resistance to the voltages at the higher harmonic frequencies of 50 60 hz. Not only are they extremely large and expensive but simply they are impractical at the portable generator level.
@@Michael-fs8km you can use a small generator for much faster charging than the very small solar panels they provide. that's what i do up at the cottage when the 20KW of solar panels are covered with snow...i charge my battery bank with a regular 3700watt champion generator for an hour or two in the morning and that'll give me power for about 24 hours (depending on my loads that day)
@chrisjardine2201 could you explain sine wave as i am a novice at all this new technology? Really appreciate your input thankyou
As an HVAC technician I just wanted to note that a regular natural gas or propane furnace can definitely run off of a mid sized portable generator. The only real electrical components in there are your inducer motor, blower and some low voltage controls. If you use electric heat or heat pumps than you can’t but your standard furnace is fine. Good video!
Another item to factor in when determining your wattage demands is your well pump. If your located outside of the city limits and on well water, don't forget to add in the power demands of your well pump!
To add to that, lots of well pumps are 240V, so you have to have the ability to feed 240V to it.
@@thefunatnight that's right, I use to install water pumps and would say most pumps will run on a 240 volt 30 amp supply and if your well is under 200' you might even get away with 20 amps. My well is only 150' deep and 20 amps is perfect
Great video. I went along this road a while back and I added one caveat. If it is a very extended outage, and the inventory of generators is low, there may be individuals who would like to borrow yours since it advertises itself so loudly. As for batteries, I agree with your statements about caution EXCEPT for the newer Lithium IRON Phosphate batteries (LiFePo4) I've seen these batteries shot, beat with a hammer and run over with a truck and they would not catch fire, and they can safely be used indoors. Educate yourself and *Buy a good, well respected brand* Thank you again for this great video.
LiFePO4 is far less likely to self-ignite, much more probable that an external heatsource / fire is the issue, but if you do manage to involve them in a fire the gasses they give off are absolutely horrible. Amongst other things, HF (hydrogen fluoride) which when it meets moisture, such as in your lungs turns into hydrofluoric acid and you definitely don't want that stuff in your body. Yes, things have obviously gone badly wrong if your house is on fire but adding breathing in acid to your woes as you try to escape isn't helping.
Stick the lifepo4 battery outside of the living space.
I don't rely on an unlimited supply of any type of fuel, so I purchased an Echoflo Delta Pro with a few solar panels. Keeps everything that I need running just fine. Rotate 2 small honda generator's that quietly run for 8 hours on a gal of gas keep the solar gen powered quickly if needed and then shut it off. Black out curtains or in my case heavy duty garbage bags and 🤷♂️ bring it on!👍
By "borrow" , do you mean 'permanently'?! 🙂
Tip:
Run a backup generator for 10-15 minutes every month. And plug in something, even a lamp, to energize the electric circuits. Check oil, close fuel valve until it stops. Then drain carb fuel bowl. Honda's make this easy.
Some generators if not run for a year, May not have a residual magnesium to start the electrical field.
Excellent video, thank you for posting 👍😀
We lose power quite often in our area, and I advise my customers (RV repair) all the time about generators, power banks, and all the pros and cons. You did a wonderful job at putting across a huge amount of information in under 14 minutes! Thanks for the info on suitcase generator repair vs open frame. That's something I haven't really been considering. Hours for a starter rope! Wow
I live in Houston and we have natural gas heating. I had several neighbors in dire straits during our wintergeddon. Even though you have gas heat, it doesn't work without electrical power for the fan of the heater. I have a Honda eu2200i - 2200 watts for camping, etc. I loaned it out and wired the neighbor's heating fan (3/4 hp - about 600watts) to it. They didn't have much but they were warm. Even a car battery and 750w inverter can be pressed into service to stay warm for a while. Just a thought.
Neighbor upgraded to a stationary whole-house propane Gentac system and I bought his portable gasoline Gentac 7000. Had a manual circuit-breaker interlock switch installed in the house breaker box and an outside socket to plug it into. Can run everything except the electric stove and clothes dryer. We can do heat and domestic water with wood or fuel oil, but the boiler circulation is fed with an electric pump. Also handy as our barn/coops have no electricity.
Keep the warranty up on the Generac. It is all electronic controlled. I got a call from friend in Afghanistan theater to check on his family as the $20,000 generac install was not working. Hoping it as a dead battery I discovered the control panel was dead... There is no mechanical override. The circuit board was $500 carryout. The unit was 3-months outside the 5-year warranty. I recommended we call in an Generac certified electrician as for $500 part, I was not going to start hanging parts unknowingly. Service tech confirmed my suspicion... $600 his family's power was back up and one less thing for him to worry about in a combat zone. This board is a known problem after the warranty expires. I would love to get a whole house as our power is out several times a year. I have yet to locate a "whole house" unit with mechanical backup. Good Luck
I'll tell you this. Don't buy a Generac. They are very problematic. They put their money into advertisements, not improving the product.
