Propane or gas generator?

[Bydand]

That seems to be real high for a gen-set. The 16kW units are good for 67 amps on LP and would be more than enough for a regular house. Those units are only around $3500, and come with a generac transfer panel. Even if a long way away and the piping and extra wire wouldn't bring the total up that high. If they have a giant Diesel powered commercial unit that puts out 400+ Amps you might push $20,000 for the unit, and $4 a foot for the wire to hook it up, but those are for big commercial buildings like a hospital.

[Maineah]

It's possible they paid too much but there was much more to the installation than dropping it on the lawn and running wires to it. They have a huge house with in-the-floor radiant heating,automated, commercial style security lighting,a massive heated garage,large heated basement, 2- 200 amp services and a 100 amp service for their barn and outbuildings. They have the biggest Guardian back up power unit available. The unit was almost $20,000 alone. They wanted it installed away from the house and due to the fact their house is on ledge it cost them another $15,000 to trench out the ledge and have the unit installed. Add the two massive propane tanks and the architect designed, lanscaped enclosure and there's your $40,000... at least! This does not count the maintenence contract where the installer remotely starts and runs the system monthly and the unit telemeters its' status back to the office. It's pretty state of the art.

[boonelsewhere]

has any one use LP generator for extended period of time or as a primary source electricity.
i am get ready to build a camp, to get electric to the site is vary expensive at this time, may be in the future when the power line is closer we can connect at that time.
to have "The 16kW units are good for 67 amps on LP " run 24 hrs for refrigertor, well pump and minimal use of lights, how often should i expect to refill 200 lbs tanks.

Originally Posted by Bydand

That seems to be real high for a gen-set. The 16kW units are good for 67 amps on LP and would be more than enough for a regular house. Those units are only around $3500, and come with a generac transfer panel. Even if a long way away and the piping and extra wire wouldn't bring the total up that high. If they have a giant Diesel powered commercial unit that puts out 400+ Amps you might push $20,000 for the unit, and $4 a foot for the wire to hook it up, but those are for big commercial buildings like a hospital.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I know a family who has been off the grid for 12 years. They have a propane refrigerator, freezer, generator and hot water heater. After supper they fire up the generator, watch the news and do any laundry they need to do. The clothes dryer runs on propane when the generator is on. The generator charges the battery bank if necessary and the radio, short wave and TV run on 12 volts from the batteries. They have solar chargers also.

These folks have propane delivered once a year. Their propane tank is horizontal. It's about 5 feet in diameter and at least 20 feet long. Yes, it's expensive top fill, but they do it once a year. There are two backup generators, Both run on gasoline.

They have a drilled well. The well pump fills a plastic barrel on the second floor. It has a shutoff valve like the one in your toilet tank. That way they have water for 24 hours without running the generator every time they need to flush. It's quite a place. If we have a depression they won't notice. May of their neighbors won't notice either. Some of the road names in the area are Freedom Way, Liberty Road and Independence Road.

I'll DM Maine Writer and ask her to post a pic. I'm reasonably computer savvy and AliceT and I have discussed this, but neither of us can post pics here.

[boonelsewhere]

did not think of the propane refrigerator/freezer and 12 volts appliances which is in the Airstream. just have to bring the similar set up in to the house.

since we are with in 10 miles of the laundrymat, we are ok there.

"The well pump fills a plastic barrel on the second floor. It has a shutoff valve like the one in your toilet tank. That way they have water for 24 hours without running the generator every time they need to flush."

if we only run generator for 1 or 2 hours a day to fill water tank and charge battery for 12 volts appliances/lights, then it should be do able as for the usgase of LP.

thanks NMLM,
boon.

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

I know a family who has been off the grid for 12 years. They have a propane refrigerator, freezer, generator and hot water heater. After supper they fire up the generator, watch the news and do any laundry they need to do. The clothes dryer runs on propane when the generator is on. The generator charges the battery bank if necessary and the radio, short wave and TV run on 12 volts from the batteries. They have solar chargers also.

These folks have propane delivered once a year. Their propane tank is horizontal. It's about 5 feet in diameter and at least 20 feet long. Yes, it's expensive top fill, but they do it once a year. There are two backup generators, Both run on gasoline.

They have a drilled well. The well pump fills a plastic barrel on the second floor. It has a shutoff valve like the one in your toilet tank. That way they have water for 24 hours without running the generator every time they need to flush. It's quite a place. If we have a depression they won't notice. May of their neighbors won't notice either. Some of the road names in the area are Freedom Way, Liberty Road and Independence Road.

I'll DM Maine Writer and ask her to post a pic. I'm reasonably computer savvy and AliceT and I have discussed this, but neither of us can post pics here.

[shadowfax1997]

I woudl think long and hard about dropping $3000 on a backup generator. We bought a 7000 watt after the ice storm and have used it perhaps 3 times. Each time the power was back on within a few hours. We certainly have not been in dire straights like during the ice storm.

Spending that kind of money on a backup generator seems like alot to me. A better investment would be a small generator and a wood stove.

People living off the grid is intriguing, but it must cost alot to get setup. Diesel generators? At the cost of diesel, it might be cheaper to be on the grid. Plus I wonder how much pollution a diesel generator produces.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by shadowfax1997

Spending that kind of money on a backup generator seems like alot to me. A better investment would be a small generator and a wood stove.

Having lived and raised my kids off-grid, I concur completely!

[Maine Writer]

Roger sent this to be posted here.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I purchased a Hondas 2,000 watt generator at the Fryeburg Fair last year. It is so quiet you have to hold your hand in front of the exhaust to tell it's running if there is any background noise. It's on rubber feet and vibration free. It will charge a 12 volt battery and run 12 volt equipment. For anything up to 2,000 watts it's great. It is portable and carries like a suitcase. No need to mix gas because it's a 4 stroke.

[boonelsewhere]

thanks nmlm:
my first thought was to put the camp where i wanted it but after looked into the cost of bring the electricity to the house is so expensive(power co, solar).
so i give in to build close to the power pole, it also would be easy to get in and out in the winter.
then the orginal reason of move to Maine is to live in the wood, building the the camp close to the street would defeat the purpose.
i think i will give it a goes to build in the wood, then will try to figure out how to control the energy cost along the way.

shadowfax1997 wrote:

A better investment would be a small generator and a wood stove

thanks.