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Propane generator for blackouts?
I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power
blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...5981320&sr=1-3 If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Oct 1, 8:08*pm, dgk wrote:
I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price:http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...Generator/dp/B... If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. You can also get Tri fuel generators, Ng, Propane, gasolene. Having a generator hooked up to the Ng house supply you wont ever need to go out to buy fuel |
Propane generator for blackouts?
dgk wrote:
I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...5981320&sr=1-3 If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 7:22 AM, Dean Hoffman wrote:
dgk wrote: I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...5981320&sr=1-3 If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. My gasoline powered generator has nearly twice the power outlet and if run 24 hours would take 10 gal of gas so I would imagine this one would consume about 5 gal of propane in a day's use. Unit should be easier to maintain than gasoline since you need not worry about stagnant fuel in tank or carburetor. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
"Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
Frank wrote:
I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. My gasoline powered generator has nearly twice the power outlet and if run 24 hours would take 10 gal of gas so I would imagine this one would consume about 5 gal of propane in a day's use. Unit should be easier to maintain than gasoline since you need not worry about stagnant fuel in tank or carburetor. Stagnant fuel is not really a concern: 1. Gasoline should stay usable for at least a year, 2. The addition of a fuel stabilizer increases that time significantly, 3. Run the thing using aviation or marine fuel, or 4. Don't put any gas in the tank until ready for use and remove all the fuel from the machine after the emergency is over. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Oct 2, 6:22*am, Dean Hoffman wrote:
dgk wrote: I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...Generator/dp/B... If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. * * *I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. *You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. * * There are many for sale on Ebay also. It wont run long, 20 lb propane has 366,000 Btus. 1 gallon of gasolene has 115000 Btus, so 20 lb propane is about equal to 3 gallons of gasolene. 3 gallon of gasolene or 20 lb Propane on a 7 hp motor im guessing a run time of 5-7 hours, or maybe less if it isnt a well designed motor, and its most likely made in China. Ng from you house or propane if you have a big tank for you house, but filling 20lb containers several times a day doesnt make sense. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? |
Propane generator for blackouts?
dgk wrote:
I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...5981320&sr=1-3 If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. It's probably better if you only have a power outage once in five years. YOu won't have to worry about stale gas. -- LSMFT I look outside this morning and everything was in 3D! |
Propane generator for blackouts?
HeyBub wrote:
Frank wrote: I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. My gasoline powered generator has nearly twice the power outlet and if run 24 hours would take 10 gal of gas so I would imagine this one would consume about 5 gal of propane in a day's use. Unit should be easier to maintain than gasoline since you need not worry about stagnant fuel in tank or carburetor. Stagnant fuel is not really a concern: 1. Gasoline should stay usable for at least a year, 2. The addition of a fuel stabilizer increases that time significantly, 3. Run the thing using aviation or marine fuel, or 4. Don't put any gas in the tank until ready for use and remove all the fuel from the machine after the emergency is over. I keep mine full, about 5 gallons. I change out the gas once a year and use it in my tractors and lawn mowers. Put in fresh gas and run it to replenish the carb with fresh gas. That way I'm ready to generate. Power outages are usually unexpected. -- LSMFT I look outside this morning and everything was in 3D! |
Propane generator for blackouts?
That's excellent idea, if the OP has natural gas at the house. And if
the NG is dependable. Where I am (New York State) the natural gas has been more dependable than the electic, by far. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "ransley" wrote in message ... You can also get Tri fuel generators, Ng, Propane, gasolene. Having a generator hooked up to the Ng house supply you wont ever need to go out to buy fuel |
Propane generator for blackouts?
