Guide to buying electrical generators:

Where to find emergency electrical generators or portable electric generators for residential or light commercial use.

We list of manufacturers and sources for backup generators for residential & commercial use and we also list of manufacturers of DC - AC power converters, inverters, or transverters that permit using a car or other vehicle to power small electrical devices & tools.

This article series discusses the use of emergency generators for electrical power backup at residential properties. We describe generator size requirements, where to buy an electrical generator or voltage converter, and how to hook up or wire a portable or backup electric generator. We also describe methods for obtaining temporary electrical power from a car, RV or other 12-V or 24-V vehicle or system.

Where to Buy / Manufacturers of Emergency & Temporary-Use Electrical Generators & Typical Backup Generator System Costs

A properly and safely wired & installed backup or standby electrical generator with sufficient wattage output and fuel storage to power a typical residential home for several days in an emergency costs "well over $10,000" [9] though with some care for safety one can power a few critical electrical circuits in a home (heat, refrigerator, a lighting circuit) using a less costly contractor-grade portable electrical generator as well.

The commecial-grade backup generator by Katolight Corporation shown at left is installed at an adult care facility in New York.

Factors driving up the cost of an installed backup electrical generator for the home include

• Backup Generator: cost of the electrical generator itself, size varying according to the number and ampacity of electrical circuits to be supported in the building; typically a portable or stationary generator suitable for home backup power use provides 5,000 to 7,000 watts of power.
  • Portable Electrical Generator - $400. - $2000. [3000 - 90000 Watts capacity]
  • Stationary Generator: $4500. - $8000. & up [5000 - 20,000 Watts capacity

• Backup Generator Electrics:
  
  cost of electrical wiring & controls for safe electrical generator use, including an isolation or transfer switch, and possibly building permits. The cost of the transfer or isolation switch system itself can vary significantly depending on whether you expect to be present to turn on the backup or standby generator or if instead you want to the system to turn on automatically even if no one is in attendance. Cost for electrical components is also increased by the battery & controls for electric starting components for the generator.

• Transfer Switch: $500. - $1000.
• Wiring services from an electrician: $500. - $2500.
• Electric start / auto-start features: $500. - $2000.
• Heavy duty extension cords: $50. - $150.
• Voltage inverter circuitry for smoother power delivery, required for equipment sensitive to voltage variations:
• Backup Generator Fuel:
  
  cost for fuel storage for the generator or for fuel piping if your stationary unit is to be connected to piped in natural gas or propane. Depending on the disaster for which you are preparing, don't assume that the gas supply will necessarily remain available - for example flooding or an earthquake can put such systems out of commission, leaving a portable unit more versatile if you were able to protect it and its fuel supply.
  • Fuel storage tanks, piping, controls: [in process]
  • Watch out: storing gasoline on site as a fuel for backup generators or any other purpose is dangerous, risking fire or explosion, and may also be a local building code violation; in addition, the shelf life of gasoline will mean that it needs to be disposed of or consumed and replaced periodically.
• Backup Generator Maintenance:
  
  cost for periodic testing & maintenance of the system to assure that it ready, safe, operational condition when needed
  • [in process, suggestions invited]
• Backup Generator shelter or mounting:
  
  cost for shelter, mounting pad, or other appurtenances that some generator installations will require
  • [in process, suggestions invited]

According to a recent article in the New York Times, Generac, the largest manufacturer of electrical generators in the U.S. was working overtime to fill demand for backup electrical generators in the Northeastern U.S. following Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

The same article noted that in 2012, about 3 percent of "stand-alone" homes in the U.S. have a standby generator installed. [9] Here are all 41 brands of electrical generator brands & product sources listed by Electric Generators Direct whose list we found was longest: [10].

List of electric generator & portable or backup electrical generator manufacturers

Asco Electrical Generators, Baldor Electric Generators Briggs & Stratton Electrical Generators, Camco Electrical Generators, Century Electrical Generators, Classic Electrical Generator Accessories, Conntek Electrical Generators, Cummins Onan Electrical Generators,

DeWalt Electrical Generators, DynaGen Electrical Generators, Generac Electrical Generators, GenTran Electrical Generators, Gillette Electrical Generators,

Honda Electrical Generators, Honeywell Electrical Generators, IMD LLC Electrical Generators, JohnDow Industries Electrical Generators, Katolight Corporation,

Protected Home Electrical Generators, Kohler Electrical Generators, PowerBoss Electrical Generators, PowerMate Electrical Generators, Praitiac Electrical Generators, Reliance Electrical Generators,

Scepter Electrical Generators, Seafoam Electrical Generators, Slime Electrical Generators, StaBil Electrical Generators, Subaru Electrical Generators,

TechMate Electrical Generators, TruFuel Electrical Generators, U.S. Wire & Cable Electrical Generators, Voltmaster Electrical Generators, Wagan Electrical Generators, Winco Power Systems Electrical Generators, Yamaha Electrical Generators

While these backup generator companies can be contacted directly, consumers usually shop at local suppliers or shop online from suppliers

• Amazon.com
• Electric Generators Direct, distributes nearly all brands of backup generators. Electric Generators Direct 1325 Rodeo Drive Bolingbrook, IL 60490, Tel: 1 (866) 437-7998, Website http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/
• Hardware & lumber suppliers, local
• Home Depot building supply stores
• Loews building supply stores

Where to Buy 12-volt to 120-volt DC to AC power converters & inverters (power transverters)

• Duracell power converters, Duracell Corporation, 1380 Flynn Road Camarillo, CA 93012 USA, Tel: 800.300.1857, Email: info@duracellpower.com, Website: http://www.duracellpower.com
• Maplin power converters, a U.K. supplier of power converters of varying capacity, Tel: 0844-557-6000, Website: http://www.maplin.co.uk/
• Ring Automotive, a U.K. supplier of power converters of a range of capacities, provides the Ring PowerSource 75-Watt Power Inverter, plugs into the vehicle cigarette lighter, outputs 230V AC power, larger wattage inverter models are also available. The company provides both 12V and 24V power converters. Ring Automotive Limited Gelderd Road, Leeds, LS12 6NA United Kingdom, Tel: +44 (0)113 2132000, Email: autosales@ringautomotive.co.uk, Website: http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/
• Stanley power converters, (distributed at WalMart stores) include the little Stanley 100W inverter that plugs directly into a vehicle cigarette lighter socket and provides a 120V AC electrical receptacle, the larger Stanley XO Vision DC to AC 300W Power Inverter and other higher wattage models.
• Sima DC to AC power converter/inverters, distributed widely including online via TheEpicenter.com. Epicenter Supplies, LLC 384 Wallis Street #2, Eugene, OR 97402, Tel: 541-684-0717, Email: info@theepicenter.com Website: http://theepicenter.com/dc_to_ac_power_converters_and_inverters.html
• Sumas power inverters provides their Sumas 200 watts Power Inverter with 2 USB charging port - SM-2011US that plugs into the vehicle cigarette lighter. Sumas Media 19575 E. Walnut Dr. South City Of Industry, CA 91748, Tel: 1-877-447-8627, Email: customerservice@sumasmedia.com, Website: http://www.sumasmedia.com/
• Wagan DC to AC power converter/inverters, including the tiny Wagan - 2348-6 • Smart AC™ 100 USB Power Inverter that includes both a USB adapter (for your cellphone, tablet computer) and a 120V electrical outlet capable of powering a laptop computer, as well as higher capacity power inverters ranging from 100W to 5000W - distributed widely including online via BestBuy.com. WAGAN Corporation, 31088 San Clemente Street, Hayward, CA 94544, USA, Tel: U.S. & Canada Toll Free: +1.800.231.5806, Email: sales@wagan.com, Website: http://www.wagan.com/
• Xantrex™ Power Inverters & Converters (and other products), Xantrex USA, 541 Roske Drive, Suite A Elkhart, Indiana USA 46516, Tel: 1-800-670-0707, Xantrex Canada, 3700 Gilmore Way Burnaby, BC Canada V5G 4M1, Tel: 1-800-670-0707, (The company also sells world wide), Website http://www.xantrex.co

How Much Backup Generator Capacity do We Need?

In a separate article found at ELECTRIC GENERATOR CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS we give backup generator size requirements tables for both backup electrical generators for home or commercial use and for smaller car or truck AC adapters.

...

Continue reading  at BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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