Home Is Where the Hearth Is - When Disaster Strikes - page 71

home using my small quiet 2 kW generator, and it would only consume approximately 16 gal-
lons of gas—a much more affordable and easily stored amount of fuel.
Larger portable “jobsite” generators provide more power, typically on the order of 4-10
kW, and usually include both 110 VAC and 220 VAC output plug sockets, but are bulkier and
heavier than the small units. Though still considered “portable,” these generators are heavy (on
the order of 100-250 lbs.) and usually require at least two persons to lift onto a truck bed or
hand carry any kind of distance (see fig. 4-8 ) . Many of these units come equipped with
wheelbarrow-style wheels for easier handling. Some of the more expensive and larger models
in this category come equipped with their own trailer for easy towing with a pickup truck or
SUV.
Figure 4-8. Medium-duty portable jobsite-size generator. Photo courtesy of Generac Power Systems
When purchasing a portable generator in the 5 kW-15 kW range, one thing to consider is
whether you want a diesel- or gasoline-powered unit. Diesel will be much more economical
when run for long hours, but it has the drawback of needing to winterize the fuel for cold-
weather use, and its cold-starting issues. Unless it has been conditioned with a winterizing fuel
additive, standard diesel fuel starts to crystallize and clog the fuel filter when temperatures hit
15˚F (-9.5˚C), and turns into an unusable gooey gel as temperatures approach 0˚F (-18˚C).
Even with winterized fuel, getting your diesel generator to start in frigid temperatures can be a
nightmare, so if you live in a cold climate, your backup diesel generator might fail to start dur-
ing severe winter weather, just when you need it most!