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VexXx Dogg
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Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 9:49 am

EDIT (See thread opinion summary at bottom of first post)

So splitting this discussion from any TTEC thread, simply because I think we're at a point where some of us need to consider having an emergency home generator for ANY unforeseen events.

(Isolated, not mains connected)

Island wide power failures
Localised power failures
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
etc

If 12 hours had us like fishes out of water, imagine in a natural disaster where it can be days?


Are there any helpful online tools that you can help choose a properly sized generator for your needs?
What are some cost effective brands?
What are issues to be aware of?
How often should it be serviced/run/maintained, and what does that entail?

I'm assuming most single-family houses locally would want to run about 6-8 lights, 2-3 fans, 1-2 fridges/freezer and possibly small appliances on demand.

Brands that I'm seeing available in hardwares/pricesamart/tool stores
Ingco
Total
A-ipower
Pulsar


Persons with experience, feel free to chime in. We can help each other find the right solution for our needs.



Summary of options

Tier 0 Entry
Small 2stroke generator 1000w
Extension cords
Power for lights, fans, light appliances
Budget est 2-3K
Inverter generator option would be closer to 4-5k


Tier I Basic
Small 2stroke generator 2000w
Extension cords
Power for lights, fans, 1 fridge, possibly**** 1/2 hp pump (pump may be pushing it)
Budget est 3K
Inverter generator option would be closer to 5k


Tier II Midrange
Midspec 4 stroke generator 3000-4000w
Extension cords
Power for lights, fans, up to 2 fridge, water pump
Budget est 4-5K
Inverter generator option will be closer to 8-10k


Tier II Midrange (integrated/ manual ATS)
Midspec 4 stroke generator 3000-4000w
Integrated wiring with manual ATS
TTEC PERMISSION NEEDED
Power for lights, fans, up to 2 fridge, water pump
Budget est 10k
Inverter generator option will be closer to 15k


Tier III High spec (integrated/manual or auto ATS)
Higher spec generator 9000w
Integrated wiring with manual or automatic ATS
TTEC PERMISSION NEEDED
Power for a medium house
Budget starts at 30-40k
Last edited by VexXx Dogg on February 24th, 2022, 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby *KRONIK* » February 17th, 2022, 9:53 am

In for info

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby teems1 » February 17th, 2022, 9:57 am

Don't many people who live high up in the northern range already depend on diesel generators for power.

I wonder if they ever upgraded to solar panels + battery bank to supplement.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby X_Factor » February 17th, 2022, 10:06 am

I am looking into the 2000w inverter type gas powered generators available on amazon

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Redman » February 17th, 2022, 10:09 am

My brother in New Orleans thought he was set.
He had a generator, but had to take a 3 hr drive to get fuel every day, until power was restored


As yesterday showed the gas stations will go down so there will very limited fuel supply.

So we will need to consider that in the mix.

How much liquid fuel can you store long term?

So IMHO LPG/Propane generator with a appropriately sized tank installed

Amazon has a 4 pack Eveready LED lamps for 30 ish, and 100 pks of Amazon Basics AA batteries for 24 usd

Each lamp runs 16 hrs on 3 AA.

Stocking up on the batteries seems rather cheap, the package looks logical
Last edited by Redman on February 17th, 2022, 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby 88sins » February 17th, 2022, 10:11 am

Always good to have a backup power source, but imho, a few things to consider with generators

1-They need fuel to run, and fuel stored for long periods can go bad, and in a shtf situation fuel shortages can potentially cripple your ability to have power. As long as you keep cycling your reserve this can be avoided to some extent
2-They need to be run to occasionally to prevent them from seizing up and serviced
3-Noise and fumes. Many of the cheaper units available are very loud, so you may need to place it a good distance from your home to mitigate some of that noise, but you can't have your genny disturbing your neighbors.

