And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Considering what's happening overseas, this might be a consideration.
All generators use fuel. If things go south far enough there won't be any fuel. Consider solar. It's not perfect but if we run out of sun we'll have much bigger problems than keeping the frig running
There is always fuel source. Perhaps what you mean is production of fuel. Even there there are simple methods for production of liquid fuels suitable for use in these power generators.
The best source, truly, is deep geo-thermal. Limitless energy, very small surface footprint, zero ecological impact.
Obvious that's not for individuals. Myself, I have panels on my roof, a little windmill that generates a trivial amount of power, and the 9500 watt version of what's pictured here...bought a week ago.
Here in Florida, we tend to be ready for grid down situations. Though in my humble opinion and experience . Most folks way overkill with their generators and have way too large ones. The only real need is one adequate for your freezer. That and enough fuel for at least a month of run time. Otherwise , you might as well not have one. Because ya can't store enough fuel at the house to keep the AC running.
A Superduty 6.7L Diesel can power a 2k inverter and a 2.5k sine wave inverter plus the on board inverter at idle burning only 7 gallons of diesel in a 24 hour period. It may not be ideal but it will power the fridge on one, the freezer on another, and provide lights off the onboard 115v.
Just this year , when Ian came through. We lost power of course. Our little Yamaha 1600 , was able to run our brand new monster four door refrigerator/freezer with no issue. Only burned about two gallons a day rotating between that giant sized fridge and a older large freezer.
Just bought an additional 500 gallon propane tank. Going to set it side by side to the other with a switch to pull from either one. Will run our multi fuel generator til we can get meat and assorted food canned.
Get a dual fuel generator, not gasoline only. Gasoline goes bad in long-term storage. Calculate how much fuel you need based on how long you think the power will be out and how much your generator will use per hour. Now, how and where are you going to safely store that much gasoline? You can't get more if the power is out at the gas station, the pumps are electric. It's better to have a portable generator that can run on propane, and a 250 or 500 gallon tank full in the back yard. Generac is way too expensive, there are better choices.
One thing is to check the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the generator if you have sensitive electronics. This generator can be up to 23% THD which might be problematic for some. Some generators use a moving field and fixed armature to achieve a low THD (I know Generac publishes this but others may use the same technology). Other "brushed" alternators are just well tuned in their design to achieve a low THD.
You sea level guys have it made. I am a mile high. Figure at least 10% derate and maybe as high as 20% less power. I tried to run a welder for a job. Name plate capacity was enough. Wouldn't work. Brought the genset to repair shop. First of all I made the mistake of running it in enclosed trailer with ramp and side door open (stationary genset to heavy to move by hand). Total sqft of open area inadequate. That derated it. Plus altitude loss and age of engine. No good. Should have tried doing some welds at house.
That's if the world ends. If the problem is an earthquake, ice storm, Nor'easter, tornado, hurricane or any of those things seen here in N America since my grandpa's time (b.1883) running a generator to keep your fridge going should be ok
Just had a Generac whole-house system installed, with a 3-day supply of propane.
ReplyDeleteAll generators use fuel. If things go south far enough there won't be any fuel. Consider solar. It's not perfect but if we run out of sun we'll have much bigger problems than keeping the frig running
ReplyDeleteThere is always fuel source. Perhaps what you mean is production of fuel. Even there there are simple methods for production of liquid fuels suitable for use in these power generators.
DeleteDan is right. ALL combustion fuels have major issues. As proven, the sun is forever. Learn it. It's in your future.
DeleteThe best source, truly, is deep geo-thermal. Limitless energy, very small surface footprint, zero ecological impact.
DeleteObvious that's not for individuals. Myself, I have panels on my roof, a little windmill that generates a trivial amount of power, and the 9500 watt version of what's pictured here...bought a week ago.
Here in Florida, we tend to be ready for grid down situations.
ReplyDeleteThough in my humble opinion and experience . Most folks way overkill with their generators and have way too large ones. The only real need is one adequate for your freezer. That and enough fuel for at least a month of run time.
Otherwise , you might as well not have one. Because ya can't store enough fuel at the house to keep the AC running.
Spud makes a very good point.
Deletehard to believe how much a microwave will draw when a generator is running.
DeleteA Superduty 6.7L Diesel can power a 2k inverter and a 2.5k sine wave inverter plus the on board inverter at idle burning only 7 gallons of diesel in a 24 hour period. It may not be ideal but it will power the fridge on one, the freezer on another, and provide lights off the onboard 115v.
ReplyDeleteRemember, the fridge & freezer don't need to be supplied with power 24/7.
DeleteModern large refrigerators have surge requirements satisfied by 3k gensets. 2k won't do it.
ReplyDeleteMy 2k Honda gen does just that. So does my 2k solar gen.
DeleteSolar generator? We're talking about a battery in a box you plug a solar panel into?
DeleteJust this year , when Ian came through. We lost power of course. Our little Yamaha 1600 , was able to run our brand new monster four door refrigerator/freezer with no issue.
DeleteOnly burned about two gallons a day rotating between that giant sized fridge and a older large freezer.
dual fuel.
ReplyDeleteset up an abbreviated corner living space w/essentials in scale.
propane grill/stove
grill w/wood outside.
thermal cook.
be frugal.
for brief power losses.
Just bought an additional 500 gallon propane tank. Going to set it side by side to the other with a switch to pull from either one. Will run our multi fuel generator til we can get meat and assorted food canned.
DeleteI bought that model a year ago and haven't used it yet.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you run it at least once a month for ~15 minutes.
DeleteIf they make a radial engine powered model I'm in.
ReplyDeleteGet a dual fuel generator, not gasoline only. Gasoline goes bad in long-term storage. Calculate how much fuel you need based on how long you think the power will be out and how much your generator will use per hour. Now, how and where are you going to safely store that much gasoline? You can't get more if the power is out at the gas station, the pumps are electric. It's better to have a portable generator that can run on propane, and a 250 or 500 gallon tank full in the back yard. Generac is way too expensive, there are better choices.
ReplyDeleteOne thing is to check the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the generator if you have sensitive electronics. This generator can be up to 23% THD which might be problematic for some. Some generators use a moving field and fixed armature to achieve a low THD (I know Generac publishes this but others may use the same technology). Other "brushed" alternators are just well tuned in their design to achieve a low THD.
ReplyDeleteFind one that runs on diesel. Lot harder to blow the place up storing it. And the excess capacity should be stored in a battery bank.
ReplyDeleteBuy a Wavian jerry can for storage.
DeleteYou sea level guys have it made. I am a mile high. Figure at least 10% derate and maybe as high as 20% less power. I tried to run a welder for a job. Name plate capacity was enough. Wouldn't work. Brought the genset to repair shop. First of all I made the mistake of running it in enclosed trailer with ramp and side door open (stationary genset to heavy to move by hand). Total sqft of open area inadequate. That derated it. Plus altitude loss and age of engine. No good. Should have tried doing some welds at house.
ReplyDeleteAnd as soon as you fire it up, everyone within a mile will know you have food, fuel and heat.
ReplyDeleteThat's if the world ends.
DeleteIf the problem is an earthquake, ice storm, Nor'easter, tornado, hurricane or any of those things seen here in N America since my grandpa's time (b.1883) running a generator to keep your fridge going should be ok
I forgot mudslides, floods, wildfires and trucker/railroad strikes...
Delete