After putting it off for many years, I finally decided to get an emergency generator. If there is no more need for it in the future than there has been in the past, it will be a waste, but who knows?
So, it is a Tri-Fuel Powerland 8000/10000 kw. ( http://www.powerlandonline.com/c=Bu...E/Gas-Generator-10000-w-portable-on-sale.html )
It took about a week to get to me and it came in a 18-wheeler, so some people might have a problem if their location can't handle such a big truck. The truck had a power lift gate, but I just helped the driver slide it out and onto a piece of plywood on top of my 10 cu.ft. cart. Just drove the rig into my garage and dumped the cart while my neighbor slid it onto the floor. The thing weighs almost 300 lbs., so you need to be careful.
Set-up only involves putting the axle and wheels on plus the handles. However, this step was by no means trouble-free. Neither the axle nor the handles would fit without modification. No problem for a typical backyard mechanic, but if this situation is common, I expect they have received some irate phone calls. Anyway, I made the necessary modifications, put some oil and gas in, and it started right up and ran well.
Power gets to the main panel via a 50A input box on an outside wall and propane is supplied via a T in a new 1/2" gas line from the 320 gal. tank. It comes from the tank at 10 psi.
Power from the generator is via a 50A cord and the gas connection is via a 3/8" high pressure hose with quick disconnect fittings at each end.
The connection at the main panel is via a 50A breaker with an interlock that I made out of a piece of metal in my junk box. No transfer switch is required and managing which breakers to have on/off is simple. I put red tape on the ones that require special attention. A couple of the remaining circuits (marked with blue tape) need to be on, but we need to be careful what load we put on them. (microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.)
Here are a few pictures. Sorry for their quality, but both the camera and the photographer leave something to be desired.
So, it is a Tri-Fuel Powerland 8000/10000 kw. ( http://www.powerlandonline.com/c=Bu...E/Gas-Generator-10000-w-portable-on-sale.html )
It took about a week to get to me and it came in a 18-wheeler, so some people might have a problem if their location can't handle such a big truck. The truck had a power lift gate, but I just helped the driver slide it out and onto a piece of plywood on top of my 10 cu.ft. cart. Just drove the rig into my garage and dumped the cart while my neighbor slid it onto the floor. The thing weighs almost 300 lbs., so you need to be careful.
Set-up only involves putting the axle and wheels on plus the handles. However, this step was by no means trouble-free. Neither the axle nor the handles would fit without modification. No problem for a typical backyard mechanic, but if this situation is common, I expect they have received some irate phone calls. Anyway, I made the necessary modifications, put some oil and gas in, and it started right up and ran well.
Power gets to the main panel via a 50A input box on an outside wall and propane is supplied via a T in a new 1/2" gas line from the 320 gal. tank. It comes from the tank at 10 psi.
Power from the generator is via a 50A cord and the gas connection is via a 3/8" high pressure hose with quick disconnect fittings at each end.
The connection at the main panel is via a 50A breaker with an interlock that I made out of a piece of metal in my junk box. No transfer switch is required and managing which breakers to have on/off is simple. I put red tape on the ones that require special attention. A couple of the remaining circuits (marked with blue tape) need to be on, but we need to be careful what load we put on them. (microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.)
Here are a few pictures. Sorry for their quality, but both the camera and the photographer leave something to be desired.