How big of generator

[MJNTWise]

Built from factory for propane, I have a 1000 gallon tank buried in the ground dedicated to the generator only.

Do you worry about the propane going bad? I'm thinking about getting one. But worried propane going bad. Then I thought about getting a propane pool heater. To use it. Any toughts?

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Do you worry about the propane going bad? I'm thinking about getting one. But worried propane going bad. Then I thought about getting a propane pool heater. To use it. Any toughts?

Gasoline can go bad, and I think diesel as well, but since propane is a compressed gas, I don't think it goes bad.

 

[Brien]

Is this for a power outage? Look up the power requirements of each device. Even with my LEDs on I'm under 200-watts. That means a very small generator or GoalZero inverter would work fine for you.

 

[ca1ore]

Propane does not go bad like gasoline. I had a 6,500 running watts unit but it was always a pain to keep enough gasoline on hand; and it wasn’t helpful when I’d be travelling. So getting a 20K Kohler installed. Not cheap, but less than the replacement cost of all my livestock

 

[Tiger-Paws]

I run a 25K whole house diesel generator with a 45 day fuel supply.

I like my A/C and beer cold.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Yes, I've tested it twice just to make sure. Ran it for about 30 minutes each time.
I also have each tank on a 1200 watt UPS.

The reason I asked because I've seen the non-dc pumps and power heads struggle with cheap generators due to these being modified sine-wave.

Your home outlet provides pure sine-ware electricity vs cheap generators that provide modified sine-wave.

These cheaper generators cause pumps to rattle and not spin properly. They can also kill sensitive electronics in your household; I am by no means exaggerating this.

It is possible that if you run your generac via your UPS units maybe that modifies it, but I doubt it, not to mention that cheaper UPS units arent producing pure sine-ware when running off batteries either.

All in all, the point is. If you bought a generator, TEST IT! with your aquarium specifically in a fashion you'd do it in a power outage scenario.

 

[BZOFIQ]

If you're going to use it a lot, or you want something you can rely on 99.999%, then I'm sure the higher $ ones are the way to go.

I myself got the 3000W Honda EU3000isunit which is an Inverter Type Generator (Pure Sine-Wave) and have been very happy. Sometimes I wish I bought the larger unit but this more than covers my tank and basic household needs. You can find one around $2K

These Honda units have turn-key starter and are super quiet and sip very little fuel; hope this helps.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I run a 25K whole house diesel generator with a 45 day fuel supply.

I like my A/C and beer cold.

That's great if you have the space!

That's more power than Con Edison provides to my main panel.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Propane does not go bad like gasoline. I had a 6,500 running watts unit but it was always a pain to keep enough gasoline on hand; and it wasn’t helpful when I’d be travelling. So getting a 20K Kohler installed. Not cheap, but less than the replacement cost of all my livestock

Gasoline does go bad. I only buy 93-octane and mix it with Stabil with great success. I've learned that when switching off equipment just cut the fuel supply and let the motor stall, I've never had an issue restarting any of my motorized equipment even after a whole year of no usage. That goes for my generator, pro power washer ,sno-blower, etc.

The gasoline I do store is dumped into the cars and fresh supply is sourced every year in the summer; provided it wasn't used throughout the cold season.

 

[BZOFIQ]

...Ya it's loud but so are all my neighbors !

In most parts of NYC people would hate your guts LOL

 

[Tiger-Paws]

That's great if you have the space!

That's more power than Con Edison provides to my main panel.

Space is not an issue, I have 125 acres all to myself.

 

[Tiger-Paws]

In most parts of NYC people would hate your guts LOL

NYC? ;Yuck;Yuck;Yuck Too may people and not enough open space. My nearest neighbor is just over 4 miles away which is close enough for me.

 

[tgrick]

I'm in Florida. I run a Honda 2000 with a CHILLER (1/4 hp) and it can run all day on 2 gallons. My wife does not complain about noise either. 3 LEDs HD 26s, Varios 8 pump. 2 Gyre 250s, Tunze Skimmer, and Kessil H360 for fuge.

 

[ca1ore]

All these portables work just fine ... as long as you (or somebody you trust) is around to fire them up. If, like me, you travel a lot, then the portable becomes a flawed 'solution'. I spent a few nervous nights in Las Vegas this past March as nor'easters churned up the East coast. Dodged the proverbial bullet, but that only works for so long. I've got more $$$ tied up (not to mention time and effort) in livestock in my tank than a whole house standby generator will cost me. Became a no brainer ...... for me at least.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Space is not an issue, I have 125 acres all to myself.

Wow, that's absolutely GREAT!

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'm in Florida. I run a Honda 2000 with a CHILLER (1/4 hp) and it can run all day on 2 gallons. My wife does not complain about noise either. 3 LEDs HD 26s, Varios 8 pump. 2 Gyre 250s, Tunze Skimmer, and Kessil H360 for fuge.

It is actually pretty amazing how quiet these units are.

 

[BZOFIQ]

All these portables work just fine ... as long as you (or somebody you trust) is around to fire them up. If, like me, you travel a lot, then the portable becomes a flawed 'solution'. .

Agreed, I decided to write step by step instructions (soon) that I will attach to the generator in a laminated pouch. I figured a copy of it can be also give to a tank-sitter during "walk-through"

 

[BZOFIQ]

NYC? ;Yuck;Yuck;Yuck Too may people and not enough open space.

You're not kidding. When I was buying a house (and I am not in crowded neighborhood by any means), my real estate agent looked at us like we are anti-social. Would love to live on a property like yours, more than ok with having neighbors miles away as well.

 

[60CubeReefer]

Remember that you can buy tri-fuel retrofit kits that allow your regular gas generators run on natural gas as well as propane.

 

[ThaBeast]

Added a 22kwh generac last year. Runs on natural gas, automatic transfer switch, self tests weekly. Runs everything in the house including a/c & chiller

Wish I would have done the automatic whole home unit years ago