Solar Power or Generator for
#7441023
12/25/21 03:11 AM
12/25/21 03:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,198 Midlands South Carolina
SGT. C
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,198
Midlands South Carolina
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Power outages. Power was out for about 6 hours today. We don't get snow storms and very rarely ice storms. What we do get is high winds and have lots of trees(which take out trees within the power grid). Tropical storms and tornadoes are not uncommon. Just need a backup to keep things warm or cool, not to mention keeping 4 freezers going and basic needs.
What would you do for a long term investment? Sarge
Getting old is a fatal mistake
Always looking for reloading componets
I know a beaver or two, because I've seen a beaver or two
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441028
12/25/21 03:40 AM
12/25/21 03:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
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I have a generator. Just a small one. To run freezers and fridge every day. Not continuously. Open up what you need to in the morning. Remove stuff for the day and put it in a cooler or on the counter to thaw. Run them for an hour. My heat and cook stove work without electricity. I have lanterns for lights. White gas never goes bad, The generator has a fuel shut off valve. To store I start it then turn off that valve. Let it run till it dies. The other day high wind was predicted and power outages. I drained the half gallon of gas in the tank and dumped it in my pickup. changed the oil. Put in fresh no ethanol gas with stabilizer. Not a full tank about a half gallon. Started it up and let it run about ten minutes. Hadn't been ran in two years so I had to pull the rope twice. Then I turned off the fuel at the shut off valve and let it run a few more minutes till it died. I really ought to run it every spring and fall. Change that half gallon of gas out and change the oil once a year. Unless I take it camping or something.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441030
12/25/21 03:51 AM
12/25/21 03:51 AM
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 828 Indiana
CaseXX
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 828
Indiana
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Good morning Sarg. Merry Christmas, I can speak highly of Genrack ( sp ) had it put in 20 some years ago. It's hooked up to our lp tank that heats home, water, cook stove. Yearly service is about 60 bucks, oil changes update electronics, unless needs a new battery then add a hundred bucks. Bout every 3 years. We run 3 freezers. It's a whole house deal, with auto start power goes out 7 seconds it comes on. Runs ten min. Once a week to charge bat. Runs 8 circuits you pick from electric breaker box. They have bigger ones now. We have been out for four days no problem. (Winter ice storm) I will say if your budget will allow to look at a water cooled unit, they will run much longer with little to no harm to the engine where an air cooled unit like mine will eventually wear out. Ours comes into play about 4-5 times a year. From minutes to days. Also be sure to power your water pump, in case of fire, you can use exterior hydrants to fight fire till pros get there. Shower, toilet, and other water stuff when pressure tank loses pressure. Good luck with your search.
The home gen. System adds value to your home.
Last edited by CaseXX Collector; 12/25/21 04:01 AM. Reason: Add additional
Rules: Col. Jeff Cooper #1for a gunfight Gibbs. #9 always carry a knife
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441147
12/25/21 08:34 AM
12/25/21 08:34 AM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,738 carolina, Alabama
The Possum Man
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,738
carolina, Alabama
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generator. If your power is out from storm damage, your solar panels probably aint gonna do you much good either.
"If you're gonna be stupid you better be tough"
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441271
12/25/21 10:15 AM
12/25/21 10:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787 Asheville, NC
charles
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
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When I lived on Hatteras Island, NC, I had a Honda 12kw. Needed it following many hurricanes. Mine was gasoline so I had to keep a few cans of ethanol free gasoline all the time. When not in use I could roll it into my workshop to keep to keep it away from salt air and moisture. Kept it 14 years and sold it (in almost new condition) to the couple who bought our home. It would power one AC compressor and everything else except the hot tub. A microwave pulls a lot of current too.
Had a manual transfer switch and a dedicated 220v pigtail that ran to my panels. I always drained my fuel tank and ran the carb dry. When gas was a few months old, I poured it in my vehicles and refilled my storage containers with fresh fuel and Staybill. I babied it. Kept it on a trickle charger during hurricane season.