@@LestonDr I *_WILL NEVER BUY_* another Generac whole house generator system, I have had two of them and have had issues with both of them.
@@LestonDr$20k for a Generac is a pretty big Generac - most times the generator is $6k and the rest of the install including ATS runs about $5k, so I suspect there may have been other work going on (panel upgrade? service upgrade?). Generac tends to have fewer issues than most, but you do pay when something goes on them. As I work in IT, I compare them to Cisco or Juniper - expensive, but if you need it, worth it.
As for no mechanical backup... yes, that's usually the case because a mechanical system will suck down fuel even worse than these big generators already do, and burn up the engine quickly - a normal 1-2k hour engine like most home standby generators use would burn up in 250 or less, and electronic throttle control is a requirement to get 20kw out of a residential LNG line. Despite not being fun when a board goes out, the lifetime cost is lower and reliability higher compared to mechanical systems.
I've had generators to run my house for years. Once they came out with the tri-fuel kits I now can run gas, propane, or natural gas. Mine id basically natural gas. Just pull out the gen, plug in the gas line and away you go. No need to shut down to refuel. I used to horde up 30 gallons or so of gas for the winter if needed and then burn it thru the truck in summer. Great videos and yes you have saved me time money and frustration over the years. Thank you for that.
Regards
Myren
Great video as usual. Funny, I have exact same gen as you, bought it because of Honda engine. Well worth extra money. I do run only ethanol free fuel in all my small engines though.
So glad you carrying on with videos with changes in your life going on.
Thanks to you I do run my generator every month to make sure it will start, keeping the battery up. Also my snow blower ( like the one you repaired for a family member). Yes I used it in November here in Kansas to remove 9 inches of wet snow. Thanks again!
Same for Oklahoma also
Have to be prepared for anything 😊
Another guideline is to get a generator with enough power capacity so that you are using 65% to 75% of rated power. You don't want these to run flat out for hours on end.
I have a 15000w for this reason. Runs 60a constant. But I only usually pull 15-40amps. It powers whole house. Fridge, freezers, heatpumps, hot water, kitchen stove, all lights... Only thing is it burns 40L in like 16 hours. So it's costly. Around 100$ a day.
I agree and I run one 12 hours and then switch over to another one, then service the one I just shut down so it’s ready, easy enough
@@philliphall5198 I ran my gas generac literally almost non stop 18 days after a 2012 Hurricane destroyed my town. I maintained it with the highest quality oil+Lucas stabilizer, premium spark plug. That baby runs til this day with ease. We had small children under 5 at the time. I couldn't have them in the dark & losing 2 fridges full of milk & food they needed.
@@Wormanattiright. In Louisiana I run the hell out of mine after storms also. Around the clock. Other than fueling. After that she gets her break and cleaned and tuned up awaiting the next
YESSS !!!!😊
I fabricated and assembled my own home generator from various parts .
Could have bought a Generac 20kw with all the bells and whistles but decided to do my own even though it cost me even more.
I want to do all my own repairs and maintenance and not be pressured into buying crap I don't need.
I know everything I need to know about my generator since I built it.
From fabricating the aluminum cabinet and steel frame . Converting a Predator v-Twinn 22 HP to run on propane to mounting a NorthStar brushless generator head. Using Solid solenoid fuel valve and a few relays.
The heart of my system is the DeepSea Electronics controller , DSE 7320 , the battery maintainer and the DSE 855 communication module.
Fabricated the mounting brackets for a mini 40 amp alternator.
So much has gone into my system including the transfer switch and added generator breakers and box next to the Main box.
I'm proud of my work and have needed it 5 times since completion of its build.
I've also added a second 500 gallon propane tank just for the generator adding the Remote Ready sensor to the dial connecting to the DSE 7320 controller .
Since I use an air cooled engine I installed a oil temperature sensor in the oil cooler line to remotely read engine temperature.
Thank you for this most important information. much respest.
I have an 11 kW Generac standby generator (natural gas). When I bought this house, a local store owner said it's real windy up on that hill. Be ready for power outages. First wind storm the power was out for 3 days. That's when I had the Generac installed. Winter and summer, it runs everything in the house during frequent outages (longest so far was 8 days). Automatic start, when the power goes out. Exercises for 12 minutes every week. It is installed right outside my home office window, and is quiet. Particularly when compared to the neighbors' very noisy gas generators that are 75 to 190 feet distant! Maintenance twice per year, mainly oil, filter changes, and battery checks. Two batteries replaced in 13 years.
