I will say this- do know that there were many deaths (including an apartment complex fire) due to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. Do keep in mind the realities of portable generators- since they must be used outside in open-air ventilation, they are essentially useless in the middle of a tropical storm/hurricane itself, you must stock up on gasoline to keep them running (personally it chaps my ass when I see people in pick-up trucks at a gas station just before a major storm filling up about eight of those ten-gallon cans when other folks in line just want to gas up their car), and many of them can be noisy. Also, they are good for keeping the fridge and freezer going but not much for AC.
Whole house generators are an excellent option as you can have your lighting and keep your cool (literally) however you do have to choose carefully according to your wiring. I have aluminum wiring and for that reason wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.
We have some forum members who are well-versed in generator set-ups; I'm sure they will contribute in due time.
"Let's work the problem, people; don't make things worse by guessing!"
An alternative to a whole house generator is getting a 30amp power inlet box and interlock switch kit install on a house and powering using a portable generator. I did this install myself because I had an easy setup to make the changes on. Essentially the interlock kit goes on the main breaker and prevents you from back feeding to the pole outside. The generator breaker can't be closed until your main breaker is open. This lets me choose which breakers I want to power.
Some people get manual transfer switches that only power certain breakers. It is more expensive though and I like the freedom of the interlock switch. I got quoted $2000 for the manual transfer switch but spent about $200 on material for the interlock/power inlet box (probably $500 for someone to install for you).
From there, there are 2 schools of thought (in my opinion at least):
Option 1: Get an inverter generator. Inverters are quiet, fuel efficient, and produce a "clean" power for the house. The fuel efficiency and less noise are obvious benefits. The clean power part is good for the sensitive electronics in the house like TV, computer, etc. (I had to replace the control board on my washer after Laura because it got fried). Many of the closed frame inverters provide less power than their normal counter parts, but they make open frame inverters that have more power, though they are a little less quiet and fuel efficient than closed frame (but more efficient than normal). The downside is inverters do not have a 50amp plug and are more expensive than a regular generator.
Option 2: Get a larger regular generator with a 50amp plug. Depending on the size of the generator, you could potentially power everything in the house including the central a/c. This could be possible by getting a soft start kit for the a/c. It reduces the required start up amps for the system which is what usually limits portable generators from running the a/c. For people with all electric homes, you could even temporarily use hot water heaters or glass top ranges (I wouldn't recommend at the same time as the a/c though). The big draw back on this is you would be using more fuel than an inverter and you would have to accept that there is a risk with powering tvs and other electronics (funny enough, I had the issue with the washer but not with my living room tv or surround sound).
Whether you get an inverter gen or regular, people with natural gas/propane tanks should look into dual fuel gens to at least have that option since gas can run short. If you already have a generator, they make conversion kits that are pretty straightforward.
For anyone building a house now or in the future, there is NO reason not to get either the interlock kit or manual switch kit installed by the electrician during the building process if you live in Louisiana!! It will cost a fraction of the money it will take post-build!
Yes you can get by with running extension cords for refrigerators, window units, and other things but do not underestimate the feeling of being able to turn on overhead lights and ceiling fans. Post Laura, I went about 4-5 days before getting the materials for a suicide cord (don't do this unless you know what you are doing). It was an immediate moral booster to be able to flip a light switch and have lights come on.
Also, this board might be the hardest to find on this website. I'd definitely move this thread to the tropical board. I think it applies!
Last Edit: Sept 16, 2021 15:33:40 GMT -6 by TalonII
I think 28 people still stayed behind in Grand Isle. I have several friends who rode it out in south Lafourche. You would be surprised how many stayed in the lower ends of the parish even those with the means to leave. I am surprised that more deaths did not happen. One death was a tree falling on home and I think the rest was carbon monoxide with generators.
