Need advice on buying a generator

[Faster horses]

We do not own a generator that would run our house and pump should we lose power.
We've been fortunate until now, but we think we should be better prepared.

We could buy the Honda I 2000 and the companion that goes with it.
They are light, about 50# apiece and easy to handle.
The salesman said that although it looks like together they would put out 4000 watts, but really together they total 3750.
I like the thoughts of this set, as we could use it when (and IF )we ever use our travel trailer as they are ultra quiet.
As for using them on the house, the salesman thought it would run everything we would need, except for the freezer. We have a little 800 watt Honda that we could use on the freezer, as the salesman said when the freezer starts up, it draws a lot of power. But Mr. FH doesn't think wouldbe enough for the well pump as our well is 680' deep. It does come within 20' of the top of the ground. We pump a pipeline to water cattle and it waters the corral also.

We'd like some ideas as to what we should purchase that will do the trick.
The house/well is the main thing. If we can get something we could use on
the travel trailer, that would be good, but we know we may not be able to do that.

Thanks for any input you may have. Also what brands seem to work best?

 

[littlejoe]

it is very important that you have a 'service disconnect' to avoid backfeeding power down the line---linemen have been killed by this.

Some master switches on meter base only break one leg.

The real deal is kinda an 'either or'---will not let both be connected at once. I'd ask a qualified electrician about this. And there is laws and codes about it.

On your well, if pumping level stays close to static level it's really only the difference you're lifting---pumping wells is the main reason I own light plants. I imagine your well is wired 220, which is the way to go.

Some of these little generators---say they're rated 4000 watt--4kw---they'll only put out half to 'each side' on the 110 outlets. But the full 4 on one 220. If you're gonna run 220 stuff, maybe buy a couple 220 male ends that plug into your machine----they're pretty oddball.

Lotsa generators around---you know what you gotta run, maybe borrow one and see.

Honda motors are tough to beat---the suckers are amazing. That being said---I burnt one up, had a (I thought) neat little shed build outa a 300 gal tank on one well---cut and bent big louvers in it, thought way adequate ventilation----but too hot.

Know them lime green made in china tools---where the guy drives into your driveway with a gen, air compressor, water pump, etc, says his boss told him to fire sale 'em? I open my mouth and made an offer on used 5kw diesel with thousands of hours on the clock---the thing is amazing--and thrifty.

 

[burnt]

We have a 4.8 KW for the house and it is NOT more than big enough. It will run the water pump and a few smaller appliances (teakettle, maybe one burner one the stove top) but I have to be careful not to turn too many things on at once.

We can plug a freezer in and run it also, but when the water pump kicks in then it really loads the generator down.

One thing I learned early is to make sure everything is shut down / turned off before starting the generator or else be ready to replace the diodes in it . . .

We have a Winco with a Honda engine.

You are far better off with one a bit over-sized than not quite enough.

 

[James]

I have a generac 17.5 kw that we use to run the place, 2 wells and the house. You need to make sure and have a transfer at the meter pole so not to back feed. Just make sure you have a big enough one or you will have problems.

 

[LazyWP]

We have about the same setup as James. Ours is a 17.5 KW Generac. Runs on propane, and if wired into the disconnect. It isn't big enough to run both houses, and the shop.
I understand your wanting to stay with the smaller set, so you can take it camping, but that is like getting a little pregnant. By the time you have 2 or 3 generators running, you could have bought a nice bigger one.
I also have a cheap Harbor Freight, 6KW, that I use to run wells, or other stuff away from the house. It probably has 300 hours on it, and in my opinion, one of the best deal out there. Think they are about $600 now.

 

[Sandhills boy]

I used to wire for a living and you want to go with the transfer around here they are standard equipment put in by the power suppliers for their safety and yours. If you have a small tractor sitting around in the winter buy a PTO generator rated at 20-24 k and will be the best investment you ever made. I only say that because generator-motor sometimes sit along time and when you need them motors will not run, because of bad fuel or some other little critters. You can get good buys on them from Northern Tool and such. Low voltage is the biggest killer of appliances just as bad as high. When you sent up get a good little meter make sure and check voltages. You want 240-250 unloaded voltage, because when you load it and it will drop so if you start 220 then you are low. I am talking line to line voltage, line to neutral or ground as some say would be 120-125. With the PTO generators they have a gauge check it to your meter find where you want to run it and mark it(sharpy), so in a storm you hook up run up to the mark and throw the transfer, I would shut off about half the stuff at the panel in your house and stagger it back on, so you don't get a spike or low, when it has been off for a few hours everything wants to run, once you get it on and everything caught up it will not take as much to maintain. Any questions ask I try not to talk to many technical term to confuse. I had a country business so I have done many many of these in good weather and storms. Brent

 

[katrina]

Fasters, It's not big enough... You need a bigger one. We have cord from the REA pole that will go to the garage where are generator is.. And yes you need to run them periodically to keep them in tip top shape.. I will find out what ours is. We run everything but the hot water heater with ours, even pumps water for three tanks...

