Anyone have an electric generator?

I'm looking at a 5KW ATM. I have a fridge, 1/2 HP jet pump and of course a computer with a modem and router and a TV. Lighting is secondary as I have an LED flashlight which seems to last forever. Any ideas are very welcome. Thanks.

 

First off, not a bad choice, but fair warning, I would NOT advise using it to power any electronics as the output is not 'clean' electricity and tends to have spikes and dips. Beyond that, I'll drop a line to my dad, he is the Electrical Engineer in the family, and could give a better answer. There is a more technical explanation of why not to use it to power your PC/modem etc, but that is the best non-EE way I know of to explain it. I'll crack off that e-mail ASAP and get you an answer as soon as I can.

~C



PS: Email sent now

 

Get a Honda,all the others are cheap copies

 

Thank you Calltaker, I do have a 1000VA UPS for the rig/modem/router but not for TV. though I could rig it up.

Ya but it's three times the price and I can't afford it. My main concern is my 1/2HP jet pump. Thanks Rikky.

 

we are about to go through all this. hubby is the one to talk to, so when he comes in I'll get his thoughts on it. i do know that in our case we will probably incorporate solar and possibly even wind power into the equation. is this supposed to be a temporary solution to power, or a permanent one?

 

Going off-grid? Glad to hear it.

I personally have a Laptop Battery which spends all it's time in a charger which keeps it full, so that if the power goes, and I need the net, I can still get on. Much less painful than having your Desktop go boom.

That said, the UPS should be helpful in aleviating the spikes and dips.

 

I have a 5KW generator and it runs my house quite well, 3 TV sets@ refridgerators , computer lights, water pump etc. I don't use the air conditioning, Microwave Or electric water heater when the gen is on.

Good luck

Ron

 

Thanks Laurie, much appreciated. People around my county have been having trouble with the grid with freezing rain/wet snow killing the power grid. I live in a rural area and as such get hooked back up rather slowly so the water is of a paramount necessity, then fridge then computer and TV, in order of importance.

I don't want to go off the grid, just have a backup during the winter when needed. Solar up here is useless and wind power is just too expensive as I'd have to convert to 12V or have an inverter, buy a propane fridge etc. Just not worth it IMO. Please prove me wrong about wind power as I would love to hear about it, I hate wasting fossil fuel for my creature comfort.

 

Haha, I don't need A/C up here during the winter Ya, the nuker takes a lot of energy and I don't need it and I can always get a camper type of stove or dress up and go outside and fire up the BBQ. It's not for a long duration either, maybe 15 days a year but I'd make that that back in not rebuying food within 5 years. What kind of water pump do you have? Thanks for the reply.

 

A UPS will take care of the dips and spikes of generated power, but it will destroy the UPS after a while, I go through UPS batteries at 1 every year or so on my 3 UPS's about the house.

Everything that is electronic that I care about is on a UPS at my house.

 

The viability of wind depends a lot on the kind of terrain around you. If you're living in the midst of the woods, there's not a lot you can do without a massive tower.

Do you have a stream running through, or nearby? If so, you might want to check into hydro electric power. Be sure to check the regulations though.

 

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.... Got an answer from my dad, and I was out shopping for all those pesky household supplies today so didn't get a chance to check earlier..... Anyways, here is what he said...

Hope this helps..... apparently, I misunderstood, or things have gotten better since I learned that


~C

 

www.backwoodshome.com
www.countryside.com

Both websites for magazines with articles on self sufficiency, including power systems.

 

I have to thank your dad for all this excellent info! It is much appreciated. I would never have even imagined there were rails to think of, sounds like a computer power supply. You can't get that info on Google unless one is lucky in their search terms! Thank him please.