For anyone considering a generator ...

Since it's that time of year when the USA might face some severe hurricanes, I thought the following video from Consumer Reports would be helpful for anyone considering purchasing a generator:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/vide ... 676678001/

Additionally, they have an article on their recommendations for generators:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/generators.htm

Hope it helps. Above all, please remember to wire a generator into your house safely. Do NOT cut corners. I *HIGHLY* recommend the purchase of, hiring an electrician to install, and use of a "generator panel" to allow you to switch your household electricity to the generator. This makes even the use of a portable gas generator a much safer proposition. Don't just plug the generator into the outlet for the dryer. Do it right and be safe.

I like HONDA!

Here is my EM6500SX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQmbEQ ... ata_player

And the smaller quieter EU2000i https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcGVvnH ... ata_player

The above link for ratings require a CU account ...

The most practical thing for most people is to NOT wire it into your house wiring at all. Run a good extension cord into the house and plug a limited number of devices into it.

The electric companies have been getting serious about prosecuting people who wire generators into their house improperly, even on a temporary basis. I fully support this because it can cause electrocution of linemen when you do this.

There area also a disappointing number of idiots who die every year by running generators in the garage or in a carport and die from carbon monoxide.

Yes, and a "good extension cord" is one that not only does not have Knicks or cuts in it, but has the proper wire size! For 120v stuff, atleast bring it into the house with 12 awg (gauge wire) obviously your xpap will not draw much current nor need that much ... But it is good to have thick enough wire to handle the largest load.

Also don't slam the cord in the door or window!

I ended up adding hour meters to both my generators, the only way to really know when they need service. Unfortunately most don't come with hour meters ...

archangle wrote:... The most practical thing for most people is to NOT wire it into your house wiring at all. Run a good extension cord into the house and plug a limited number of devices into it. ...

And all too likely to be an improper size of extension cord for the load. It's MUCH better to buy a generator panel, pay an electrician and get it wired into the house. Now, if I use my generator, I crank it up (with no load), plug it into the outlet - on the OUTSIDE of the house - then switch the MAIN POWER source from LINE to GENERATOR. That COMPLETELY isolates our house from the outside line. No chance of electrocuting a lineman. Plus, the wiring of the house can handle load. And you select only those circuits you need. For example, I did not select A/C, but did select the fans. So, my potential load matches the generator. It may cost more, but in the long run it is far less expensive compared to the risks of not doing it right.

I agree a properly wired transfer switch is the "best" way to do it.

Only a very small number of people will do that. For every person who does a transfer switch, there will be ten inbred rednecks who use a widowmaker cord and try to wire up their whole house that way.

If you don't do a transfer switch, a properly sized extension cord is the right way to do it.

The other popular ways to fail generator 101 are to not start your generator and run it periodically, and to not have fresh gasoline. Modern gasoline goes bad in a surprisingly short time if you try to store it, so you need to empty the tank and put fresh gas in when needed.

There are gasoline stabilizer additives that help keep the gas from going bad, but I don't know how long it will last even with stabilizer.

Spend a little bit more and buy a diesel generator. Storing the fuel is much safer than gasoline, and it lasts longer. The generator itself will run much longer than a gasoline engine, and it is more efficient. FOr the gasoline users, I suggest rotating your fuel supply monthly. Fill your car(s) with the fuel that you have stored and get a fresh supply. I cannot stress the importance of safe fuel storage.

I definitely agree, a transfer switch is a must. Do not skip that part. Add a carbon monoxide alarm as well. Attach a bike chain to the generator and secure it to something unmovable. People have been known to take a portable generator from a house.

I posted a check list for start up and shutdown next to the generator. Next to the transfer switch is a list of the circuits and the wattage associated with the items on the circuit. This helps with power management. We try to keep both 120 volt legs of the 220 volt feed line as balanced as possible.
The check lists help during a stressful situation. My wife had to start it once and the checklist was useful.

While the generator runs, a battery is charged for night time operation of my CPAP. Normally I shut down the generator at night for fuel savings / safety reasons and go on battery power for the CPAP.