Great video! Lots of great information. Thank you Chickanic!
I’m a lineman for a power company. With climate change & more frequent storms/ power interruptions. The smart person will have a back up power supply. I bought the largest inverter generator available in a Honda for my house (EU7000is). Not only is it an insurance policy you hope you never need? In case you do it’s there. I have been to many job site, personal homes & businesses. Other than an automatic stand by generator. Stand by for me in an association is not an option. Your best bet is a roll out. When I’m out working suicide shifts the last thing I want to hear is my phone ringing with my wife on the other end. Our generator runs the entire house. I can run my 2-1/2 ton central air in the summer as well as the rest of the house. My wife can run a load of laundry as well as cook something in the oven. I don’t care. All I know is when I get home from work I can take a warm shower & crawl under the covers. It’s peace of mind.
I use marine grade Stabil & StarTron fuel enzyme in my ethenol fuel. My genny sits inside a steel enclosure locked away from prying eyes. I have an auxiliary fuel tank that buys me 48 hours of run time on economy mode. I have a trickle charger on it 24/7. I replace the battery every three years. It’s wired into my circuit breaker panel with an inter-lock switch. I have a hard wire remote circuit so my wife can turn it on & off within the safety of our home. When it’s running I barely notice it is on. On standard mode it runs at 58 decibels & 54 decibels on economy load. I hardly notice we are on generator?
Last thing I want to hear is the generator won’t start? Hence why I bought the best.
Have the same generator and love it. We use an interlock switch to protect you guys on the line, but to choose also what we want to feed. You guys, by the way are saints. Thank you for all you do!
@@barbaraburke6682 Thank you Barbara! It’s nice to be appreciated!
Do you know there are lots of accessories you can buy for the Honda generators? I have a wired remote from Honda. An auxiliary fuel tank & manetic dip stick from an outside supplier.
I have a trickle charger. I bought the lift kit, service manual & complete set of replacement spare parts.
I have yet to do more than oil changes & replace the battery on my genny. It starts & runs everytime. We use Honda inverters at work & they get banged around with stale fuel & they start everytime.
I’m with you. I love my Honda inverter genny too
As an emergency management professional and part on the emergency operations center for a large county. This is important information being shared. Thank you Chickanic.
I have that exact size Black Max generator here in NH. it runs my entire house except for the dryer. I have a gas stove and a gas furnace, all LED lights and low wattage TVs. I plug that in and start it up and except for the noise my house runs as usual. I love it!
We lost power frequently in Powhatan VA so I bought the BlackMax 7K/8750 Watt that's shown in this video with the Honda Engine. The Honda motor started every time & ran smooth as silk, but after 12 years of regular use the electric generating portion blew up& I had to get a new one. The Yamaha is incredible! It starts just as easily as the Honda but runs so smoothly. It was about $1500 but it just runs perfectly. I did take the standard wheels off & added locking caster wheels which makes it so much easier to move around and locking them in place helps so it doesn't move that much. Give a Yamaha a try & you'll be hooked.
One of my maintenance jobs at the beginning of each month is to turn over the generator and allow it to run for a half hour. It’s no big problem, but I’m not crazy about the chore during the winter. Oh, well, during outages I’m grateful I have to do it.
We use a bunch of small power banks like those solar generators and hardly ever fire up the gas generator. And we lost grid power a lot out here in the country. Summer and winter.
Thanks for the heads up! Will be testing generator, portable gas heaters, and carbon monoxide detectors today!
Back in 1994 I went through an earthquake that knocked out power for 3 1/2 days (and caused massive property damage). I had a Honda EM3000 generator that ran everything I needed it to. If not for having a full tank of gas in the boat to draw from it would have been useless. Think about where your fuel will come from if there are no gas stations in operation. There were no inverter generators or lithium power stations back then. Open frame 3600 rpm generators are really loud and can have a lot of harmonic distortion. It doesn't cost much these days to get a quiet inverter generator (powered by a gas engine). Might consider getting one while you still can.
Good information that I didn’t know , thank you for sharing this .
Hello from northern Wisconsin,
I dealt with power outages for years using small generators. While these worked ok, finally permanently installed a 35kw Winco generator driven by a Chrysler 225 Slant 6 engine. This unit is fully automatic which is nice. It runs on natural gas, no fuel system problems. I can run my shop and home with power to spare. 😊
pto here in the Waupaca area.
