SkinnerVic
3rd March 2009, 14:25
I thought I would light up a post (hehe) about my experience thus far on contingency plans for power failure. I know people always chat about getting a generator, but it's a bit more complicated and I really sat down to think about the process for home based on an analysis of couple variables. I did this because "The Boss" and I lost our freezer (and everything in it) last year. Year before that we had drunk take out a power pole leaving us toast for 3 days, etc, etc. We are done with being a victim on crappy power with loss of frozen items being a high priority.
Here's the profile I worked around:
1) What do I need to power and for how long?
2) What kind of fuel(s) do I need and how much given 1)?
3) How do I integrate it in the house electrical?
4) How do I keep it discreet?
I've regularly done security analysis for computer setups I've put together(like for the 2002 Olympics in SLC), but not for my home. I figured out I needed the following running for the home:
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Microwave (for cooking - less power than toaster oven)
- Furnace (for circulating air)
- Computer Center (it's how I make a living)
- AV (got to keep the kids happy)
That left me using about 1750 W (being quite conservative on non-surge events). I decided to go with a Honda EU2000i. Best prices I found were Mayberry's (http://www.mayberrys.com/honda/generator/html/maingenerator.htm) and Wise Sales (http://www.wisesales.com/HondaGenNEW.html). Nice little unit, wife can move it, does what I need with sensitive loads while being quiet.
Second item is based on picking the unit. How much gas per unit time does it need at load. Well, I don't have the space nor energy to store 20+ gallons. What I did figure out is there are Tri-Fuel Kits for many inverter generators. Check out these boys in Maine (http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-fuel.asp?page=EU2000i_Tri_Fuel) - it's generator pr0n for those looking to get crazy like me. It allows you to run LP, CNG, or Gasoline. Having that flexibility is huge if TSHTF. CNG is totally not a problem around here, so it's my first choice.
I needed to tie it into those circuits without back-feeding the line. I found many transfer switches, most are frickin ancient - all manual, except for one. Most of the transfer switch makers are ripping people off. I found a unit from APC, yes - the same people that make UPS systems for computers. It's a UTS unit (http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=371), which is nice in that it can take BOTH a backup generator for power AND a UPS. It also has nice management systems to roll things on and off given surge load, etc. Display will tell you current draw, etc. For the extra $75 over the medieval manual ones, I'll go high-tech.
It's all coming together in the next couple days, of which I will be wiring and assembling this bad-boy together. I will keep you folks posted on how it does!
Here's the profile I worked around:
1) What do I need to power and for how long?
2) What kind of fuel(s) do I need and how much given 1)?
3) How do I integrate it in the house electrical?
4) How do I keep it discreet?
I've regularly done security analysis for computer setups I've put together(like for the 2002 Olympics in SLC), but not for my home. I figured out I needed the following running for the home:
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Microwave (for cooking - less power than toaster oven)
- Furnace (for circulating air)
- Computer Center (it's how I make a living)
- AV (got to keep the kids happy)
That left me using about 1750 W (being quite conservative on non-surge events). I decided to go with a Honda EU2000i. Best prices I found were Mayberry's (http://www.mayberrys.com/honda/generator/html/maingenerator.htm) and Wise Sales (http://www.wisesales.com/HondaGenNEW.html). Nice little unit, wife can move it, does what I need with sensitive loads while being quiet.
Second item is based on picking the unit. How much gas per unit time does it need at load. Well, I don't have the space nor energy to store 20+ gallons. What I did figure out is there are Tri-Fuel Kits for many inverter generators. Check out these boys in Maine (http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-EU2000i-Tri-fuel.asp?page=EU2000i_Tri_Fuel) - it's generator pr0n for those looking to get crazy like me. It allows you to run LP, CNG, or Gasoline. Having that flexibility is huge if TSHTF. CNG is totally not a problem around here, so it's my first choice.
I needed to tie it into those circuits without back-feeding the line. I found many transfer switches, most are frickin ancient - all manual, except for one. Most of the transfer switch makers are ripping people off. I found a unit from APC, yes - the same people that make UPS systems for computers. It's a UTS unit (http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=371), which is nice in that it can take BOTH a backup generator for power AND a UPS. It also has nice management systems to roll things on and off given surge load, etc. Display will tell you current draw, etc. For the extra $75 over the medieval manual ones, I'll go high-tech.
It's all coming together in the next couple days, of which I will be wiring and assembling this bad-boy together. I will keep you folks posted on how it does!