pto driven generator questions

 Does anyone here use one of these? I am thinking of getting some kind generator back up this year. A friend of mine has one he uses on a ford 4000, he ran his small business  shop last year when the ice storm hit. He said that ford used a whole lot of gas in a short time. I thought about getting a 8 or 10 k and running it on the "C". How do you think the C would do on fuel? We want enough power to keep the frdge and well pump running, wouldnt have the whole house lit up like normal. Also thought about a 6k aircooled diesel portable, I have heard they use about half the fuel of a gas unit. Would like to have generator wired directly to the barn breaker box and back feed the house. What do you guys use? Suggestions? Thanks,JM.

We had an ice storm here about 12 years ago that wiped out power for many days. I had bought a DeVilbiss 6250 watt (5000 watt continuous) 10 hp generator from Harbor Freight about one month prior (timing :>) )We used it to run the submersible pump (240 v), the furnace (120 v) and a quad receptical in the cellar that we run extension cords from. We have twist lock plugs that isolate the furnace and pump circuits from commercial power. This generator carries the above load, including a refrigerator, freezer and some lights with no problem. It takes about five gallons of gas per day, and we don't run it at night. We loose power fairly often so it gets exercise. A rig like this can be bought for about $500 - 600. Your C would use a lot more gas. Just my $0.02 worth Bob@allisdowneast

You need the transfer switch at the pole or main panel, else its not always safe for your generator and for linemen working on the lines. You never want to feed the power line because it fries linemen and their widows don't appreciate that and trying to supply the neighbors overloads and fries your generator.

These described setups don't meet safety codes without the interlocked transfer switches. Backfeeding often also involves cables with double male plugs that expose 240 volts to those handling the cables which can be deadly without lots of care. While YOU understand, does your wife, your kids, or a helpful neighbor UNDERSTAND the pprecautions required?

Gerald J.

To each his own but Im not sure why you need 10K to run what you listed?  I built this 5K surge/3 k continuous unit with help found at several forums that deal with such. The engine is a clone of a Lister diesel . Head is a Chinese ST type (no electronics)  We did a test and running the same things you listed and  a few rooms lighted up it burns less than a quart per hour. In a pinch you can fuel it with used motor oil, fryer oil etc. The big flywheels help the engine start the well pump with ease. Kinda pleasent to listen to at 625 RPM  as compared to a screamer 3600 RPM job. I have right at 3K in what your looking at here. Had so much fun with it I built another one witha 12K head and larger diesel for times when it would be nice to live like the grid is back on. sorry about the vid, was intended to show the good balance of the engine but you will get the idea.  As stated make sure your feed breaker is interlocked or go with the double throw.

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6 and 8 HP singles and 16HP twin engines are available. Central Ohio or Mid country pick up points or truck freight. PM or Email for details

Gearld is right about the code. I do the backfeed thing too. I have a shutoff on the meter pole and feed from a welder outlet in the shed. Is it kosher? No, but it does work. Wife knows how to safely shut it off.