All,
From time to time someone on this or other popular HA boards asks about the use of a generator with home automation and other electronic equipment (I've asked several times myself). We finally installed a generator system last year and we're having a chance to test it today as Hurricane Irene caused widespread power outages last night in eastern PA. Here is my experience, for anyone that might find it helpful and one day finds this via a search. Others may feel free to post their experiences and advice in this thread as well, of course.
First, let me point out that my system is NOT automatic. After evaluating the frequency of outages we have (not that many each year), our need for and ability to switch to backup heating and cooling (a pellet stove in the family room and a small AC for the MBR), and our ability to switch over to generator power manually (we're usually either here or have a house sitter if traveling), we just couldn't talk ourselves into the $8K - $15K expense of a fully automatic system. While those systems are very convenient and generally supply very clean power, our personal decision was to go with a large "portable" generator, connected to the house via a convenience outlet which in turn is connected back to the main panel via a safety switch / interlock kit (Note: An approved type of safety mechanism MUST be installed in or beside the panel to ensure no power can be fed back to the utility when the generator is running. This prevents the generator from being connected back to the utility and is absolutely essential for safety of utility workers trying to restore power! It is also a legal and code requirement! NEVER operate a generator connected to the panel without a fail-safe type of generator isolation in place!). So, my experience is intended primarily for benefit of those thinking of installing a portable generator, as the automatic systems are likely even less of a problem.
I researched portable generators for weeks. My requirement was at least 7500 running watts and 10,000 starting watts, a tank that would go at least 10 (preferably more) hours at 50% load, and relatively clean power. This last requirement was VERY difficult to evaluate based on manufacturer specs. The only portable generators I found that "guaranteed" clean power were much smaller than I needed, and I finally took a leap of faith after reading many, many customer reviews on the 'net.
I finally went with a Generac 8000XPE. Many people seemed to be "down" on the Generac brand despite its widespread use, but the reviews for this particular unit seemed much better, with several individuals reporting that it worked well with their HD tvs, tool battery chargers, and other electronics, unlike their prior experiences with portable generators. It also offered 8K running watts and 12K starting, and is supposed to run 12 hours on a 9 gallon tank of gas. Note: this can likely be converted to natural gas or propane with an after-market modification kit, and I'm thinking of doing this. If others have tried that, I'd like to hear about it.
My experience to date (about 6 hours in):
So... If others are thinking of installing a portable generator with a HA system, I can tell you that my experience has been positive except for the Insteon signalling, which I am willing to do without for a few days if it saves me a few thousand $$. I hope you found this information useful, and look forward to other posts in the thread.
UPDATE 9/3/11
Re: the Insteon switches, we did find some minor but apparently correctable problems. One switch (Icon relay) wouldn't turn on, and had to be reset (pull the little button at the bottom, wait, push back in). Another wouldn't turn off (another Icon relay) AND somehow wouldn't power the bathroom fan it was connected to properly (appeared to be passing through only a portion of the current, as the fan was trying to run, but couldn't). Power to it had to be turned off and left off for over an hour, but when restored switch is fine. Haven't found other problems but will explore more this weekend. It's a bit of a nuisance, but apparently no lasting damage.
Re: computers, an interesting experience. We have three small UPS devices, two powering office computers and another serving as the backup for the Verizon router and FIOS box (yes, I know that has its own battery, but the router doesn't). We found that these three UPS devices absolutely hate the Generac power quality. As in, won't charge, and constantly cycling on and off. But another computer, not on a UPS, was running fine. We disconnected one of the office computers from the UPS device, and it ran fine. Tried the same with the other, with the same result. They survived the 4 days we were without power with no apparent problems, but the UPS devices just wouldn't run on the Generac. Hmmmm... Now I need to see if there's something I can install in-line to clean up the power. As far as I can tell, though, this system is still a good value compared to an automated, whole house system if you don't mind the manual aspect of it and having to refuel with gas. Re: this latter item, we may switch it to propane via a conversion kit.
From time to time someone on this or other popular HA boards asks about the use of a generator with home automation and other electronic equipment (I've asked several times myself). We finally installed a generator system last year and we're having a chance to test it today as Hurricane Irene caused widespread power outages last night in eastern PA. Here is my experience, for anyone that might find it helpful and one day finds this via a search. Others may feel free to post their experiences and advice in this thread as well, of course.