 

[Zilly]

FH, what size (hp) pump do you have and is it 120 or 240? I'm assuming 240, but one never knows.

Next question, do you have natural gas/propane? If so, personally I would be looking into a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. It will be pricey, but the piece of mind of not having to run out in a storm trying to find gas, in my opinion, is well worth it. Plus, if you're gone for a few days and the power goes out, you won't have to worry about coming home to spoiled food.

If no natural gas/propane, then a PTO generator would be my next choice. It's what I had before selling my tractor, and it ran everything in the house but the AC. It was nice not having another motor to maintain and worry about. I welded up a cart for mine, but most of the dairy's just build a little shed by the service disconnect, bolt the generator to the concrete and keep the generator in there out of the weather.

 

[gcreekrch]

We have a 7kw Kubota generator at present. It will charge the battery bank, run the fridge, freezer, water pump, tv, computer, house lights and the barn lights. Not all of these come on at the same time but it will run them.

About the only thing that really sucks the power back is starting the air compressor.

Hot water and cook stove are propane. Heat is wood.

 

[George]

Do you have a need for a "service truck"?

If so buy one big enough for the service truck ( I have a 10.5 KW in the chevy service truck and a 6.5 KW in the ford )

With a power outage I can hook either one up and since we have a propane furnace and water heater I just tell Debi she cannot run the electric clothes dryer and the 10.5 runs everything well. It stays in shape with the occasional use in the truck.

I feel the 6.5 in the ford might run everything but we have 3 deep freezes and I would unplug 2 and rotate with the small generator but the 10.5 works great.

My DutchStar has a 10 KW propane powered unit that would do the job as well but it is normally in the barn during winter and would be hard to get out.

 

[Silver]

I have a little 3500 W generator that works as back up power. It will not run everything, so we have to be choosey and prioritize when the time comes. It will run the pressure system, the fridge, and the freezer but not if they all come on at once. As a result I leave the pressure system unplugged until needed.
I guess what I'm getting at is that in my humble opinion you could survive a power outage with the little generators you are talking about with your food intact but you would only have the basic necessities covered.
I'm considering finding a larger genset for the house, and keeping the little one for holidays (should we ever take one) and around the ranch use.

edited to add:
If Mr. FH doesn't have a welder and wanted on, this would be a perfect opportunity! A good Lincoln welder that puts out A/C power would supply all your house hold needs and Mr. FH would also have a great welder. Also, because he gets himself a cool present, by default you get to buy the Honda Whisper 2000 you wanted. Win Win!

 

[Red Barn Angus]

I have a 10 kw welder-generator on a little two wheel trailer. I can pull it with my gator and just pull it out to the light pole where I just plug it in. There is a shut off switch to avoid putting power back in the electric line. It will run the cattle water heaters and everything in the house and barns. The furnace and water heater are propane but the furnace has an electric fan. I've not tried using the washer or dryer and probably wouldn't but I have lights and heat and a cold fridge and no freezing cattle water. You have to have special wiring put in at the light pole along with the 240 plug in to just plug into the generator. Takes only a few minutes to get it all set up when needed. The only problem I have is that one yard light has no switch on it so all the neighbors who have no lights see my yard light burning! It's a little expensive in the beginning but sure gives you a lot of peace of mind in ice storms.

 

[Faster horses]

I have a little 3500 W generator that works as back up power. It will not run everything, so we have to be choosey and prioritize when the time comes. It will run the pressure system, the fridge, and the freezer but not if they all come on at once. As a result I leave the pressure system unplugged until needed.
I guess what I'm getting at is that in my humble opinion you could survive a power outage with the little generators you are talking about with your food intact but you would only have the basic necessities covered.
I'm considering finding a larger genset for the house, and keeping the little one for holidays (should we ever take one) and around the ranch use.

edited to add:
If Mr. FH doesn't have a welder and wanted on, this would be a perfect opportunity! A good Lincoln welder that puts out A/C power would supply all your house hold needs and Mr. FH would also have a great welder. Also, because he gets himself a cool present, by default you get to buy the Honda Whisper 2000 you wanted. Win Win!

Thanks for all the replies. We will go through them one by one, but I have to ask Silver more about what he posted.

We have a new-last-fall Miller Bobcat Portable Welder. Would that do what you mentioned????

What about burning one up? We have heard of that happening. Is there a reason for it that can be avoided?

