Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Nov 16, 2011 12:03pm | #1

   Francis,
   1. Your headline asks about a "portable generator." For a portable generator, the best fuel is gasoline -- because you don't have to haul around a propane tank and copper tubing when you use the generator at the jobsite.

   2. The text of your question asks about a generator permanently installed at a fixed site. Assuming that such a generator would be used during a power outage, the best fuel for such a generator is propane. After all, when the electricity is out, none of your local gas stations will be selling any gasoline, because their pumps won't work. When a power outage lasts for days, as it did recently in Connecticut, that means you won't have any fuel for your generator.

   I'm not sure about the grounding rod. But you definitely want a concrete slab. Think about noise -- put the generator somewhere where the noise won't drive you crazy. It's possible to build a generator shed -- just be sure it is big enough, and that the exhaust is safely piped to the exterior.

2. 
   wjrobinson | Nov 16, 2011 01:47pm | #2

   Ground rods are used with sited generators. Most portable gasoline generators have a ground tap, all installed styles do and the ground rod is required.

3. 
   user-917907 | Nov 17, 2011 07:58am | #3

   Assuming that such a generator would be used during a power outage, the best fuel for such a generator is propane. After all, when the electricity is out, none of your local gas stations will be selling any gasoline, because their pumps won't work. When a power outage asks for days, as it did recently in Connecticut, that means you won't have any fuel for your generator.

   Martin,
   When there is a general power outage do propane pumps not need electricity to refill tanks, or are you just planning to have a large enough propane tank to outlast the outage? If so, you could store gasoline (or diesel) as well, with a smaller footprint, but perhaps with more danger. But that stored gasoline could also be used in your vehicle. And speaking of vehicles, you can power a 12 VDC to 120 VAC inverter off your automobile engine. Good for at least some household appliances, if inefficiently.

4. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Nov 17, 2011 08:59am | #4

   Jack,
   Propane is delivered by truck. As long as the roads are clear and the propane company hasn't stopped its delivery service, a propane truck can fill a tank in a neighborhood without any power.

   However, I was assuming that the house would have a 500-gallon propane tank; these are very common in rural areas. I think that there are probably regulations that prohibit the storage of large quantities of gasoline in a residential neighborhood. A large gasoline tank is unusual and is likely to be expensive; large propane tanks are common.

   Here's a photo of a 500-gallon propane tank: