It doesn't get much better than watching snow fall on a
January night. Regardless of the swirling snow and cold
outside, life is cozy with a snapping fire in the fireplace,
a blanket around the shoulders, a novel in the lap and a
steaming cup of tea on the side table.
Nothing better-until the lights go out. In the country.
It can take hours-even days-to get the power up again.
But this doesn't have to be the case. Lights, refrigerator
and heat can be practically uninterrupted-all in less time
than it takes to read this page.
An automatic backup generator hooked up to your home's
electrical system supplies power to the circuits where you
need it most, says Mike Carr, marketing manager for Generac
Power Systems in Waukesha, Wis.
A backup generator has an automatic transfer switch, Carr
explains. It monitors the presence of utility-supplied
power. If that disappears, the generator kicks in. When
utility-supplied power is restored, it automatically shuts
down.
The generator typically has a battery to initiate the start.
The battery is kept ready by an onboard charger. The
generator ought to be at full operating speed in 8 to 15
seconds.
Carr offers the following tips for buying an appropriately
sized backup generator:
Decide which key circuits you want powered when
your utility-supplied power fails. You can power you entire
house or your whole operation.
Install a separate load center, or have your
contractor do it, to pick your key circuits. A typical load
center allows you to connect about a dozen circuits.
Calculate the amps needed to supply those
circuits.
Hire an electrical contractor, if necessary. He can hook up
an analyzer that will measure your power use over a two-week
period. It will measure the watts and amps you need to
operate the devices plugged into your chosen circuits.
Consider the peak load demanded by the appliances in your
house. For example, a refrigerator requires more power than
normal when its motor first starts.
Calculate the power needs for your farming operation,
keeping in mind the importance of heat and ventilation in
certain enterprises. For example, a nursery, dairy or
chicken operation is vulnerable to power failures.
Choose a generator with plenty of power. If you find you
need a 60-kilowatt generator for your home and farmstead,
you might want to invest in a 75-kilowatt model. Generators
run most efficiently at about 80% load.
Pick a generator that uses the right fuel source for your
needs. Generators come in models that run on any fuel
source, including propane, diesel and natural gas.
Maintain your generator. A handy feature on a backup
generator is one called an "exerciser." Every week, the
generator will automatically turn on. During that run, it
goes through a self-checking function. If the generator has
fallen out of certain operating parameters, it will signal
the owner that maintenance is required.
Choose a generator that meets your farm's requirements.
Residential generators range from 6 to 40 kilowatts. For
most homes, 6 to 15 kilowatts will be sufficient for normal
requirements.