I am coming to you looking for answers to a simple question-
After this years ice storm here in Maine and the next six days of living in the dark, my wife and I are looking into generators. Nothing too huge(5000w), we actually had a nice time living without the TV, phone, radio, etc. But, running the boiler for heat and hot water is nice. I was able to grab the generator from the job trailer, and I am forever grateful that the owner of the company let me run it hard for six days straight (it was brand new, replacing the one that got stolen!), but I want one of my own.
Here is my question- I have an 85 gallon propane tank at my house for the gas range and oven. Can I run a generator off of that? I know that the gas is the same, but what about tank pressure, regulator, size of pipe, etc.
My knowledge of propane is this. . . it burns, a guy comes in a big truck to deliver it, my dogs bark at him, and it cooks my food.
About generators I know much, much, more.
Also, suggestions of brands?
Thanks for the input.
I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
Replies
My pump engine on my tar pot runs on propane and very well.
85 gallons probably isn't enough. I expect you'd use 24 gallons a day so you'd want at least 250 gallons as a reserve. Guardian seems to be the popular around here.
You've got lots of choices. We usually install larger ones than you are considering. Lots of Generacs, which seem to work very well.
You need to pick a generator and then find out how much gas it requires and what the pressure must be.
Then check with your gas company to see if what you have meets that demand.
Any other way is just guessing.
Don't forget to include a proper transfer switching assembly.
From what I have seen some of the smaller gereators are portable, and I would probably store it in my barn and drag it out when needed. During the last outage I sacrificed an old extension cord to tie into the boiler. So, there was no danger of backfeeding into the grid. I am very aware of this, as a friend of mine is a line worker.
As far as the generator goes, how is the gas supply listed? Is it lbs/hour? psi? Would it be stamped on the regulator on the tank?
Again, I am in the planning phases/ window shopping. When the time comes, I am going to leave this one up to the professionals. Ain't no way I am touching a gas line and electricity. I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
From what I have seen some of the smaller gereators are portable, and I would probably store it in my barn and drag it out when needed.
If that is what you want to do, I would not even consider a propane generator. What is the advantage?
I would buy a gas or diesel model. For one thing, they have a much higher resale value if you decide to sell at a later date.
The idea is that I already have the fuel on hand at my house. The last storm it got really old having to drive to gas station with a bunch of cans in my car. Also, when I did get to the local gas station, there were lines of people waiting for gas. I am beginning to think that I should save my money until I can get a big gen that is all automatic and wired in with a transfer switch. I did have to cut a weekend short one time to come home to check the sump pump.
As far as noise level, less noise is good. My neighbor has some sort of generator that I think is some sort of WWII surplus rig that keeps folks awake on the other side of the atlantic. He runs it in his garage at night, but opens the door when he goes to bed to "be safe" He is 83, goes to bed around 6:30, and pops out his hearing aids so he can sleep.
That was the only drag about the ice storm. That and my wife having to take every old cordless battery and charger to work to run flashlights. It was funny to hear about three batteries and chargers set up in the conference room at work. I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
I am beginning to think that I should save my money until I can get a big gen that is all automatic and wired in with a transfer switch.
If you frequently need a generator, that's what I would do. They are not that much more expensive than what you were considering.
FWIW, We usually bury a propane tank ( at least 250 gallons ) near the generator site. Makes for a nice clean installation.
Most of these stationary generators start themselves once a week and run for 10 minutes or so to keep everything lubed up and ready to go.
http://www.norwall.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=594&osCsid=c4afbdd6725f8e9c4d37de6d4282a09f
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You need to pump up your propane storage a couple of sizes. Surprising how quickly the tank is used up.
Be careful that the power from the generator is clean otherwise your boiler electronics may not be happy. Or your computer for that matter.
Propane generators can use a lot of fuel. You should be sure to check the consumption. 20#s can last 8hrs. at idle but only 4 at full power. You could empty your tank in a day and a half.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Dan,
We have installed a number of the 10 kw LP Guardians. We figure they will use about 1 gal of LP per hour. I would reccomend a larger tank, we usually install at least a 250 gal lp tank here in upstate NY.
Having lived through the last big ice storm here in Montreal. The thing that I would add is you can extend the life of the tank by not running it at night while you are sleeping.
I have a gas powered generator that one tank will last about 5 to 7 hours per tank. depending on the load. My neighbour has one hooked up to the gaz main. runs 24 hours a day. drives the whole neighbourhood nuts. Why have it running in a suburban area while you are sleeping? I can understand if one had sump pump issues or stuff like that but our area does not. So his generator just keeps the whole neighbourhood awake all night.
When mine runs out of gas at about 9 p.m. I just haul it into the garage and go to bed.
i was in aldi today....6000w (china honda) $399.00 i almost bought one so i'd have an extra to lend out... think i have 5-6 but someone is always ask'n to use one...
as for propane... look for an onan out of a motorhome... pretty common... My diesel bus/rv has a propane generator... if i ever used it (the bus) i'd install a diesel... just stupid to have to carry an extra fuel
i see them pretty cheap on ebay... and usually Onan is pretty good stuff... think i have a 50gal propane tank and i can run the generator for 3 days 24/7 on that...
p
You saw a generator in an Aldi? "The Stock Up Store"?I thought they just sold off-brand soup and chips.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
LOL ... i got... bagels,chips, bread, orange juice, 3 doz red roses, 1lb peeled shrimp, coffee creamer, macadamia nuts, 2lb green grapes, cheese... and spent less than $40
they have a center isle.. where they have what they get a deal on... lap tops, had some stainless curved shower rods ($19 $39 @lowes)
the generators they get a few times a year... a honda knock off... 6000watt $399 a few months ago they had 3500watt for $199
pretty much a 2x a week stop... orange juice & milk everytime... whatever veg is in season... pork chops usually... wild salmon $3.99lb... rice 10lbs $3
last week they had a pretty nice bathroom set... 3 light fixture... towelbar, robe hook, toilet paper holder, and hand towel ring... $29
27" tv for $199
if you see it there... you have to buy it then... cause it will sell out in a day or so...
p
The other thing you might consider is a propane heater that doesn't need electricity to run. Something like this http://www.heatershop.com/30k_natural_gas_vent_free_radiant_heater.html
It would probably produce heat for a lot longer that the generator would produce power on a given amount of propane.
Dan
one idea I could suggest. Buy a welder with a built in generator that way you have a welder for projects.And a backup generator when you need it. I bought a miller trailblazer "propane" for my cabin.