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+--- Thread: power generator (/showthread.php?tid=167806)
power generator - space-time - 06-02-2014
when Sandy hit us, I had friend who lost power for about a week. I was lucky that I didn't lose power. same with hurricane Irene about a year earlier. but I guess eventually my luck runs out and I will need a power generator.
So I am considering picking up this one
http://www.amazon.com/DuroStar-DS4000S-4-Cycle-Portable-Generator/dp/B004918MO2/
I would like to keep it unopened and use it only if I ever need it. Or a a storm hits us and someone needs one really bad, I could sell it to them at cost (no profit) and they can keep it.
The reason why I don't want to loan it to someone is that then when they return it I need to do maintenance on it (drain it, treat it for long term storage, ect and deal with smell of gasoline engine in my small townhouse (no garage here). I would rather prefer to keep it sealed, in new condition, and ope it only if needed, or just sell it to someone who needs it (again, at cost).
My questions for you are these:
1) Is there an issue with keeping this in new condition for several years? you never know, it may be five years before we need to use it.
2) beside gas (obviously), I guess I need to stock up on some oil, right? I can keep some quart of oil, again in unopened containers, and use it only when needed. Gas I plan to keep in the cars and find a way to syphon out as needed.
3) or should I just skip the oil storage all together if syphon some oil from one of the cars when necessary, and as soon as I recover power go out and buy fresh oil and refill the car?
You can guess that I am trying to find am easy way to store this, wihout storing gas and oil in my house.
Re: power generator - Speedy - 06-02-2014
Yes, you can store it in the crate for years. Now figure out how you will bolt it down so, when in use, it doesn't get stolen.
Re: power generator - Robert M - 06-02-2014
Space,
I was looking at portable models for my office and decided I'd only get one that is dual fuel. That way, I could use regular gas station gas or connect it to a gas line and use natural gas. We ended up not buying one but I'd look a a dual fuel model if I evaluate them again.
Robert
Re: power generator - Speedy - 06-03-2014
I sold my RV with a similar generator for $750. The RV had a 30 gallon gas capacity and I could lock the generator compartment and also the generator was bolted down. I could easily park it in my driveway. The generator could be run dry of gas for off-season storage and quickly started when I turned the gas flow back on. And you can drive it out of harms way and then back home. Bought and sold it on Craigslist. This is similar to my former RV:
Re: power generator - space-time - 06-03-2014
Robert M wrote:
Space,
I was looking at portable models for my office and decided I'd only get one that is dual fuel. That way, I could use regular gas station gas or connect it to a gas line and use natural gas. We ended up not buying one but I'd look a a dual fuel model if I evaluate them again.
Robert
that is an excellent point, as I have natural gas and that never went out so far. But, I was under the impression the generators which run on natural gas are more or less permanent installations and run into many thousand dollars. If there were some portable units for around $700-1000 I would go for it. Maybe I should look again.
Re: power generator - mrlynn - 06-03-2014
Build a shed or something to keep it outdoors. You don't want a noisy gasoline engine running indoors, smelly gasoline cans, oil dripping, etc., unless maybe you've got a basement. And of course the exhaust has to be vented outside.
Are you planning to tie the generator into your home electric panel?
I've been thinking of getting an emergency auto-switch generator. A permanent installation outside (natural gas, Kohler engine, 12k watts, enough to run the whole house [but not the dryer]) was quoted at $11,000. I decided to wait, maybe get more quotes.
/Mr Lynn
Re: power generator - The UnDoug - 06-03-2014
My concern about keeping it unopened until you need it is that you run the risk of it not working when you need it. What if there's something wrong with it? You'd never know until the time when you actually need it.
Re: power generator - space-time - 06-03-2014
The UnDoug wrote:
My concern about keeping it unopened until you need it is that you run the risk of it not working when you need it. What if there's something wrong with it? You'd never know until the time when you actually need it.
true that, but the chance is small, if I buy a good brand with good reviews.
Like I said, I live in a small townhouse, no place to put a shed.
On the other hand, I have a friend with shed and basement, and he lost power at Sandy. I guess I could ask him if I can store it at his house, and he can use it when needed.
Re: power generator - onthedownlow - 06-03-2014
mrlynn wrote:
Build a shed or something to keep it outdoors. You don't want a noisy gasoline engine running indoors
/Mr Lynn
Just FYI - you NEVER want to run a generator indoors (has nothing to do with noise or the smell of gasoline) , unless it is a structure built to house the generator, when it runs, and also when that structure is at a reasonable distance from the house.
If running a generator in the open, I would recommend it be 15ft, minimum, from the home.
Re: power generator - mrlynn - 06-03-2014
onthedownlow wrote:
Just FYI - you NEVER want to run a generator indoors (has nothing to do with noise or the smell of gasoline) , unless it is a structure built to house the generator, when it runs, and also when that structure is at a reasonable distance from the house.
If running a generator in the open, I would recommend it be 15ft, minimum, from the home.
Clearly space-time wants to run a generator indoors, but I agree that he shouldn't. I was being gentle, suggesting noise and smell, but there is serious risk of fire and CO poisoning (exhaust systems can leak, even if ducted outside).
Without building a shed, if you have a big enough yard, you can buy or build an enclosure designed for generator use, and mount the generator in it, maybe bolted to concrete blocks, so it won't 'walk' when running, and will be harder to steal.
/Mr Lynn