More information about Power Generators
How to Make Electricity at Home With a Magnetic Generator
By Creztor Tessel
There is probably a very good chance that you have heard about the alternative methods we have available today to create power. Some of the methods that can be used to create electricity outside of burning fossil fuels are through harnessing the power of the sun and the wind. These two methods are probably two of the most common power creation methods we have available today. However, there is another way you and anyone can create power that isn't as widely known. Magnetic generators have been around for sometime but still fail to be widely known. They offer you the chance to make your own clean electricity at home no matter where you live.
Magnetic generators, unlike solar and wind power, don't rely on any outside source of power. Solar power is limited by its reliance on the sun. There are many areas around the world that just don't receive the required amount of light that is needed to generate sufficient power. Solar panels can be costly and without sufficient sunlight it does not make financial sense to install these panels when the amount of electricity they produce and the money saved is less than the required investment. Wind power, another favorite clean alternative to making power also suffers draw backs. Wind power is only effective in areas where there is enough wind to spin turbines that create electricity. Magnetic generators posses neither of these drawbacks and allow you to create power from your own home no matter where you live.
Magnetic generators create power through the use of magnets. This is the simple secret to just why and how these generators are able to create clean electricity for next to nothing. These magnets remove the reliance of the generator on any outside source of power. Put simply, once a magnetic generator is started it will operate and continue to operate indefinitely. It is able to do this thanks to the use of magnets which keep the generator in perpetual motion. It is forever spinning and working and as a result it is creating electricity indefinitely. These generators can be used anywhere in the world and will operate in your own home. This allows anyone the chance to build their own generator and reduce how much they are currently spending on their power.
Magnetic generators, while not as known as solar and wind power, are set to gain significant coverage in the future as it becomes more widely known at just how efficient and cost effective they are at generating electricity. If you want a reliable and effective way to create your own power to save money on your power bill and help reduce your carbon footprint, then magnetic generators are the solution. Through their simple but powerful use of magnets, these generators make it possible for anyone in the world to finally create electricity for their own home consumption. No external power source and the low cost of the materials used to create these generators means they are a real solution to creating your own electricity at home.
My deep well pump requires about 27A startup current, and 6A while running, at 240VAC. This maxes out my 5500W generator at startup.
I wouldn’t recommend anything smaller than a 5kW generator for anyone with a well pump. You will have extra capacity left over for other items such as fridge or freezer, microwave oven, lights, television, etc.
Read through my home generator page for other information.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html
How do I calculate the wattage requirements for a 3/4 hp 22 volt well pump so that I can buy a generator?
I want to purchase a generator for my home. The two appliances that use the most electricity are my dryer and my well pump. The dryer I do not have to use during a power outage, the well pump needs to be able to be run.
How big a generator do I need.?
I own a 2300 square foot home with an upstairs and downstairs heatpump. If I wanted to buy a generator to use in the event my power went down what size should I shoot for. I would like to be able at a minimum to provide upstairs heat (1000 square feet), maintain the fridge and provide minimal light at night. Basic survival type stuff.. Also how much fuel would normally be consumed running for 24 hours?
Thanks I know this is vague so generalities are fine.
You also need to decide whether you want an automatic start and transfer system or a manually operated system.
I suspect the heaviest load will be the heat pump. You will need to determine its power requirements in order to choose the proper size generator.
Here is some information from my generator page, links below.
Power capacity
There are many online calculators to help estimate required generator size. These assume many things and provide a reasonable guideline, but can also suggest a much larger generator than you really need. Ideally, make a list of items you will be using during an outage. Look at the label on each appliance to find its power requirement in watts or VA. Ideally you could measure the current requirement with a peak holding meter to determine maximum startup current and operating current. Startup current is important.
Many items with electric motors will have two current ratings. When they start the motor requires much higher current to begin turning than is needed after they have started to turn. A deep well pump could require over 25amps to start, but only about 6A once water is flowing. Similarly a fridge or freezer could require 15A for a very brief moment while the compressor starts but settle down to a few amps afterwards. Items such as a microwave oven or a toaster oven will usually create a steady current flow without significant peaks at startup.