Always a good idea to have a power backup strategy! Thanks for the reminder Bree.
You have put out another great informative video. I have several generators. I bought the first as a backup when we lose power. The outages are getting progressively longer each storm that we have. It is wired with a proper power inlet out side my house. Our freezer, refrigerator, microwave and several lights are powered by the transfer switch panel. Not everything is powered by the generator. We couldn't agree more about the need to have a generator to keep us comfortable when needed. I have two inverter generators to use with our RV.
Installed a Generac whole house unit earlier this year. Also have a portable backup generator if i run out of propane!
Same here, I started with a 6KW gas generator and a transfer switch, ran that setup for years. Recently, I purchased a whole home 20KW standby propane generator, kept my transfer switch box, and my gas generator as backup in case propane runs out and can't get a delivery.
Great video with a lot of great info! I grew up in the country and the power went out often. We never could convince my dad to get a generator. After I grew up and bought a house, I bought a small 3500w generator for it, large enough for the furnace, fridge, lights, etc. The next year, a hurricane hit. I was fine, but ended up loaning my generator to my dad for over a week. Only after that, did he finally decide that having a generator might be worth it. People really need to be pro-active about handling emergencies.
I regretfully live in Florida and rode out our last hurricane, we lost power for just over 2 weeks, and thankfully have a 8000w portable generator. I purchased a small AC window unit and shut off most of the house . It kept us comfortable from the heat and humidity, plus we were able to run lights and the refrigerator too! The biggest problem is the cost!!! Approximately $40 a day in gas, plus we had to drive 35 miles to find a gas station with gas, that was open ( we live in a rural area)
Thats why I keep 40 gals of gas on hand
get a dual fuel generator and run propane, you can get a big tank that'll last weeks
Man, $40 in gas/day is nothing in a situation like that. How much would a room at a hotel (with power) cost? If one could even be found. To be able to stay in your own place, keep somewhat comfy & protect your stuffs; that's a steal! P.S. never regret living in Fla!
@@laboulesdebleu8335 I beleive I said 40 gallons thats eight 5 gallon gas cans full and that will run me for a long time and I always top off all my other equipment and can drain it if neccesary and if I have to I can use my 2 cycle gas
@@wanderer418 Sure. My reply was to OP.
Better to be prepared and have it then need it and not have ! My wife is on oxygen 24/7. So I have a generac as back up power plus a backup concentrator and oxygen tanks. Getting ready to buy a d/f remote start inverter genny asap. One day we spent all her tanks up on dr visits and shopping. The following day w/o reason we lost power for 6hrs during this time her oxygen supplier hadn't shown up. My 10yr old son with a neighbor helping SAVED HER LIFE by getting the generator going.
Thankyou someone finally told how Stabil works, instead of saying it just does not work , The key is do not slosh gas around. Thank you so much love your channel
We went with a whole house Generac two years ago. Totally automatic.
Depending on the model, The $500 control board is know to go after the 5-year warranty!
It’s not just movies. They have been doing this for decades. Thanks for putting it out there.
Great information! Merry Christmas 🎄🙏🏿🇺🇸
I got a 12kw generator that runs on NG.... hopefully I'm good. I keep the maintenance on it, and it runs its weekly exercise cycle without fail.
I have been in Home Depot during a mass power outage due to ice storms. Seeing their clerks hand out 79 tickets to the people who will be able to stand in line for one of the 79 generators on the truck made me feel sorry for the next 80 people coming in. I was glad I just needed to pick up some wire to connect the furnace power line.
Thanks for the update and explaining how the inverter generators and power banks work. I have considered an inverter to have for smaller work, but will probably just roll those funds toward a power bank
The time to buy a generator is not when you need it? You shop for one when there are no storms forecast. That way you get the right model instead of one that came off a truck at the last minute. It took my dealer 12 weeks to source a brand new genny for me because no one could buy one. Honda was backed up 6 months or more. My dealer found it in the basement of a dealer in another state. He picked it up & delivered it all in one day. I had already had paid for it in full at the time.
@@johnclyne6350exactly. I rotate through several gas cans all year between equipment and topping off vehicles. I shouldn’t have to go for a fill up for a few days even running wide open.
Thanks for just giving us the info in a clear and concise way without a bunch of filler or fluff. I appreciate your straight to the point and matter of fact way of explaining things.
Good info, as usual. Just a couple of things that you didn't cover explicitly. Propane is a good fuel source. Doesn't go stale and doesn't cause carb issues. In my opinion, the biggest pro for inverter generators is they produce a good clean sine wave so they're safe for electronics. Just about everything has sensitive electronics these days, including fridges. A friend of mine destroyed his fridge, I think because he was using a crappy generator.