I have an ETQ generator, which has served me well. Mine is a two
stroke gas mixer. Amazing, how quiet it is. The one time I needed it, it ran a furnace for a friend of mine, when his power was off, in bitter cold winter. Mine was about $150, delivered to my door. You can buy a lot of gasoline for the $300 price difference. Most cheap generators like mine, and like the one you linked. Are designed for about 200 hours of runtime. Then, they are too worn out to do much good. In my case, mine has about five hours runtime, since 2005, was it.... ?? when I bought it. Can't remember. Propane appliances are supposed to run a lot more clean than gasoline. As Mr. Ransley mentioned, natural gas generator is worth considering. If you have NG, and if the NG is dependable, in your part of the world. How often is the power out? Do your neighbors have generators? Generators are a high theft item. And they can be noisy. And your neighbors may be jealous, and take it out by damaging or stealing your generator. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "dgk" wrote in message ... I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...5981320&sr=1-3 If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote:
On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
A generator needs to be run periodically to be reliable. I run mine
once a month for 15 minutes under a load. I fill the gas tank once a year with gas that has Stable in it. During a power outage, I only run it as needed for the refrigerator and water pump. I have a battery system for lights which gets charged every Sunday. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44° 15' N - Elevation 1580') |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote:
On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Oct 2, 8:24*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: I have an ETQ generator, which has served me well. Mine is a two stroke gas mixer. Amazing, how quiet it is. The one time I needed it, it ran a furnace for a friend of mine, when his power was off, in bitter cold winter. Mine was about $150, delivered to my door. You can buy a lot of gasoline for the $300 price difference. Most cheap generators like mine, and like the one you linked. Are designed for about 200 hours of runtime. Then, they are too worn out to do much good. In my case, mine has about five hours runtime, since 2005, was it.... ?? when I bought it. Can't remember. Propane appliances are supposed to run a lot more clean than gasoline. As Mr. Ransley mentioned, natural gas generator is worth considering. If you have NG, and if the NG is dependable, in your part of the world. How often is the power out? Do your neighbors have generators? Generators are a high theft item. And they can be noisy. And your neighbors may be jealous, and take it out by damaging or stealing your generator. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus *www.lds.org . "dgk" wrote in message ... I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price:http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...Generator/dp/B... If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. If your 2 stroke is what I have seen for sale they last alot longer than 200 hours and are a great deal, I heard about tests done by folks at altenergyhomepower and the opinions were very high of the unit years ago, ask their for the life span, but I think its over 500 hours if its run easily |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote:
On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote:
On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 10:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote:
Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. I've seen natural gas "substations" that have solar panels to keep things going when power fails, however, as one person mentioned, it's not the same everywhere. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:24:12 -0400, Art Todesco wrote:
On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. Long-term outages rarely cover a wide-area, except in perhaps a CA earthquake. NG will likely be problematic then, too. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 9:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote:
On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. You don't think something as mission critical as a control center for a utility is going to have backup power? Hell son, nuclear plants have diesel generators to run operations when the reactor/s are shut down. GEEZ! TDD |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 10:25 AM, The Daring Dufas wrote:
On 10/2/2010 9:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. You don't think something as mission critical as a control center for a utility is going to have backup power? Hell son, nuclear plants have diesel generators to run operations when the reactor/s are shut down. GEEZ! TDD ya, i wonder how many days worth of stale diesel fuel these NG control centers have on hand? -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 10:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote:
