Standby power for boiler & DHW

hot_rod

large enough to do more than just the heat. Buy enough power to run some lights and at least the refrigerator, maybe the well pump, if you have one. Make sure you have the proper transfer/disconnect if you tie into you breaker panel. Not a good idea sending power backwards to the utility.

The year we moved to Missouri an ice storm took out the power for 5 days. Luckily my lincolin welder has a 8000W generator with 120 and 240 V plugs. All the neighbors left for the duration, we stayed warm and comfortable. Kind of noisey, however.

One thing to do if you go with gasoline is to use that additive that "saves" the gas from going bad. Seems, anymore, gasoline goes bad in a month or so. Nothing worse than a generator that won't start :)

I'm shopping for a deal on a PTO generator for my tractor. The old John Deere diesel ALWAYS starts, sips fuel, and is much easier to move around.

hot rod

Joe_30

Standby power

Wallies help needed. What would you use as a small standby power system to run a simple heating system when ice takes out the power lines here? [Minnesota] Boiler system is 5 zones off a Buderus gas G124X32, Honeywell valves, and a Taco 007. I.E. not much draw. But, I want to later add indirect DHW [another 007] ,and Buderus Logamatic HS-2107, and DON'T want to burn THAT up. Use a battery? A small Honda generator? and a very special volt and amp regulator? Power is rarely out for more than a day or two. Any ideas out there? Thanks to all. This is a great site, and very therapeutic for a guy in a different line of work.

Alternative is to stay with the freestanding gas water heater [needs no electricity]so that there is at least warm water.

Doug Wagoner

Stand by solution

Joe, I used a small generator large enough to power the gas boiler, keep the frig and a few lights working. Be careful where you store the gasoline. My son-in-law would take the generator over to his house every night during the week of our power outage and run out a tank of gas(2.5 hrs)to keep his home above freezing temperatures. We were pleased with the set up. We had to disconnect the commercial wiring from the appliances so we would not interfer if power were restored while our generator purred.

paul lessard_2

what would I use?

nat-gas generator.It will cover you even when you are away from home.

[Deleted User]

i'm planning on

getting a potable gas generator before winter..i'll change my heat plant from being hardwired to a recepticle and pigtail..this way i can just plug it into a cord from the generator..this will alow me to have just a modest sized generator since i'll only be powering the heat plant and if necessary the fridge.

Joh n Brickey

I just installed a L.P. gas 12KW backup generator by Cutler Hammer. It is completely automatic and it runs my whole house. I don't have to teach my wife how to turn it on when I'm not around. Cost me $3000.00 and well worth it.

Steve Ebels

We sell

Honda and Onan generators in the hardware store. Honda has the engine reputation but Onan beats it hands down for good clean voltage. We have a 6,500 watt Onan portable that we rent out with over 1,600 hours of run time. No maint except oil,plugs and filters. It will sit there all day at full capacity where as Honda rates theirs at peak. A 3000 may only be rated for say, 2,500 continuous. Don't buy anything with a Tecumseh engine.

Floyd_2

check this out...

http://www.guardiangenerators.com/support/guardian_71215kW.asp?NavID=

These units are really nice!!! Come with auto transfer and even wiring for up to 30'....the sucker will even excersize once a week!!!!!!

[Deleted User]

Get A Disconnect

I have set up several people with this type of set-up. Northern Hydraulics sells a nice little disconnect switch that allows a place to hook up the generator and power 5 or 8 circuits, and disconnect you from main power. Just a small box that mounts near your breaker box. It's a manual switch, but works really well. If you are going to use a gas generator, go out to the airport and buy 5 gallons of Aviation fuel. It won't go bad on you in the tank like the stuff you put in your car, and won't hurt the engine. Best bet is natural or LP gas set up, or PTO that will run off your tractor. I have a little 455 John Deere lawn tractor that is diesel. It doesen't use hardly any fuel to run my PTO generator.