Whole House Generator

Discussion in 'Energy & Fuel' started by Beth Gallagher, Mar 24, 2021.

  1. Bruce Andrew

    Bruce Andrew Very Well-Known Member
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    Well guess what? She turned me down. [​IMG]

    Oh, and one other point: When I originally said that my generator was a 13kw, I was lying. It's really a 20kw. Does that change your mind at all?

    I did not cross your name off the marriage license yet, so no problem there. [​IMG]
     
    #121
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  2. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    This is the perfect topic for Ask Ms. Fox, but I sense a conflicts of interest. I wonder if she has a twin sister who you might ask this advice of.
     
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  3. Bruce Andrew

    Bruce Andrew Very Well-Known Member
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    There's another single woman on my road, about 60-ish. She hasn't been married for a long time, maybe I'll try that. But wow, she is, well . . . let's say she's not the prettiest woman I've ever seen.

    But I gotta do something quick -- this license expires Monday morning. If I'm not hitched by then, I'll be out ten bucks. [​IMG]
     
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  4. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Dude!

    For the greater good of the Brotherhood, I've dropped $10 in the mail to you.

    Chill, Bro.
     
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  5. Bruce Andrew

    Bruce Andrew Very Well-Known Member
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    Whew, thanks bud. :)

    Where is Faye's "ask me" thread? I can't find it, but my mind has been distracted elsewhere. [​IMG]
     
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  6. Ralf Mannheim

    Ralf Mannheim Well-Known Member
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    I use a 5kW gen set. It runs on diesel, which I can store, but the set needs maintenance.

    I turn the switch from the main to it during blackouts, but it can only be used for a few hours a day, so I use it only when it's dark and the air con is needed. For lighting, I use solar panels connected to a charger and inverter which feeds into the main.

    That means food in freezers and refs have to be eaten, and after that I've to use canned and dried food.
     
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  7. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Here you go:

    Ask Ms. Fox

    Personally, I never went in for the "Mizz" crap, so you're probably not gonna get fair advice, being a man and all. But it is free. Rots 'o ruck.

    edit to add winky face so no one takes that seriously>>>>>>;)
     
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    Last edited: Jun 19, 2022
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  8. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Thanks, Ralf.
     
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  9. Bruce Andrew

    Bruce Andrew Very Well-Known Member
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    Thanks John.

    So you don’t think Foxy Faye will give me a fair shake?
     
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  10. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    @Beth Gallagher Is it because you are on a waiting list or just cannot get anyone to give you a quote and timeline?
     
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    Last edited: Jun 19, 2022
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  11. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    Did you choose diesel because it was cheaper than propane?
     
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  12. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    [​IMG]
     
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  13. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    Many don't realize that central air uses 15 to 60 amps with the inrush start-up current being 3 times the running current. Any electric motor-driven appliance or tools will also use 3 to 4 times the running current when starting up. Start-up current is a factor to consider when shopping for a whole house generator and getting the right size without unnecessary overkill. Considering a medium-sized home using an ac drawing 15 amps running, that would require 45 amps on start-up or a 10,800 KW generator to get it started, but once running would require only 3600 KW. While the start-up is brief, it cannot happen if the generator is underpowered. Also when the grid goes down, what was running that was drawing power such as an AC, furnace, refrigerator, freezer, kitchen range, clothes dryer, or water heater must be considered.

    With the power failure sensor and automatic transfer switch, the time is brief so there is a lesser chance than the manual way where one would have to fire up the generator, then flip a manual switch from the grid line over to the generator. If any time passes then all appliances may be ready to kick in and those with borderline generators may want to unplug and restart appliances one at a time. I was amazed that one of my neighbors considering getting a natural gas WH generator was considering an 11KW unit. The salesman had figured it by a chart that showed what different appliances drew and what max draw would be with running current. I was amazed that there was no allowance for start up current. I figured at least 15KW which had a long waiting list.
     
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    Last edited: Jun 19, 2022
  14. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    Two weeks without line grid power was the deal. I am good for it in the extremely rare event that it should occur but you must know I have offers from widowers in Minnesota, Canada, and Alaska. I am somewhat puzzled why no offers from warmer climates. I did have one from Texas but he was already off the grid both physically and mentally. :oops: Now with my electricity 99.999% reliable, I am pleased to say my widowhood shall continue.

    I have considered moving into Beths neighborhood and installing a 50KW unit and starting a coop that charges a monthly fee for the security of backup power. Since I am sick of mowing grass and hate snakes, my entire backyard would be a concrete slab with a soundproof building housing my power plant. I think neighborhood power plants may be the next fad in Texas if the heat keeps up and brings the grid down or hurricanes damage lines that take weeks to repair.
     
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  15. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    That's a great point, because you can't just look at the watts things are rated at and add them up.

    In the stereo world, that's known as Instantaneous Peak Power (IPP) versus Root Means Square (RMS), meaning a stereo rated at something like 35 watts IPP and one rated at 12 watts RMS are identical. Most often we'll see this deception in vacuum cleaners (Peak HP 12.5!!!) That "peak" is the inrush at start-up, and is a meaningless measurement.
     
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