If you can juggle electricity use the size of the generator can be reduced. If you insist on running the well pump in order to take a shower or fill the bath tub while cooking with the microwave and toaster ovens the total power requirement will be high. Limiting water use while cooking will solve the problem.
Generators usually have two power ratings. The lower of the numbers is usually a continuous or running power rating. When adding up all the power requirements above, this number will be the total of normal operating powers of the items being powered.
The higher number is usually labelled as surge or startup power. This is the higher of the ratings measured. It is unusual that several devices will require maximum startup current simultaneously, so consider the largest load only when determining this number.
As an example, my backup generator is rated 5500 watts continuous and 8500 watts startup. The largest startup load is the well pump which requires 27A at 240VAC or about 6480 watts. Once water is flowing the current drops to 6.2A or about 1488 watts. The generator still has an added capacity of 2000 watts available while the well pump starts up or 4000 watts while the pump is running.
Fuel source
Consider what might become scarce or difficult to get during an outage, especially if accompanied by bad weather. Most fuel stations will not be open if there is no electricity. A natural gas connection to fuel the generator may be ideal if available. Propane is a good option for longer run times if the home uses it already for cooking or heating. Gasoline will allow the generator to remain portable for camping or to loan to a neighbor. It requires stabilizer and can not be stored more than a few months before being used. Many small engines can have the carburetors modified to run on either propane, natural gas, or gasoline. Diesel fuel lasts considerably longer than gasoline but should also be used with a stabilizer. If your home uses heating oil for a furnace it can often be used as a diesel substitute fuel. Diesel engines usually cost much more.
You should also consider engine type and noise level before making a final selection.
Check my generator pages for more information.
Need to Ground Generator for Transfer Switch?
I bought a gen tran transfer switch (30 amp model 3028) and a rigid 6800 continuous watt generator from Home Depot. The instructions say that I need to ground the generator. Like I said I am going to use it for the transfer switch. Do I need to ground the generator? If so why and how?
P.S. The Generator is on wheels. and metal stands in its front.
Short answer, if you use the 4 prong plug on the gentran and have a 4 prong on the generator you will accomplish grounding the generator. (You don’t mention which instructions tell you to ground the generator, the xfer or generator, it might clear up the reason for the statement.)
I see the Home Depot page shows the generator comes with “1 x 120/240 30 amp”, but doesn’t give the exact configuration. If it is an L14-30 or 14-30 receptacle (see http://www.nooutage.com/nema_configurations.htm), the blade marked “G” will ground the generator.
The gentran switch recognizes that the code requires that the ground and neutral be separate points in the xfer switch, so it comes with a 4 prong.
Generators that use a three prong 240v outlet, two hots and a ground, are actually missing the neutral, and don’t meet the code, but will still function and seem to be ok because the ground and neutral are bonded in the service panel that feed the xfer switch. I think the generator manufacturer expects you to use it to back feed from an old 3 prong dryer outlet instead of doing it right.
If you use a kit like: http://www.interlockkit.com/squareDmain01.htm a three prong fits the code. I have installed, permitted. and had these kits inspected after installation, they are UL listed. Many panel companies now make their own kits like these.
I do repairs on small engines. In my experience, Briggs & Stratton (generators were Genrac) would be the best choice. Briggs has been around for years with good quality products and reputation. The Black Max is a fairly new brand and last year I was working on a Black Max lawn mower. It took an act of congress to find parts for it. Even the places I get my parts from could not find anywhere to get them. I have never had a problem looking up or ordering Briggs parts yet and you can get parts almost anywhere. It is possible that some day, Black Max will be more recognized and parts will be easier to find.
Hope this helps.
Self-Home building: permits needed (plumbing, electricity)?
I want to build a home on my own land, not a “full-sized/normal” home but something about the size of an apartment.