Only regret was I never changed it to propane.
Plan for exhaust heat. When my two cyl engine ran for hours, It made a lot of heat even though well ventilated.
Last edited by charles; 12/25/21 11:34 AM. Reason: Typos
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441328
12/25/21 11:14 AM
12/25/21 11:14 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,015 SE Iowa USA
AKAjust
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,015
SE Iowa USA
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Both. I'd run wind too if I could find one cheap enough.
just
Last edited by AKAjust; 12/25/21 11:15 AM.
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: CaseXX]
#7441345
12/25/21 11:27 AM
12/25/21 11:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187 Mass.
Trapper Don
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
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Good morning Sarg. Merry Christmas, I can speak highly of Genrack ( sp ) had it put in 20 some years ago. It's hooked up to our lp tank that heats home, water, cook stove. Yearly service is about 60 bucks, oil changes update electronics, unless needs a new battery then add a hundred bucks. Bout every 3 years. We run 3 freezers. It's a whole house deal, with auto start power goes out 7 seconds it comes on. Runs ten min. Once a week to charge bat. Runs 8 circuits you pick from electric breaker box. They have bigger ones now. We have been out for four days no problem. (Winter ice storm) I will say if your budget will allow to look at a water cooled unit, they will run much longer with little to no harm to the engine where an air cooled unit like mine will eventually wear out. Ours comes into play about 4-5 times a year. From minutes to days. Also be sure to power your water pump, in case of fire, you can use exterior hydrants to fight fire till pros get there. Shower, toilet, and other water stuff when pressure tank loses pressure. Good luck with your search.
The home gen. System adds value to your home.
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441351
12/25/21 11:33 AM
12/25/21 11:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187 Mass.
Trapper Don
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 187
Mass.
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Good morning Sarg. Merry Christmas, I can speak highly of Genrack ( sp ) had it put in 20 some years ago. It's hooked up to our lp tank that heats home, water, cook stove. Yearly service is about 60 bucks, oil changes update electronics, unless needs a new battery then add a hundred bucks. Bout every 3 years. We run 3 freezers. It's a whole house deal, with auto start power goes out 7 seconds it comes on. Runs ten min. Once a week to charge bat. Runs 8 circuits you pick from electric breaker box. They have bigger ones now. We have been out for four days no problem. (Winter ice storm) I will say if your budget will allow to look at a water cooled unit, they will run much longer with little to no harm to the engine where an air cooled unit like mine will eventually wear out. Ours comes into play about 4-5 times a year. From minutes to days. Also be sure to power your water pump, in case of fire, you can use exterior hydrants to fight fire till pros get there. Shower, toilet, and other water stuff when pressure tank loses pressure. Good luck with your search.
I agree. We have Generac hooked ti natural gas into our house. Had it for 7 years. Great peace of mind. Can't run ac or dryer but my freezers stay running. Kicks in 12 seconds after power goes out. I can switch it to propane very easily. I have 00 gallon tank on property for shop heater. Cost a bit ti get setup but worth every cent.
The home gen. System adds value to your home.
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441374
12/25/21 11:49 AM
12/25/21 11:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,927 SEPA
Lugnut
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,927
SEPA
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I do a lot of work in a wealthy community built around the largest lake in NJ. For whatever reason they get a lot of damaging storms there and lose power for multiple days relatively frequently.
Most of the residents and vacation home owners have had permanent back-up generators installed. Most are Generacs and run on LP. They start up once a week and run for a few minutes while self-diagnosing and they power everything in the house.
Three years ago a micro-burst took out every utility pole along a half-mile stretch of the dead-end street leading to the vacation island home I was staying at. It was a tangled mess of broken poles, downed trees and wires. I was trapped back there for a week. Luckily for me the owner had installed a whole-house back-up generator the year before, I had installed the concrete pad and excavated the wire trenches for it.
