Small generator for home use.

spongsdad · 4 Sep 2015

This week came the announcement that Eggborough Power station will close next spring. Together with the closure of Longannet this represents the loss of at least 4000mW of generating capacity. It is becoming clear to me that electricity generating capacity is likely to be on a knife edge over the coming winter and beyond.
As my wife is quite severely disabled, I am not prepared to run the risk of power outages for this coming or subsequent winters and am therefore looking to buy a small generator for home use should such an outage occur. At this stage I do not think I need to be switched into the house electrics and would be prepared to use an extension cable to the generator, which would be located outside the house. Can anyone recommend what I should be looking for/expecting to pay for a generator which would provide some lighting capability and perhaps enable us to listen to the radio or watch television, besides providing power for the compressor which powers my wife's air mattress? All suggestions greatfully received.

Newboy · 4 Sep 2015

Something like this would probably do the trick.

Don'y be tempted to get one of the much cheaper site work types - they aren't suitable for powering electronic items

AndyPRK · 4 Sep 2015

Can't see a link.

I think u do want it connected into the house to power heating controls, lights etc.

endecotp · 4 Sep 2015

Worth a read:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/defa...electricitysecurityofsupplyreport_final_0.pdf

One interesting number is that the "average cold spell peak demand" has decreased by 6GW in the last decade, for various mainly industrial reasons

I think the important point is that there will be plenty of warning in the form of "large energy users" being disconnected before there is any risk to consumers. OFGEM estimate the chance of "controlled disconnections" for this winter being between 1 in 14 and 1 in 77.

Burnerman · 4 Sep 2015

If you still want to go ahead, you'll not beat the Honda 'suitcase' range......expensive, yes but so quiet and reliable! 1kW or 2kW.
These machines are so well designed, they return to idle when not under load.
Machine Mart is one competitive supplier.
John

Iggifer · 4 Sep 2015

I too would reconsider not getting it set up to power at least your lights and heating. Admittedly you could put the supply to the boiler on a plug and socket and then plug this into the genny should you ever need to, but it's a less than ideal solution.

I do belive, @JohnW2 has a Genny hardwired into his house, I'm sure he has some valuable insight re: changeover switches and the like.

Anteaus · 4 Sep 2015

Honda units are hard to beat. One safety point is that however you connect it you must ensure that it cannot feed current back into the (dead) supply feed, since that could cause a hazard for the linemen. The extension lead and separate socket approach is the safest in this respect, any automatic changeover would have to be designed with this in mind.

Burnerman · 4 Sep 2015

I'm quite used to power outage when the snow comes......sometimes its for 24hrs but it's unusual.
However, I have my (oil) boiler on a 13A outlet, and run standing lamps plus the fridge/freezer on trailing leads. My 3500W genny will boil a kettle too.
John

winston1 · 4 Sep 2015

spongsdad said:
Together with the closure of Longannet this represents the loss of at least 4000mW of generating capacity.

Well that is only 4 watts.

My own experiences with generators is that when you eventually need them they won't start because the fuel has gone off. Basically you have to run them regularly.

Might be worth while considering a large battery with trickle charger or solar panel and inverter.

spongsdad · 4 Sep 2015

winston1 said:
spongsdad said:

Together with the closure of Longannet this represents the loss of at least 4000mW of generating capacity.

Click to expand...

Well that is only 4 watts.

My own experiences with generators is that when you eventually need them they won't start because the fuel has gone off. Basically you have to run them regularly.

Might be worth while considering a large battery with trickle charger or solar panel and inverter.

Well, that was a Freudian slip. How about 4GW?
Not sure about the solar panel. Useful in daylight perhaps, but one panel would produce perhaps 250 watts and even less at night

Iggifer · 4 Sep 2015

NOT 1.21 GIGAWATTS MARTY??

winston1 · 4 Sep 2015

spongsdad said:
winston1 said:

spongsdad said:

Together with the closure of Longannet this represents the loss of at least 4000mW of generating capacity.

Click to expand...

Well that is only 4 watts.

My own experiences with generators is that when you eventually need them they won't start because the fuel has gone off. Basically you have to run them regularly.

Might be worth while considering a large battery with trickle charger or solar panel and inverter.

Click to expand...

Well, that was a Freudian slip. How about 4GW?
Not sure about the solar panel. Useful in daylight perhaps, but one panel would produce perhaps 250 watts and even less at night

I missed a commer out. The solar panel was to trickle charge the battery.

jamesmcbride · 4 Sep 2015

winston1 said:
spongsdad said:

Together with the closure of Longannet this represents the loss of at least 4000mW of generating capacity.

Click to expand...

Well that is only 4 watts.

My own experiences with generators is that when you eventually need them they won't start because the fuel has gone off. Basically you have to run them regularly.

Might be worth while considering a large battery with trickle charger or solar panel and inverter.

I am also beginning to think that this might be the best route to go down.
I think I would actually have it so that the lighting and heating circuits were permanently running off this off-grid solar system (with a float charger for backup). Especially with the use of LED lighting, you could probably get to the stage where you don't pay for any of the electricity for lighting / essentials.

There would be a higher initial outlay but if you are planning to stay there a while, it is probably a more worthwhile investment than a generator.

Photonicinduction did a video along these lines a while ago:

These days the inverters and solar charge controllers are a bit more intelligent, so you can get the most out of it

Burnerman · 4 Sep 2015

The wee Honda unit is quiet enough not to disturb anyone.....bigger machines less so. It will provide you with the power you need.
Fuel additives are available to prevent degradation, but Aspen fuel - available from horticultural outlets - lasts for years.
John

conny · 5 Sep 2015

If your wife has a need for a guaranteed supply, say because she has home dialysis or some other necessary function, then contact your power supply company and ask them to 'Red Flag' your property as a priority case. They may, depending on your circumstances, be able to help with the cost of a stand-by generator or some other means of getting you a supply.

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Small generator for home use.

Newboy

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