generator?

benjamin-benjamin · Nov 27, 2012

if i am wanting just a basic generator to power my house in case the power goes out for a couple of hours or max a day or two.. not worried about the end of civilization or anything like that.. just don't want to replace everything in my fridge when my power goes out... i know nothing about generators.. what would ya'll suggest and where is the best place to buy?? thanks

xdnok · Nov 27, 2012

I just starting looking into one as well, from what I can tell so far a switch of some kind needs to be installed by your breaker box so you can hook the generator directly to the switch and the circuits you want to power are ready to go. Other than that I have had thoughts of buying a 5kw generator and storing it until I need it. As you can tell I know just enough to be dangerous.

Wes

jtischauser · Nov 27, 2012

You can buy and off the shelf model of any size and just run an extension cord out the door or window to the generator to keep the fridge running. You can buy as big or small as you see fit. Just do a little google search to see how many kw you need to run whatever it is you want to keep running if the power goes out. Then buy a little more for a safety net. Don't forget to stock up on 5 gallon cans of gasoline or diesel to keep the generator running.

The best way to do it is to have an electrican come out and put a switch in so that all you have to do is go out to the breaker box and turn off all your breakers and then flip the switch over to your generator. Fire up the generator and then you turn back on the breaker for your fridge, heater, hot water heater, minimal lights etc.

On my new house I am putting in a 20kw generator that is wired directly into the house. There is a 20 second delay and the generator comes on and runs the designated items in the house to keep us going until the zombies are all dead. This bad boy tests itself once a week and runs off of a direct line of natural gas. It is protected by $50,000 in guns and ammo so keep your distance!

benjamin-benjamin · Nov 27, 2012

xdnok said:
I just starting looking into one as well, from what I can tell so far a switch of some kind needs to be installed by your breaker box so you can hook the generator directly to the switch and the circuits you want to power are ready to go. Other than that I have had thoughts of buying a 5kw generator and storing it until I need it. As you can tell I know just enough to be dangerous.

Wes

well then i will do what i always do!! just wait until you figure it out and then you can tell me what to do!!!

Burk Cornelius · Nov 27, 2012

I looked into the switch box for a generator and it was going to be close to $1000 so I decided to just do an extension cord to a few of the items I need in an emergency. Not the best solution, but it works.

CAUTION DO NOT LET SOMEONE TALK YOU INTO PLUGGING THE GENERATOR INTO THE DRYER OUTLET AND BACKFEEDING YOUR HOUSE. YOU WILL KILL SOMEONE, MAYBE YOURSELF, DOING THAT

Adam Striegel · Nov 27, 2012

Just buy an ice chest to keep the beer cold. What else could you possibly need besides ammo in an emergency? hah

My dad just bought a cheap one that he can run to keep a space heater on in the freezing cold, or the fridge going in the sweltering heat. Extension cords for some hanging lights you can use to take showers or whatever in the dark and a radio to keep tabs on what's going on work fine. Just don't expect to be able to run your air conditioner, TV, computer, internet, and the hair dryer unless you're going to have a semi-truck deliver one.

benjamin-benjamin · Nov 27, 2012

no.. all i really care about is the fridge..

benjamin-benjamin · Nov 27, 2012

suggestions on where to buy??

jtischauser · Nov 27, 2012

benjamin-benjamin said:
suggestions on where to buy??

Plugging that heater in and the hot water heater if you don't use natural gas is nice too. Most generators under $500 should cover all 3 items and maybe even a light and the case feeder on your dillon 650. If the power is out for to the zombie apocalypse you will need to make ammo!

jtischauser · Nov 27, 2012

benjamin-benjamin said:
suggestions on where to buy??

I buy everything I can from Westlake ACE hardware be ause they buy our Red Dirt Plants.

ChrisC · Nov 27, 2012

Also bought red dirt plants at Atwood's........ guess no boomer shooter discount

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jtischauser · Nov 27, 2012

ChrisC said:
Also bought red dirt plants at Atwood's........ guess no boomer shooter discount

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I think Atwoods has generators too and that an oklaho a owned store right there!

If you come see me in Guthrie I might be able to get you a deal on some buds!

