A Bit Off of the Usual Topics, but….

[memtb]

Noobie, very good explanation…..Thank You.

It's obviously pretty complex to put it all together, but not something that a fairly bright individual can't accomplish!

It's also not something that can be researched/understood/installed overnight, plus as you suggested….a system built for long term power is quite expensive and will require a pretty large (depending upon power output needed) storage supply (batteries) to carry the user through numerous overcast days and the shorter daily charge period during the winter months. A nice "tracking array" would help produce higher wattage….but substantially increases the cost of the system. You also mentioned the energy loss during the charging/conversion of the energy….one should also consider the efficiency rating of the panels, as all panels are "not created equal"!

A good system can make a big dent in most folks bank accounts……it just depends how comfortable you want to be "after" the SHTF. Decisions……Decisions memtb

 

[BigDon]

Great thread. I'm looking for some direction here. My 7 year old Kohler 20/Resal whole home propane generator took a total dump. Had Kohler service out. They said it was 'locked up' and couldn't easily diagnose whether it was the engine or the genset. Said it would cost more to fix than it's worth and to just replace it. They offered a quote of $12,500 - for a straight up remove and replace. I was blown away. Now I'm on the hunt for the right replacement unit - 20K capacity is fine. Do you guys have any ideas for me on this? Anybody need half of a formerly working rig? I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Old Rooster]

I think I would call someone else as a Kohler should last a whole lot longer than 7 years!I would tell them if Kohler's only last 7 years I'll get something else!Something don't add up buddy!
Are there other generators available in your area?A generator mechanic to pull the engine out and see if the generator itself is locked up.You can buy a replacement generator or a replacement engine for those,not only a brand new whole system.
Just my opinion

 

[BigDon]

I think I would call someone else as a Kohler should last a whole lot longer than 7 years!I would tell them if Kohler's only last 7 years I'll get something else!Something don't add up buddy!
Are there other generators available in your area?A generator mechanic to pull the engine out and see if the generator itself is locked up.You can buy a replacement generator or a replacement engine for those,not only a brand new whole system.
Just my opinion

The rep's whole deal felt a lot like a drive-by shooting! I agree with your point - just have to find the right people. It's too heavy a lift for me to do the repair, even though I have the skillset and tools. Totally agree that 7 years is NOT ok. I kept the maintenance up to date, ran the exercises, etc. Definitely not happy....

 

[victor3ranger]

How much do you think the system for the well runs. Just a rough figure would be nice.

The full price for just the deep well pump with the panels and switches runs about $1300 shipped but the shipping was pretty hefty.
It's going to cost about $1700 for the amount of 1" poly pipe to run the length to the well location.
My little system was $400 and it works fine for watering stuff but I was having to fill totes and haul those to the house

 

[billcaldwell]

BigDon, that $12,500 bid to remove and replace, doesn't sound very good. My 20 kw Kohler generator cost $8,481.24, and that includes the generator, Transfer Switch, carb heater, 12 starting battery, and sales tax. It also cost $1600 for my plumber to run the natural gas line, and $2,300 for my electrician to install the whole thing. My all up total was $12,381.24, which is less than your guy wanted just to replace you generator. I'd look for another dealer. I'm still really sorry for your bad experience.

 

[BigDon]

BigDon, that $12,500 bid to remove and replace, doesn't sound very good. My 20 kw Kohler generator cost $8,481.24, and that includes the generator, Transfer Switch, carb heater, 12 starting battery, and sales tax. It also cost $1600 for my plumber to run the natural gas line, and $2,300 for my electrician to install the whole thing. My all up total was $12,381.24, which is less than your guy wanted just to replace you generator. I'd look for another dealer. I'm still really sorry for your bad experience.

I appreciate you sharing your experience. I think I'm going to cool my jets and find a local mechanic to pull the motor and get it figured out. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. More news to follow -

 

[billcaldwell]

I appreciate you sharing your experience. I think I'm going to cool my jets and find a local mechanic to pull the motor and get it figured out. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. More news to follow -

Thanks! I look forward to seeing how it works out!

