Back-Up Power Generator - How many KW's do I need?

enough my friend, otherwise it doesn´t make sense.

10,000 KW plumbed to run off of Natural Gas.


This will allow you o run your A/C as well.

Convert between units

[link to www.dieselserviceandsupply.com]

Estimation Guide

[link to www.hondapowerequipment.com]

A Generator Calculator

[link to www.ch.cutler-hammer.com (secure)]

Where do you think you are going to get the gas/propane from?

You better think D/C with batteries.......

Calculator:
[link to icsgenerator.com]
defining-electric-power-needs-for-generator
>If you don't need an automatic power back-up that switches over immediately when mains power is lost, you can significantly reduce the size of your generator, by first switching off the appliances that consume a lot of power at start-up, then starting the emergency generator, and after it runs smoothly, adding one appliance after the other, leaving enough time between starting them, so that the power consumption for the newly switched on appliance is at the nominal running value.<

[link to generatorsus.com]

[link to icsgenerator.com]

my house is 2800 square feet with an electric dryer, jacuzzi, hot water boiler and a well pump. I use a standard 5,000 watt generator with 2 120 volt plugs and 1 240 volt plug. I keep the dryer off and the jacuzzi off during an emergency. Everything else in the house runs fine.

Or steam powered:

[link to www.thelibertyman.com]

solar w/batteries will be better when TSHTF

When at home, the deep cycle storage batteries from my boat are upstairs with a battery float charger on each pair and inverters to provide continuous power.
Portable generator is for emergency recharging only, not continuous use.
Auto/truck underhood belt drive generator has also served in the past.
[link to www2.northerntool.com]

Correct link. Two on the right are for underhood applications and what I referred to in above post/sorry

[link to www.northerntool.com]

2.5kw is typical min to run a frig.

Do you really plan to run all your appliances off of a generator 24/7? I wouldn't plan on that. Use candles for lighting, if at all. Use the generator just a few hours to power a big freezer. Dig a root cellar. When TSHTF we'll all make due with much less electricity. Ideally you'd also have a well dug and the generator could be used to pump H2O.

Here's an excerpt from a survival blog:

"One of the generators is a single cylinder 6HPrated Lister clone diesel ($950) which runs at a very low 650 RPM . It is connected to a 10 HP single phase generator ($689) and produces up to 39 amps of 115 VAC (about 8,900 watts) while only using about a 1&#8260;4 gallon of diesel per hour. This one runs whenever we need to recharge the batteries or during the summer months during the heat of the day when we need to air condition to make the house habitable. Did I mention we are on the coast in Mississippi? ( 95 degree days with 90% humidity.)

Our other generator is a 28 HP 15KW diesel monster ($2100) and it produces 72 amps of 230V while burning about 3/4 gallon per hour. It is only used when I need to do some heavy duty welding and not disrupt the smiling partner. (Note to all,-- it is extremely important to keep your partner smiling).

While extremely fuel efficient ($ about 0.07 per KWH) the diesels do require to be fed and maintained. Except for the summer months, they run only for about 5 hours per day, doing the washing, pumping, and charging up the batteries for the overnight span. Overnight the only loads are the TV for a couple of hours, the computers and associated networking for a couple of hours, refrigerator, lighting , well pump and the ceiling fans in 3 bedrooms for sleeping. This works very well, and we are able to run most months on less than a barrel of diesel (50 gallons at $2.37 in today’s prices = $118.50). Our electric bill Pre- Katrina averaged over $250 per month. In effect we have achieved survivability and lowered our cost of utilities."

I have a 5859/8000 surge...maybe not exact, but pretty close..a Porter cable. I can run the AC...water heater, whatever I need to, but not all at the same time...and I just run a suicide wire and back fire my panel. If you don't know what you are doing?...you should get informed...because if you are not off the grid and they fire back up? Your gen and the service electricity will be out of phase and you will explode your generator...not explode like fizzz pop broke....explode like a bomb.....so have yer shit wired right before you start fooling with it if you don't know at least some basics.

Electricity:

Can't see it.
Can't smell it.
Can't hear it.
Can't feel it....until it's too late.

