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I don't have a specific rec but our electrician friend said it's all about who makes the motor for the generator.
The generator itself matters too. The better generators generate "clean" power as in a perfect sine wave. Cheaper generators generate "dirty" power (a broken up wave) and can be prone to voltage spikes as well. What this means for the user is that with a cheap "dirty" power generator, powering stuff like refrigerators, A/C units, sump pumps, etc...is fine, but you might not necessarily want to plug your laptop or flatscreen into it. For that you want to be sure that it specifies that it produces is a perfect sine wave. Otherwise you could end up frying your electronics.
I would actually disagree with this for a few reasons. If you are very dependent on sump pumps (my sumps run pretty regularly and were cycling about 15 minutes during the worst of the rainfall) automatic start can mean the difference between staying up all night waiting to see if and when the power goes out and going to bed with peace of mind. I woke up at 3:00 a.m. when the hard rains started because I knew that if I slept through an outage I'd wake up to a very wet basement. Not to mention if bad weather hits when you're away from home. That's my biggest fear right now and is why I'm planning on installing a propane powered system with an automatic transfer switch. I put too much work into my basement to have it ruined.
Have you researched any specific generators? I'm not sure we can afford an automatic right now. We're looking into a manual propane one but if we ever finish the basement we know we need an automatic system. It would be great if you could share any info you have.
I saw wide price range of generators from couple hundreds to thousands. What's the difference between cheap one and expensive one? Any recommandation for the mid range generator?
The Japanese generators seem to run quieter than the American made units but anymore the "American" generators all seem to be made in China.
If you only need a generator in case of infrequent storms and you are OK with just running an extension cord to your sump pump and or refrig. then the $200-$300 units at HD or Lowes will suffice.
Have you researched any specific generators? I'm not sure we can afford an automatic right now. We're looking into a manual propane one but if we ever finish the basement we know we need an automatic system. It would be great if you could share any info you have.
Personally I'd avoid it, but it might work ok for your needs. It looks like a slightly better version of the ones sold at Harbor Freight. The issue with these is that the engines themselves are Chinese knockoffs of Hondas. Some parts interchange, some don't-they're usually referred to as "grey market" for this reason. As part of our "master plan" for the house (adding a bedroom and a bathroom and rewiring) we want to install one of these:
The Japanese generators seem to run quieter than the American made units but anymore the "American" generators all seem to be made in China.
If you only need a generator in case of infrequent storms and you are OK with just running an extension cord to your sump pump and or refrig. then the $200-$300 units at HD or Lowes will suffice.
That's what my husband said. Everything is MIC now.
We do not have basement. Our crawling space has french drain and we do not have sump pump. My husband chat with neighbor who just ran out to get last one left in the store Saturday and cost him around 1000. It's very loud. Neighbor also told me that some other neighbor install the water steam generator which cost around $2000-3000 because he needs to run sump pump regularly. I guess in our case, the cheap one should be sufficient.
Personally I'd avoid it, but it might work ok for your needs. It looks like a slightly better version of the ones sold at Harbor Freight. The issue with these is that the engines themselves are Chinese knockoffs of Hondas. Some parts interchange, some don't-they're usually referred to as "grey market" for this reason. As part of our "master plan" for the house (adding a bedroom and a bathroom and rewiring) we want to install one of these:
Badfish,
here's a similar model at HD but cheaper. I understand it comes with a mounting pad,
1.Do you know if that eliminates having to pour a concrete base to secure it in case of a 150 mph wind?
Anyone have any ideas on what a fair price for installation would cost?
Here's another brand, Generac at HD,
this model has an aluminum enclosure rather than plastic as the Kholer model has. It claims it can withstand 150mph wind and comes with a composite mounting base eliminating a concrete base. But, I feel safer with a concrete base and having it secured if possible.
But, seems like the Kohler engine is more reliable, used commercially. 20kW Automatic Home Standby Generator-5875 at The Home Depot
can i set one of these up in my garage or basement with a line to the natural gas? i figure id have to pay a pro to set it all up, but it may be worth it to do it right once im doing it.
Badfish,
here's a similar model at HD but cheaper. I understand it comes with a mounting pad,
1.Do you know if that eliminates having to pour a concrete base to secure it in case of a 150 mph wind?
Anyone have any ideas on what a fair price for installation would cost?
Here's another brand, Generac at HD,
this model has an aluminum enclosure rather than plastic as the Kholer model has. It claims it can withstand 150mph wind and comes with a composite mounting base eliminating a concrete base. But, I feel safer with a concrete base and having it secured if possible.
But, seems like the Kohler engine is more reliable, used commercially. 20kW Automatic Home Standby Generator-5875 at The Home Depot
One of my neighbors is having a similar unit installed and I believe is paying about $2500 between installation, permits, wiring, etc...
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainNJ
can i set one of these up in my garage or basement with a line to the natural gas? i figure id have to pay a pro to set it all up, but it may be worth it to do it right once im doing it.
These units must go outside, but basically I see this as the only way to go if you're going to do it. You could do it yourself, but unless you're very up on current electrical/gas building code I'd leave it to a pro as the inspector is going to cast a lot of scrutiny on a DIY install.
can i set one of these up in my garage or basement with a line to the natural gas? i figure id have to pay a pro to set it all up, but it may be worth it to do it right once im doing it.
must be outside. I found this to be a good starting point for my own research into generators.
can i set one of these up in my garage or basement with a line to the natural gas? i figure id have to pay a pro to set it all up, but it may be worth it to do it right once im doing it.
Your going to need permits for the plumber to do the gas line and also an electrical permit.
If NJ is anything like was in the past you will probably need a permit for a concrete pad plus the building inspector might have to approve the location of the unit.
NJ is out of control with construction permits.
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