What standby generator are you using?

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peirhead

peirhead

Feeling the Heat
Aug 8, 2008
409
PEI Canada
I am looking at purchasing a standby generator and am in a quandry over a couple of issues:
1) What type, inverter or conventional
2) What size 2Kw or much larger

I think I am really after something to run my pellet stove and a few lights and maybe my fridg....I I could probably get by with a Honda EU200 inverter generator ($1500 CDN + Taxes)...but for the same money I can get a Subaru/Robin 3.8Kw conventional generator or (maybe a Yamaha)

From my reading it seems if I want to keep the pellet stove running off my UPS (APC SmartUPS 1400) I need the larger generator...they say at least 2X the UPS capacity......but if I get the Honda Inverter I won't need the UPS, but only have 1600 watts to work with...

I like the idea of the smaller more portable honda unit, but am leaning towards the Subaru for practical use as an emergency generator with a little extra capacity for "unexpected" loads.
any suggestions?

Not to degrade anyone's products but I am not really interested in any chinese big box store generators since no one wants to service them and there are never parts around.
 
peirhead said:
...but for the same money I can get a Subaru/Robin 3.8Kw conventional generator or (maybe a Yamaha).....
Click to expand...

That's what I'd get.
 
I've got a 3.5KW in my Motor Home, so I just flip the main breaker to isolate the utility power, and backfeed my whole house. I then keep an eye on what I'm powering so as not to trip the breaker on it.

I don't understand why keeping the APC UPS in-line would cause you to have to up the size of the generator. The ACP is at least 90% efficient so the maximum draw on it's input (during the start-up cycle with ingitor running) would be in the order of 600Watts. Keeping the APC in-line gives you the advantage of keeping the stove running while you shut down the generator for refueling, or running some other load for a few minutes - like a microwave.
 
I use a 8kw running 12kw surge Generac XP clean power generator. $1300 at lowes, it has been great to use, powers most everything in the house.
 
LI-Mini-Owner said:
I've got a 3.5KW in my Motor Home, so I just flip the main breaker to isolate the utility power, and backfeed my whole house. I then keep an eye on what I'm powering so as not to trip the breaker on it.

I don't understand why keeping the APC UPS in-line would cause you to have to up the size of the generator. The ACP is at least 90% efficient so the maximum draw on it's input (during the start-up cycle with ingitor running) would be in the order of 600Watts. Keeping the APC in-line gives you the advantage of keeping the stove running while you shut down the generator for refueling, or running some other load for a few minutes - like a microwave.
Click to expand...

Backfeeding scares the hell out of me! I'd like to do it but I think its too much of a risk to take. You could start an electric fire if you're drawing too many amps through the in the wall wire you're backfeeding it to the box with. Also, If you forget to switch off the main you could KILL a lineman working on the lines.
 
cold front said:
LI-Mini-Owner said:
I've got a 3.5KW in my Motor Home, so I just flip the main breaker to isolate the utility power, and backfeed my whole house. I then keep an eye on what I'm powering so as not to trip the breaker on it.

I don't understand why keeping the APC UPS in-line would cause you to have to up the size of the generator. The ACP is at least 90% efficient so the maximum draw on it's input (during the start-up cycle with ingitor running) would be in the order of 600Watts. Keeping the APC in-line gives you the advantage of keeping the stove running while you shut down the generator for refueling, or running some other load for a few minutes - like a microwave.
Click to expand...

Backfeeding scares the hell out of me! I'd like to do it but I think its too much of a risk to take. You could start an electric fire if you're drawing too many amps through the in the wall wire you're backfeeding it to the box with. Also, If you forget to switch off the main you could KILL a lineman working on the lines.
Click to expand...
Yes! Lay out a bit of cash and get a proper transfer switch. You could kill somebody miles away! All the stepdown transformers between him or her and you turn into stepup transformers when you feed them backwards.
 
A transfer switch is the way to go, but back feeding wont hurt your wiring, the wire is still protected by the breaker. Say you are using 12g wire which would be protected by a 20 amp breaker, exceed 20 amps and the breaker pops.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't intend to be recommending the backfeed method for others - should have put a disclaimer in. Just mentioning what what has worked for me. I use a printed check list card kept in my main panel, where step 1 for start-up is to throw the main, even before making the generator connection. Internal wiring from Generator is #10 with an 20A breaker, so nothing on the house wiring is being stressed.

Dream house will have an autostart natural gas/propane gen-set with transfer switch.
 
Generac 6kw with Gentran system, Came in handy in the ice storm last Dec 2008
 
Not to totally hijack this thread but it is related. One of the electricians at work traced the lines from his breaker box that fed areas of his house he wanted to power. He cut the wires and installed 20 amp male and female plugs in line. When he has a power failure, he unplugs the lines he wants to power and plugs them into a gang box that is powered by his generator outside. No chance of backfeeding and he can tell when the power comes back on by the ciruits that were left connected. Never heard anyone doing that before.

