Dual Fuel Generators

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ReSTored

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Refinishing basement at cottage. Panel was 35 years old and is being replaced. Having a 30A transfer switch put in and circuits will include fridge, water pump, UV filter, sump and sewage pumps and a few recepticles in the kitchen.

I have two 420 lb propane tanks for my fireplaces and I'll be running a line from these to the new generator. Looking for a 7,000 continuous on propane unit with battery start. Will be stored in a lockable box > 10' away from the tanks and planning to use a smart charger to keep the battery topped up.

I don't really plan to run this thing continuously if an outage occurs. I'd probably run it for an hour or so to keep the fridge chilled, fill the water tank, charge up a few things etc. and then turn it off for a while. My electrician will assess the start up and continuous power draw of the things on the transfer switch and I can elect to cycle things as required so I don't exceed generator's capacity. As an example, in the summer, sump pump is not needed, nor do we have to use the sewage pump which handles only the basement washroom. So, I could just turn off the breaker for these.

Never used or purchased a generator. See these 2 at Costco and PA.



Comments and recommendations appreciated.
 
Why dual fuel? If you are running on LPG, I would never put gas near it. As soon as it sees gas, you get all the gas headaches and lose many of the benefits of LPG. With that much gas available, I'd just run it on LPG and only put gas in after all LPG was exhausted. For warranty reasons, I'd prefer costco over princess auto.

Make sure the box is well ventilated.

Fridge cold, water filled and charge a few things can be easily accomplished with 2000 watts.

If you rely in the generator (for instance if sump pump failure costs a lot), I like honda or yamaha. Champion is louder and has more issues starting ime.
 
ReSTored said:
Never used or purchased a generator. See these 2 at Costco and PA.



Comments and recommendations appreciated.
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I am a Champion home standby dealer,

Go with the Champion, they are excellent units.

Although they are an "american" company, they have a huge warehouse in Canada that they own so they are commited to Canada. In fact they are expanding and adding up to 50+more employees this summer.

The generators are designed in Wisconsin, and they OWN the china factories that build the Champion generators which keeps quality high. (Not subbed out to third party contractor or the lowest bidder)

The Burlington warehouse has plenty of stock parts should you need them, excellent tech support 24/7/365 that works out of the Burlington location as well.

I'd also go with an inverter model.



Good luck finding parts or support for the princess auto generator.
 
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A few comments based on initial feedback, above.

Just starting this search.

I mention dual fuel (gas + propane) because there seem to be more of these to select from vs. models that are just propane / NG. I'm flexible on this if there is a propane / NG unit that would do the job.

I provided links to Costco & PA because a quick review of models revealed these that seem to fit the basic spec. I'm not limiting my search to just these units or vendors.
 
Maybe this is a(nother) dumb question, but instead of installing the starter battery in the generator housing where it's subject to freezing temps that affects cranking amps, can it be installed inside the basement by the electrical panel since you have to run wiring to it anyways?
 
As you move it farther away, thicker conductors are needed to make sure resistance doesn't eat up your voltage. This scenario is always the case, but worse for small voltages like 12V.

It would also need fuse protection.

And it would have to adhere to the wiring code.
 
If you really want to do it "right", spend a little more and get their 8.5kW home standby

runs on propane or NG, has on board trickle charger, includes fully automatic transfer switch/panel, super quiet, peace of mind 10 year warranty (vs 3 year for portable model) Why run it for an hour when this thing will turn on an off by itself when ever the utility power cuts out and comes back on. Total peace of mind, and worry free back up power.

Ultimate in convenience.

I have them in stock with the lowest price in Ontario.

www.championpowerequipment.com

8.5 kW Select Circuit Home Standby Generator and 50A Switch – Champion Power Equipment

Powering Your Life
www.championpowerequipment.com www.championpowerequipment.com
 
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SunnY S said:
If you really want to do it "right", spend a little more and get their 8.5kW home standby

runs on propane or NG, includes fully automatic transfer switch, super quiet, 10 year warranty

NO need to haul out a bulky genny, worry about theft, start the generator, leaving in rain, bad gas, worry about cold starter issues. This baby can handle the cold and start automatically even whe you are not home. When you leave the cottage, just put it in the off position.

I have them in stock with the lowest price in Ontario.

www.championpowerequipment.com

8.5 kW Select Circuit Home Standby Generator and 50A Switch – Champion Power Equipment

Powering Your Life
www.championpowerequipment.com www.championpowerequipment.com
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Could you please PM me a quote for just the unit and then a typical installation estimate separately? Is the 10-year warranty still valid if I install it myself, and by myself I mean I move it into position, then hire an electrician and a licensed gas installer to run the lines?
 
Relax said:
Could you please PM me a quote for just the unit and then a typical installation estimate separately? Is the 10-year warranty still valid if I install it myself, and by myself I mean I move it into position, then hire an electrician and a licensed gas installer to run the lines?
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I'll pm you tmrw when I'm in the office.