On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. Why wouldn't the control center that houses the SCADA system not have redundant power? That would be one of the main considerations when designing such a system. The center I have seen has utility electric power feeds and multiple CAT diesels and a big fuel tank. They even went so far as to place a huge Jersey bank between the building and a railroad track that isn't that close to prevent damage if there is a train wreck. We have experienced at least two long blackouts and the NG system kept on humming because it was designed to work that way. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 10:49 AM, George wrote:
On 10/2/2010 10:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. Why wouldn't the control center that houses the SCADA system not have redundant power? That would be one of the main considerations when designing such a system. The center I have seen has utility electric power feeds and multiple CAT diesels and a big fuel tank. They even went so far as to place a huge Jersey bank between the building and a railroad track that isn't that close to prevent damage if there is a train wreck. We have experienced at least two long blackouts and the NG system kept on humming because it was designed to work that way. well we can only hope. for those of us who heat with it. But there's nothing wrong with having a backup plan. And propane fueled electricity is a pretty good one, i think. 500 gal will keep the fridge, and minimal heat going a long time. -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 9:27 AM, ---MIKE--- wrote:
A generator needs to be run periodically to be reliable. I run mine once a month for 15 minutes under a load. I fill the gas tank once a year with gas that has Stable in it. During a power outage, I only run it as needed for the refrigerator and water pump. I have a battery system for lights which gets charged every Sunday. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44° 15' N - Elevation 1580') I skipped the details but I also keep mine filled with stabilized gas and run every few months. Power outages never happen at opportune times and I don't want to mess with pouring gas and a cranky machine. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
"Steve Barker" wrote in message ... On 10/2/2010 10:25 AM, The Daring Dufas wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. You don't think something as mission critical as a control center for a utility is going to have backup power? Hell son, nuclear plants have diesel generators to run operations when the reactor/s are shut down. GEEZ! TDD ya, i wonder how many days worth of stale diesel fuel these NG control centers have on hand? -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email Well, I'm just a guy with a family, not a utility. I don't have NG in my area, I don't use propane, so decent storage would be expensive if I went that way, gasoline is only practical for short term use, but I heat my house with oil, so I opted for a nice prime power diesel unit. It burns about 1/2 gallon per hour, and I keep 1500 gallons in storage tanks. You do the math. My guess is that a critical utility is better prepared than I am. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
In article ,
Steve Barker wrote: ...snipped... ya, i wonder how many days worth of stale diesel fuel these NG control centers have on hand? -- I've personally seen diesel's start and run on fuel more than 20 years old. -- When the game is over, the pawn and the king are returned to the same box. Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar.org |
Propane generator for blackouts?
dgk wrote the following:
I'm considering getting a generator for backup in case of power blackouts and propane seems like a good idea since I always have a tank or two for the grill. It seems easier to maintain than gasoline. The one thing different is that a gasoline generator can be refueled while it is still running. Yes, I know it may not be recommended, but it can be done with care. Besides, that 3500 watt may not be adequate for a complete household electrical system. I have a 5500 watt gas generator and I have to turn the breaker off on the CAC before running the generator, or the house browns out when it kicks on and doesn't recover. As it is, my 230 volt 3/4 hp well pump causes a momentary brown out when it kicks in under auxiliary power. It just needs to run a standard refrigerator and /or TV, maybe a 120v A/C if it's summer. I'm looking at this one which got pretty decent reviews for the $430 price: http://www.amazon.com/PG30P11-4-Cycl...5981320&sr=1-3 If that link doesn't work just look at Amazon for propane generator. Any comments greatly appreciated. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY In the original Orange County. Est. 1683 To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
Propane generator for blackouts?
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Propane generator for blackouts?
In article ,
willshak wrote: services besides electricity, and included telephone, cable, and internet. The outage lasted 72 hours for me. It took the help of a number of utility companies from other inland states to restore power . One of the fun things up north along I-65 during hurricane season-- counting how many different utilities are represented in the South-bound convoys (grin) -- I want to find a voracious, small-minded predator and name it after the IRS. Robert Bakker, paleontologist |
Propane generator for blackouts?
Kurt Ullman wrote the following:
In article , willshak wrote: services besides electricity, and included telephone, cable, and internet. The outage lasted 72 hours for me. It took the help of a number of utility companies from other inland states to restore power . One of the fun things up north along I-65 during hurricane season-- counting how many different utilities are represented in the South-bound convoys (grin) I saw the same along I-95 when returning home from Southern Delaware after a huge snow storm there some years back (1999?). The southbound lanes had a long convoy of utility trucks including some from my area. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY In the original Orange County. Est. 1683 To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:15:31 -0400, willshak wrote:
wrote the following: On Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:24:12 -0400, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. Long-term outages rarely cover a wide-area, except in perhaps a CA earthquake. ...or in the NE during a widespread heavy snow or ice storm, or hurricane. Nope. Outages are never widespread and long-lasting. Even when some homes have been knocked out for three weeks, most have power restored in hours. Hurricane Floyd back in 1999 took out a wide range of wired services besides electricity, and included telephone, cable, and internet. The outage lasted 72 hours for me. It took the help of a number of utility companies from other inland states to restore power . Some were likely back on line in hours after the winds subsided. ... |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On 10/2/2010 10:49 AM, George wrote:
On 10/2/2010 10:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. Why wouldn't the control center that houses the SCADA system not have redundant power? That would be one of the main considerations when designing such a system. The center I have seen has utility electric power feeds and multiple CAT diesels and a big fuel tank. They even went so far as to place a huge Jersey bank between the building and a railroad track that isn't that close to prevent damage if there is a train wreck. We have experienced at least two long blackouts and the NG system kept on humming because it was designed to work that way. A friend of mine was in charge of the communications division of a power company and that utility actually used their electrical power grid to carry communication if the phone system went down. If you've ever been in a phone company central office, you will have seen massive battery banks taking up a whole large room or more. Data processing centers and most ISP's have quite elaborate backup power systems that are constantly tested and maintained. Most folks have now idea of the redundant power systems they walk past every day. Last weekend I was installing some network equipment in an office building and when I looked out the window on the back side of the building, I saw two generators. The darn things are everywhere. TDD |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Oct 2, 10:57*am, Steve Barker wrote:
On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. *Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. * But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. *The control centers are not NG powered. *I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. *Just just my preference. -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email That is without a doubt the largest load of bull**** I have ever heard of... Problems with the delivery of electricity involve some kind of failure with overhead wires being pulled down by a broken tree limb or snapped pole... Or by overloading underground wiring or transformers during an overload condition... It is the vulnerability to damage wherever overhead power lines pass near trees and aging wooden poles with rot that make the electrical system easier to fail during weather events... The natural gas delivery system is entirely underground, and utility company operations control centers are in hardened buildings which have standby power systems... Any equipment crucial to supplying the natural gas to customers is able to be fed from back up power systems... Also I love how you seem to know for certain that there is no electric service available at a natural gas station since you have not dug up the ground under the access road to the gas substation... Just because you can't see something above ground within a half mile doesn't mean its not being fed by a protected underground line from somewhere else to increase its odds of remaining powered during an outage... ~~ Evan |
Propane generator for blackouts?
On Oct 2, 1:30*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"Steve Barker" wrote in message ... On 10/2/2010 10:25 AM, The Daring Dufas wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. You don't think something as mission critical as a control center for a utility is going to have backup power? Hell son, nuclear plants have diesel generators to run operations when the reactor/s are shut down. GEEZ! TDD ya, i wonder how many days worth of stale diesel fuel these NG control centers have on hand? -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email Well, I'm just a guy with a family, not a utility. I don't have NG in my area, I don't use propane, so decent storage would be expensive if I went that way, gasoline is only practical for short term use, but I heat my house with oil, so I opted for a nice prime power diesel unit. It burns about 1/2 gallon per hour, and I keep 1500 gallons in storage tanks. You do the math. My guess is that a critical utility is better prepared than I am. How often do you have your diesel tanks inspected... In many areas storing that much fuel for any purposes requires an environmental permit and the permission of the fire department/fire marshal having jurisdiction... ~~ Evan |
Propane generator for blackouts?
