Gasoline powered generators
January 21st, 2013 at 4:35:16 PM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | I purchased a small generator to provide power in case of an outage. The possibility of an outage during winter is the most disturbing, as a severe storm may make it difficult to drive, and the requirement will be to run the boiler 24 hours a day. Now transporting gasoline 5 gallons at a time could possibly mean frequent annoying trips in the ice and snow. I believe that state laws prevent loading more than 5 gallons at a time. Although one solution is to get a 25 gallon container and fill it up with 5 trips before the storm, but that option seems awkward at best. If you never lose power, you have to empty that container. It would seem the easiest option would be to fill the two automobiles (29 gallons) and siphon as needed. But I have never tried to defeat the safeguards in a modern gas tank. I don't want to do any damage to the fuel pump. I found this advice from a blogger. Has anyone ever tried this technique, or a similar one?
They are still selling these cheap $7 siphons, but I am under the impression that if your car is newer than 30 years old, they will not work. I think perhaps this purchase was a good example of "false economy". We have never lost power IN WINTER for more than a few hours, so I bought the generator for $200. I am now thinking that it would have been smarter to spend $700-$1000 and get one power by liquid propane. |
January 21st, 2013 at 5:06:02 PM permalink | |
rxwine Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 189 Posts: 18775 | There was a news item in Vegas once about thieves using a portable pump. It's like the cheap thing, but with a pump. (I can't remember if it was electric, but I think so.) There's this (gallon per minute) http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11228241&cagpspn=pla You believe in an invisible god, and dismiss people who say they are trans? Really? |
January 21st, 2013 at 5:13:12 PM permalink | |
AZDuffman Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 135 Posts: 18222 | First, I do not know the laws of your state. Here in PA people fill 20 gal worth of 5 gal tanks all the time for the local free-gas promotion at the dominant grocery chain. It might be an urban legend. However, if you do not want to chance it there are two ways to do it. First, just "copy can" your gas purchases. Buy 5 or whatever 5 gal gas cans. This will run you about $75. Then, each week you fill the car fill one can and store it outside the house. After all 5 are filled you have 2 choices: 1. Put fuel stabilizer in them and just let them sit up to 6 months. When you change the clocks, when there is an equinox, or whatever works for you, once a week put 5 gal into your car and rotate in fresh when you fill up. OR 2. Just rotate in fresh each fill-up. I prefer method 1. A word of advice, put in the 5 gal when you are running on E before you leave then put in fresh with it. Your car may run a touch funny as refiners change blends all the time for best performance in differing weather. This is why years ago when you got a nice day in winter the cars ran like crap. The President is a fink. |
January 21st, 2013 at 5:22:27 PM permalink | |
Face Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 61 Posts: 3941 |
Whoa, there. I guess I placed your home in the PA area after your references to your dad's boat in Pittsburgh and knowledge of the area. I gotta ask, what authoritarian hell do you live in where you can't transport gas? You might be reading a little more into this and/or (more likely) being way too righteous. I can't imagine a scenario where you'd get dinged for having more than 5gal in your vehicle. I've often transported 50gal and up, all in seperate 5gal containers, all piled on top of each other when being the mule for 4wheeler trips. Most I ever got was a "you leaking gas?" when pulled over for speeding. Just point in the back, tell him it's the cans, and nothing more ever came of it. The law is a non-issue, if it even exists. I'd be much more worried whether I wanted 5 little 5gal cans, or one big honkin' jug. Be bold and risk defeat, or be cautious and encourage it. |
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:58:42 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
It appears AZ is correct. The containers cannot be larger than 5 gallons apiece, but you are permitted to put up to 4 of them in a car. I took someone's word about the regulations. If possible I would still prefer the safety of filling up the automobile tanks and siphoning instead of cycling through containers. Does anyone have experience in bypassing anti-siphon grids? |
January 24th, 2013 at 1:47:09 PM permalink | |
Fleastiff Member since: Oct 27, 2012 Threads: 62 Posts: 7831 | Multiple containers probably means multiple chances of leaks and spillage. Are these containers grounded when you fill them or pour from them? Multiple containers suggest a possibility of fumes in enclosed spaces. I too would think an automobile's somewhat larger tank would be a safer container as long as siphoning was possible and safer than direct pouring of fumes. A problem with generators is that there must be protection against current leaking into the power grid and that no matter how critical your particular needs for fuel might be, fuel if available at all will be likely to be rationed without regard to critical needs. Hurricane Sandy induced quite a few stand by generators to kick in, but some server farms could not keep up the demand when gasoline supplies dwindled and transportation was impossible. Data centers need to be able to shed load to geographically remote servers and residences need to be able to continue on minimal power usage such as sheding refrigerator loads. |
January 25th, 2013 at 7:41:55 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
You have to define the problem: During Hurricane Irene a tree from our property fell on the power line in the last few hours of the storm. Because only a few homes were affected it took almost four days to repair the power line. The problem of 72 hours of disaster which might include civil insurrection with a few hours notice is infinitely more complex. If you are one of those people who is trying to guard against this problem then you need an entirely different approach. AT THE VERY LEAST you should rely on propane, which can be stored on the property for longer periods of time. The propane generators were much more expensive for something that might happen once every five years. |
January 25th, 2013 at 1:07:24 PM permalink | |
Ayecarumba Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 89 Posts: 1744 | Since the events that would require the generator are somewhat predictable, I don't think you need to keep a large stash of fuel on hand. You should certainly have the capacity to stock up when a problem is imminent, but I don't think you need to keep more than 12 hours of fuel on hand in case of an unexpected event. The rest of the containers can be stored empty until needed. Now if you live in an area where an unexpected event is the biggest problem (i.e., earthquake), it's a different story. |
January 25th, 2013 at 2:44:25 PM permalink | |
rxwine Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 189 Posts: 18775 | You could also opt to living in a limited space (one room+kitchen) and maybe even double the amount of time your energy supply will last in case you find you need more gas than you have on hand. (throw down mattress/ sleeping bags, etc.,) Close doors, and close off vents in other rooms -- etc., You can also buy vent covers. You believe in an invisible god, and dismiss people who say they are trans? Really? |