jmichaelh7
2500 Club Member
Looking to start thinking about disasters, power outage etc. What generator are you guys using that’s affordable?
Generator for back up power? Which one?
- Thread starter jmichaelh7
- Start date
- Tagged users None
redfishbluefish
Stay Positive, Stay Productive
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
NJRC Member
Hospitality Award
If I were using a generator in a job application or multiple times a week, I'd buy an expensive generator. With generators only for emergency backup, the basic difference between an expensive (i.e. Honda) and an inexpensive (many brand names, with majority, if not all, made in China), is how loud they are. If you need a quiet generator, get a Honda or similar quiet generator. Otherwise, look at any and all the others and simply get one that meets your watt usage. I picked up a 3650W from Sam's Club for $300 and the one and only time I've used it was when we were hit by Sandy (Hurricane). That little generator ran 24/7 for over 7 days, and ran my entire tank, boiler, refrigerator, television and a couple lights. Note that the larger the generator, the more gas you use, so don't go nuts and buy the biggest thing you find, unless that is your usage.
Mical
2500 Club Member
My approach/reasoning for a Generac (above) was: #1) In Minnesota, in the winter I'm not going to drudge through snow, ice, lugging cables and hoping a portable gen is going to start. (have done this in the past) #2) Without an aux source of heat for our house (IE: Fireplace) was a better option & #3) The whole house generator costs a fraction of what I have invested in tanks, livestock & equipment.
Greybeard
2500 Club Member
Whole house generators, fed from a natural gas or large propane tank, are the best, easiest, and by far, most expensive solution. My folks have one... they don't usually even know when the power fails. Everything just keeps chugging right along.
At the other end of the spectrum, many folks make do with a 12v inverter run from a car. Won't power much, but it could save your tank, in an emergency... and they're cheap!
Gas generators are kinda in the middle. You'll spend more time and energy hooking one up when the power goes down. Nearly all of them are made in China these days, but honestly, for occasional use, that's not really a problem. Wally world carries that black max brand shown above. I've got one, too. They're fine, if a bit noisy.
Honda makes a good generator. Generac, Briggs & Stratton... I've actually had pretty good luck with gas powered equipment from the Predator line that Harbor Freight carries. Haven't tried their generators, but I have a 2" gas powered water pump and a ground auger from them. Pretty happy with both. Cheap, not going to last forever, but OK for occasional use.
Whatever brand you get, keep it serviced. The middle of the night, during a power failure, in a blizzard... NOT a good time to realize you don't have any fresh fuel, or that your generator was never serviced after the last time you used it, three years ago... and now the carb is gummed up, the fuel line is cracked, linkage is rusted up, mice ate the wiring, etc.
Be careful running expensive electronics on generator provided power. Generator output can be pretty unstable. I once burned up two 400 watt electronic halide ballasts trying to run them off of a generator. When my power fails, I plug in my return pump and my heater. Don't need anything else. Just life support mode, we'll pick up the pieces later.
Oh, and I've got a battery backup on one of my Tunze wave pumps. That way I've got some water movement instantly, even if I'm not at home... until I can get the generator out, fueled, and started.
At the other end of the spectrum, many folks make do with a 12v inverter run from a car. Won't power much, but it could save your tank, in an emergency... and they're cheap!
Gas generators are kinda in the middle. You'll spend more time and energy hooking one up when the power goes down. Nearly all of them are made in China these days, but honestly, for occasional use, that's not really a problem. Wally world carries that black max brand shown above. I've got one, too. They're fine, if a bit noisy.
Honda makes a good generator. Generac, Briggs & Stratton... I've actually had pretty good luck with gas powered equipment from the Predator line that Harbor Freight carries. Haven't tried their generators, but I have a 2" gas powered water pump and a ground auger from them. Pretty happy with both. Cheap, not going to last forever, but OK for occasional use.
Whatever brand you get, keep it serviced. The middle of the night, during a power failure, in a blizzard... NOT a good time to realize you don't have any fresh fuel, or that your generator was never serviced after the last time you used it, three years ago... and now the carb is gummed up, the fuel line is cracked, linkage is rusted up, mice ate the wiring, etc.