Other than hearing the generator run, it was no different than having regular electrical service. It ran everything, well pump, furnace, dryer,electric stove, everything.
I use a portable Generac 5,500 watt at home when needed. It is my work generator for new construction sites and other job sites without power. It's twenty-plus years old and still going strong.
Eh...wot?
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441375
12/25/21 11:52 AM
12/25/21 11:52 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190 Kansas
Pawnee
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
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I deal with generators all the time. We have 4 on demand that each have their own 500 gallon propane tank, and 5 5000-7000 watt gas generators. My advice as far as the on demand goes no matter the brand is. If you’re not handy with electric boards and circuits get a regular double throw switch. I’ve had to wire around the electronics more than once in snow storms because the electronic double throw wouldn’t work. Wherever you buy it they will try and talk you into the electric one. Solar panel’s have their place but not in a emergency. Good luck.
Everything the left touches it destroys
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: Pawnee]
#7441425
12/25/21 12:42 PM
12/25/21 12:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 828 Indiana
CaseXX
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 828
Indiana
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Sure is nice to be snug n warm watching the idiot tube while cleaning the days target shooting toy when it's really, really, nasty outside. Whatever you choose do it. For yourself and family the peace of mind is worth every penny.
Rules: Col. Jeff Cooper #1for a gunfight Gibbs. #9 always carry a knife
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441429
12/25/21 12:48 PM
12/25/21 12:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,928 La.
Gator Foot
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,928
La.
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441433
12/25/21 12:52 PM
12/25/21 12:52 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,471 West Central MN
20scout
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,471
West Central MN
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If you are in an area with frequent storms, perhaps wind or solar may not be the way to go due to potential storm damage that might occur to your equipment. To me propane would be the way to go as long as you remember to keep the tanks(s) full.
Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: SGT. C]
#7441469
12/25/21 01:23 PM
12/25/21 01:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,238 The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane
"HOSS"
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"HOSS"
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,238
The Hill Country of Texas
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Naturally I have more claims after a tornado or a hurricane than any other time and I have yet to meet a man who regrets having a Generac installed
“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.” Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers
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Re: Solar Power or Generator for
[Re: danny clifton]
#7441473
12/25/21 01:28 PM
12/25/21 01:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,153 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,153
Alaska and Washington State
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I have a generator. Just a small one. To run freezers and fridge every day. Not continuously. Open up what you need to in the morning. Remove stuff for the day and put it in a cooler or on the counter to thaw. Run them for an hour. My heat and cook stove work without electricity. I have lanterns for lights. White gas never goes bad, The generator has a fuel shut off valve. To store I start it then turn off that valve. Let it run till it dies. The other day high wind was predicted and power outages. I drained the half gallon of gas in the tank and dumped it in my pickup. changed the oil. Put in fresh no ethanol gas with stabilizer. Not a full tank about a half gallon. Started it up and let it run about ten minutes. Hadn't been ran in two years so I had to pull the rope twice. Then I turned off the fuel at the shut off valve and let it run a few more minutes till it died. I really ought to run it every spring and fall. Change that half gallon of gas out and change the oil once a year. Unless I take it camping or something. Good advice on long term gas engine storage. I see you are in a part of the Country that I imagine is pretty dry. I do something a little different since my gas engines (outboards, ATV's, generators) are stored literally just a few feet away from the edge of the ocean. I found years ago that if I run an engine dry I tend to get some condensation and corrosion inside my carb float bowl. So now I use your method of fuel stabilizer and like you mentioned, NON ETHONAL GAS. I leave the tanks full so I don't get water from condensation build up in tank, and also leave the float bowls full for same reason. I've had no problem with engines starting up easily after two years of being stored like this. Almost forgot to mention; I also spray some fogging oil in the air intake just before shutting down the engine before storage, or on my four strokes I will often spray some in the spark plug hole and replace plug along with thread anti-seize.
Last edited by waggler; 12/25/21 01:34 PM.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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