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[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

Yep, my father picked up a DuroMax XP9000iH, runs on either LPG or gasoline. 9k watts as per the name.

[–]In-the-clouds 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

That sounds like enough power for the whole house, as long as you have access to the fuel.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

It can't run everything, not the central AC at all, that takes 45 amps this doesn't have, but it can handle the essentials otherwise and they're going to get a small AC unit that can keep a room a reasonable temp instead of attempting the whole house.

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

If they have a room akin to a sunroom or bonus room, they can install a mini-split. Those run on less than 5 amps/240 volts and provide both heat and AC.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I believe that's one of the options they're considering. Not sure they need heat at all, it doesn't get cold enough to be vital, and they have a natural gas hookup for the furnace. I'm a little surprised they didn't get a natural gas generator but I guess there are reasons.

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

If I had NG available, that's what I'd get. I don't want to mess with propane. I have started looking into solar panels feeding into a Tesla Powerwall.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

There's reasons for it, pros and cons to the different fuel types and the bi- and tri- fuel generators. Natural gas generators often aren't mobile because of the non mobile nature of most nat gas hookups, natural gas of course has a lot less energy, and there's something about an inverter and nat gas generators producing electricity that ain't great for electronics. I didn't research it much myself, but that's the nickel version as I understand it.

I have started looking into solar panels feeding into a Tesla Powerwall

My father doesn't like solar panels because they're not cost effective without subsidies, and he doesn't think it's right to take advantage of that. I don't know I agree, because the government is just going to waste that money whether you get it or not. Although they also look ugly and, along with the batteries, have a lifespan of 10 years max with degrading performance as they age. And lithium batteries upper operating temp is 140F. It gets hotter than that in cars in summer here.

Still, I think solar and a battery backup is a hell of a handy thing to have. Just no single solution is perfect.

[–]Zapped 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

You do get more power from propane than natural gas. If you look at Generac generators, for example, a 24KW is rated for propane but drops to 21KW for NG. I haven't heard of problems with NG and generator power signatures.

Solar is still an expensive investment for the return. I remember when microwave ovens were over $2000.