[br
Carbon monoxide has 200x the affinity to hemoglobin than O2. Severe cases require a hyperbaric chamber to greatly increase the p02 ( partial pressure of Oxygen) in the mixture of gases. Most severe cases never make it to a chamber. I just don't know what else it takes for people to understand. Good news is the portable generator market seems to be adding CO alarms as standard equipment now. Not a perfect system but anything to help.
I think 28 people still stayed behind in Grand Isle. I have several friends who rode it out in south Lafourche. You would be surprised how many stayed in the lower ends of the parish even those with the means to leave. I am surprised that more deaths did not happen. One death was a tree falling on home and I think the rest was carbon monoxide with generators.
[br
Carbon monoxide has 200x the affinity to hemoglobin than O2. Severe cases require a hyperbaric chamber to greatly increase the p02 ( partial pressure of Oxygen) in the mixture of gases. Most severe cases never make it to a chamber. I just don't know what else it takes for people to understand. Good news is the portable generator market seems to be adding CO alarms as standard equipment now. Not a perfect system but anything to help.
Only problem I'm seeing with that is the CO2 switches are taking out the generator. If I have a gen in the house fine. But if it's in a shed or outside away from the house I don't want it cutting out. Looking to add one to my system and don't want the sensor
Post by grisairgasm on Sept 18, 2021 12:46:56 GMT -6
In response to cybersar and the possible CO alarm faiilure on generators. Phone won't let me quote for some reason. The carbon monoxide alarms seem to have popped up out if nowhere this year. My neighbor just purchased Harbor Freights top new gen and it has the alarm. I have no experience with the new CO alarms. Your point about alarm failure and shutting down the generator are very valid. We have had problems with faulty Generac oil pressure sensors shutting them down for no reason. Frustrating.
Post by shonsu - Napoleonville on Sept 18, 2021 15:21:32 GMT -6
I will be getting a whole-house generator but I'm not sure about getting the "Generac" brand. I've heard that they had a lot of problems after Ida. I know a lot of times it is the homeowner's fault for not maintaining the system however it just seems like Generac may be letting QC slide a bit to get more units out the door. Anyone have any suggestions on a better brand?
In response to cybersar and the possible CO alarm faiilure on generators. Phone won't let me quote for some reason. The carbon monoxide alarms seem to have popped up out if nowhere this year. My neighbor just purchased Harbor Freights top new gen and it has the alarm. I have no experience with the new CO alarms. Your point about alarm failure and shutting down the generator are very valid. We have had problems with faulty Generac oil pressure sensors shutting them down for no reason. Frustrating.
Gris if you don't mind me asking, how does he like the generator? I was considering adding a Predator to the fleet but read some very discouraging reviews regarding the CO and oil sensors along with having to pull all kind of panels off just to service engine oil. Currently have a couple 15y/o Troy-Bilts and they just work (knock on wood) but they no longer seem to sell portable generators.
Post by grisairgasm on Sept 18, 2021 16:44:19 GMT -6
We are using the Predator 8750 watts. Which by the way have been discontinued as I believe it is replaced by the 9000 watts. They are selling the rest of the 8750’s for $599 which is great if u can find one. These are the “naked” gens for lack of a better word. I think you are referring to the enclosed cabinet types. My neighbor just purchased the brand new one for $1999. Servicing any of the enclosed types is more difficult but same as it would be for a similar Honda etc. Monday I will call US Carburetor and see if a conversion kit is available (natural gas) for this top new Harbor Freight generator. It has not been started yet as I hopefully can convert it. We’ve done great with the 8750’s. We did have a problem starting one of them after about 300 hrs as we stop and change oil on everyone each 50 ours. This is the one with the highest time as it was used for 6 days with Zeta. We changed the oil out for storage after the power came back a few days ago. It will not restart and we figure it has 400 hrs or so on it. The problem, I think the valve lash needs adjusting. Now that the dust has settled I’ll open It up this week. Really probably poor oversight on my part as I didn’t even consider valve adjustment in the heat of the moment. Think about it, that’s like 800 thirty minute grass cutting sessions on a single cylinder lawnmower! And in S La heat! I have no complaints as the other Predators with less time are doing great. All on natural gas. I’ll report on the new top Predator when we get it going and what I find with the 400 hour no start 8750. My backup to the whole house Generac is an 8750 conversion that ran for 6 days In Zeta and did fine and still is. Didn’t need central AC after Zeta. The Generac is now ten years old and no reason to punish it. Hope some of this helps. Really belongs in the generator thread I know but quiet here right now. I’ll be contributing to the generator thread shortly and as we gain experience.