 

[Silver]

I have a little 3500 W generator that works as back up power. It will not run everything, so we have to be choosey and prioritize when the time comes. It will run the pressure system, the fridge, and the freezer but not if they all come on at once. As a result I leave the pressure system unplugged until needed.
I guess what I'm getting at is that in my humble opinion you could survive a power outage with the little generators you are talking about with your food intact but you would only have the basic necessities covered.
I'm considering finding a larger genset for the house, and keeping the little one for holidays (should we ever take one) and around the ranch use.

edited to add:
If Mr. FH doesn't have a welder and wanted on, this would be a perfect opportunity! A good Lincoln welder that puts out A/C power would supply all your house hold needs and Mr. FH would also have a great welder. Also, because he gets himself a cool present, by default you get to buy the Honda Whisper 2000 you wanted. Win Win!

Thanks for all the replies. We will go through them one by one, but I have to ask Silver more about what he posted.

We have a new-last-fall Miller Bobcat Portable Welder. Would that do what you mentioned????

What about burning one up? We have heard of that happening. Is there a reason for it that can be avoided?

Looks like you already have just what you need!

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/Bobcat-Welder-generator-provides-emergency-power-Stehekin/

Edited to add:

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/Welder-Generators-Offer-The-Best-Value-for-Emergency-Generator-Power-

 

[Faster horses]

Well, I'm really glad I came here and asked!
I think ours is a 225, but it says it puts out 11,000 watts.
This will be fantastic!!! Seems like someone mentioned that when
we bought it, but neither of us recall it for sure as the young man
that leases our place picked it up for us when we were gone.

What about burning them up? Mr. FH has heard of them burning up
when run as a generator. He didn't know if it was a Miller Bobcat or
what portable welder/generator he had heard about.

 

[littlejoe]

I have a 10 kw welder-generator on a little two wheel trailer. I can pull it with my gator and just pull it out to the light pole where I just plug it in. There is a shut off switch to avoid putting power back in the electric line. It will run the cattle water heaters and everything in the house and barns. The furnace and water heater are propane but the furnace has an electric fan. I've not tried using the washer or dryer and probably wouldn't but I have lights and heat and a cold fridge and no freezing cattle water. You have to have special wiring put in at the light pole along with the 240 plug in to just plug into the generator. Takes only a few minutes to get it all set up when needed. The only problem I have is that one yard light has no switch on it so all the neighbors who have no lights see my yard light burning! It's a little expensive in the beginning but sure gives you a lot of peace of mind in ice storms.

"so all the neighbors who have no lights see my yard light burning! "

Okay, Vic!~there was an old boy here (named Vic) who built him a special building for backup power. Had like a 5020 and pto gen in it. No livestock, just him and his wife. 3 or 4 outbuildings. Go by on a regular nite---normal amount of lites on. Let the power go out, the little town go black---he'd fire up, turn on every lite he owned and open doors in buildings---

 

[leanin' H]

I work with generators for a living. You need to do whats called a load calculation to see what your home and well actually draw in current. That will tell you how many KWs you will need to generate to power what you need. Option 1 would be to power everything with a bigger generator and a transfer switch to isolate the generator power from the normal utility grid. Option 2 would be to find the critical loads you have and only power them. Like a well and freezer and furnace. Smaller generator needed and a different way to transfer power. They make a small 8 circuit panel that is installed next to your permanent panelboard. The generator will only power the circuits deemed critical and the new panel acts as a trasfer switch and also isolates the generated power from backfeeding into the utility power. PM me if you'd like. If your welder has the capacity you need to power everything, it's simply a matter of installing a transfer switch of some type. Good luck.

 

[Silver]

What about burning them up? Mr. FH has heard of them burning up
when run as a generator. He didn't know if it was a Miller Bobcat or
what portable welder/generator he had heard about.

I don't know about that, and can't seem to find anything about it on the web. Miller seems to think that they can be used as back up power. There are lots of folks more knowledgeable than I on this site that might have an answer for you though.

 

[LazyWP]

What about burning them up? Mr. FH has heard of them burning up
when run as a generator. He didn't know if it was a Miller Bobcat or
what portable welder/generator he had heard about.

I don't know about that, and can't seem to find anything about it on the web. Miller seems to think that they can be used as back up power. There are lots of folks more knowledgeable than I on this site that might have an answer for you though.

Before we got our big genset, I used my Miller portable welder, to power the essentials. I have no idea what model mine is. No 220, so we just ran extension cords through the doors, to the freezer and crock pot, and the fan on the furnace. We stayed warm and ate. Since then we have gone to propane stove, big genset, and the power company ran a new line.
I start the genset a couple times a year, just to make sure I remember how. :roll:

 

[Howdy1]

I have a neighbor who has a Miller bobcat generator/welder. I am not sure the size but I believe it is on the bigger size. He powere their whole place for 5 or 6 days during this last blizzard in south dakota. I know he did a home, well and waterers, outbuildings, and possible a second trailer house. They have a switch on the utility pole to keep from backfeeding the grid. They said it worked real good.