The question comes down to if I’m allowed to wire my own house and/or if it’s as efficient (and legal) to buy a natural gas generator and use extension cords behind the walls.
What are the costs involved in and most realistic ways to get water and electricity into a house? How much would the cost of doing such things measure up against the price of building materials (IE wood and cement for the foundation)?
BTW, when I say extension cords, I mean hooked to a minor (say 2000-3000watt) generator not a public IE “grid power supply”: I wouldn’t dare deal with anything that high-voltage…
which generator should i buy a briggs & stratton(homedepot) or black max whit subaru motor at sams?
I need a generator, i`m carpenter and need it, occasionally for drills, impact drills, saws. I visit local stores home depot and find 5500 watts briggs and stratton, then go to Sam’s and find 5000 Watts an unknown brand “BLACK MAX”, but have a SUBARU- ROBIN. BUT THE ARMOR LOOK CHINESE
Which is better, for have duty use, WHO HAVE ONE OF THIS? HOW WORK THEM? WHICH IS RECOMENDED?
I’d compare placing extension cords in the walls for electricity to running garden hoses for water. There are proper materials for the job. Use them or don’t waste your time. Do the job right and you will be better off.
If you want to operate the house from a portable generator, wire it up exactly as if you were connected to the grid. Install an electrical panel and run proper wiring to outlets, lighting, appliances, etc. It will be easy to plug the generator into the panel to power the house. If at some time you plan to connect to the grid, the house will already be wired and ready to go.
amazed at lack of hurricane preparedness
——————————————————————————–
well, i ventured out today to do my normal weekly grocery shopping, since my area was not hit hard.
I will never understand people. I will never understand people who don’t evacuate when told to do so (coastal areas)
i learned that people had no ice. (duh, there has been a hurricane in the gulf for a week!) Police had to monitor people getting gasoline at the only working pumps in this area (duh, aren’t you supposed to fill up before the hurricane???)
people have no water. Now this, in 90-100 degee heat, i will never understand not preparing water at least.
the shelves were empty. of everything. Bare.
people were trying to buy batteries, radios, barbecues, and getting mad and upset at not being able to do so.
please consider when storms are in the gulf prepare ahead of time. and heed warnings to evacuate. and don’t act like a victim because you have no water.
end of rant
The biggest load of the items mentioned will be the water heater. It is likely on a 240V 30A circuit and will require everything a 5500W generator can produce. The generator would have to be wired into the main electrical system through a transfer panel.
The other items such as lights or computer are relatively minor. If you can do without the water heater a much smaller generator can be used. Extension cords would eliminate the need for the transfer panel. Look for something in the range of 2500 watts.
These things are noisy! You may want to look into ways of reducing the exhaust noise to prevent annoying your neighbours. Portable generators have a tendency to walk away during power outages as well. Find a way to properly secure it against theft.
Don’t jump at the first cheap generator you come across. Many of the Chinese built generators aren’t worth purchasing. Spend a few dollars extra for something of reasonable quality and you will be much happier in the long run.
I think it’s mostly denial – people don’t want to face harsh reality, so they put off dealing with preparing for it. We all do that in some way with things in our lives we’d rather not think about. But I agree, it is rather silly to put off preparing for a potentially deadly storm.
I am thinking about getting an automatic backup power generator.?
I presently have oil heat in my home and have been told that fuel oil can be used to power the generator instead having to get bottled gas installed. Is this true?
I figure if I am going to do this, I’d like to power the entire household: furnace, sump pump, well pump, refrigerator, stove and lights. What is the price range for such a set up? Typically, is there a percentage paid up front and if so, how much? Can one contractor install the entire system: pad, generator, switch board, etc.? Am I better off buying the hardware and then just hire a contractor to perform the installation? If the contractor supplies the hardware, what is the typical mark-up, if any?
What is the best way to determine that the contractor is reputable and knows what they’re doing?
After being without power during two recent hurricanes I decided to scrap my regular generator and go with a whole house set up. This is operated on propane, will kick on when the power goes off and is capable of heating/cooling the entire house. Just be sure you get one large enough to operate the things you may need.
