HamAndEggs
Member
- 30
- 31
- 18
- Location
- Houston, TX
Hey guys,
I came across this forum after seeing someone post a video about an MEP-803a, and it got me interested. I'm looking to eventually get myself a very reliable Diesel Or Gasoline generator as a backup to my Natural Gas unit. I'm in Houston, TX so we may see hurricanes as well as the grid failure from the freeze we had last year
I have a Generac RG027-QS which is 1800RPM and Liquid cooled with a 2.4l Mitsubishi Engine. This is my main backup, and it of course kicks on automatically in around 10 seconds from grid outage. I have all my important computers and servers on double conversion UPS's which has around 10 mins runtime, so my backup to the Generac should be able to be powered on in 10 mins.
I have a Champion 100520 8750w as my "Backup-Backup" generator, with an NG kit on it. So I can run gasoline or NG and power the house through my 30a interlock kit. I can pretty much run everything apart from my main AC which is no problem since I have a few mini splits in my favorite rooms, which sip power and have zero inrush. I thought it would be way too small, but after installing a ton of power monitoring, I realize that I only use 3kw most of the time, with peaks to about 6kw. Its the main AC and the electric range that take it to 10-12kw
The reason I'm in search of a new backup is that I don't really trust that Champion. I'm sure it would run just fine, but if the NG went out or my Generac failed, I don't exactly have confidence I could run on it for 2 weeks straight. This came up recently when as a storm started to develop in the gulf, I had an issue with my Generac they fixed under warranty and I was "down" for a week. Another reason is that in the future (Who knows when) I'd really love to buy some land in the middle of nowhere, and having a reliable generator I could take up there until I got a real power setup going would be very handy. I do have 17kw of solar, so I'm also looking into batteries, but the cost right now is just too much. I think it would be a $30-40K project to get what I want. Right now on a hot night in summer with a lot of AC and electrical usage, I'm using around 45kwh between sun. And 45kwh of battery is not cheap. I can't imagine spending $30,000 only to not make it a single night on an outage (Sure, I could conserve, but if I'm spending $30,000, I don't think I should have to)
My first thought was to buy a Honda EU7000is. The issue I have with it though is that its yet again a 3600RPM air cooled engine, and for the price tag the 5.5kw rated capacity is just too low. I also doubt its as reliable as an MEP or other Diesel unit. And at 0.8 gallons an hour at rated load, its not very efficient compared to a Diesel.
Next I thought about a Kubota Lowboy II GL7000 which is still in the running for sure. Small enough to easily move around on my truck or trailer, Diesel, reliable and comes with a warranty which the MEP's would not. 0.69 gallons an hour at rated load (7kw). Its liquid cooled which is a plus, but its 3600RPM which is a downer compared to the MEP's.
Then I looked at the MEP 803a, 802a and 1040. The 802a looks good on paper, but its also super heavy and large. So I think it would be easier to step up to the 803a or 1040 and get the extra power. It looks like everything is very expensive right now, but I'm in no rush to make my purchase. the 803a looks nice and simple, but I sure do like the lower fuel consumption of the 1040...
The final idea is to buy an old light tower and spruce it up. This could work out a good idea as there are a bunch locally.
I will have to figure out Diesel storage and rotation, as I currently have zero Diesel vehicles. I do however store around 80 gallons of gasoline and rotate it through my vehicles.
Would love any input, and if anyone has any good gasoline generator suggestions I'll take them! Not sure how many questions are in this post, I just like generators and rambling about them.
I came across this forum after seeing someone post a video about an MEP-803a, and it got me interested. I'm looking to eventually get myself a very reliable Diesel Or Gasoline generator as a backup to my Natural Gas unit. I'm in Houston, TX so we may see hurricanes as well as the grid failure from the freeze we had last year
I have a Generac RG027-QS which is 1800RPM and Liquid cooled with a 2.4l Mitsubishi Engine. This is my main backup, and it of course kicks on automatically in around 10 seconds from grid outage. I have all my important computers and servers on double conversion UPS's which has around 10 mins runtime, so my backup to the Generac should be able to be powered on in 10 mins.
I have a Champion 100520 8750w as my "Backup-Backup" generator, with an NG kit on it. So I can run gasoline or NG and power the house through my 30a interlock kit. I can pretty much run everything apart from my main AC which is no problem since I have a few mini splits in my favorite rooms, which sip power and have zero inrush. I thought it would be way too small, but after installing a ton of power monitoring, I realize that I only use 3kw most of the time, with peaks to about 6kw. Its the main AC and the electric range that take it to 10-12kw
The reason I'm in search of a new backup is that I don't really trust that Champion. I'm sure it would run just fine, but if the NG went out or my Generac failed, I don't exactly have confidence I could run on it for 2 weeks straight. This came up recently when as a storm started to develop in the gulf, I had an issue with my Generac they fixed under warranty and I was "down" for a week. Another reason is that in the future (Who knows when) I'd really love to buy some land in the middle of nowhere, and having a reliable generator I could take up there until I got a real power setup going would be very handy. I do have 17kw of solar, so I'm also looking into batteries, but the cost right now is just too much. I think it would be a $30-40K project to get what I want. Right now on a hot night in summer with a lot of AC and electrical usage, I'm using around 45kwh between sun. And 45kwh of battery is not cheap. I can't imagine spending $30,000 only to not make it a single night on an outage (Sure, I could conserve, but if I'm spending $30,000, I don't think I should have to)
My first thought was to buy a Honda EU7000is. The issue I have with it though is that its yet again a 3600RPM air cooled engine, and for the price tag the 5.5kw rated capacity is just too low. I also doubt its as reliable as an MEP or other Diesel unit. And at 0.8 gallons an hour at rated load, its not very efficient compared to a Diesel.
Next I thought about a Kubota Lowboy II GL7000 which is still in the running for sure. Small enough to easily move around on my truck or trailer, Diesel, reliable and comes with a warranty which the MEP's would not. 0.69 gallons an hour at rated load (7kw). Its liquid cooled which is a plus, but its 3600RPM which is a downer compared to the MEP's.
Then I looked at the MEP 803a, 802a and 1040. The 802a looks good on paper, but its also super heavy and large. So I think it would be easier to step up to the 803a or 1040 and get the extra power. It looks like everything is very expensive right now, but I'm in no rush to make my purchase. the 803a looks nice and simple, but I sure do like the lower fuel consumption of the 1040...
The final idea is to buy an old light tower and spruce it up. This could work out a good idea as there are a bunch locally.
I will have to figure out Diesel storage and rotation, as I currently have zero Diesel vehicles. I do however store around 80 gallons of gasoline and rotate it through my vehicles.
Would love any input, and if anyone has any good gasoline generator suggestions I'll take them! Not sure how many questions are in this post, I just like generators and rambling about them.