Generator Basics

Essential services, including electric may be down, now just during a pandemic but during plenty of other emergency or weather situations. Generators come in all shapes & sizes. Learn more here!
Post Reply
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

Image

by Marshall Brain
Choosing Between an Inverter and a Generator
http://home.howstuffworks.com/emergency-power3.htm

[snip] Generator
An engine-powered generator is an easy way to supply your house with emergency power.
They are relatively inexpensive (typical price for a 5,000-watt generator ranges between $600
and $1,200), produce clean, 120- or 240-volt sine-wave power, and consume only about a gallon
of gas every two hours or so (at 1,000-watt output). You can also purchase generators that run off
of diesel fuel or propane.

The disadvantages of engine-powered generators include:
  • Fuel storage
    Noise (especially the less-expensive models)
    Engine maintenance
Fuel storage can be a nuisance -- gasoline cannot be stored for more than a month or so unless you use a fuel stabilizing chemical, and even then the shelf-life is relatively short. You need to rotate your inventory on a regular basis to avoid problems.
Here at the Brain household we have a 5,000-watt generator. We are able to run just about everything in the house -- including the well pump, water heater and refrigerator -- with the generator. The only thing we cannot run is the heat pump, so we have gas logs as a backup heat source. We do stagger our usage, but that is not a big problem for us. For example, we will run the refrigerator for an hour and then turn it off to run the well pump. ---CONTINUED---
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

FEMA: Install a Generator for Emergency Power

Post by Readymom »

Image

Protecting Your Business From Disasters-INSTALLA GENERATORFOR EMERGENCY POWER
https://mitigation.eeri.org/files/resources-for-success/00048.pdf

Download the PDF version of this page (69 KB)

Includes:

What You Can Do
Install a Generator for Emergency Power
Tips
Other sources of Information

Keep these points in mind when you select and install a generator:

* Some systems and equipment may ...
* You will need more ...
* Before you buy a generator, ask your utility company if ...
* Be sure to maintain an adequate ...
* Follow the manufacturer's recommendations ...
Last edited by Readymom on Sun Jan 24, 2021 9:11 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Reason: Updated link
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

LSU Ag Center-Using Generators for Emergency Power

Post by Readymom »

Image

Using Generators for Emergency Power
https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/communications/publications/publications_catalog/disaster%20information/disaster%20information%20resources%20series/using-generators-for-electrical-power

PDF VERSION: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/2/f/b/8/2fb8e7703a84038368b500fa85b47234/pub2949ogeneratorsmay2011.pdf

Emergency generators are popular after disasters. They can help save food in freezers and refrigerators, but they can be dangerous if not used properly.

Includes: Simple Tips for Using Generators Safely
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

:!: DO NOT USE INDOORS :!:

Image

Image Hat Tip to Who is John Gall @ American Preppers Network * Link Unavailable. This site is no longer active and available to view on line.

" .... highly recommend that you not run the generator in a garage. The generator will put out carbon monoxide (CO). You cannot see it, you cannot smell it, and it will kill you. I have lived in hurricane or typhoon country just about my whole life and have see it many times, first when I was an autopsy tech and now as an ER nurse. Pretty corpses.

If the garage is attached to the house, the answer should be no, period. You mentioned ventilation, but you also mentioned ice storms, etc. What if the ventilation becomes occluded with ice, snow, dirt, leaves, etc? What if a strong wind is blowing right at the vents? The CO will follow the path of least resistance and will probably end up in your bedroom. In fact, the CDC's recommendation (and ordinances in some areas) is that if you have a garage attached to the house you should have a CO detector inside of the house. If the garage is separated from the house, then maybe. Maybe you could safely run the generator in there, but beware that the entire structure could become filled with CO and that is what you will be walking into to service the generator.

Personally, I like one away from the house and other structures, or in a shed with a large door that I can open and allow it to air out. My mother has hers in a plastic Rubbermaid like box, with sides that can be pulled away when you run it so that they don't melt. I keep ours in the garage, but just for storage. After the storm passes I haul it into the backyard and build a shed around it with cider blocks and a plywood roof. I drove a big spike into the ground and chain the generator to it to discourage a 5 fingered discount."

MORE:

"The back porch might work, but you still have to be careful. Even having it in the open air is not always enough. I will admit that most of the people that I have cared for with carbon monoxide poisoning secondary to generator use had the generator going in the somewhere in the house (to include the garage, or my favorite: in the room next to the kids bedroom--fortunately all of those kids got better). However, I have read of families being poisoned by having their generator outside but too near their air conditioner. Through the night the a/c intake pulled in the fumes. Same with the intake of other ventilation systems. The CDC had an issue of the MMWR all but dedicated to carbon monoxide a few years ago, and they reported on a number of water skiers who sustained carbon monoxide poisoning while being pulled behind a gas powered boat! Generators and other internal combustion engines are great, but they can kill. Gotta use them with severe caution."
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

Generator Basic Info

Image

Don't discount a generator, especially a diesel generator, as your primary power source
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/thomsen28.html

By Skip Thomsen -Issue 28 Jul/Aug 1994

There are three major reasons that wind, solar or hydro-electric systems are impractical for some folks: not enough wind, too many cloudy days, and no stream. In that order.

What does that leave them with? Using a generator. Ugh? Not necessarily.

(SNIP) ... There are two elements essential to the utilization of the generator’s potential: --- Continued at link, above ---

Includes:
  • Gas vs. diesel
    Good generators . . .
    So what do you get for all that extra money?
    A used generator?
    Neighborhood power
    Keep it running forever
    In summary
saund75
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:10 am

Re: Generator Basics

Post by saund75 »

We spent a lot of time taking a look for our generator and some guides that we found very helpful were as follows:

http://www.norwall.com/blog/generator-sizing-guides/

http://www.norwall.com/blog/informational-videos/

http://www.norwall.com/blog/generator-i ... l-choices/

These should help with some of the basics of generator sizing, fuel choices, and more.
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

Generator-General Info

Image

Electrical; generators and power
http://www.endtimesreport.com/electrical.html

Image Modern civilization is almost literally based on the use of electrical energy. We have become addicted to electricity and the marvelous devices it powers. Even if the electric grid goes down, we will still need to generate some electric power ourselves. Whole-house electrical generation to power standard appliances is a goal that is almost impossible to attain, but it is possible to generate enough electrical power for more modest uses.

(SNIP)

A standard gasoline or diesel powered generator is very useful, but to depend upon one to provide continuous power for a long time is not very realistic. The generator must also be ... CONTINUED at LINK, above...
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

Image

How To Connect A Generator To Your Home
https://urbansurvivalsite.com/how-to-connect-a-generator-to-your-home/

It’s Complicated, But It Can Be Done. ---CONTINUED---
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

Image

8 Features To Look For in a Portable Generator
https://urbansurvivalsite.com/features-to-look-for-in-portable-generator/

(SNIP) ... Waiting until the last minute forces you to settle for any random generator that appears to be up to the task. First you should check the specs carefully, install it following all the guidelines, and avoid shortcuts at all costs. The following guide will explain everything you need to know to choose a reliable generator. ---CONTINUED---
Readymom
Site Admin
Posts: 4658
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Re: Generator Basics

Post by Readymom »

Image

If You Have A Generator, Do This Immediately
https://www.askaprepper.com/if-you-have-a-generator-do-this-immediately/

(BIG SNIP) ... Do we just need to buy a generator? Actually… not. If you’re going to have a generator, there are a few things you should do, making sure that your generator will be ready for use, the next time a storm causes the lights to go out. ---CONTINUED---
Post Reply

Return to “Generators”