Now the Generator!

[TUGBrian]

ah yes, the cost of a whole home generator would include the transfer switch and wiring it into your existing panel which almost always exceeds the cost of the generator itself!

is there an exterior line/attachment somewhere in your home for a bbq grille or outdoor firepit? bet you could find an attachment that would let you feed the generator off that?

 

[jp10558]

ah yes, the cost of a whole home generator would include the transfer switch and wiring it into your existing panel which almost always exceeds the cost of the generator itself!

Oh, interesting. Of course we already paid for a manual transfer switch to be wired in 4 years ago when I first set this up with a different portable generator. That one died and then I got this one with the insurance payment.

is there an exterior line/attachment somewhere in your home for a bbq grille or outdoor firepit? bet you could find an attachment that would let you feed the generator off that?

Sadly no, there's one line that goes into the house for heat and stove. Everything outdoors we use wood or charcoal for.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Oh, interesting. Of course we already paid for a manual transfer switch to be wired in 4 years ago when I first set this up with a different portable generator. That one died and then I got this one with the insurance payment.

Sadly no, there's one line that goes into the house for heat and stove. Everything outdoors we use wood or charcoal for.

It is pretty easy to Tee off of the one line to your house to accommodate your generator. It would be after the pressure regulator, so it would be low pressure. Perhaps an HVAC tech could be hired to do it. I've personally have done this a few times and it is not difficult. But if you are unsure, just hire an HVAC tech.

I'm a bit surprised that the BBQ tanks couldn't supply enough gas at 40 degrees. At that temp, the pressure in the tank should be around 65 psi. I wonder if the pressure regulator (on the generator? or at the tank?) was malfunctioning or needed to be adjusted.

We used to be on propane and our propane company was really helpful. I'd line up the small BBQ tanks next to our 500 gallon tanks and they'd fill them all when we got the big tank filled. Even the one that was out of date. Ha ha. But, I'd always give the delivery guy a soda or bottle of cold water. Helps to be friendly.

 

[easyrider]

Well, it's not a standby generator, it's a inexpensive portable generator that can power the entire houses load. It costs ~$2,000 vs a professionally installed one that I've heard starts at $12,000 and goes up from there. I know it's not going to be as reliable, but it's much cheaper.

That's what I have. It rarely gets used. I think it's a Westinghouse. Still looks new.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

It is pretty easy to Tee off of the one line to your house to accommodate your generator. It would be after the pressure regulator, so it would be low pressure. Perhaps an HVAC tech could be hired to do it. I've personally have done this a few times and it is not difficult. But if you are unsure, just hire an HVAC tech.

I'm a bit surprised that the BBQ tanks couldn't supply enough gas at 40 degrees. At that temp, the pressure in the tank should be around 65 psi. I wonder if the pressure regulator (on the generator? or at the tank?) was malfunctioning or needed to be adjusted.

We used to be on propane and our propane company was really helpful. I'd line up the small BBQ tanks next to our 500 gallon tanks and they'd fill them all when we got the big tank filled. Even the one that was out of date. Ha ha. But, I'd always give the delivery guy a soda or bottle of cold water. Helps to be friendly.

We had a pressure regulator go bad on a 500 gallon propane service. It wasn't obvious at first but when we could smell propane it was obvious something wasn't right.

Bill

 

[BJRSanDiego]

We had a pressure regulator go bad on a 500 gallon propane service. It wasn't obvious at first but when we could smell propane it was obvious something wasn't right.

Bill

I had one go bad as well.

Once when staying at The Ridge on Sedona Golf TS (Sedona), it was probably around 35 F outside and I got the solo job of BBQing the steaks. I had trouble lighting the grill and when I got it lit, the blue flames were less than 1/4 inch high. I knew that wasn't going to work. So I took out my SOG multi-tool and re-adjusted the regulator to give me a normal sized flame. IIRC, I had to unscrew a plastic cap on the regulator first to get access to the screw that had to be turned.

 

[Brett]

And some people use Tesla batteries for home power backup

https://artisanelectricinc.com/powerwall-vs-backup-generator-which-is-the-best-home-power-solution/