24/7 use Has anyone used this generator off grid, like a hunting cabin where no electricity is available? How much butane does it need to run on?????
1357638
it would be rather expensive to run this 24/7 but it can be used continiously (longest mine runned so far was 9hr non stop - entire house including A./C and sump and macerator pump)however if you are going to run all the time !!! pick one with a v Twin engine
1357639
I sure would like to know why the price of this generator has increased by THREE HUNDRED dollars since the last time I looked at it. It CAN'T be shipping costs because fuel is at a record low in over 5 years.
1357640
We used this in an off grid setup with solar panels and wind turbine. The transfer switch is useless in this setup and you need other parts for it to work properly. But yes this can be used off grid and works especially well for a back up generator for when there isn't enough wind or solar, although I must admit that ours hasn't turned on in months or even years as it is setup to kick on automatically when the voltage in the batteries hits a critical low and that hasn't happened in a while due to an abundance of solar panels. This generator is certainly not cost effective to power a house for any number of days, without grid, solar, wind and/or batteries. Hope this helps We used this in an off grid setup with solar panels and wind turbine. The transfer switch is useless in this setup and you need other parts for it to work properly. But yes this can be used off grid and works especially well for a back up generator for when there isn't enough wind or solar, although I must admit that ours hasn't turned on in months or even years as it is setup to kick on automatically when the voltage in the batteries hits a critical low and that hasn't happened in a while due to an abundance of solar panels. This generator is certainly not cost effective to power a house... » Read More We used this in an off grid setup with solar panels and wind turbine. The transfer switch is useless in this setup and you need other parts for it to work properly. But yes this can be used off grid and works especially well for a back up generator for when there isn't enough wind or solar, although I must admit that ours hasn't turned on in months or even years as it is setup to kick on automatically when the voltage in the batteries hits a critical low and that hasn't happened in a while due to an abundance of solar panels. This generator is certainly not cost effective to power a house for any number of days, without grid, solar, wind and/or batteries. Hope this helps « Show Less
1357641
A generator is not designed to permanently replace utility power. Although you can run it for extended periods of time, it should not be "always on" as a replacement for power from the grid.
1474170
I have not had to use the generator since I installed it last year. The main issue is keeping the battery fully charged so that it is ready when you need it. I keep a small trickle charger on the battery and I store the unit in my garage where it does not get much below 25F. I also start it every month or so.
146134
It's made to be used indoors or out. It runs on butane. However, I would not suggest that it be used to heat a tent. You have an open flame and it probably wont produce enough heat anyway.
2006688
I am sorry but I can't give you an accurate answer. The generator has never been used. Actually I have never taken it out of its box. But it is still available and I hope someone can answer your question.
1082223
hi--my generator runs great but I only use propane for fuel. this generator is terrific
1960511
Yes, this will run a standard gas or oil furnace with no problem - it has more than enough punch. It will NOT run an ELECTRIC FURNACE, those are almost always 240 volt, and use a LOT of electricity. This is a 120 volt generator. It also won't run your Clothes Dryer, Electric Oven, or Electric Hot Water Heater or Central Air Conditioner. But it WILL run a rather good sized 120 volt window Air Conditioner and even a microwave oven at the same time, it works great for powering up and cooling down my 5th Wheel RV Trailer. If you are going to buy it to keep your oil or gas furnace going during a winter power loss, you need to plan TODAY for how you are going to connect it to your furnace. Easiest way it to "un hardwire" your furnace, and just have it on a cord that goes into a regular 120 volt plug. When the power goes out, just run an extension cord OUTSIDE to the generator, fire it up, plug in the furnace into the extension cord and you're good to go. (Absolutely do NOT run the generator inside of ANY structure. Not in a lawn building, not out in the garage, not in the barn. Even if you just run in there "for a minute" to refill the gas tank after it has run out of fuel, the Carbon Monoxide levels will be high enough to kill ya dead in no time flat. RUN THE GENERATOR ONLY IN THE OUT OF DOORS!!!) As far as the difference in the model numbers, I can see nothing in the specifications other than slightly different dimensions and a much different gas-tank style. I am very happy with my purchase of this model, and it seems to have a much better price.
1803160
Ours is connecting to a propane tank. It runs great on propane. We wanted it off the natural gas grid because of failures last year. How long it will run depends on the size of the tank and the tank needs to be in gallons.
