Emergency Power/Storms/Prepping etc
- Thread starter IReallyLikePizza2
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IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
Genmon Service Journal really coming in handy
Got my portable back from a neighbor, changed the oil again, topped the tank off and put some Sta-Bil in. The maintenence schedule for the portable is drain the tank every 6 months and add new fresh gas and Sta-Bil, let the oil sit as long as needed and just replace at runtime. Clearly, that has worked for me. A neighbor with the same generator bought at the same time failed due to neglect
Got my portable back from a neighbor, changed the oil again, topped the tank off and put some Sta-Bil in. The maintenence schedule for the portable is drain the tank every 6 months and add new fresh gas and Sta-Bil, let the oil sit as long as needed and just replace at runtime. Clearly, that has worked for me. A neighbor with the same generator bought at the same time failed due to neglect
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
Overall my power plan worked perfect, all my UPS's held up perfect, generators all worked perfect, no issues with anything of note.
Some lessons learned
Houston Derecho (24hr Power Outage for me, destruction across the city)
Hurricane Beryl (6+ day Power Outage for me, destruction across the city)
Some lessons learned
Houston Derecho (24hr Power Outage for me, destruction across the city)
- Generator worked as expected, but would like longer retransfer time from ATS. When the power first went out it flickered a few times, and I ended up switching back to grid, before then again getting pushed over to gen power
- Forecasts will be wrong, expect the worst
- I was low on Deodorant before the storm, need to always have a stock
- No one is prepared, small power banks are good to loan people. Get more cheap ones?
- Chainsaw should be sharp and ready to go, it was not
- Fire services cannot be relied on. I called 911 for a fire and was on hold for 10 mins before I spoke to someone
Hurricane Beryl (6+ day Power Outage for me, destruction across the city)
- Generator worked as expected, but would like longer retransfer time from ATS. Same situation as above
- The large oak tree in the front lawn 10ft from my house gave me a lot of anxiety, perhaps cut it down
- Need to seal up gable vents, wind driven rain into them
- Again, forecast will be wrong. Trust me own reading of the data (I prepared for a direct hit from the start)
- Better secure things outside, wind was worse than expected
- Plan to put documents in a waterproof container, just in case
- Plan for network rack to be raised above flood water, just in case
- Don't loan out equipment further than I can easily pickup in a few moments. We loaned an Ecoflow to someone at my wifes work, and I didn't like being without it just in case. If I loan stuff nearby, I can repo it
- My ATS PDU got angry with unsynced gen power on one input and double conversion UPS on another, set lower frequency match sensitivity
- Fences need to be stronger
- Need more water storage for flushing of toilets if needed (Didn't need, but could be an issue)
- Get a big ladder incase I need to fix something high up on the gable wall
- Verizon 5G Home Internet worked great as a backup, but also look into Starlink
- Should balance loads in electrical panel better
- Change oil after EVERY long run. I started this hurricane with 24hrs of runtime on my generator oil, would have been better to start at 0
- Pre-Engineer and store fence support brackets that dig into the dirt
Timokreon
Getting comfortable
I personally would cut that tree down. As much as I love trees, shade, birds, etc... 10 feet from your home is too close.
As for starlink, they now have a portable one that looks like it would come in handy. I'm not 100% sure on prices, if you can start it up when needed, etc...
Would you mind putting down what kind of generator you have again? I'm looking into getting one (though the boss lady doesn't think we need it) just in case.
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
Yeah, the tree will likely come down. I have 5 large oak trees in the front, so 4 will be fine
The Starlink Mini is only available for existing customers sadly, but at just $30 extra. Regular Starlink for me will be $120/mo, but that's $95/mo more than Verizon 5G
My big generator is a Generac RG027-QS, and the portable is a Champion 100520
Worth noting that the Generac RG027-QS is no longer available, as they can no longer source the 2.4L Mitsubishi engine, apart from for warranty. The alternatives from Generac for this size range are either air cooled, or liquid cooled but still 3600RPM, none in this size range currently from Generac that are 1800RPM and liquid cooled. To go Generac 1800 RPM and liquid cooled, you'd need to go with the new 32Kw XG which is a MASSIVE 4.9L engine
Currently, if I were buying at this moment in time, I would go with the Kohler RCLA30
The Starlink Mini is only available for existing customers sadly, but at just $30 extra. Regular Starlink for me will be $120/mo, but that's $95/mo more than Verizon 5G
My big generator is a Generac RG027-QS, and the portable is a Champion 100520
Worth noting that the Generac RG027-QS is no longer available, as they can no longer source the 2.4L Mitsubishi engine, apart from for warranty. The alternatives from Generac for this size range are either air cooled, or liquid cooled but still 3600RPM, none in this size range currently from Generac that are 1800RPM and liquid cooled. To go Generac 1800 RPM and liquid cooled, you'd need to go with the new 32Kw XG which is a MASSIVE 4.9L engine
Currently, if I were buying at this moment in time, I would go with the Kohler RCLA30
Timokreon
Getting comfortable
Curious, I can purchase the Starlink mini for $600 and I'm not a current customer.