First, let me point out that my system is NOT automatic. After evaluating the frequency of outages we have (not that many each year), our need for and ability to switch to backup heating and cooling (a pellet stove in the family room and a small AC for the MBR), and our ability to switch over to generator power manually (we're usually either here or have a house sitter if traveling), we just couldn't talk ourselves into the $8K - $15K expense of a fully automatic system. While those systems are very convenient and generally supply very clean power, our personal decision was to go with a large "portable" generator, connected to the house via a convenience outlet which in turn is connected back to the main panel via a safety switch / interlock kit (Note: An approved type of safety mechanism MUST be installed in or beside the panel to ensure no power can be fed back to the utility when the generator is running. This prevents the generator from being connected back to the utility and is absolutely essential for safety of utility workers trying to restore power! It is also a legal and code requirement! NEVER operate a generator connected to the panel without a fail-safe type of generator isolation in place!). So, my experience is intended primarily for benefit of those thinking of installing a portable generator, as the automatic systems are likely even less of a problem.
I researched portable generators for weeks. My requirement was at least 7500 running watts and 10,000 starting watts, a tank that would go at least 10 (preferably more) hours at 50% load, and relatively clean power. This last requirement was VERY difficult to evaluate based on manufacturer specs. The only portable generators I found that "guaranteed" clean power were much smaller than I needed, and I finally took a leap of faith after reading many, many customer reviews on the 'net.
I finally went with a Generac 8000XPE. Many people seemed to be "down" on the Generac brand despite its widespread use, but the reviews for this particular unit seemed much better, with several individuals reporting that it worked well with their HD tvs, tool battery chargers, and other electronics, unlike their prior experiences with portable generators. It also offered 8K running watts and 12K starting, and is supposed to run 12 hours on a 9 gallon tank of gas. Note: this can likely be converted to natural gas or propane with an after-market modification kit, and I'm thinking of doing this. If others have tried that, I'd like to hear about it.
My experience to date (about 6 hours in):
- All computers in the house (including the XP box that currently runs my HS system WITHOUT a UPS or other filter on it b/c that UPS died a few weeks back and I haven't replaced it yet) seem to run perfectly, as do our Fios (Motorola) DVRs and set top boxes.
- All TVs and AV are also working perfectly.
- UPS units on other computers (we have a large home office) are working well along with the printers / fax (which are not on a UPS or filter). The very large UPS purchased for a past server - that I have repurposed to back up the Elk and ISY - is also fine.
- The router and two switches (also connected to the large server UPS) are fine and we have full internet and LAN access.
- The Elk and ISY (I use Insteon) are both fine and reachable over the network without problem.
- ISY switches connected directly to a load work without problem, including many that are powering CFLs (including dimmable CFLs).
- Only problem found to date: The Insteon system is completely unusable in terms of communicating. Switches won't talk to other switches (even on the same circuit) and the PLM can't communicate with switches. When pressed, you can see the LED blinking for several seconds as it tries to communicate, but I think there is just too much interference on the line. I do not, however, think the switches are in any was damaged as we tried this generator for a few minutes on a previous occasion, with no long-term problems.
So... If others are thinking of installing a portable generator with a HA system, I can tell you that my experience has been positive except for the Insteon signalling, which I am willing to do without for a few days if it saves me a few thousand $$. I hope you found this information useful, and look forward to other posts in the thread.
UPDATE 9/3/11
Re: the Insteon switches, we did find some minor but apparently correctable problems. One switch (Icon relay) wouldn't turn on, and had to be reset (pull the little button at the bottom, wait, push back in). Another wouldn't turn off (another Icon relay) AND somehow wouldn't power the bathroom fan it was connected to properly (appeared to be passing through only a portion of the current, as the fan was trying to run, but couldn't). Power to it had to be turned off and left off for over an hour, but when restored switch is fine. Haven't found other problems but will explore more this weekend. It's a bit of a nuisance, but apparently no lasting damage.
Re: computers, an interesting experience. We have three small UPS devices, two powering office computers and another serving as the backup for the Verizon router and FIOS box (yes, I know that has its own battery, but the router doesn't). We found that these three UPS devices absolutely hate the Generac power quality. As in, won't charge, and constantly cycling on and off. But another computer, not on a UPS, was running fine. We disconnected one of the office computers from the UPS device, and it ran fine. Tried the same with the other, with the same result. They survived the 4 days we were without power with no apparent problems, but the UPS devices just wouldn't run on the Generac. Hmmmm... Now I need to see if there's something I can install in-line to clean up the power. As far as I can tell, though, this system is still a good value compared to an automated, whole house system if you don't mind the manual aspect of it and having to refuel with gas. Re: this latter item, we may switch it to propane via a conversion kit.
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