1. You are FOOLISH to even consider maintaining a "normal" lifestyle in a severe emergency; depending upon the scenario, you may be off the grid for hours, days, weeks or months and ANYTHING over a week or so requires ALOT of fuel to keep even a small generator operational. That involves THREE issues: SAFETY, STORAGE, SECURITY. You must first consider these three S's before you embark on any generator purchase. Try to keep at least one week of fuel onhand... and DON'T FORGET the STABILIZER for long-term storage!!!

2. As I stated above: you cannot expect to live as you are NOW, running your A/C and every stupid comfort appliance you own. Your fuel inventory will be soon depleted and render your entire preparations worthless.

3. CONSIDER OPERATING ONLY THE BARE NECESSITIES THAT WILL ENSURE YOUR BASIC SURVIVAL!!!!! This means NO hair [or clothes] dryers and NO power-sucking appliances.

4. Stock up on power-miser appliances. The typical microwave oven uses around 1,000watts -the same as ten 100w bulbs. Switch NOW to a supply of compact Flourescent lamps [CFL's] - they give the same output for FAR LESS the wattage used. Better yet: buy some strings of LED Christmas lights... a 35-light string will light an entire room and consume only 3 watts of power!! STARTING TO GET THE PICTURE?

5. Find Alternative forms of energy. Oil lamps can provide not only LIGHT, but also minimal HEAT and can be altered to use for COOKING as well. Liquid parrafin lamp oil is not only cheaper to use it is safer to store without the worry of noxious fume buildups. An EXCELLENT form of emergency lights? Solar-powered patio lamps!! Leaving them outside to charge during the day and bringing them indoors at night for illumination = NO POWER CONSUMPTION!!


I just bought a 2,000w generator [5.5hp] at a Big Lots store for $269.00; it's not the one I wanted, but that 3500w unit was/is out of stock [from Harbor Freight Tools: onsale for $349.99 - but I got a raincheck!] for the next six weeks due to hurricane relief. At first I thought I just HAD to have a minimum of 3500-4000 watts. I WAS WRONG!! After careful consideration I've discovered that I can get by with a much smaller unit [I can actually pick the 2,000w generator up with no strain... I dare anybody to heft a 5,000w unit and carry it around unassisted; bigger units HAVE to roll on wheels for portability!!!]... you see: I've already tested it!!! [BTW: I may just buy the 3500w unit anyway to have as a primary and use the 2000w as a backup or for my extended family's use] - this is where your personal budget enters the picture: I'd much rather invest in food I can cook over an open fire [if needed] than spend extra bucks for a generator that may soon run out of fuel.

DON'T FORGET TO BUY A GOOD POWER SUPPLY CORD!!! But, be aware: they can get pricey [expect to pay about $1/ft]. For your direct feed from the generator, don't buy anything LESS than 12g wire or you're wasting your time. Power output will drop considerably over even a short distance using a smaller guage. BTW: Big Lots came through for me again: a 50', 12g cord cost me only $30.00 [I altered the business end by installing a steel quad-box with four outlets for ease of use for branchoff lines].

BOTTOM LINE: think your needs through very carefully before making ANY purchase.

HOPE THIS HELPS!!

A Generator is a good "Idea" for short term problems.
If you have it, and "THEY" don't, "THEY" will take yours...

When the SHTF, most of the Natural Gas Compressors have been switched over to Electric, it's cheaper to run than using their Gas as a fuel for the Turbine.

So...there will probably be no Natural gas...
Hmmmmmmm......
Diesel.....Gasoline.......Propane........????
Big tanks in your yard...NOT, and if you have the means to dig a hole and try to bury it, you will get caught...

Steam power seems good huh??? But how does water get to your house...... an Electric Pump..... That damn electric thing again.........How about a BIG Water Tank..... Water is around 8.34 LBS/Gal at 40 degrees F...Gotta Horse??? Are you in good shape???

One of those little steam engines won't really run any type of generator you are looking for, and the 20 HP version 5900.00, definitely has the capability, but I think it uses a boiler that cost's around 6500.00....and needs 100 gallons per hour to run at rated output...I THINK...I don't recall the exact number at this moment....Hmmmmmmmmmm...... Now remember, this is ASSUMING that it has TRULY hit the fan......

I have given this valid thought.... Then I bought a rifle, a handgun, much ammo, water, vitamins, common drugs, a bag of weed :-)... cases of MRE's... SOPACO is the provider of them to the Military. Crown Point LTD. is the wholesale company for retail sales.

I acquired 22 solar panels (100 Watts...YEAH!!!) from roadside gas meters along the highway... Nobody would stop a man in his Hard Hat from doing his job...Right???

Hooked up the Panels to a battery bank (Junkyards), and can use a Short Wave Radio, CB, small car size cooler and small items.

A used woodburner is next on the list here....

Unless you have a gas well on your property, there really is no sense... Buy Guns, ammo and food......

I do agree:
buying a fucking generator aint gonna save you...


Good Luck!!!

Thank our Government for this.......


:dubya: :dubya: :dubya: :dubya: :dubya: :dubya: :dubya:

no jacuzzi? wtf?

why would anyone want to go on?


generators sure are nice for a few days, week, whatever, but if no one else has one, you sure are going to attract a lot of attention

if all you expect is a minor disruption sure, but anything longer you ought to be putting your money into other things, a small solar panel and some deep cell batteries, genplay wind up radio/lanterns, etc

AMEN, Malu!

I only considered buying my generator because I have a secure concrete window-well with a heavy, locked grate protecting whatever's beneath where I can use it. To use one outside and unsecured is simply foolish and ASKING FOR TROUBLE.

And: as I said above, I already have the alternative forms of power onhand. The generator is merely for special needs/purposes.

Lister 6-1cs / 660rpm 6hp
6,800w peak / 3600rpm Gen-head

Lots and lots o' vegetable oil...



We is goin to TOWN-NOW!

Oh, and Listers can last about 450,000 hours, or 51 years... 1 overhaul, 900,000 hours 102 years.

Car engine, 3,000 hours.

Lawnmower engine (same as most generators) 1000-2000 hours at best.


Take your pick.

dang, i kind of blew through the post, you had a lot of good info there, oil lamps are nice to use even when you have power, mellow :)

i had a nice set up when i had my farm, the whole system, but that was only plan A,, redundancy in systems is key to long term survival

How large is the motor on your pump?

Thanks.

ok

~ 700 watts = 1 HorsePower ( yes it's a bit more than that, but I'm rounding )

so if the device is 1.5 hp you need about 1500 watts to run and double that to start it...

Propane gennies are the way to go as you can store way more fuel and it NEVER goes bad...

get a water cooled engine if you want something that will last...

Got a well here too and think I would have to go with 5000w to kick it over?

As many have duly noted, generators are a short term remedy, not a long term fix.

Suppose another squirrel knocks the grid down for half the US...)...??

Solar and batteries here, worked great during the 10 day outage after the last hurricane tore up ohio.

I'm not running big appliances... No Electric Dryer, or Fridge, or big TV set...

But the pc, ham radio, shortwave, police scanner, and small 5 inch TV all played fine. The Solar Shower, Water filter, kerosene cooker, were a plus.

what are you running off that set up?

look, just picture this.....


tshtf and you fire up your generator. Great. Within an hour guess what.... because you're the only one around with one and its completely quiet in the neighborhood because nothing else is running, your house sticks out like an audible sore thumb. Guess how many friends you're gonna have as soon as the lights go out?? Remember, a generator sounds like a friggin air compressor unless you get one of those tiny hondas.


The best thing to have when tshtf is nothing. All these aholes bragging about their guns and how they're gonna protect themselves... yeah, sure--against the first guy or two.

If you want a generator fine...but get the quietest one you can, insulate the shit out of it, use it sparingly, and use candles after dark. You will look like everyone else and be less of a target. You gotta hide in plain sight, not pretend you're fucking rambo. These people make me laugh...the second a few guys show up to steal their shit they will be looking to fire up glp for advice....fucking hilarious. And buy a few solar operated lights for around your house on the exterior....they're dim but you can see someone coming.

TSHTF isnt like a camping trip you know.

Get a 5500W continuous power @ Home Depot with a Subaru engine. GREAT ON GAS and STARTS EVERY TIME! Don't take a chance with less wattage or a gas guzzler. I LOVE MY SUBARU. Always have plenty of power for A/C or heat, refrigerator, + lights and TV/Dish. You will need to turn off an electric hot water heater or blow breakers, and no electric oven (microwave ok) until power is restored.

Stay away from Big Lots and Walmart Chinese generators. Most are gas guzzlers and don't last very long.........Those recommending them here will soon be swearing at them when they blow at the worst possible moment, and as they fork over another $300-500 for another piece of junk.