Be careful running expensive electronics on generator provided power. Generator output can be pretty unstable. I once burned up two 400 watt electronic halide ballasts trying to run them off of a generator. When my power fails, I plug in my return pump and my heater. Don't need anything else. Just life support mode, we'll pick up the pieces later.
Oh, and I've got a battery backup on one of my Tunze wave pumps. That way I've got some water movement instantly, even if I'm not at home... until I can get the generator out, fueled, and started.
Boxofpurplerocks
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2019
- Messages
- 298
- Reaction score
- 271
Try to get an inverter generator. They’re a lot more expensive, but don’t hold the potential to fry your sensitive equipment/electronics. Just food for thought
DDenny
Valuable Member
The biggest you can afford if you want to run more than just your tank. If it will be a small dedicated generator for the tank then you need to know the watts you use and buy one according to that plus a few extra watts just incase. I have two 5500 watt generators that can almost power my house minus a few things. I am looking at one that is a standby but I know I will only be here in this house another 4-5 years so I don't want that expense.
moreef
Well-Known Member
Wondering about one of these. Have you used it and what did it power? I would need to run return pump and either fans or heaters and maybe 1/2 powerheads. Plus the refrigerator or my wife would divorce me lol. Is it worth it for few more hundred to get larger model? Really don’t know much about generators so appreciate any advice on minimum watts needed etc. Thanks
DDenny
Valuable Member
Those are pretty good generators. Just make sure that you get it out and start it every month at least and let it run for 15-20 minutes. If it has fuel shutoff valve then turn it off and let the carburetor run out of fuel to keep it from gumming up and not wanting to start. If it doesnt have a fuel shutoff valve they are easy to install and can be bought at any hardware store of even autoparts store. I am looking one that has about 10,000w to run the bare minimum in the house but dang $2,500 is a lot.
Adamantium
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2018
- Messages
- 1,534
- Reaction score
- 1,045
I have a Generac GP5500, and a transfer switch. The transfer switch is the absolute game changer. If you can get a generator powerful enough to run your whole house (5500 watts seems to be just enough for my relatively small house), a transfer switch will make your life worlds better. You just plug into the inlet outside your house, and flip the transfer switch. I don’t have to run extension cords, and crack a window for them when it’s 10 degrees out. Its absolutely phenomenal.
ca1ore
10K Club member
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
CTARS Member
Article Contributor
R2R TV Featured
Yup .... check, check, check ..... OK, no mice.
Went whole-house-standby a few year ago, but had three portables over the years before that. Other than noise and power generation levels, really not much difference between the three frankly. Most of them seem to be OEM sourced with a brand plate slapped on anyhow. Maintenance lapse killed the first one, second wasn't powerful enough and the third one I still have as a backup for the backup.
moreef
Well-Known Member
I have a prius and wondering if I should use it for powering tank and fridge. Anyone use hybrid for backup power? This inverter is pricey but may be cheaper ways to hook up but not sure.
I have a Harbor Freight Predator 3500 Inverter generator. Just look at the reviews as well, could not be happier. Very reasonably priced for a larger inverter generator, and one I feel comfortable using on my APEX, TVs etc as well, unlike some of the $300 non-inverter options.
BZOFIQ
5000 Club Member
Whatever you get make sure it's an inverter-type generator or you're going to be scratching your head when things fail at or shortly after your power outage.
I can whole-heartedly recommend a HONDA generator knowing how quiet and reliable they are. Whatever you go with turn if off by closing the fuel supply. Probably the most important thing I can tell you.
I can whole-heartedly recommend a HONDA generator knowing how quiet and reliable they are. Whatever you go with turn if off by closing the fuel supply. Probably the most important thing I can tell you.
DDenny
Valuable Member
I like the hondas but dang they are proud of them as well. If you take care of the regular generator they are just as reliable as a honda. I don't worry about fixing them either as I have been working on motorcycles and small engines including hondas with my dad since I could walk. Something breaks I fix it including replacing the short block if need be. I have had my two generators for over 8 years with no problems at all (maybe I'm the exception). I will agree to keep neighbors happy the hondas are the way to go but all my neighbors are running big noisy generators as well.
