| From the dizzying array of choices one is | | | | use of generators. However, in the case of |
| presented with when beginning a search for | | | | portable generators in an emergency, your |
| the proper emergency residential generator to | | | | neighbours aren't likely to mind if you're |
| suit your needs. However, if one is new to | | | | generous with charging batteries for flash |
| the practice of managing their electrical | | | | lights and otherwise sharing your power when |
| power generation, the choices might not even | | | | everyone is out. |
| make sense. There are few features that can | | | | |
| make the use of a standby generator far more | | | | Regardless, residential generators can be |
| safe, efficient and pleasant. And since they | | | | found that are not nearly as loud as many of |
| all cost money, it's good to have a feel for | | | | the less expensive types by looking for some |
| just how important each of these features is | | | | characteristic engine types and styles. Often |
| to you. | | | | times noise is the result of something that |
| | | | is causing friction or some other type of |
| Though it seems like a very simple thing, the | | | | loss in the system, so quiet engines are |
| inclusion of wheels on the portable generator | | | | often more fuel efficient, though sometimes a |
| chassis can save you from a life-long injury. | | | | bit choked. |
| Even relatively small farm or residential | | | | |
| generators can weigh more than most people | | | | Overhead valve type residential generators |
| should or could lift, unassisted. This might | | | | also have the advantage of being relatively |
| be the least expensive upgrade you can look | | | | quiet to operate. Whether diesel, gasoline or |
| for in a system, but it could ultimately save | | | | propane / LP, generator designs that include |
| you more money in any other given the high | | | | this more direct type of valve action are |
| cost of health care. | | | | more reliable. They are more resistant to |
| | | | friction damage and rarely "throw a rod" or |
| Another simple adaptation is a large fuel | | | | suffer from nearly the same incidence of poor |
| tank. Many small, portable generators have | | | | valve fit than older types of internal |
| inadequate tanks - some as small as 5 or 10 | | | | combustion residential generators. |
| gallons. Safe filling procedures require at | | | | |
| least a few minutes to cool off before they | | | | Automatic idle control keeps the engine from |
| can be safely filled, since the surfaces of | | | | running at top speed when it's not necessary. |
| residential-sized generators often get hot | | | | This graduated type of throttling |
| enough to actually ignite petroleum vapours. | | | | automatically ratchets the available |
| Obviously, that would be a problem. | | | | residential generator power down while |
| | | | allowing the You can also expect relatively |
| Because of this gap in run time, it's nice to | | | | quiet operation during these low power |
| not have to fill them every few hours. A 30 | | | | events, though the performance when they're |
| gallon tank means the average standby | | | | pushed to maximum is no quieter than a |
| generator only needs to be filled every day | | | | similarly equipped residential generator |
| or so. Many petrol tanks are 300-600 gallons. | | | | without an automatic idle control. |
| If you have a heating system that uses the | | | | |
| same fuel, you could combine the storage | | | | Of course, the main advantage of idle control |
| facilities, and it's something to consider | | | | is the greater fuel economy it affords. This |
| when considering purchasing a diesel or | | | | savings can be quite dramatic in the case of |
| gasoline generator versus LP/propane | | | | a well designed residential generator system |
| generators. | | | | with enough headroom to handle just about any |
| | | | contingency. |
| This does, of course, presuppose you have 30 | | | | |
| gallons of fuel lying about. If you don't, | | | | Another very handy feature is an automatic |
| you should. It is never a bad idea to have | | | | switch that shuts down any standby generator |
| fuel in storage, on site, though it does no | | | | when the level of engine oil is too low to |
| good for anything other than as a | | | | ensure proper lubrication. Such a calamity is |
| pyro-accelerant or industrial solvent if not | | | | far more likely to happen with a residential |
| properly stored for more than 30 days. After | | | | generator (as opposed to the family |
| a month, any fuel should be considered | | | | automobile) since you're not right next to it |
| suspect unless preservation methods have been | | | | to hear when odd noises start. An engine that |
| employed. | | | | is not observed and maintained can seize up |
| | | | and cause severe engine damage. |
| As such, your fuel shoud be well-contained: | | | | |
| not liable to be blown up by anything or | | | | Many of manufacturers employ such features in |
| evaporate into varnish. Also, it should be | | | | their designs, including most of the big |
| protected from getting water (or, more | | | | names such as Winco, Gillette and Parmac. |
| precisely, water vapour) in it. Unless you're | | | | Once you've decided how much power and what |
| storing your fuel in a desert cave, there | | | | the requirements of your site are, the rest |
| will be temperature fluctuations that can | | | | is what impacts how you'll actually use the |
| cause water to condense on the sides of the | | | | device. If you'll only be using a standby |
| tank and cause poor performance in this | | | | generator once every 20 years, some minor |
| "distilled" state. | | | | inconveniences are just that whereas some are |
| | | | extremely burdensome. Knowing what your |
| Because backup or standby generators are | | | | options are will allow you to make the best |
| often quite noisy, most urban and suburban | | | | choice to avoid trouble later. |
| areas have laws and ordinances that ban the | | | | |