955010
The generator can produce 17500 watts but... there is no single outlet that can output 17500 watts Here is a summary of the issue: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r27334996-Generac-GP17500E-Generator And realistically there is no feasible residential portable generator solution for using a cable (temporary connection) for more than 50 amp/12kw; above 50amp I would focus on a standby genset (i.e. hardwired transfer switch to home load center). I wrote this about the challenges of going over 50 amp for residential portable generator : http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/clarification-cam-lock-usage-private-residential-applications-170121 "enough to power a house" that depends on your home's load and there are plenty of load calculations on internet that can help you estimate (or an electrician tell you OR if you want to know for sure and be able to track and monitor then install a TED - "The Energy Detective" into you main breaker panel). You need to do is determine what are your emergency circuits needs (i.e. the musts for emergency power), e.g. my emergency circuits are a 5-ton heat-pump (AC/heat-pump unit & fan but not heating coils), electric water heater, water pump, etc. - for me non-emergency would dryer & electric cooking range & oven. The big heavy hitters you need to look-out for are typically HVAC system (if the heating is non-electric then good chances you will not have any over-load issues) and water heater. Given there is no single output greater than 50 amp and given the location of the 50 amp outlet (i.e. 14-50r) on the GP17500E model - if I had to do all over again then I would go with the GP15000E model instead.
1932245
I have often used this generator to run various power tools. It's one of the reasons I purchased it. I use it at our camp for maintenance and construction.
1302932
I took mine up last summer and didn't have any problems, I want to say my camp was was just over 10,000. I had a propane stove as well, this year I am replacing my propane with this one, it's just so light weight and small, and nothing lacking in performance.
351651
I power up my 30 ft camper with it. We run the furnace,the refrigerator, the lights and two tv's all at the same time. We even use the microwave with everything else running. It will draw down at that time but still keeps running. We love this generator so much that we are getting another one so we can run the a/c
2242771
It is too big to run alone, do not connect directly to battery, you will cook it eventually. You HAVE to get a good voltage regulator. Do not use the POS one they throw in, get a good one. Use a marine 12 volt deep cycle, ( more storage for cloudy days), Costco has them. Last at least 5-6 years.
1613029
I have the same setup on my travel trailer - two Trojan 6 volt in series, for 12 volts total. Just took it camping this weekend, with no hookups and went 3 days without having to run a generator. We used a small laptop, our house water pump, fridge, and furnace ran all three nights as well. Something to keep in mind is that all of my lights have been switched to led, and it was only slightly cloudy for us. I never bothered to check my actual voltage, but my stock wall meter was typically at 1/2 to 3/4 in the a.m., and full by sunset.Hope this helps
1794686
I have found the B&S; 7K Watt very reliable, easy start and has trickle battery charger to ensure battery is fully charged. As to the whole house, I take the 220V and distribute it through the circuit breaker panel to 110V to run two refrigerators, one freezer, kitchen lights to include gas stove, other house lights, 12K BTU window a/c and a T.V. As to this load, the B&S; generator has no problem whatever. I have not had the need as of yet to run 220V electric water heater. As to the other comments, agree that the generator would not be able to handle the whole house to include central air, etc. For the price, it is excellent! I have found the B&S; 7K Watt very reliable, easy start and has trickle battery charger to ensure battery is fully charged. As to the whole house, I take the 220V and distribute it through the circuit breaker panel to 110V to run two refrigerators, one freezer, kitchen lights to include gas stove, other house lights, 12K BTU window a/c and a T.V. As to this load, the B&S; generator has no problem whatever. I have not had the need as of yet to run 220V electric water heater. As to the other comments, agree that the generator would not be able to handle the whole house to include central air,... » Read More I have found the B&S; 7K Watt very reliable, easy start and has trickle battery charger to ensure battery is fully charged. As to the whole house, I take the 220V and distribute it through the circuit breaker panel to 110V to run two refrigerators, one freezer, kitchen lights to include gas stove, other house lights, 12K BTU window a/c and a T.V. As to this load, the B&S; generator has no problem whatever. I have not had the need as of yet to run 220V electric water heater. As to the other comments, agree that the generator would not be able to handle the whole house to include central air, etc. For the price, it is excellent! « Show Less
1633579
when I got it it took about 20 minutes to put the wheels and handle on, hooked it up to a 20 lb propane tank and it turned over very easily. We had a localized power outage, I wheeled it out, hung a tarp to protect it from the rain, hooked it up to a propane tank, two pulls and it was going, no problems at all. Figure for 60 lbs propane per 24 hours of run time. Propane doesn't go bad, and a gasoline generator will use about 7 or 8 gallons of gas for 12 hours, so.....I am very happy with this generator.
681465
This is what was listed on the box, Runs on Coleman Fuel or unleaded gas. I would recommend only using those 2 options.
567458
Yes it would be a problem as you need a small amount of power for the electric ignitor. We have this on our RV and a 12 volt battery is enough power to ignite the propane. Once it is running you don't need power.