Home Standby Generators

[Swanee]

Speaking of load shedding I used my 2001Honda EU2000 as a teaching tool for my son. Last week there was a +-10 hour power outage in North Fresno. As soon as it began I opened the main breakers on the house 200AMP panel. I explained how and why we needed to shut off the pool pump, central heating system and solar circuit breakers before plugging in generator. I use a freakshow extension cord between the house outlet and the generator (male to male extension cord). In other words, get the ship to a minimal current draw setup before energizing. Started said EU2000 generator and warmed up for a minute. Plugged the double male extension cord into generator and then into an outlet on the side of the house. Frig was the biggest load and then I made him calculate the running amp of each light, computer etc and then double the current draw for initial load start up. Expense: $1000 for the gen, $5 for gas and $20 for the home made 10 gauge male to male ext. cord. We had power to run a 65” TV, refrigerator, computer and a dozen LED light around the house. The best part was that we utilized the existing wiring in the walls and had only used one 20’ freak extension cord. A SWOMAN/Poorman's way to save $10K on a back up generator system. 1 gallon of gasoline generated 9 hours of mixed load usage. (I have 2 generators that generally get used when boondocking in the 5th wheel.) The inverters on the EU2000’s self align in phase so adding a second gen is not an issue. We wisely chose not to energize the roof mounted SPS-49.
Not arguing the benefits of running a built in unit that provides like A/C and heat but in a pinch this set up keeps the basics operating.

The Hurricane Special is a 30amp generator plugged into the dryer circuit with a man killer male to male cable.

I did that at every house I rented in NC and VA.

 

[SynixMan]

Speaking of load shedding I used my 2001Honda EU2000 as a teaching tool for my son. Last week there was a +-10 hour power outage in North Fresno. As soon as it began I opened the main breakers on the house 200AMP panel. I explained how and why we needed to shut off the pool pump, central heating system and solar circuit breakers before plugging in generator. I use a freakshow extension cord between the house outlet and the generator (male to male extension cord). In other words, get the ship to a minimal current draw setup before energizing. Started said EU2000 generator and warmed up for a minute. Plugged the double male extension cord into generator and then into an outlet on the side of the house. Frig was the biggest load and then I made him calculate the running amp of each light, computer etc and then double the current draw for initial load start up. Expense: $1000 for the gen, $5 for gas and $20 for the home made 10 gauge male to male ext. cord. We had power to run a 65” TV, refrigerator, computer and a dozen LED light around the house. The best part was that we utilized the existing wiring in the walls and had only used one 20’ freak extension cord. A SWOMAN/Poorman's way to save $10K on a back up generator system. 1 gallon of gasoline generated 9 hours of mixed load usage. (I have 2 generators that generally get used when boondocking in the 5th wheel.) The inverters on the EU2000’s self align in phase so adding a second gen is not an issue. We wisely chose not to energize the roof mounted SPS-49.
Not arguing the benefits of running a built in unit that provides like A/C and heat but in a pinch this set up keeps the basics operating.

Unfortunately I'm in a cold climate so keeping the heat going is a priority. The two times we lost power in the last 3 years were winter storms that brought heavy wet snow. I'm debating moving to an all heat pump setup + better insulation that would drastically drop my energy bills, but any generator would need to be sized for that load.

 

[Random8145]

Speaking of load shedding I used my 2001Honda EU2000 as a teaching tool for my son. Last week there was a +-10 hour power outage in North Fresno. As soon as it began I opened the main breakers on the house 200AMP panel. I explained how and why we needed to shut off the pool pump, central heating system and solar circuit breakers before plugging in generator. I use a freakshow extension cord between the house outlet and the generator (male to male extension cord). In other words, get the ship to a minimal current draw setup before energizing. Started said EU2000 generator and warmed up for a minute. Plugged the double male extension cord into generator and then into an outlet on the side of the house. Frig was the biggest load and then I made him calculate the running amp of each light, computer etc and then double the current draw for initial load start up. Expense: $1000 for the gen, $5 for gas and $20 for the home made 10 gauge male to male ext. cord. We had power to run a 65” TV, refrigerator, computer and a dozen LED light around the house. The best part was that we utilized the existing wiring in the walls and had only used one 20’ freak extension cord. A SWOMAN/Poorman's way to save $10K on a back up generator system. 1 gallon of gasoline generated 9 hours of mixed load usage. (I have 2 generators that generally get used when boondocking in the 5th wheel.) The inverters on the EU2000’s self align in phase so adding a second gen is not an issue. We wisely chose not to energize the roof mounted SPS-49.
Not arguing the benefits of running a built in unit that provides like A/C and heat but in a pinch this set up keeps the basics operating.

Are there any good sources to learn how to do that without electrocuting myself? Like just some decent electrician and electronics knowledge?

We had a guy at work who was tasked with doing some cleaning, which involved spraying Simple Green and wiping areas with rags. Well he went into the electrical room and apparently proceeded to spray the electrical panel (!) and blew the power in the whole place.

 

[Flash]

Speaking of load shedding I used my 2001Honda EU2000 as a teaching tool for my son....