Thanks for the gen info. I'd prefer liquid cooled, but air cooled would most likely suffice. I'll check around.
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
After seeing just how roasting hot my neighbors air cooled 24kw was, I would not personally want to rely on it for a 6+ day outage
Now, it did run without issue of course... so YMMV. I am of course very biased to liquid cooled, because I blew 20K on one
Now, it did run without issue of course... so YMMV. I am of course very biased to liquid cooled, because I blew 20K on one
abita_brewing
Getting the hang of it
I guess if your unit doesn't blow out OUT the fill tube when running, you could crack open the drain tube and do a drain/fill at the same time. Let a pint out, then put a pint in. Do this like every 50 hours. Mine has a drain hose and 90 degree valve... can easily drain into a jug while running.
But this does not address the need to shutdown, let the oil level settle, and get a proper reading on overall level.
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
Honestly that sounds like more work than just hooking up my spare genset and shutting down the Generac. I know I'll spill oil right there on the exhaust manifold and end up burning the whole place down
abita_brewing
Getting the hang of it
I suspect the oil analysis will tell you that the oil was good for another couple hundred hours. All the vehicle samples I've sent in have come back that way:
v6, 10k interval, good for 15-17k
i4, 5k interval, good for 13-15k
etc
v6, 10k interval, good for 15-17k
i4, 5k interval, good for 13-15k
etc
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
I'll be very happy if you're right! I suspect you are
Oil looked darker which is expected, but still had good oily qualities (Based on absolutely zero knowledge
)
125 Hours roughly equals 7500 miles in engine wear, apparently
Oil looked darker which is expected, but still had good oily qualities (Based on absolutely zero knowledge
)125 Hours roughly equals 7500 miles in engine wear, apparently
biggen
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So are you wanting the transfer switch to wait longer before going to gen power? In the dealer menu you can configure that settings. Mine came with a 30 second delay which I thought was too long so I adjusted it to 5 seconds. We don't experience any brownouts here so a 5 second delay is fine and prudent.
If we had an extended outage like you just experienced I probably wouldn't run my Generac 24kW air cooled as long as you did with your liquid cooled model. I'd probably shut it down daily just to let it cool some. Hell, I'd have to do it every 24 hours anyway to add oil that was burned off. Liquid cooled is just going to be a much better performer for long durations.
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
No, the other way. When utility comes back, I want it to wait like 10 mins before switching back. Sadly no way to do that in the Generac ATS, but I have a plan using a time delay relay on the sense circuit, just need to research my idea a bit
I would run it 24/7 if I were you, its what its designed to do. Just make sure the oil is full and the area is clear of airflow obstructions
looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
How loud is the Generac while running?I'll be very happy if you're right! I suspect you are
Oil looked darker which is expected, but still had good oily qualities (Based on absolutely zero knowledge
125 Hours roughly equals 7500 miles in engine wear, apparently
I assume it's loud enough to annoy neighbors?
My 7500k portable genset is very loud while running.
IReallyLikePizza2
Known around here
My air cooled is not loud, the air cooled is loud
Neither are annoying enough to annoy anyone I don't think. Everyone is trying their best to source a genset of any kind to get power, and attempt to get some AC going (At least, down here!)
biggen
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Mine basically sounds like someone has parked a lawnmower outside and not moving it. So you can hear it, but it's not like it's terrible. Hell, people are always doing lawn work in a neighborhood so it blends right in. And during a power outage no one will care anyway since everyone else will have their running too.
abita_brewing
Getting the hang of it
The standby units have foam sound deadening in the enclosure. They also have a good sized muffler. You can "hear" them 150' away, but they don't sound like anything you'd notice. I do think that the gravel bed I installed helps with the noise instead of a concrete pad.
Keep in mind these are all v-twin engines... they sound a lot different than a single cylinder.
If a neighbor is close enough to 1) hear it and 2) be bothered... they will be close enough to ask for an extension cord to their place... and not care. Chances are good that some other person w/ be running a portable unit and drowning everyone out.
Keep in mind these are all v-twin engines... they sound a lot different than a single cylinder.
If a neighbor is close enough to 1) hear it and 2) be bothered... they will be close enough to ask for an extension cord to their place... and not care. Chances are good that some other person w/ be running a portable unit and drowning everyone out.
looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
Not always, in my case me and sometimes only one other neighbor will run ours. But lots of times it's only mine running.
Still do not have power but the houses across the street and down the street have power. The three streetlights on my corner are also out. I reported it and got an email back that they know about it and there are 245 houses in this outage. No estimate as of 10:15pm.
@IReallyLikePizza2
Was at my neighbor's home this evening and he has a 20kw Generac. I noticed that the lights would slightly pulse. Is that how yours is? Is this normal?
Was at my neighbor's home this evening and he has a 20kw Generac. I noticed that the lights would slightly pulse. Is that how yours is? Is this normal?