Wall · Nov 27, 2012

Jesse Tischauser said:
The best way to do it is to have an electrican come out and put a switch in so that all you have to do is go out to the breaker box and turn off all your breakers and then flip the switch over to your generator. Fire up the generator and then you turn back on the breaker for your fridge, heater, hot water heater, minimal lights etc.

Call FeeGee

dennishoddy · Nov 27, 2012

Burk Cornelius said:
I looked into the switch box for a generator and it was going to be close to $1000 so I decided to just do an extension cord to a few of the items I need in an emergency. Not the best solution, but it works.

CAUTION DO NOT LET SOMEONE TALK YOU INTO PLUGGING THE GENERATOR INTO THE DRYER OUTLET AND BACKFEEDING YOUR HOUSE. YOU WILL KILL SOMEONE, MAYBE YOURSELF, DOING THAT

Extension cords, if not properly sized for the load they are handling can become a hazard as well. Refueling a hot generator that is still running is a death wish.

Backfeeding a home from an outlet is best left to those that understand electrical engineering. Our crews at OG&E Test every line coming from a house before working on it to determine if back feeding is going on.
I won't go into the proper way to backfeed.

xdnok · Nov 27, 2012

benjamin-benjamin said:
well then i will do what i always do!! just wait until you figure it out and then you can tell me what to do!!!

Well that's kinda like the blind leading the blind......... I did talk to my buddies that have RV's and they did mention there is a huge difference in quality of generators out there anything from noise while running to TRUE kw output. They also mentioned be aware of where you place your running generator as apparently exhaust fumes in your house are bad for you :O

Wes

Scott Hearn · Nov 28, 2012

Ben, if all you want to run on it is your fridge get one of the Honda 2000 watt gens. They are a bit pricey but 2000 watts aren't too bad. They are small, quiet, they throttle down when there is no load, the generator puts out clean power for sensitive electronics and they are Hondas. I got a real nice 5500 watt Coleman unit from Home Depot with a rock solid Yamaha engine in it. It's been great, but it does eat a lot of gas and it's LOUD!

Feegee · Nov 28, 2012

The reason you need a transfer switch Is so you don't back feed to your main supply (OG&E or whoever you provider is) the transfer switch detects when your power goes out and transfers it over to your secondary source of power (generator) most of your small generators that you buy will not come with one and they are expensive!!! I have other ways to feed your home with a smaller generator (like the ones from Home Depot or Lowes) with a double pole single throw Disconnect or other means. There are a couple of ways to do it but it is a lot easier to show someone than type it out here. So If anyone needs my help showing them some of the ways to do it give me a call and I will help you out.

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dennishoddy · Nov 28, 2012

Feegee Matlock said:
The reason you need a transfer switch Is so you don't back feed to your main supply (OG&E or whoever you provider is) the transfer switch detects when your power goes out and transfers it over to your secondary source of power (generator) most of your small generators that you buy will not come with one and they are expensive!!! I have other ways to feed your home with a smaller generator (like the ones from Home Depot or Lowes) with a double pole single throw Disconnect or other means. There are a couple of ways to do it but it is a lot easier to show someone than type it out here. So If anyone needs my help showing them some of the ways to do it give me a call and I will help you out.

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this is what I was referring to in my earlier post. There is a safe way to do it.

Feegee · Nov 28, 2012

dennishoddy said:
this is what I was referring to in my earlier post. There is a safe way to do it.

It is me and Denni,s secrete and anyone wanting info must provide ammo. Lol

Jk

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Jeff T. · Nov 29, 2012

I have a coleman 5000 watt, 6500 watt max generator that I have had for 13 years now. It still starts on the second pull as it did when I got it. 10HP Brigss engine. It will run a gas heat and air unit(Fan), 2 refrigerators, TV, few lights, Stove and Microwave. I have the switch beside the electric meter that transfers the source from inbound(OG&E) to the generator. The switch and wiring installation added about $800 to the cost of our house, 9 years ago.

Edited to add:
It runs through about 4-4.5 gallons of gas in 9 hours, it also cycles down the engine when there is less power being drawn.