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Disasters happen from time to time. From tornados and hurricanes to random earthquakes, these natural disasters can rip through your community before you have a chance to prepare. And much of the time, power is lost either from hours to days. There are many ways to prepare for these disasters though. One such way is to purchase a portable generator. Although disasters aren’t the only reason for purchasing a generator, they are the most popular.
Generators come in a variety of sizes and run on different types of fuel. It’s not only important to choose the right size generator to best suit your needs, but to choose the one that uses the right fuel. This article is designed to teach you how to choose which fuel your portable generator should use.
DETERMINE THE USES
The first step to choosing your portable generator is to determine your exact needs. Are you purchasing it to prepare for a disaster? Or maybe you want an easier way to power your new shed? Determining its use will have a huge impact on your final decision.
TYPES OF FUEL
Now that you know the reason for purchasing the portable generator, you can look through the different fuel types to see which will be more efficient for your needs.
GAS
Advantages
Easily accessible. You can just go to the local gas station and refuel the generator.
Since many other tools operate by gas, you are likely to already have containers to store it.
Disadvantages
Run louder that other types.
Exhaust fumes are dangerous.
PROPANE
Advantages
Much cleaner than gas and doesn’t produce as many toxins.
Runs quieter.
Disadvantages
Requires a special container, making it less convenient to refill.
NATURAL GAS
Advantages
Exhaust is cleaner than gas powered generators.
Natural gas is cheaper.
Runs quieter than gas powered generators.
Disadvantages
Must have natural gas delivered to your home making this the least convenient of all the fuel choices.
DIESEL
Advantages
Runs longer than any other generator.
Quietest of all the generators
Disadvantages
Like gas generators, diesel produces harmful exhaust.
What else can I help you with?
Does power load affect fuel consumption of portable generators?
Yes, the more load that is placed on the generator the more fuel it will use.
How many hours can a person use a portable generator in a day?
24 hours, if you have sufficient fuel to do so.
What different factors should one consider when choosing a portable RV generator?
Some questions to ask before purchasing a portable RV generator would include asking themselves whether the power output will fit the need, is it clean power or cause a lot of exhaust, is the generator light enough to carry to the top of the roof in some cases, and what is the running time on a full tank of fuel.
Picking The Right Portable Generator?
There are three broad categories of portable generators to choose from. Most homeowners purchase a recreational portable generator that can power a few devices for an afternoon. Homes that experience severe weather often have an emergency portable generator that can run several appliances for as long as the fuel lasts in case of a blackout or other emergency. Professional portable generators are expensive but provide enough energy for power tools and industrial appliances like air compressors.
How long does the portable honda generator run for?
This depends somewhat on the model of Honda generator you choose, but on average, Honda generators will run for about 20 hours on one full tank of fuel.
Is an generator an example of a fuel?
Its 'a' generator ! And no, a generator still needs fuel to run
Different Fuel Types of Portable Generators?
A portable generator can give you peace of mind if you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters. Its portability allows you to put it where it’s needed. Which fuel type you choose is an important decision and one not to be taken lightly. Liquid or gas fuels are the most common, but portable solar powered generators are also available. Solar power is free once you have the generator, so it won’t cost anything to operate. However, if you want a generator that’s dependable in bad weather, solar is not the best option. That leaves gasoline, diesel, and propane or natural gas. Gasoline generators are the most common and the least expensive to buy. Since gas is not stable over a period of time, you must use up gas that’s getting old somewhere else and replace your stock with fresh gas, or you must buy stabilizer. If you need to use a generator over a period of days or weeks, it can take a lot of gasoline to run and during a disaster, it might be impossible to buy more. Portable diesel generators are more expensive to buy but they run quieter and more efficiently. They usually last longer than gasoline generators. Again, you will have to store quite a bit of fuel because it could be impossible to get during a disaster. Propane is the easiest to store and usually more readily available during disasters. A portable propane generator runs from a container of fuel that’s safe to store for long periods of time. Other portable generators include those that are multi-fuel. These use simple switches to change from one fuel to another; a plus in case of fuel shortages. Multi-fuel portable generators are usually quite expensive. Whichever fuel you choose, think carefully first. Do you have storage space for fuel? Can you rotate the fuel stock so you don’t get caught with fuel that won’t burn? How much do you want to spend on a generator? These and other questions will help you decide what is best for you.
How to Avoid Electric Service Disruption with Portable Generator?
A portable generator is often among the most recommended supplies to have at home in the event of earthquake, hurricane or flooding when a natural disaster knocks out the normal power supply. Although a portable generator is most often used to provide an emergency power source to a home or commercial residence, some are also used to provide a reliable power source when camping in the wilds. There are several things to consider when selecting the right portable generator for your purposes. There are various wattage or power levels of portable generator available, so tabulate how much wattage the most essential of your appliances will need in order to buy a portable generator with enough capacity to service those particular electrical needs during a power outage or while camping. Be aware that a portable generator is meant to be a temporary power backup and cannot service all heavy-duty electrical devices at the same time the way your normal electrical system does. Decide which fuel is the most cost efficient for you to run a portable generator, either gasoline or propane gas. Storing gasoline may prove to be hazardous, and certain precautions must be taken with propane gas tanks. Before you choose a specific portable generator, check to see how much fuel is necessary to operate the generator for a set amount of time. When weather or other conditions eliminates your normal source of electricity, using a portable generator can prove to be a lifesaver and help to maintain at least some standard of comfort and safety until the main power source is restored back to normal. Many portable generator owners use their unit to keep fans or air conditioning running during hot and humid weather, to keep heaters operational during snowstorms and winter weather, or to keep refrigerators and freezers from losing power and ruining all the stored foodstuffs. Since it doesn’t require a lot of wattage to run lamps, a portable generator can keep electric lights on during a power outage which is much safer than lighting candles and much longer-lasting than battery operated flashlights which eventually dim and die out. Having a portable generator handy and the right fuel to power it can help provide a homeowner with peace of mind when severe weather or natural disasters strike.
What type of generator would be a good choice for emergency back-up?
There are two types of back up generators you could get, either a permanent standby or portable. The permanent generator will be outside your home, it runs on your existing fuel source. The portable generator is a more affordable options, if you only need to run a few vital electrical items during a power cut. They can be wheeled in and out of the garage and run on gasoline.
How do you use manual choke generac portable generator?
To use the manual choke on a Generac portable generator, first ensure the generator is on a stable surface and the fuel tank is filled. Set the choke lever to the "choke" position to restrict airflow, which helps start the engine when it's cold. After starting the generator, gradually move the choke lever to the "run" position as the engine warms up. Always refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions related to your model.
How can I obtain instant electricity in case of a power outage?
One way to obtain instant electricity during a power outage is to use a portable generator. Make sure to follow safety guidelines and have enough fuel on hand to keep the generator running.
Can a portable generator be installed inside a motorhome?
Yes it can. Things to consider would be the fuel source, how to safely deal with the exhaust, and the transfer switch. I would recommend an automatic transfer switch.
