A new Battery Backup system

[billmcct]

To start, they do make propane generators. Now I would suggest using an "Inverter" generator. It will produce DC current and convert to AC current. Much cleaner and more reliable power, no spikes. Inverter generators can be linked together to increase the wattage output. I have two dual fuel (propane and gasoline) 3000 watt generators linked together in my home built Camper. I never have to take them outside since the engines are 2 1/2 Hp and I piped the exhausts to the top of the trailer they're very quite. They're in a space under the Master bed and I sleep very well even when they're running. One will power everything except the air conditioner. Actually it will run the AC but you can't run the microwave or Induction cooktops or the heat with it without cranking the other. The price of whole home generators have dropped a lot over the years. After Irma my nephew installed a Generac to power his house. Cost $3200 and powers everything including the 4 ton Heat Pump. Runs on diesel.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...When I lived in the city, I thought about getting a whole-house natural gas generator, but they are very expensive. Back in those days, we had a natural gas pipe coming from the city to my house. But now we live in the country, and we have no natural gas at our house.

You can get the same generators in propane models or even dual fuel (propane/natural gas or other fuel combos). Many rural residences already have huge propane tanks.

The problem with diesel/gasoline whole house generators is getting the fuel to the site, storing it safely, and keeping it from going bad over time (even fuel stabilizers have limits).

 

[TechnoMage2016]

Have you priced Propane lately?

Back when I first moved to FL in '88, propane was fairly cheap, and the company would send their tank truck around once a month to top off peoples tanks, then they would send a bill.

Well, that only lasted for just a few years, and then the price of propane per gallon almost doubled, and then the company would only deliver when called and would not deliver less than 100 gallons and then wanted CASH for it.

I ran my tank out and called them to come and "Get this #$%^$ tank out of my yard!" I also went down to "Lowe's" and bought me an electric stove and an electric Hot Water Heater and installed them myself.
NO more propane for this guy! Now my whole house is "Electric".

I have 20+ gallons of gasoline for my generator, and it's all treated with a fuel Stabilizer (Stabil).

Regardless of any Naysayers, I have it covered!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

How long do you keep your gasoline? While Stabil can keep gas good for as much as two years, they don't recommend going past one year for best results.

 

[mrjimphelps]

Get several cans, and rotate your gas through your lawn mower or through your car. In this way, the oldest gas won't be that old.

Or get ethanol-free gas. It doesn't break down as bad as the gas with ethanol.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

How long do you keep your gasoline? While Stabil can keep gas good for as much as two years, they don't recommend going past one year for best results.

My Lady,
Mr. Jim just gave the best answer to that question, but let me expound on it a little.

In my case, your question is pretty hard to answer, since I just filled all four of my gas cans, and added the appropriate amount of Stabil to them not more than two weeks ago. But even if I use the canned gas for nothing but my generator, I still have plenty of time to rotate the gas, like to my car every once in a while, to keep it more or less fresh. I do have other uses for gasoline around here, so I'm quite sure it's not going to get 'OLD'.

 

[TechnoMage2016]

A question was asked of me, how I connect my UPS to an external battery of the Car/Tractor type.

I made up this little cable that plugs right into the connectors in the UPS and then clamps onto the terminals of the external battery. I hope that answers the question.*

* This cable is for testing purposes only. A permanent cable would have ring terminals on the ends of the wires to bolt onto the battery terminals instead of the temporary clamps.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

My Lady,
Mr. Jim just gave the best answer to that question, but let me expound on it a little.

In my case, your question is pretty hard to answer, since I just filled all four of my gas cans, and added the appropriate amount of Stabil to them not more than two weeks ago. But even if I use the canned gas for nothing but my generator, I still have plenty of time to rotate the gas, like to my car every once in a while, to keep it more or less fresh. I do have other uses for gasoline around here, so I'm quite sure it's not going to get 'OLD'.

Good! I'm glad you have it covered (not everyone is smart enough to realize gasoline can't be stored forever). I'm too old to be lugging cans of gas around (plus local fire codes would probably frown on me keeping that much "lighter fluid" around). Fortunately for me, natural gas is available (the trailer court I live in recently replaced all the natural gas piping) so, if I decide to get a whole house emergency generator (and the court will let me), a natural gas powered one would be the best route for me (assuming I'm willing to spring for one).

 

[mrjimphelps]

If your generator or lawn mower starts coughing or sputtering because the gas is old, get some fresh gas, and add some Stabil and some Sea Foam to it. Sea Foam will clean your system so well that your mower or generator will run with a vengeance. My lawn mower wouldn't crank. I changed the spark plug, and it then ran for a few minutes. I then got fresh gas and added Sea Foam and Stabil, and now my lawn mower runs like brand new!

https://seafoamsales.com/small-engines/