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Just an up date for all that store gas for future use. WE have several posts on our Generator for the house in case of loss of power. We have several hundred gallons of Gasolines stored in plastic 55 gallon drums.
I just recently changed out our supply after (5) years. We buy Avgas and mix with non ethanol gas at a 50/50 mix. Avgas id 100 Octane and Non Ethanol is 89 Octane which gives us 94.5 Octane. We bought 100 gallons of avgas @ $5.69 per gallon and 100 gallons @ $3.60 non ethanol.
200 gallons - $929.00 for GAS. We have more gas stored and will use it off in our vehicles as it becomes older and we change out. 5+ years.

We had questions in the past on how long you can store GASOLINE. You can store avgas 8-10 years as long as you store and do not have rust or moister contamination.
Ethanol & additive gas will gum up after a year or two.
Regular gasoline can last 5 years with no rust moister and good container.
NON ETHANOL with no additives with no rust or moister can last up to 8+ years.

I have just changed out after (5) years and put in vehicles. The run better now than with the 87 Oct 10% ethanol everyday gas.
We are running 94 oct!
I try to change out our storage tanks every 5-6 years now. There is a bigger cost $$$ with Avgas and non ethanol, but we have a bigger storage so we can run our generator for at least two months and longer if we only run for several hours a day.

 

[blvette75]

Just an up date for all that store gas for future use. WE have several posts on our Generator for the house in case of loss of power. We have several hundred gallons of Gasolines stored in plastic 55 gallon drums.
I just recently changed out our supply after (5) years. We buy Avgas and mix with non ethanol gas at a 50/50 mix. Avgas id 100 Octane and Non Ethanol is 89 Octane which gives us 94.5 Octane. We bought 100 gallons of avgas @ $5.69 per gallon and 100 gallons @ $3.60 non ethanol.
200 gallons - $929.00 for GAS. We have more gas stored and will use it off in our vehicles as it becomes older and we change out. 5+ years.

We had questions in the past on how long you can store GASOLINE. You can store avgas 8-10 years as long as you store and do not have rust or moister contamination.
Ethanol & additive gas will gum up after a year or two.
Regular gasoline can last 5 years with no rust moister and good container.
NON ETHANOL with no additives with no rust or moister can last up to 8+ years.

I have just changed out after (5) years and put in vehicles. The run better now than with the 87 Oct 10% ethanol everyday gas.
We are running 94 oct!
I try to change out our storage tanks every 5-6 years now. There is a bigger cost $$$ with Avgas and non ethanol, but we have a bigger storage so we can run our generator for at least two months and longer if we only run for several hours a day.

There are additives used to store gasoline for extended periods of time stabil is the most common but there are probably better and more cheaper alternatives that are more efficient.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

If this all hits hard they can turn off your natural gas supply, gasoline, diesel, propane ect.
To really be prepared you have to have alternate means to produce power.

My brother put two 1,000 gallon propane tanks under his side yard. He lives on a massive lake in VA. If it hits the fan, I'm heading south! I've got enough ammo to keep us all fed for an eternity.

 

[Mike Matteson]

My brother put two 1,000 gallon propane tanks under his side yard. He lives on a massive lake in VA. If it hits the fan, I'm heading south! I've got enough ammo to keep us all fed for an eternity.

Here your sign too! I don't think it to smart to talk about what you have squirreled away. The Fed's are watching!

 

[birddog 68]

Here your sign too! I don't think it to smart to talk about what you have squirreled away. The Fed's are watching!

But I'm sure it's for our own protection.
Just ask them

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Here your sign too! I don't think it to smart to talk about what you have squirreled away. The Fed's are watching!

I doubt that there's a guy on this site who doesn't have "enough ammo to keep his family fed". LOL