Chan
 
This is what i installed back in 2004:
 

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i would buy a generator powered by a briggs engine myself. the sell one at tractor supply, i think its 8000W starting current, 5000w running current, problem is they arent cheap. i think around $800. you could run your pellet stove off of a power inverter and a car battery. power inverters are the cheapest way to go, but dont expect to run too much off of one. the frig would be overkill for it, but the pellet stove would be no problem at all. pellet stoves do not require allot of power to run. i think 150W or less once its started, the ignitor will eat more to light it though
 
Mac...I have lusted over those for years. Automatic too, right? If I could, I would!

Chan
 
ad356 said:
i would buy a generator powered by a briggs engine myself. the sell one at tractor supply, i think its 8000W starting current, 5000w running current, problem is they arent cheap. i think around $800. you could run your pellet stove off of a power inverter and a car battery. power inverters are the cheapest way to go, but dont expect to run too much off of one. the frig would be overkill for it, but the pellet stove would be no problem at all. pellet stoves do not require allot of power to run. i think 150W or less once its started, the ignitor will eat more to light it though
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Keep an eye out on craigs list, A lot of folks can not afford a fully automatic unit (they are nice) but keep a look out and you can get a good 1 or 2 year old 5 to 10 k unit for a good price.
 
CWR said:
Mac...I have lusted over those for years. Automatic too, right? If I could, I would!

Chan
Click to expand...

Yep, fully automatic start-up 12 seconds after power goes out, and transfer switch switches over 12 seconds after that. Auto exercise for 12 min. /week, and is running off of 100 Gal Propane tank.
 
CC, any idea what the price is for the Generlink? I like it but I'm wondering if it could be fed with 120 volt. (1/2 the 220 legs) Most RV generators do not have 220 volts, rather two separate 120 volt circuits.

Chan
 
CWR said:
CC, any idea what the price is for the Generlink? I like it but I'm wondering if it could be fed with 120 volt. (1/2 the 220 legs) Most RV generators do not have 220 volts, rather two separate 120 volt circuits.

Chan
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.......here's their info port if you have specific questions...... :) . "Please call us at 1-800-88-METER (1-800-886-3837) or email us at [email protected] ". ....cc :)
 
Gen-Tran switch and a Honda EX-2500. Pellet stove runs on a UPS for about 20 minutes which gives me plenty of time to fire up the generator and throw the switch. Macman's set-up is the real deal. I have the wal-mart version.
 
CanadaClinker said:
CWR said:
CC, any idea what the price is for the Generlink? I like it but I'm wondering if it could be fed with 120 volt. (1/2 the 220 legs) Most RV generators do not have 220 volts, rather two separate 120 volt circuits.

Chan
Click to expand...

.......here's their info port if you have specific questions...... :) . "Please call us at 1-800-88-METER (1-800-886-3837) or email us at [email protected] ". ....cc :)
Click to expand...

I saw that. Kinda makes me think it's going to be pricey. It's all relative because of the savings in labor. I was hoping someone had one and I could get a ballpark.

I'm working this weekend but I'll ask for a price and report back.

Chan
 
CWR said:
CanadaClinker said:
CWR said:
CC, any idea what the price is for the Generlink? I like it but I'm wondering if it could be fed with 120 volt. (1/2 the 220 legs) Most RV generators do not have 220 volts, rather two separate 120 volt circuits.

Chan
Click to expand...

.......here's their info port if you have specific questions...... :) . "Please call us at 1-800-88-METER (1-800-886-3837) or email us at [email protected] ". ....cc :)
Click to expand...

I saw that. Kinda makes me think it's going to be pricey. It's all relative because of the savings in labor. I was hoping someone had one and I could get a ballpark.

I'm working this weekend but I'll ask for a price and report back.

Chan
Click to expand...

......yes....let us know $$...... labour should minimized with one of these compared to inside xfer switch install...... some electrical rooms don't have the room neither for the xfer sw .........cc
 
That kind of installation is right down my ally. I'm an electrician and have done quite a few back up generators. Bottom line is what kind of load do you want this unit to handle. Money is the second consideration. I've installed and wired whole house generators (Honda's), big money, to portable. The portables can also run into some big money also given what they are, portable. One of my customers has a honda with a wheel base and handle, not lifting. Automatic start from inside the house with a transfer switch (manual). never has to walk outdoors to operate, other than to fuel it. This is where the money comes into play, what are the bells and whistles that you want. The generator alone was $4,500.00 but you don't hear a thing.
 
Honda EU 2000i generator. Picked it up new for $999.00 out the door. Extremely quiet, proven reliability, and lightweight. Easily powers my pellet stove, lights refrigerator, big screen TV all at the same time.

Plus its portable. I can throw it in the back of my truck (40 lbs), and and use it on other projects as needed. Also, you can link two Eu 2000's together and get 4000 watts.

***** Big Plus ***** IT uses inverter technology, and delivers a clean sine wave. A lot of Pellet stoves need a clean signal to operate properly.


Bucktail
 
slclem said:
I have a Troybilt 6500 watt generator from Lowe's. I had a switch panel installed at my main electrical panel.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your ready to go. Have you had the unfortunate opportunity to use it?
 
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