One contractor did the entire job for me and I have been extremely pleased with the work as well as the price. Total cost ran around $5500. but if you go through a period of 2 weeks without power you will know its worth the money.
Why do people ALWAYS wait until the eleventh hour to stock up on supplies before a hurricane?
I’m talking about NON-perishable goods like bottled water, canned soups, pasta, peanut butter, and supplies such as flashlights, batteries, candles and (most importantly) generators.
Please see the following article from Thursday’s Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5996923.html
I don’t like doing this, but I’ve had to re-post this question a second time, because most of the answers I got before were so stupid, and here’s a sampling:
1. “Most people don’t have the credit or money to buy a generator,”
Well, they sure do have the money now, don’t they? There were 60 people lined up at a Home Depot in Houston for four hours on Wednesday. Had they gone to Home Depot a month ago, they could’ve not only avoided the long lines but also gotten a nice generator at a better price than what it’s selling for now.
Idiots.
2. “Part of it is because people live paycheck to paycheck.”
Not enough money to buy a generator? What about the 60 people standing in line for four hours at Home Depot to pay $700 for a generator? Did all 60 of those boneheads win the lottery just last week, and that’s why they’re only buying a generator now? Less than 24 hours before a Category 4 hurricane is expected to make landfall? Great planning, people.
3. “Some people don’t have time to buy these things beforehand”
But they DO have time to stand in line for four hours at Home Depot, in the sweltering 90-degree Houston heat.
4. “People are defying the inevitable, and praying that it won’t happen.”
I’m 30 years old, and I have life insurance. I certainly pray that I’ll make it through each day alive, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to prepare with the necessary contingencies in case something ever happens to me.
5. “The local media like to scare people”
If you live in Houston and you have even an ounce of common sense, then you should know that every year at around this time, you’re gonna get threatened by hurricanes. And you’re gonna need the usual non-perishable foods and supplies.
So why not go shopping for these items and store them away a month or so before hurricane season? If hurricane season passes without incident and the emergency kit goes unused, then you can use the food items before they spoil and then simply re-stock those items the following summer. What is so hard about this???
I would think that if anybody knew how to prepare for a hurricane, it would be the folks in South Texas. And I would think that Houstonians would have already learned their lesson after T.S. Allison seven years ago.
Why do people always wait until the last minute before a hurricane to buy important supplies?
I’m talking about NON-perishable goods like bottled water, canned soups, pasta, peanut butter, and supplies such as flashlights, batteries, candles and (most importantly) generators.
Please see the following article from Thursday’s Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/fron...
I don’t like doing this, but I’ve had to re-post this question a second time, because most of the answers I got before were so stupid, and here’s a sampling:
1. “Most people don’t have the credit or money to buy a generator,”
Well, they sure do have the money now, don’t they? There were 60 people lined up at a Home Depot in Houston for four hours on Wednesday. Had they gone to Home Depot a month ago, they could’ve not only avoided the long lines but also gotten a nice generator at a better price than what it’s selling for now.
Idiots.
2. “Part of it is because people live paycheck to paycheck.”
Not enough money to buy a generator? What about the 60 people standing in line for four hours at Home Depot to pay $700 for a generator? Did all 60 of those boneheads win the lottery just last week, and that’s why they’re only buying a generator now? Less than 24 hours before a Category 4 hurricane is expected to make landfall? Great planning, people.
3. “Some people don’t have time to buy these things beforehand”
But they DO have time to stand in line for four hours at Home Depot, in the sweltering 90-degree Houston heat.
4. “People are defying the inevitable, and praying that it won’t happen.”
I’m 30 years old, and I have life insurance. I certainly pray that I’ll make it through each day alive, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to prepare with the necessary contingencies in case something ever happens to me.
5. “The local media like to scare people”
If you live in Houston and you have even an ounce of common sense, then you should know that every year at around this time, you’re gonna get threatened by hurricanes. And you’re gonna need the usual non-perishable foods and supplies.