All in all, once those things have been taken into consideration, if going with a smaller/cheaper unit, I recommend getting a unit capable of at least a 120v 30a output per outlet if you plan to run a household and have a fridge on it. those little ones with that can only generate 10a will trip the moment your fridge/water pump comes on

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Ripe Chenette » February 17th, 2022, 10:14 am

I could imagine businesses raising prices for generators with the increased demand following the blackout yesterday.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby 88sins » February 17th, 2022, 10:19 am

Ripe Chenette wrote:I could imagine businesses raising prices for generators with the increased demand following the blackout yesterday.

that will only happen if they see the demand suddenly spike and hold steady. but considering that yesterday's blackout was what can be considered an anomaly I highly doubt there will be a mad rush for generators to trigger an increase.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby timelapse » February 17th, 2022, 10:21 am

Total has one for less than $3000.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby MG Man » February 17th, 2022, 10:25 am

I like the idea of solar but I suspect banks of batteries to store power would be prohibitively expensive for most

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Redman » February 17th, 2022, 10:26 am

I went to get the propane tanks filled- as it happens both needed to be pressure tested.

A pressure test is 234.75 they didnt say if that included a refill
And they selling new tanks,filled for 375.

Just FYI

ETA

Ramco has their own back up generators- so they might be able to deliver truck born LPG/Propane for refills in the event of widespread power loss kills liquid fuel supply chain.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 11:19 am

Some fuel stations have backup generators.
I think the new one in Preysal roundabout is one of em.

That one is maybe a 20 minute riding distance for me. 40 min round trip

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 11:20 am

88sins wrote:Always good to have a backup power source, but imho, a few things to consider with generators

1-They need fuel to run, and fuel stored for long periods can go bad, and in a shtf situation fuel shortages can potentially cripple your ability to have power. As long as you keep cycling your reserve this can be avoided to some extent
2-They need to be run to occasionally to prevent them from seizing up and serviced
3-Noise and fumes. Many of the cheaper units available are very loud, so you may need to place it a good distance from your home to mitigate some of that noise, but you can't have your genny disturbing your neighbors.

All in all, once those things have been taken into consideration, if going with a smaller/cheaper unit, I recommend getting a unit capable of at least a 120v 30a output per outlet if you plan to run a household and have a fridge on it. those little ones with that can only generate 10a will trip the moment your fridge/water pump comes on


Great points here

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Chimera » February 17th, 2022, 11:20 am

VexXx Dogg wrote:Some fuel stations have backup generators.
I think the new one in Preysal roundabout is one of em.

That one is maybe a 20 minute riding distance for me. 40 min round trip
They have a massive bank of solar panels and back up batteries. They were the only station I saw open yesterday evening

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 11:22 am

https://www.pricesmart.com/site/tt/en/pdp/445000

Image

this one is a little on the pricey side, but has 4200W continuous power.
9 hr runtime @ 50% load
13 hours @ 25%

4 gallon capacity

Looks like it fits the metrics in my first post?

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby K74T » February 17th, 2022, 11:29 am

St. Christopher's on Wrightson Road has generators as well.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby solarkh » February 17th, 2022, 11:30 am

Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby 88sins » February 17th, 2022, 11:57 am

solarkh wrote:Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.

Until you come to the realization that not everywhere sells or everybody keeps propane & if you run out during an emergency you are as good as screwed.
If going that route, better to keep at minimum 2 large tanks on hand

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby demented » February 17th, 2022, 12:03 pm

PROCOM in Point Lisas has complete residential systems with ATS (Automatic Transfer Switches) which will be required by T&TEC.
https://www.procomtt.com/products/power-generation

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Redman » February 17th, 2022, 12:10 pm

88sins wrote:
solarkh wrote:Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.

Until you come to the realization that not everywhere sells or everybody keeps propane & if you run out during an emergency you are as good as screwed.
If going that route, better to keep at minimum 2 large tanks on hand


I was thinking the Restaurant sized bullet tanks?

