- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Portable Dual Fuel Home Generators - Any Tips?
Posted on 3/17/21 at 4:10 pm
Posted on 3/17/21 at 4:10 pm
After losing power for several days with the past season’s hurricanes and then again with the ice storm, I bit the bullet and bought a DuroMax 12500W dual fuel portable generator. Runs on gasoline or propane.
Anybody else out there have one? If so, how’s the performance on propane vs gasoline? Any tips or pitfalls I should know? And am I wasting money if I fill up a 40# propane tank and leave in a shed outside? (Propane being easier to store than gasoline.)
What am I missing or not thinking about?
Anybody else out there have one? If so, how’s the performance on propane vs gasoline? Any tips or pitfalls I should know? And am I wasting money if I fill up a 40# propane tank and leave in a shed outside? (Propane being easier to store than gasoline.)
What am I missing or not thinking about?
4
Posted on 3/17/21 at 4:15 pm to MrFelixx
Big motor is going to suck down some gasoline.
Posted on 3/17/21 at 4:33 pm to TheBoo
Thanks for the deep insight and detailed answers, Boo. ??
Posted on 3/17/21 at 5:01 pm to MrFelixx
I actually just had one delivered today. I decided to go with the Westinghouse 9500 dual fuel because of the fuel efficiency. At half load the manufacturer states it uses 0.43GPH of propane. A 100 lb propane tank should get me a couple of days of continuous power if I want it.
I also just installed a Micro-Air soft start on my 3 ton central unit. Took my in-rush amps from 72 down to 20 amps. Should have no problem at all running my central unit, as in run it only pulls around 7 amps. No more messing with window units. Even thinking about putting one on my upstairs unit that is 2 ton and seeing if I I can get away with running both A/C’s with staggered start times.
I also just installed a Micro-Air soft start on my 3 ton central unit. Took my in-rush amps from 72 down to 20 amps. Should have no problem at all running my central unit, as in run it only pulls around 7 amps. No more messing with window units. Even thinking about putting one on my upstairs unit that is 2 ton and seeing if I I can get away with running both A/C’s with staggered start times.
Posted on 3/17/21 at 5:38 pm to ruger35
How much was the soft start thingy? Something I could install or does it need to be professionally done?
I would LOVE to not have to fool with window units.
I would LOVE to not have to fool with window units.
Posted on 3/17/21 at 6:00 pm to MrFelixx
The model I needed was $336. You can install yourself, I did mine. I watched a couple YouTube videos and the wires from the soft start were the same, just had different colors on my AC unit that I had to match up. It is well worth not having to mess with window units IMO.
Link to the one I have that is good for up to 3 ton, they make others for larger units. Soft start
Link to the one I have that is good for up to 3 ton, they make others for larger units. Soft start
This post was edited on 3/17/21 at 6:01 pm
Posted on 3/17/21 at 6:19 pm to ruger35
Awesome. Thanks!
Posted on 3/17/21 at 6:52 pm to MrFelixx
How do you plan to store the propane? Big tank or bottles? Bottles won't last long. If I were you, I'd put a natural gas conversion kit on it. Then, hire a plumber to put you a shut off valve on your gas line. As a plumber he can buy you some gastite line and fittings to connect the gastite line to both the shutoff valve at the house and the conversion kit on the generator. Your fuel supply is endless. You just have to remember to shut off the generator a couple times a day and change out the oil per the manufacturer's schedule.
Posted on 3/17/21 at 7:10 pm to seeinspots
From what I can gather, when the power goes out around here the natural gas pressure drops quite a bit, thus making those whole home generators somewhat pointless. Neighbor has one. Said he didn’t recommend it.
Posted on 3/18/21 at 8:10 am to MrFelixx
We have a propane/gas model, I think it is 9500 watts. We keep 80lbs of propane on hand for it. It has been cheaper to run it on gas so we just kept enough propane on hand to make it through until we could fill up the gas cans but with the way things are going we might get a couple 100lb cylinders, they are $115 shipped from Costco, they are just a BITCH to move.
Posted on 3/18/21 at 9:08 am to MrFelixx
quote:
And am I wasting money if I fill up a 40# propane tank and leave in a shed outside?
Propane never goes bad.
There are many other things that also use propane:
BBQ pit, crawfish burner, fish fryer, patio heater, fire pit, etc.
Posted on 3/18/21 at 9:45 am to armsdealer
Excellent info! Thanks for the food for thought.
Posted on 3/18/21 at 10:25 am to MrFelixx
I have been looking at natural gas powered portable generators and I can't seem to find a 7.5kw or larger anywhere. Does anyone have one they would recommend?
WE are doing some work on our home that's involving both gas and electrical so I am debating having the plumber put a natural gas stub on the side of the house with the electrical panel and having an electrician wire in a transfer switch.
WE are doing some work on our home that's involving both gas and electrical so I am debating having the plumber put a natural gas stub on the side of the house with the electrical panel and having an electrician wire in a transfer switch.
Posted on 3/18/21 at 11:14 am to Drunken Crawfish
During Laura, I bought a 10KW tri-power Firman generator from Costco. I have run it exclusively on natural gas for Delta and the ice storm and am very pleased with it.
Not having to refill the tank is a big plus!
Not having to refill the tank is a big plus!
Posted on 3/18/21 at 11:31 am to diablo blanco
NVM I am dumb
This post was edited on 3/18/21 at 11:32 am
Posted on 3/18/21 at 2:09 pm to armsdealer
quote:
they are $115 shipped from Costco
Not sure where you are located, but I just bought a 100lb tank filled for $235 in Denham. Cheaper than just about anywhere else I could find.
Posted on 3/18/21 at 2:43 pm to diablo blanco
quote:
diablo blanco
Did you have any issues with it messing up any electronics? I am seeing some places say it produces pretty dirty power (20-25% THD)?
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News