Electronics

[skittles2]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum-

Not sure what they're called -if they're called generators- but do you know of any brands other than Eco or Halo that may be better for less $$?

We have a four-level split-level home, and I would like one on at least three levels. 

They don't have to be the most expensive or have the most power, but they should be efficient, easy to use, charge, and reliable.

Main level: fridge, microwave, toaster, and a Keurig.

Upper level, 2 bedrooms: usual things-

        TV, Apple TV box or Fire Stick, router if that's working, two Dyson heaters w/cooling fan (only use heat, of course; that's the model), charging laptops, iPhones, small lamps,

Lower level: TV, Apple TV box or Fire Stick, lamp, Dyson heater/cooling fan. 

I have no idea whether I need three of these things or if I could connect two floors to one of them, but I think I would need heavy-duty extension cords.

And I'm not sure I'd like the solar panels, especially if I have to have a window or door partially open to run cords through, connected to the solar panel, to use the machines while charging on the solar panel, because we have a lot of wildlife and I don't want creepy-crawly things coming in.

I don't know what the other option is other than a whole-house generator.

Costco, and maybe other stores too, has a smaller whole-house -type Kohler generator for around $5,000; it would be nice if it could run our gas furnace and the other stuff I've mentioned.

Any help would be much appreciated🌻

🩷🐾🐈‍⬛🐶🐾🩷

[1Snickers]

  I'm on my second whole house generator and wouldn't do without one! The first was Generac and saw us through ice storms and hurricanes. 
  The current one is Koehler and I was told is superior. Newer models are probably better. 
   With the amount of things you've listed I think you need a whole house because the company who installs it also has to figure power usage and a new switch for it to start automatically, run and cut off. 
    That many small ones could pull too much power on your circuit. Check with an electrician before purchasing those. 
          🔦🕯️      🎛️🏡💡

[Mz iMac]

@skittles2  Agree w/1Snickers 110% w/all that stuff you listed.  A whole house generator is the way to go for you.

Amazon has a few on wheels.

[Venezia]

@skittles2 - Until last year DH and I had an outside portable generator to use during power outages (we get a lot and sometimes they last over two weeks; not great in a New England winter).

That generator was gas-powered, 10,000 amps, and powered all the essentials.  BUT you could run it for 6 or 7 hours, then shut it down (usually overnight) and then refill it with gas and turn it back on.  Rinse and repeat until the power outage was over.  Not fun outside in the cold and snow.  (Plus they can't be run during a rainstorm and need to be a certain distance from any windows, etc. because of carbon monoxide fumes.  Never run inside, even a garage.)

Last year, we'd both had enough and had a Kohler generator installed.  We looked at Costco (who at the time had Generac), but decided to go with a local company who could do any maintenance needed.  And Kohler is made in the USA, so parts are readily available, if needed.  Not so with Generac.

Ours runs on propane.  The company did everything concerned with the installation and we have a 10-year warranty (parts and labor).  Best decision we ever made.  The total cost was around $15,000, but a friend just had one installed by the same company for under $11,000 (it all depends on the length of the gas lines, etc.).

I'd be reluctant to have several inside power banks like you're describing, and definitely do not connect them together.  You need to get some professional advice before you decide the best option for you.  With a four-storey home, you're asking a lot of indoor portables.

That's my two-cents-worth (or is it a quarter now?).

[Icegoddess]

You can forget any sort of heater using those battery banks (not generators) sold on QVC.  Heaters are power hogs.  They like to show refrigerators because people assume such a large appliance pulls a lot of power, but they don't except when the compressor is running.  If you look at how long they show for a hair dryer, that's about how long you can run a space heater on them, and then you're dead in the water until you can recharge it.  

Actually, I'd love to get one or even 2 of those Eco Flows for extended power outages, but mostly for small items like TV, computer, router, etc.  The Refrigerator and Freezer will be just fine for a day or two if you keep them closed.  

And I really wish my husband would get a replacement for the little gas-powered generator we had but is no longer operational.   It wasn't that big, but man that thing was heavy.  Right now, we have nothing.  

[geegerbee]

After a power outage I bought 4 of them---each under $500. I bought 2 of them on sale from Sams club and 2 from  the a to z company. We used 1 in the kitchen for the fridge, 1 in the basement for another fridge and 1 in the garage for a small freezer. The other one ran lights and a tv.   

I think they are better than 1 that has to be used outside and powered by gasoline. Only problem is if the outage lasts for several days. You have to take them somewhere that has electricity like a relative's house after about 12 hrs. But still they help to keep food from having to be thrown out.

[SilleeMee]

You can buy Ecoflow, and other like brands, that are designed to connect with each other to provide more power or just run them individually. I know the risk is low but my concern would be about one catching fire. They are lithium-ion batteries which are the kind that can catch fire.

[gardenman]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

You can buy Ecoflow, and other like brands, that are designed to connect with each other to provide more power or just run them individually. I know the risk is low but my concern would be about one catching fire. They are lithium-ion batteries which are the kind that can catch fire.

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Yeah. The fire risk is real. I'd stick to a name-brand one because of that. They should be better engineered (you'd hope) than a no-name cheaper version. 

If I were building a house these days, it would have a wood-burning fireplace as an emergency heat source and a decent stockpile of firewood. A kerosene heater makes a good backup heat source if you don't have a fireplace. They burn pretty cleanly and can keep your house warm. We had two in my old house, one in the living area and one in the basement. During an extended power outage (I think 30+ hours in winter), they kept the house at 68 degrees. Warmer than I'd thought they would. They're cheap (around $200) and kerosene stores easily for an extended time. The heaters typically hold about 2 gallons of fuel and will burn for around ten hours on a tank. Keep it fueled up and a five-gallon tank of Kerosene on hand, and you've got heat for a couple of days if need be.

[Boehm Collector]

@skittles2     we installed a Generac Stand By generator after Sandy.  Best investment we ever made.  Since our house is small it runs everything as long as we don't go crazy and use all our electrical appliances at once  (ie dishwasher, washing machine, dryer).  

[gadgetgal613]

Never use a kerosene heater indoors unless you are planning suicide.  The fumes are deadly.