P.s. Don't be stupid and try to fill your generator while it is running.

Linus wrote:P.s. Don't be stupid and try to fill your generator while it is running.

Why?

You could miss a great opportunity to use the word "immolate".

Although adding that word to the checklist might be a good idea cause you probably won't remember it once the event starts, and won't have a lot of time to Google it (and anyway, wives usually will not allow their husbands into the house if they're on fire, no matter how well they wipe their feet).

I use a 10/4 wire to bring the power into the house. A 12 might be OK for one of those Lunch Box Generators and running only a CPAP:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/wiresizecalc.html

However, rather than running the xPAP machines off a generator, I would consider battery backup, then using the generator to charge during the day.

My system isolates the furnace, refrigerator and one line for a few accessories. Anything else we can easily do without.

Using the above calculator ... They recommend 12 awg wire for a 50' 15 amp draw.

That will run a refrigerator! An xpap uses less than 1 amp!

My EM6500 has plenty of outlets ... So I can run multiple cords if I want to, to different areas.

Our little EU2000i is what I presume is what a "lunchbox" generator (never heard that term before) but it is quiet and sips gas.

Diesel can and will go bad if not stored properly. Extremes in tempatures will cause condensation build up, and there is a allgee (sp?) type critter which will grow/live in diesel fuel and plug up a fuel filter with black slime!

The only fuel I know of that has long storage qualities is propane, it does not go bad.

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:Using the above calculator ... They recommend 12 awg wire for a 50' 15 amp draw.

That will run a refrigerator! An xpap uses less than 1 amp!

Except that my other appliance is a furnace, not a CPAP. AAMOF, I don't even have a CPAP.

51 feet to the furnace with a total system draw of 20 amps needs 10 wire.

Besides, 12 is "Babe" wire. 10 is "Manly" wire.

Actually I was wrong! The calculator requires to put in HALF the run length ... !

So Dave using your numbers an there calculator that you linked to ... Take HALF of your 51' run, round it up to 26' at 20 amps ... It say you need a minimum of 14awg! So, you were wrong too!

Manly or not ... 10awg will handle 140' run at 20 amps 120v ... Glad you run heavier than needed, instead of the other way around!

BTW "Babe" wire (12awg) will handle 20 amps for 90' at 120 vac ... Drop down to a more typical 15 amp circuit in 120 vac and "Babe" wire will be good for 110', much longer than most people would need ...

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:So, you were wrong too!

That is not possible.

A "run" is a complete circuit-- for 51 ft the run is 102.

deltadave wrote:

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:So, you were wrong too!

That is not possible.

A "run" is a complete circuit-- for 51 ft the run is 102.

OK, so I was wrong again! At least I'm "manly" enough to admit it! I did not realize that a run was out and back ...

I'm glad you think it is impossible for yourself to be wrong ... I for one know better!

BTW ... Enjoy your furnace today, or whenever you get hit with a hurricane !

this will get you electric types going. back 45 years ago i worked on a great lakes ore boat. i'm thinking we had 120vac. batteries were scarce and if the transistor radio batteries died while out on the lakes where we couldn't get batteries we would charge them the hard way. we had a plug with 2 open wires on it. we put the battery on the table and barely touched the 2 wires to both ends of the battery. there was obviously a big spark and the battery was charged for a while. hadn't done it before and would never do it again. young and dumb. scary when i think about it now. LOL.....

greatunclebill wrote:this will get you electric types going. back 45 years ago i worked on a great lakes ore boat. i'm thinking we had 120vac. batteries were scarce and if the transistor radio batteries died while out on the lakes where we couldn't get batteries we would charge them the hard way. we had a plug with 2 open wires on it. we put the battery on the table and barely touched the 2 wires to both ends of the battery. there was obviously a big spark and the battery was charged for a while. hadn't done it before and would never do it again. young and dumb. scary when i think about it now. LOL.....

When charging a battery that way you are supposed to put a hot dog in series with it, then dinner will be ready too. Jim