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Husky

wrote:
home depot sells auto standby generators pretty affordably today

when the power fails it starts and transfers key loads to back up power
automatically and will run forever quietely on natura gas or propane if
you have either. requires no work and no one home. so if power quits
and your not home your sump pump and furnace work normally even in sub
zero temps.

Just make sure that you have plenty of gas pressure or a large, private
supply of propane, and if on utility gas, none of your neighbors have
the same idea. Lots of people with these type units in Western New York
found out the hard way this fall when that freak early wet snow had some
out of power over a week. When all those natural gas generators kicked
on the pressure dropped so much that they couldn't run. My friends with
the 8kW Generac gasoline power unit had power whenever they wanted it.
To keep peace with the neighbors, and conserve gasoline (couldn't buy
any with no power at the gas stations), they ran three hours in a.m. and
three hours in p.m. They have a ten circuit manual transfer panel, and
were able to watch TV, cook, run furnace, etc.

They were asking about a permanent installation model, which is how I
found out about the pressure problems. I have also found out about a new
Honda model that uses a DC generator, and an AC INVERTER (True Sine) to
allow the engine rpm to vary with load. Most "generators" (really
alternators) require 3600 rpm to produce 60Hz Alternating Current, so
they run at near full output all the time, regardless of load. This new
Honda varies the DC output to the AC INVERTER, which creates the 60Hz
Alternating Current, voltage regulated to 120/240. The higher the load,
the faster the engine runs up to max. The lower the load, the slower it
runs, conserving fuel.

requires professional installation..... for safety reasons. and yearly
service, it exercises itself weekly starts and runs for a few minutes
so its good to go in emergency.

really nice they were quoting under 4 grand for smaller ones installed
but unsure if that price was accurate. seemed kinda low.........