Been thinking of getting one of those for a emergencies, we haven't had that many outages where I've lived the last decade and the few times they've happened it is usually only a few hours. There have been 2 longer outages though and my luck will likely hold out for so long, so a smaller generator like the Honda EU2200 appeals to me.

How do you like yours? I presume it has held up well if it is over 2 decades old now. Any issues, tips for keeping it running well or anything else of note about it?

 

[CAMike]

Been thinking of getting one of those for a emergencies, we haven't had that many outages where I've lived the last decade and the few times they've happened it is usually only a few hours. There have been 2 longer outages though and my luck will likely hold out for so long, so a smaller generator like the Honda EU2200 appeals to me.

How do you like yours? I presume it has held up well if it is over 2 decades old now. Any issues, tips for keeping it running well or anything else of note about it?

Sounds like your geo/power area might be similar to mine (CA). PG&E drops the load maybe 1 to 3 times a year typically for a couple of hours and at most 12 hours. In Kalifornia more and more people continue to purchase electric vehicles with zero increase in electrical power generation. Last summer we had many days where the state was dangerously close to widespread load shedding. (Thank you Lord Newsom)

Great question. Up until this year I had only done annual oil changes and air filter cleaning in their 22 years of service. All fuel lines are original. Air filters are sponges and only need a very light coating of K&N oil. My first replacement of anything was last month. I replaced the pull starter on 1Alpha and will replace the starter on 2Bravo next week just because I’m anal that way. I used Honda OEM parts from a dealer online ($48 for the starter). Every thing else on these two are original including the NGK plugs! They are 100% reliable IF you religiously do a couple of things. 1. Drain the fuel tank and most importantly drain the Fuel bowl unless you're going to run them the next day. The bowl has a drain screw on the bottom. 2. Never run E85 fuel through them as the power generation capacity is reduced significantly and internal carb parts can experience structural divergence.

From what I've read online the new EU2200’s are just as reliable. Parts are still readily available should I need other parts in the future. They are not all that difficult to work on and systems exploded diagrams are available online.

Of course they are always ready for an RLP Inspection! The work bench? Not so much.




Of course

 

[Swanee]

Are there any good sources to learn how to do that without electrocuting myself? Like just some decent electrician and electronics knowledge?

We had a guy at work who was tasked with doing some cleaning, which involved spraying Simple Green and wiping areas with rags. Well he went into the electrical room and apparently proceeded to spray the electrical panel (!) and blew the power in the whole place.

This is how I did mine. There can be a little more to it when you start talking about GFCI circuits and floating neutrals. But that is also easily explained through youtube university.

Note that the "going through the dryer outlet" tecnique isn't something you'll likely find on youtube. It is illegal in most places (no interlock kit means you can hurt or kill a lineman). But rednecks are gonna redneck.

 

[number9]

Are there any good sources to learn how to do that without electrocuting myself? Like just some decent electrician and electronics knowledge?

We had a guy at work who was tasked with doing some cleaning, which involved spraying Simple Green and wiping areas with rags. Well he went into the electrical room and apparently proceeded to spray the electrical panel (!) and blew the power in the whole place.

Are there any Adult Ed/vocational High Schools in your area? I took a "home electricals for homeowners" class years ago at one and it was very helpful.

 

[Random8145]

Are there any Adult Ed/vocational High Schools in your area? I took a "home electricals for homeowners" class years ago at one and it was very helpful.

Don't know, that's a good idea to look into though.

 

[MIDNJAC]

This is how I did mine. There can be a little more to it when you start talking about GFCI circuits and floating neutrals. But that is also easily explained through youtube university.

Note that the "going through the dryer outlet" tecnique isn't something you'll likely find on youtube. It is illegal in most places (no interlock kit means you can hurt or kill a lineman). But rednecks are gonna redneck.

I have the setup this appears to be, to include the same generator unit. Buddy of mine offered to show me how to install the transfer switch on FaceTime over a couple beers. I decided that working on a permanently hot breaker was probably not my jam, and paid like $700 for an electrician to do it.

 

[VMO4]

Living in the Tampa Bay area, I have become quite proficient at the use of a generator, including two hurricanes in 9 days this last year. I have a basic Briggs and Stratton home depot special, 5500 watt. The five gallon tank will last about 8-10 hours depending on load. One fridge, two portable a/c units, and a few lights is all I usually run when power goes out. Having numerous five gallon plastic jugs helps, because when power goes out, buying gas gets difficult, I sometimes pilfer it from my boat.

I run extension cords, many of my neighbors will buy a "suicide cable" which plugs into your 220 dryer plug, and thereby pushes power back through your panel. Others will have an electrician build an input box next to their panel to plug into, you then use the breakers to control where you want juice.

I have gas in my neighborhood, ( not all that common in Florida). Many in my neighboorhood are buying stand alone units. Generac is about 90 percent of the market around here. You start it once a year, check the oil, and watch the weather channel. A 2000 sqft home being run as normal will burn about $100 in natural gas a day. There are also units around that run on propane tanks, if you are not on gas. With this last fall, the waiting list for a generac is growing daily.

My record is still Hurricane Irma, which was 6 days, Helene was 2 days and Milton was 5 days this year.