And thanks for the movie recommendation!
I wouldn't consider a smart fridge for a second
@@stevieg2755it doesn't need to be " smart " (ie, wifi, inside camera, huge touch screen etc) it just needs to have a switch mode power supply and a DC variable speed motor driving the compressor which is very common these days. Your typical PFC single speed AC motor driving the compressor is not as common anymore but they are more forgiving of crappy generator power.
I put a tri fuel carburetor , and use natural gas. I use several stabilizer devices for electronic equipment.
@@Bassguitarist1985 good advice about new fridges -- like mine-- I do have a small OLD garage fridge. I might be the best route. Just move the necessary (& expensive) stuff to the small fridge and don't run the fancy fridge on generator.
I have 2 generators that I always use non ethanol fuel in with stabil. Both have not had to be used in 4 years, but every 6 months or so I start them and they both start on the 2nd or 3rd pull. This year we had to finally use one and it ran perfectly for 6 days in a row. This video has reminded me that I need to go re do the process I used last time so it is ready to go next time it’s needed.
I moved to a dual fuel generator since I got tired of having to do carb cleanings and rebuilds every few years. Propane with an electric start is a nice thing when it's 12 outside and your power is out for two days. A whole house unit will be our next upgrade but they aren't cheap!
Unless you know so.eone like me that has a 12kw onan propane or nat gas with the switchgear for sale.....
Generally speaking, the whole home generator installation is equal to the cost of the generator. A lot depends on the generator size (kw, air cooled or liquid cooled), location relative to the home’s electrical connection, location of propane or diesel tank, etc.
We had a 22kw Generac installed 4 years ago due to unreliable utility power. Soon adding solar panel farm to charge a battery array. This will become the first power source followed by the Generac on propane as the second. This will provide power for about four weeks depending on load and fuel supplies.
Of course, an EMP will negate all of this and depending on the size/power of the pulse, it won’t matter how it is mitigated, your personal grid will be toast.
converted my Wen 400i to natural gas / propane here...demand regulator seems to keep the fuel air mix correct across various loads.
@@RollinMyOwn What are you asking for the onan ?
Te whole thing switch gear and everything (including maintenance reports and operating and installation books it was properly maintained and only has 500 hours total)$ 3500 because I don't want it to sit around and not be used.
I've just upgraded my Honda generator I purchased new in 2002. All new ignition coil, on/off switch, low oil sensor, carb and engine mounts. 👍
That smallest Gen *Will Run Your Heat* if you have a gas furnace. All it has to run is the exhaust fans, thermostat & the main air mover. I run mine with a ~2000 watt inverter gen. Also runs some lights, internet, small fridge, & entertainment. Great vid
I had a cord and wall plug put on my gas heater unit
Just unplug and plug into HD cord to generator 😊
Good video. I set a reminder in my phone to start and run my generator every six weeks. I get out a small electric heater to put a load on it, run it for about 15-20 minutes while I clean up my garage. I always have the battery removed and on a tender. Simple enough, it ensures that the gen will be ready when I need it.
I run some power equipment off my generator every month just to keep everything flowing, so when I really need it for power I know it will work. Plus I keep the electric start battery on a battery tender when not in use.
Same here..... battery tender is a must!
I have a gasoline powered 7600watt portable generator, and found that when I use 91 octane premium no-lead, I don't have any problems with it, and I don't have to use Stabil or SeaFoam type products any more. It will stay fresh in the gas tanks of all my small engines here on my farm, so that's all I order for our 300 gal gas barrel. Works for every gas engine here, from tiller to mowers to chain saws to boat to antique tractors to 600 bushel grain truck.
Also, when I run the portable generator for remote needs (we now have a 20kw whole house generator), I shut the gas valve off, and when it about dies, I pull the choke out to make it pull out more from the bowl.
On Point! Thanks
Thanks for the timely reminder. I’m getting outs out this afternoon while the weather is nice. Time to change out the fuel and power up some equipment. Not only making sure it will start reliably but also exercise the generation components.
Just a few minutes ago I got done with the monthly exercising runs on my backup generators then I found this video. I do the same thing that you do as far as turning off the fuel supply valve and let the engine quit due to fuel starvation, I take it one step further. After turning off the fuel supply I wait until the engine starts to quit then I turn on the choke and the engine starts back up and runs out that small amount of fuel that was remaining in the carburetor.
Enjoy your channel. You are absolutely right about getting a generator and or a power pack. Living rural we have both.