"Evan" wrote in message ... On Oct 2, 1:30 pm, "RBM" wrote: "Steve Barker" wrote in message ... On 10/2/2010 10:25 AM, The Daring Dufas wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:57 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 9:52 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 10:28 AM, Steve Barker wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:25 AM, George wrote: On 10/2/2010 8:24 AM, Art Todesco wrote: On 10/2/2010 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: "Dean Hoffman" wrote I wonder how long it will run on the size of tank you have. You might spend a lot of time getting fuel. There are many for sale on Ebay also. Assuming you can get fuel during a big outage. Propane bulk tanks use an electric pump to transfer. I like the idea of propane over gas though. But, gasoline pumps need electricity, also. During a really long outage, I wonder how that would affect natural gas "delivery"? The natural gas distribution system uses natural gas powered turbines to pressurize the lines so it would keep on humming. LMAO!! better do some more homework. Where would you suggest I start with the homework? One of my oldest friends works for the one of the major natural gas pipeline companies and I posed the question about what happens when the electric power fails a long time ago and he said they are self sufficient as I described. I have seem the interior of pumping stations and it is very clever how they set them up. Our local gas utility also has a number of stations. The largest one in my area is near a pipeline river crossing in a wooded area where the local system connects to the intrastate pipeline. There isn't electric service within a half mile of there. All's i'm saying is that they are not ALL that way. Some are electric, some are NG turbine, and some are NG fueled internal combustion engines. But in the case of a wide spread electrical failure, you can bet the NG would go down also. The control centers are not NG powered. I'd go with propane if i had a backup generator. Just just my preference. You don't think something as mission critical as a control center for a utility is going to have backup power? Hell son, nuclear plants have diesel generators to run operations when the reactor/s are shut down. GEEZ! TDD ya, i wonder how many days worth of stale diesel fuel these NG control centers have on hand? -- Steve Barker remove the "not" from my address to email Well, I'm just a guy with a family, not a utility. I don't have NG in my area, I don't use propane, so decent storage would be expensive if I went that way, gasoline is only practical for short term use, but I heat my house with oil, so I opted for a nice prime power diesel unit. It burns about 1/2 gallon per hour, and I keep 1500 gallons in storage tanks. You do the math. My guess is that a critical utility is better prepared than I am. How often do you have your diesel tanks inspected... In many areas storing that much fuel for any purposes requires an environmental permit and the permission of the fire department/fire marshal having jurisdiction... ~~ Evan You're such a nanny state whiner |
Propane generator for blackouts?
Well, bless you heart. I doubt mine will see 100 hours of use, even.
Unless we have a heck of a prolonged power cut. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "ransley" wrote in message ... On Oct 2, 8:24 am, "Stormin Mormon" wrote: I have an ETQ generator, which has served me well. Mine is a two Any comments greatly appreciated. If your 2 stroke is what I have seen for sale they last alot longer than 200 hours and are a great deal, I heard about tests done by folks at altenergyhomepower and the opinions were very high of the unit years ago, ask their for the life span, but I think its over 500 hours if its run easily |
Propane generator for blackouts?
Ought to be possible to make a valve and manifold rig, so you can
change propane bottles. I can easily imagine a central AC overloading a portable generator. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "willshak" wrote in message m... The one thing different is that a gasoline generator can be refueled while it is still running. Yes, I know it may not be recommended, but it can be done with care. Besides, that 3500 watt may not be adequate for a complete household electrical system. I have a 5500 watt gas generator and I have to turn the breaker off on the CAC before running the generator, or the house browns out when it kicks on and doesn't recover. As it is, my 230 volt 3/4 hp well pump causes a momentary brown out when it kicks in under auxiliary power. |
Propane generator for blackouts?
I've seen backup generators behind retail stores, in NY State. I can
think of one without too much effort. Wholesale club with a lot of merchandise in freezers. Also, fire departments often have backup generators. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "The Daring Dufas" wrote in message ... A friend of mine was in charge of the communications division of a power company and that utility actually used their electrical power grid to carry communication if the phone system went down. If you've ever been in a phone company central office, you will have seen massive battery banks taking up a whole large room or more. Data processing centers and most ISP's have quite elaborate backup power systems that are constantly tested and maintained. Most folks have now idea of the redundant power systems they walk past every day. Last weekend I was installing some network equipment in an office building and when I looked out the window on the back side of the building, I saw two generators. The darn things are everywhere. TDD |
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