So why not go shopping for these items and store them away a month or so before hurricane season? If hurricane season passes without incident and the emergency kit goes unused, then you can use the food items before they spoil and then simply re-stock those items the following summer. What is so hard about this???
I would think that if anybody knew how to prepare for a hurricane, it would be the folks in South Texas. And I would think that Houstonians would have already learned their lesson after T.S. Allison seven years ago.
I have some questions on home genorators?
My husband, 16 month old son and I live in a single wide trailer. My next door neighbors are my mom and dad, and then my mamaw. Last year we had a HUGE snow (3+ feet) and we were without water and power for over a week in December near Christmas. Then January of 2010 we had another big snow, but no where near the 3 feet one. We lost power for 4 days. We had a state of emergency declared, power company’s from everywhere came in to set up temporary power poles. It was a heavy wet snow for the both of them, not to mention some light snows and ice throughout the rest of the season. There were trees down, from huge to small. We still have temporary power poles and have lost electricity quite a few times since them during thunder & wind storms. There is a big chance of another heavy wet snow this weekend, then the temperatures turing bitterly cold (highs 0-10 degrees). We are wanting to get a generator but we do not know where to start? We were going to wait with and buy one with our tax returns, but I recently got a credit card so I could get some dental and medical work done and we talked about getting one with that. Now with this big snow coming we are in a rush too. Last year was awful, and we were so thankful my dad hunts and has lanterns and a kerosene heater.
We really do no want to waster money on one if its not going to work for us. We are on a VERY limited income with my husband the only one working and me going to college full time. We would like one that would keep our fridge working, use small lamps, use the microwave and stove, and have hot water. We have the kerosene heater. Would it be possible to run things like a desktop computer on a Generator? I have online classes which is why I ask. Or the tv so my son could watch mickey mouse? I;m sorry if I sound stupid I just have no clue how these things work!
If anyone knows about them I would appreciate all the info you could give me. How do you hook up the appliances you want to keep running ot the Generator? I don’t want one of those that have to be professionally installed, just a portable one. We do not want to spend more than 400 dollars, but considering my parents and grandmother would come and stay in our house with us they may chip in a little.
Thanks everyone. We ended up buying one for 450$ dollars, the had 6000 for starting, and 5000 for running which is enough for our fridge, lamps, stove and the TV for our son along with some other minor things. We don’t want to put in a ton of money to buy a non-portable generator and install it into the house we live in, we rent and we plan on moving as soon as I am done with school. Thanks everyone!
As for the fridge comment, we tried that last year. Neighborhood dogs came buy and ate almost everyting we had put in the snow. They bit and cracked the tupperware we did have. I do not have enough tupperware to fit the amount of food I have now, especially the meat and fruits and veggies I buy in bulk and freeze myself.
Motor home deep cycle battery problem?
We have a 2005 Itasca Spirit that has two deep cycle batteries that don’t seem to hold a charge. I have read somewhere that a deep cycle battery should last 1 day for every cycle and our batteries will not go a full 8 hours without having to be recharged with the generator. When we run them overnight the only thing drawing power off them is the refrigerator. It appears that the battery is sealed, so no water can be added to it. Since we bought the coach new and have always had this problem with the battery I tend to think that before we bought it the battery was allowed to fully discharge too often and then was not recharged properly, and of course the manufacturer’s warranty does not cover batteries!
I am curious how long other RVers dry camp using only their batteries or if you need to recharge with the generator on a daily basis? Am I expecting more than is realistic with this type of setup? What can I do differently with the new batteries we are going to purchase? Thanks!
i have worked on an itasca before they usually hold a charge for about ten to 12 hours at the most without using the generator,they were only meant to be a part time power source,any of them will drain in 8-10 hours,your supposed to use the generator if your running the fridge or any major appliances in it,even the best of battery’s will go dead in 12 hours,though the best thing you can do is only use battery power when needed,good luck on it.