Thanks you do have an easy watch and informative channel. Thanks Dave and Rosemary
One difference between the generators and the "power stations" is that the latter only have their rated power. Once that's used up, you must recharge it. Generators supply their rated power as long as they are running for as long as you have fuel or are refueled. The power stations do have value however. You can use a generator to recharge the power station then shut the generator off.
Assuming you have not had a proper generator transfer switch installed in your house wiring, you need to think of extension cords. Some 12/3 120v cords, but also if you want to supply, say a water heater, you'll need a 10/3 240v cord with the correct connector for your generator 240v outlet. You'll need more extension cords than you think and they need to be long enough to get the generator away from the door or window. Or look at how you'll get extension cords into the house before the power is out.
Do not back feed your house wiring without a properly installed transfer switch. If the linemen discover you back feeding from your house, they will cut down your tri-plex from the transformer and you go to the bottom of the list for power restoration, often only after paying a hefty fine. and if your backfeed kills a lineman, well....
Great discussion. Shop is starting to come together.
Propane (and/or natural gas) is a great option for stationary generators. No need to worry about the carbs!
100% correct Propane or Natural gas is the way to go
Many times when great numbers of homes are damaged and have ruptured pipes the gas co. Will shut off nat gas. I had no otber option but propane. Some subdivions just 1/2 mile away have nat gas.Hurricane Laura flattened about 10% of homes around this area.
I have 2 generators. One is a dual fuel but I only use propane in it and have 4 of the 20 pound tanks for it. The other is a slightly larger unit at 5000 watts gasoline only that I keep drained of fuel. I do keep some fuel for it as I need a fair amount for all the lawn equipment so it gets cycled out during the summer months, really not used much from December to March. I plan on using the propane to I run out , then going to the gas generator. If it will not start, I can always fuel up the propane/gas unit on gasoline if needed. I do only buy the ethanol free fuel for the small engines and put in the Sta-bil needed or not.
I’ve been saying this stuff for years my family doesn’t believe me. I’ve been trying to prepare, but things are hard. You sound perfect 😅😅
You are the BEST!
Propane is the way to go. My Hondas say the are inverter generators but the large one is loud and the small ones are not quite. Thanks for your great advice. Everytime I get ready to buy a solar generator something new hits the market.
I went with a 16kw generac propane. Hurricane Laura had us out for 2 1/2 weeks. Due to regs could only have a 125 gal tank, ran for 4 days. Had trouble getting my supplier to come for refill. Had two 5kw gas units for freezer and a smoll portable a/c unit. Finally found an out of town tanker to fill up my tank. He came by every 3 days to top us up. Since then I now have an added 125 gal tank. Should keep us for at least 6 to 7 days.😅
Generac standby on LNG in tornado alley has saved us many times .Fantastic product.
We have a newer gas furnace, and we had a "regular generator" I used for the old furnace. I spoke to the dealer, and he told us the manufacture said to run off an inverter generator (more of a true sign wave). According to the them, a "regular" generator could damage the electronics and void the warranty. Just something to check on when shopping for a generator. Enjoy your videos!
If damage happens,,, LIE!
Nice video. IMO, a 3-4 bdrm house wants a >15 kWh battery reserve. That feeds a 4 kW inverter. W/ a 5 kW+ gasoline generator back up. Been testing this out on our 5th wheeler trailer. And you are correct that gas gennies need regular TLC. I fire ours up every ~3 months for an hour, & have it serviced once a year. I live in central Florida "Hurricane Alley".
Generac make whole house generators as well. Having them auto switch and running on Natural gas or propane is slick. If you tap into your electric panel make sure to shut off your main so you don't backfeed power to the grid. A lineman will appreciate that.
Also, when starting the generator that is hooked up to your house, make sure the circuit breakers are off. If you start the generator and there is an immediate load, you could damage the generator.
All sparkies / linesman should know the Golden Rule " TEST BEFORE YOU TOUCH" G'day from Queensland Australia. 👍
A Generac installed with the transfer switch takes care of this.
It is either/or. Your main panel cannot be hooked to both at the same time.
I had a brand new Predator generator, the biggest 1 they sold,when my house burnt, we ran that thing 24/7 for almost 3 months of winter by the camper in our driveway, never missed a beat & I still use it during power outages, it’s been like 4-5 years since the fire, so suprised, but works like a dream
Thank for the info! Interesting, my wife and I were just talking about getting a generator a couple of days ago. I’m leaning toward the battery powered type with a solar charging panel. Congrats on your very own new shop, by the way!