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Wolfgang123 » February 17th, 2022, 12:11 pm

VexXx Dogg wrote:https://www.pricesmart.com/site/tt/en/pdp/445000

Image

this one is a little on the pricey side, but has 4200W continuous power.
9 hr runtime @ 50% load
13 hours @ 25%

4 gallon capacity

Looks like it fits the metrics in my first post?

Have a 12,000 watt version to this with 220 outlet for sale, barely used, 7 hours of run time asking $9,000 neg

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby Sundar » February 17th, 2022, 12:35 pm

What if, I have an inverter + a small 12V battery + a fan motor + a alternator for small accessories. and a simple generator to run on LPG.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby alfa » February 17th, 2022, 12:59 pm

88sins wrote:
solarkh wrote:Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.

Until you come to the realization that not everywhere sells or everybody keeps propane & if you run out during an emergency you are as good as screwed.
If going that route, better to keep at minimum 2 large tanks on hand

Will those work on regular lpg aka cooking gas?

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 1:05 pm

I like the idea of propane generator, provided it can be safely converted to work with LPG. Always have at least two full LPG tanks on standby.

Any links to compare pricing? The gas powered ones are fairly cheap - seem to hover around $1TTD per watt.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 1:06 pm

demented wrote:PROCOM in Point Lisas has complete residential systems with ATS (Automatic Transfer Switches) which will be required by T&TEC.
https://www.procomtt.com/products/power-generation


For this we're keeping the scope simple.
Generator to power isolated circuits for emergencies.

That kinda solution is prob for businesses and big budget home power.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby nick639v2 » February 17th, 2022, 1:18 pm

88sins wrote:
solarkh wrote:Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.

Until you come to the realization that not everywhere sells or everybody keeps propane & if you run out during an emergency you are as good as screwed.
If going that route, better to keep at minimum 2 large tanks on hand


My in-laws has their Cummins 30kw on 2 100lb lpg cylinders. Estimated runtime at 70% load which is the entire house acs, pumps and ponds everything is around 36hrs.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby adnj » February 17th, 2022, 1:21 pm

solarkh wrote:Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.
You'll want dual fuel (LPG/gasoline). It is easy to find, transfer and transport gasoline. Not so much with LPG.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby adnj » February 17th, 2022, 1:24 pm

VexXx Dogg wrote:
demented wrote:PROCOM in Point Lisas has complete residential systems with ATS (Automatic Transfer Switches) which will be required by T&TEC.
https://www.procomtt.com/products/power-generation


For this we're keeping the scope simple.
Generator to power isolated circuits for emergencies.

That kinda solution is prob for businesses and big budget home power.
You need a transfer switch (manual or automatic) and a new panel inspection if, and only if, your generator wires into a household power distribution panel.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby adnj » February 17th, 2022, 1:26 pm

alfa wrote:
88sins wrote:
solarkh wrote:Propane powered generators is the best option. Provides for indefinite storage, as it doesn’t go bad.

Until you come to the realization that not everywhere sells or everybody keeps propane & if you run out during an emergency you are as good as screwed.
If going that route, better to keep at minimum 2 large tanks on hand

Will those work on regular lpg aka cooking gas?
Yes. Essentially the same until the temperature drops below 5°C.

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Re: Residential Generators

Postby VexXx Dogg » February 17th, 2022, 1:36 pm

adnj wrote:
VexXx Dogg wrote:
demented wrote:PROCOM in Point Lisas has complete residential systems with ATS (Automatic Transfer Switches) which will be required by T&TEC.
https://www.procomtt.com/products/power-generation


For this we're keeping the scope simple.
Generator to power isolated circuits for emergencies.

That kinda solution is prob for businesses and big budget home power.
You need a transfer switch (manual or automatic) and a new panel inspection if, and only if, your generator wires into a household power distribution panel.


Exactly. For emergency/extended outages the simplest thing is to run a generator and extension cords to power lights/fan/select appliances. Nowhere near the mains supply or house wiring.

Lowest tech option.

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