Thinking about the 9000 watt one now. Was interested in the inverter tech but not so sure after reading reviews. I have nat gas but it could easily be busted and uprooted (I'm on a farm tap with lots of trees hovering around the meter)so am thinking of propane which is easier to store than gasoline. My Troy-Bilt ran almost 24/7 during K for about 3 months. Wrenched my back during Ida cranking and fueling it so definitely leaning to elec start :-) Thank you very much for your insight and tips. Much appreciated!
Post by grisairgasm on Sept 18, 2021 17:43:09 GMT -6
Been so hectic I forgot the newer Predators have that inverter.as part of the newer line.Will have to learn more but I love my two Harbor Freight inverter welders. And a big hot dog propane tank in a nice country yard is probably the ultimate setup.Can’t beat that if no tree issues at the site. Please update me on what u find n learn. PM me whenever. G
(personally it chaps my ass when I see people in pick-up trucks at a gas station just before a major storm filling up about eight of those ten-gallon cans when other folks in line just want to gas up their car),
I’m not going to skip stocking up on gas for my generator before a hurricane just because others want to fill up their car. What makes their evacuation efforts more important than my preparation efforts?
I have a portable 8,000 running/10,000 starting Generac that worked flawlessly the 12 days I was out of power for Ida. Changed the oil every other day and ran it all night (roughly 11-15 hours each night) with the fridge/freezer, light circuits, and a 5000 BTU window unit as well as phone chargers then about 5-6 hours each day with all the same running as well as an electric burner to cook on. When it was time for showers, I turned off the fridge/freezer and ran the water heater circuit for about 45 minutes. We had more than enough hot water for showers each day/night and had everything we needed to be comfortable.
I probably could’ve ran much more at the same time but I didn’t want to risk blowing out the generator when we still needed it so I was very conservative with my approach.
This was all done with an interlock kit and outlet to plug into the main panel that a certified electrician installed for me spring 2020.
Only problem was for some reason it wouldn’t run my washer. The electronics came on but the washer never would kick on for some reason so I never even tried the dryer. I figured I’d have that issue with the dryer instead of the washer but what do I know!?
Total cost for the generator and interlock kit with installation was $1,600. Money well spent and much, much cheaper than a whole house generator.
(personally it chaps my ass when I see people in pick-up trucks at a gas station just before a major storm filling up about eight of those ten-gallon cans when other folks in line just want to gas up their car),
I’m not going to skip stocking up on gas for my generator before a hurricane just because others want to fill up their car. What makes their evacuation efforts more important than my preparation efforts?
I never suggested skipping it now did I? What I'm hoping for is that the 5 gallon guzzlers recognize that some of their fellow humans are just trying to get out of town and lower the volume a little. I remember after Katrina leaving Monroe, LA and heading to Ohio and finding myself in Jackson, MS with less than a 1/4 tank and trying to find one gas station that had gas. When I did find one the guy ahead of me had about ten (no exaggeration) of those plastic 5 gallon cans and I begged him to take a break so I could fill my tank so I along with my 13-year-old triplet daughters, my labrador, and my golden along with all our belongings could get out of there and not get stranded on the side of the highway with my crew. He replied that was just my tough luck and by the time he was done, there wasn't much left.
You're right- no one's efforts are more important than another's efforts. It's these stressful times that reveal the depths of a person's character.
"Let's work the problem, people; don't make things worse by guessing!"