Looking to buy a generator mostly for home backup use but would be good to have flexibility for camping, tailgating etc. Budget is best bang for the buck under or around $1k.

Tri-fuel: we have a NG feed so it seems like this would be a good choice. Any input?

Wiring: to wire it to your fuse box with a transfer switch, is that pretty easy/standard for an electrician? Estimate cost?

Any other input re: buying or running? I know of course you need a plan as far as what to run, what size, etc. Also that it's good to have window units or similar in one or two rooms because you're not running the central AC unless you get a big one (I think).

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by TU Rob

Birmingham

Member since Nov 2008

12739 posts

Posted on 5/25/17 at 11:46 am to Havoc

My grandmother was partially paralyzed so they had a home back-up unit put in. I think it was Natural Gas and clicked on automatically when there was an outage. They didn't have a huge one, and didn't hook it up to the fuse box for power, but they ran extension cords from it to the few things she definitely needed, like her lift chair, the lift to get her upstairs, fridge, and TV. And they didn't have a window unit but one of those little stand alone units they could move from room to room.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by SpeckledTiger

Denham Springs

Member since Jul 2010

1477 posts

Posted on 5/25/17 at 2:53 pm to Havoc

I just bought this one to use as a home backup. I liked that it had a 50 amp plug. We don't have natural gas in my neighborhood so gasoline was my only option. It's small enough that I can easily roll it in my trailer if I need it for use away from home. The electric start worked right out of the box.

Champion 9200/11500 with electric start

I'm wiring it to the house with a 50 amp transfer switch

Generac Transfer Switch

A family member electrician is installing a whole new breaker panel for me (flooded in August) so I'm not sure on the cost for that service but it doesn't seem hard to do yourself as long as you're comfortable working in your panel.

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by Havoc

Member since Nov 2015

28394 posts

Posted on 5/25/17 at 3:39 pm to SpeckledTiger

I see where there are conversion kits for gas generators to use NG or propane but don't know anything about that or if it would be better to just get a tri-fuel factory setup if it's all the same. It doesn't look like a Tri is that much more expensive than a comparable gas-only generator.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by X123F45