Thinking About Backup Power

[cubcadet]

I got real motivated lately about a good backup system for power outages. North east PA had some real trouble when Irene`s tail whipped around and smacked us with lots of rain and wind. Power was out for 2 days last week and lost it again today for 3 plus hours. I have a Coleman 3750 W. gen set for the fridge and freezers, well pump and entertainment center. It will run for about 2-3 hours on less than about 2 quarts of gas, depending on the load. I have a Sears 30 amp battery charger that`s 30 years old and still honks. I was thinking of just getting some deep cycle batteries and one of those solar packages that Harbor Frieght sells and use that to keep up the charge on sunny days and use the generator/charger combo on cloudy days. I am keeping my eye open for a good deal on a more substantial diesel gen set but, this rinky dink setup would suffice until then. Ran across an Onan 30kw unit 3 days ago. I was told the owner would probably take $500 for it. Way too much for my needs. Tempting though. Any thoughts from more seasoned hands on this topic would be good. Thanks.

[MissouriFree]

I got real motivated lately about a good backup system for power outages. North east PA had some real trouble when Irene`s tail whipped around and smacked us with lots of rain and wind. Power was out for 2 days last week and lost it again today for 3 plus hours. I have a Coleman 3750 W. gen set for the fridge and freezers, well pump and entertainment center. It will run for about 2-3 hours on less than about 2 quarts of gas, depending on the load. I have a Sears 30 amp battery charger that`s 30 years old and still honks. I was thinking of just getting some deep cycle batteries and one of those solar packages that Harbor Frieght sells and use that to keep up the charge on sunny days and use the generator/charger combo on cloudy days. I am keeping my eye open for a good deal on a more substantial diesel gen set but, this rinky dink setup would suffice until then. Ran across an Onan 30kw unit 3 days ago. I was told the owner would probably take $500 for it. Way too much for my needs. Tempting though. Any thoughts from more seasoned hands on this topic would be good. Thanks.

about 3 years ago we were out for 7 days due to ice storm. I was working away from home....immediately bought a 20 kw with no break transfer panel. It runs on Propane. Stretched out, a 500 gal tank will cover over 10 days. The security feeling that it gives is great. Worth every penny.

[nadja]

The almost perfect size gennie for running your entire house will vary for everyone. My back up gennie is a Kohler 7kw and believe me, it runs my entire house. It is actually one of my back up gennies for my solar system. In other words, with really bad weather like right now, mostly dark grey/black clouds, my solar panels don't bring in enough to really charge my batteries for night time use, so, usually need to start my gennie and let it run for an hour every night until it clears up/

You can do without a lot should the need arise. Run your freezer for 4-5 hours, and keep the door closed and it will go at least 24 without thawing out. Your refer only needs a couple of hours in the morning and then in late afternoon in an emergency. You really don't need all those lights on all day long and even at night. Go with cpl in at least a couple of lights and stretch your power even more.

Run your diesel gennie for three days and use 500 gal of diesel ? Something wrong with your gennie . That is around $2,000.00 for the 10 days. Are you kidding us ? Either your gennie is way oversized or there is something very very wrong with it. Should your power be out for 30 days, like in a major disaster, it would run you about $6,000.00 Must be nice to be able to throw away that much money. My kohler twin a7kw uses about 1 gal an hour. However, I almost never have to run it more then an hour and that is to charge up my battery bank (18) 220 amp hour Trojen batteries.

[12vman]

Cub..

I wouldn't consider a big battery bank unless you have items that you could operate from them daily. Possibly a small, simple system for a couple of lights and a radio would be ok but keeping a bank of batteries of substantial size for a prolong period without using them daily will be an expensive venture. Batteries do go bad over time and if you don't use them daily, it would be a waste, IMO..

You're best bet would be a propane generator that will handle your necessary loads during a disaster. Figure the loads that you need during these times and nothing more. Make a game plan for the things that you "need" to power and nothing else. This will save you money when selecting a generator and save you fuel. No need to run the whole house. Propane will last for many years in storage and a generator only wears out in hours used if kept out of the elements.

If you want to dabble with a small solar system, choose a room or area that could used as an information/entertainment center for phones, radio, small TV, DVD player, ect. for those periods between running the generator. There's lots of items that will operate direct from a battery to fill these needs. Perhaps a small propane fridge from an old camper could help lighten the load a little.. ;)

Just my thoughts..

[nadja]

Very good advise 12vman. I would second the motion any time.

[MissouriFree]

I agree a LP gen is way to go. But I would caution. Backup generators are like tractors-- buy the most powerful you can afford, not what you think you need today.