They sell them at Canadian tire to public so anybody can buy and install them and the Warranty applies to everyone no matter who installs. Tech support will even guide you if you have questions during installation. They are great.
 
Running on propane is quite expensive when compared to gasoline. Most people that I see that specifically want dual fuel systems is so that they can use it tied into their uber-large home propane tanks making for weeks/months of runtime if ever needed, vs maybe 6-8 hours at 50% load on a bigger generator using 20 pound propane tanks, or as little as 2-4 hours under heavier loads on a 20lb'er.

I've never met anyone who had a dual fuel generator that ended up using it on portable 20lb bbq propane tanks more than a few times after they realized how costly it was compared to gas.
 
PrivatePilot said:
Running on propane is quite expensive when compared to gasoline. Most people that I see that specifically want dual fuel systems is so that they can use it tied into their uber-large home propane tanks making for weeks/months of runtime if ever needed, vs maybe 6-8 hours at 50% load on a bigger generator using 20 pound propane tanks, or as little as 2-4 hours under heavier loads on a 20lb'er.

I've never met anyone who had a dual fuel generator that ended up using it on portable 20lb bbq propane tanks more than a few times after they realized how costly it was compared to gas.
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That would depend on where you get propane if you get fills at Costco for 80c liter it will be cheaper than gas. If you do exchange or most other places you are getting ripped off.

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We just put a cottage “dual fuel” at my friends place . It’s a King Canada , so finest Chinese product , but considered a decent product by reviews . It will only ever run on propane . Big tank in yard for fireplaces and furnace and a bbq hookup where the generator will tap fuel. The cottage is only north Burlington so 30mins from his actual house so no auto start required. It will only run the fridge and maybe a space heater in bedroom as the propane fireplace keeps the rest of the place warm enough . It’s not as nice a fix as Sunny would build , but it was five hundred bucks .


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ReSTored said:
Refinishing basement at cottage. Panel was 35 years old and is being replaced. Having a 30A transfer switch put in and circuits will include fridge, water pump, UV filter, sump and sewage pumps and a few recepticles in the kitchen.

I have two 420 lb propane tanks for my fireplaces and I'll be running a line from these to the new generator. Looking for a 7,000 continuous on propane unit with battery start. Will be stored in a lockable box > 10' away from the tanks and planning to use a smart charger to keep the battery topped up.

I don't really plan to run this thing continuously if an outage occurs. I'd probably run it for an hour or so to keep the fridge chilled, fill the water tank, charge up a few things etc. and then turn it off for a while. My electrician will assess the start up and continuous power draw of the things on the transfer switch and I can elect to cycle things as required so I don't exceed generator's capacity. As an example, in the summer, sump pump is not needed, nor do we have to use the sewage pump which handles only the basement washroom. So, I could just turn off the breaker for these.

Never used or purchased a generator. See these 2 at Costco and PA.



Comments and recommendations appreciated.
Click to expand...
I have a larger Champion (12,000start/10,000run) and over the 6yrs it's always been excellent. Starts instantly and I have zero complaints other than I don't really get full power out of it as the breaker is 20a and will sometimes trip when heating up the oven (keep in mind I'm running the whole house including heat pump/well pump/lights/etc).
 
Relax said:
Could you please PM me a quote for just the unit and then a typical installation estimate separately? Is the 10-year warranty still valid if I install it myself, and by myself I mean I move it into position, then hire an electrician and a licensed gas installer to run the lines?
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4200 at canadian tire, 3500 from me. brand new in crate, pick up in burlington

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca www.canadiantire.ca
 
Relax said:
Do you do installations too, or just sell the units?
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GreyGhost said:
That's damn good pricing Sunny.

Interesting that one is dual fuel lpg/nat gas which makes sense for standby. Most dual fuel are gasoline/lpg. I suspect some buyers see dual fuel and make the wrong assumptions.
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We do lots of installations, but never north of toronto (far). The Champions are pretty easy to install, any competent electrician can do it. And like I said, tech support is a phone call away if you need help.

Every major brand home standby generator comes dual fuel NG/propane. I'm pretty sure ALL of them (champions and generac for sure) come from the factory NG ready, but can easily be swapped to propane.
 
We have a 8500 champion standby no issues in 9 years except the starter doesn't always engage the first time but always does on the second try unit is at 130 hrs now. Had to change the batteries last year but that was easy.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 
Scuba Steve said:
We have a 8500 champion standby no issues in 9 years except the starter doesn't always engage the first time but always does on the second try unit is at 130 hrs now. Had to change the batteries last year but that was easy.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
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They are solid. Not surprised to hear this

Make sure you stick to 100 percent synthetic oil. That engine will run forever
 
I have two champion generators, my first one from about 2009, still starts at least by the second pull if not the first. Bought a little inverter generator last year,love it.
Also have a pressure washer that's a couple years old with no issue.
Keep the carbs empty when not in use, zero issues
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