Wow, this was more helpful than the last dozen videos I watched trying to learn about backups. Thanks
Great video, don't forget about THD "total harmonic distortion" in generators. You really want to keep it under 5% but it's hard to find a good price point portable generator with low THD. Northerntool has some and I went with a Champion 100520 and converted to natural gas/propane. NOTE: the conversion to natural gas you will lose about 20% of your rated watts over gasoline, but take that in consideration on your watts needed calculation.
I was going to say this. I've been looking for somthing, but the reviews and the options are endless.
A little THC instead and no one will notice...
If you're not concerned about noise, they make open frame inverter generators which gives you the best of both worlds. Also, A soft start kit will reduce the LRA of a compressor by as much as 75% allowing you to use your generator to power your AC or heat pump.
An other very informative video. Thank you. I have had a portable generator for 25 years. It’s a god sent when you need it. Starts up one pull every time. Is a Colman with a brigs engine. I always run it dry and test it four times a year. Cheers. I also use stable.
You forgot a couple of other good ones: and 2019 Netflix released a movie called contagion I believe, 10 months later, Covid was introduced to the world. X-Files had a spinoff series, called the lone gunman. Their pilot episode was about hijackers taking two planes and flying them into the World Trade Center sparking, a war between the US and Iraq, six months later 911 happened.. can’t make this stuff up.
I keep a 2000W Honda inverter generator and a 3000W Honda with the gas completely drained from the tank and the carburetor and ready to go if there is any issues. Live in FL and Hurricane season is when we mostly need them. Good video.
For those portable power banks.
Most now use LiFePO4 batteries - these aren't risky like normal lithium ion batteries.
Also - most of them need ~3 monthly charging and have parasitic battery draw when turned on - so the ontime may not be as long as you might otherwise calculate.
Bre, again great video. I have a stand - by generator since after the 2003 Northeast black out. 20 years of peace and mind. After about 2 1/2 days of NO electricity, I decided to get one. Just a little bit of maintenance yearly and no problem. If I can do it, anyone can. If any of your viewers have any medical conditions, such as I do, I highly recommend them to get one.
If you install a soft start kit on your a/c condensing unit, your generator will start and run it. There's a channel here on UA-cam called DIY HVAC Guy that has great videos and he explains how to do it.
From the same youtube channel, for natural gas heat, a backup battery CAN run the whole house fan. So you can have heat with a backup battery.
I moved to a homestead out in the sticks 27 years ago and bought a Honda commercial job site generator. I use it 2-3x per year. Still starts right up and runs great.
Some people want a whole house generator but figuring out the total house wattage is the most important thing to do the other thing is what type of fuel is the other thing is important because of the engine horsepower The best UA-cam channel that that talks about generator is James condon
Whole house is nice but I bet it is very expensive fuel wise. I have never seen how much it cost per hour or day gor those whole house systems.
When the power goes out a few of my neighbors start up their generators and it sounds like a freaking circus. I have a Westinghouse 1000 power station and their trifold solar panel. When I here those generators fire up, I plug in my Marshall amplifier and play guitar for them, it's much louder than their generators😊 If the power stays out too long they're going to run out of gas and I'll still be blasting my guitar.
Evidently you can add inertia to a small generator by spinning up a bench grinder, which will momentarily run as an alternator when starting another large load. Inductive motors can do interesting things. I'd love to see this in practice.
Oh! I gotta try this!
me to
Similarly it in possible to parallel non inverter generators, but is rather complicated. If the voltage, frequency, and phase are in sync, they'll lock together like a single engine. Don't try this at home.
Spinning up a bench grinder. I wanna see vids if this!
Bre, good info and video. My rule is to ALWAYS use non-oxy fuel for all of my small engines. I also add Seafoam at about 1oz per gallon. The non-oxy lasts MUCH longer than regular gas. Just make sure to get it from a non-mixer pump as you mentioned in an earlier video. Everyone has their own "secret formula" for small engine fuel but this has always worked for me. I refresh my non-oxy every 6 months or so. Just dump the old in the truck and fill the cans with fresh.
I’ve had a Honda E2000i since about 2015. It has eco mode and is pretty easy to service. Plug, air filter, oil, and carb are all easy access. It will run my refrigerator during power outages. It will run 8hrs on a little over a gallon of gas. I test it monthly to make sure it stays running well.
Check out the extended run kit for the EU series.
I have one of these at my cabin and a Yamaha 2200 at home.
Love your channel. Love my dual fuel generators never run pump gasoline in them again.
Bre did briefly mention a transfer switch, but I think it is worth mentioning, please do not connect a generator to your home wiring unless you can do it safely with a transfer switch. Improper generator connection can backfeed the electric grid and electocute the lineman trying to fix it.
Not only that, you power your next door neighbors TV and popcorn machine! Seriously, just shut off your main breaker and drive on...
This needs to be pinned! Backfeeding and suicide/murder cables are never acceptable.
If the linemen did their job to begin with maybe it wouldn't need fixin'.. They deserve what they get..... hahahahaha Just use an interlock kit,, problem solved..
I skipped out on the transfer switch and went through my electrical company and they put a switch/connector in front of my regular meter that will allow me to hook my generator to, once they know what type of generator you have they supply the cable that connects to your generator all you need is your fuel supply and stage the generator. When the power goes out I turn off the main power supply and the remaining rockers and connect the cable to the generator and I switch all the rockets back on one at a time minus the 220v, plus I'm running everything that runs on 120v throughout the house with 2 of the largest portable AC from Lowe's. I had it installed about 7+ years ago and haven't had a problem.
Great video Bre!
@@oabrown9044 it's 240 not 220.. there is a huge difference.. Nevertheless.. Have you had a meter switch for 7 years?? Did you have to pay for it?
Oh me oh my, you usually make me feel good, not desperate!! Good reminder to check the system function. Cheers. R>
The best thing you can do for your generator is run it every couple months with some kind of load on it. A small electric heater works great for that. Only need to run it for 20 - 25 minutes when you do. Letting them sit until you need it is not a good idea.
Exactly as you say. Data centers have big diesel units, but they have scheduled maintenance and run test to ensure they can kick in when it is needed to.
@@szplI used to work a mechanical piping job and we would rehab city sewage pump stations. Every station that had a generator or diesel powered emergency bypass pump would exercise them every Wednesday for 1 hour
Thank you so much for all of the information you share!!!
Yahoo it’s chickanic
Welp, this is the best post I've seen on your channel, I don't comment a lot but felt compelled to so here, Thank you.
This is all well and good but unless you have an unlimited supply of gas these generators are best suited for short term power outages.
yeah when it gets over a day try to find a station pumping gasoline Its so bad in my state the state made a law that gas stations now need to invest in emergency generators so they can power the pumps. Why don't the make a law that electric utilities have to pay all costs for outages over 1/2 day. When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's , back when American was Great, before deregulation cause "we don't need no stinkin laws buisness knows best gov't bad" we didn't have outages all the time I think I remember like 2 we found some old kerosene lamps to use (we had a kerosene heater for part of the house, ekkkk). Now we are spending $5,000, $10,000 to subsidize 'privatized' utilities pulling in double digit profits, and even our gasoline prices are going up so they can subsidize them.
Luv the message - great motivational reminder to be and stay ready.
'DIY solar power with Will Prowse' is an excellent channel for inverter and battery information.
'John Daniel' is another.
My system is fairly small at 10kwh LiFePO4 battery bank and a 6kw split phase inverter. But it's just for the workshop. I can run power tools for a week or two, and then run the generator for a couple of hours to recharge. I haven't added solar or wind to help the generator yet either.
LiFePO4 battery technology is much less prone to the fire issues.
YES and YES. Inspired by my battery operated tools I went battery backup with a tiny elec start inverter gen to recharge them if need be, hope to add solar some day.
My wife and I have a Predator 8750 inverter generator (Harbor Freight). We have used it a few times in the past year or so due to power outages. It runs the whole house, including 2 deep freezers, but if we want to run the water heater, we shut off most of the other circuits for about a half hour. We haven’t had any trouble yet with the Predator.
Another little bonus is having a plug in on your back porch so your generator can feed straight into your electrical panel, allowing a few circutes in the house that you can feed into for optional creature comforts without extension cords.
The power company frowns on you feeding power back into the electrical panel like that. If you don't kill the main circuit breakers to the power line coming in to the panel, it can feed power back out your panel and down the lines that workmen may be working on. That could result in their electrocution.
I'm aware of the procedures to do it safely. I have them posted inside the panel as well. Let them frown all they want.@@Bellboy40
Not very smart without a load transfer switch.
This was a great topic and a well organized presentation (starting at a basic level and then moving logically forward with possible solutions).
I feel like I now know what information I need to gather to make a decision that meets my needs.
Thank you for publishing this.
I should also add that I found several of the comments from viewers very helpful as well.
Just think what a drain all those damn electric cars are going to have on the grid 😡😡😡😡😡
When the power goes out you can use the car to supple power to your house.
Um yeah, uncle sleepy Joe is a freaking genius... 🙄
Nick Saban loves your channel.......and battery inverters.
What a timely video for me as I have all of the above but am recalculating my needs at the moment, thanks!