Well, do you think there is a reason one costs $10k and one costs $1k.

You can buy a $10k unit that works, or you can DIY with a $1k unit that will not work. A real generator costs ~$6k, add an enclosure and advertising and that is $10k.

You buy a Costco $1k generator, find out it does not run in an enclosure because of heat, spend $1k to wire it up. You probably will not start a fire, but the generator is not designed for your needs.

Edit....what is the fuel consumption and what is the cost of fuel?

I think part of your manual transfer switch will be a panel with breakers for the circuits you want hot, which will be installed adjacent to your main panel. See https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/stories/3-How-to-Pick-the-Perfect-Manual-Transfer-Switch.html

Ditto Stax, has happened to me. Luckily, the generator was used and inexpensive, but only 3Kw.

Ditto Seaborn, I have two breaker panels (400/320 A service), one in the garage and one in the basement. The garage panel has the desired generator circuits as well as the transfer interlock switch.

I would be concerned with theft if a portable generator was outside all the time. If you are going to go to the garage to start and transfer the loads, why not just wheel the unit out of the protected garage and plug in the cable as well? I mounted weatherproof twist-lock connectors on the house for doing just that.

Our power goes out maybe a few times a year and can be off for least a few hours due to our rural location. My husband bought a duel fuel generator and it sits on a concrete pad outside. He used an RV hook up to plug it into the house. He then added a Transfer Switch to our Breaker box and moved anything we'd like to run when the power is out.

Best Idea Ever! Our basement wasn't finished at the time so it was fairly simple to do and pretty darn cheap. I've turned it on and off myself a few times.

Anyone want to mention brands?

i purchased a cabin with a $1k Costco, 7kw propane. was installed with a permit, it is manual. The generator does not work.

A Honda converted to propane delivered is $6k.

A Generac is $12k.

I have not seen any Costco generators at job sites, I have see Hondas.

Do you want some that works, or do you want to have something that doesn’t.

This is ours https://www.duromaxpower.com/products/duromax-xp10000eh-10000-watt-electric-start-dual-fuel-hybrid-portable-generator

Got it for $600-700 on a Christmas sale. We have a 100 lb propane tank hooked to it.

do they have to come out to fill the 100 pound tank?

100#tank is 25 gallons. I doubt a propane company would service a 100# tank. 100# tank is about 6-8 hrs. on the generator. Did you know, you have to run the generator on a monthly basis.

The cabin is in an area with frequent power outages. The seller installed a 7 kw propane generator with manual electrical disconnects. Great setup, except the generator is not dependable.

I have had the generator serviced....Maybe there is a reason why my generator cost $1k and a Honda costs $6k and a Generac costs $12k.

My local Honda dealer closed last summer, my local Generac dealer is unable to get any Generacs.

The next Honda dealer is 2 hrs away, they do not have any large generators and did not see any available “on the computer”.

I am in California, there are building code requirements for generators.

How large of a generator, based on your $10k comment, I guess north of 5kw.

Do you want a “lawn mower” running when you loose power, and where where you locate it?

Jim Mat - Feels like you think I'm stupid/don't know what I'm talking about but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

My husband takes care of turning it on and we fill it when our main tank is filled. If needed we take it into town to fill it. Totally worth it.

Thank you, it is on me. My posts are to the OP.

jim mat you didn’t address my questions. I’m getting a propane generator and that wasn’t my question. My question was about leaving it outside All the time If I wanted a standby I would get a generac but a standby vs portable cost is not worth it for my needs

if you leave a portable generator outside, the generator requires an enclosure, if you run the portable generator, it cannot be in the enclosure.

If the generator is portable dont you just roll it into the garage to store when not needed?

the point is if it’s midnight, 0 degrees and freezing rain/snow you only have to go to garage to use remote start and flip transfer switch

itherwise you have to push it outside go get the propane tank which is stored outside. Hook up propane tank. Hook up generator cable then start generator then come back in garage

You can leave it out all the time. We have a cover on ours and when running the sides need to be flipped up.

I have a dual fuel installed by the manufacture, and am a wait list for a Honda that requires a conversion kit, and additional ~$1k.

Using the generator while it is in the garage may require the garage door to be opened at least partially..?

We have heard some horror stories about people running them inside the house

I am not interested in saving money, I am willing to pay for dependability.

Buy the inexpensive generator, it does not work.

Leaving it “hooked up”, depends, mine is not hooked up. I turn off the master at the panel, plug in the generator, start it, run for a few minutes, turn on the generator breaker, which was permitted and installed by a licensed electrical contractor.

My problem is, the inexpensive generator is not reliable.

Where will you leave the generator while it is hooked up, where will it be running. How will it be fueled?

If you are willing to purchase and install the correct equipment, and store and run your generator is a suitable place, you will have back up electricity.

In my experience, it did not work with a cheap generator.

How many Champions do you see on construction sites?

I looked on the internet for propane generators in my area of Northern California. There are no large generators available in my area.

Josh, based on experience, I would not install a Champion. Are Champions or other brands available in your area?

I am unable to get a Generac because of supply.

OP Thread hijacked. Do your own research. Talk to people on-line that have actually run a system similar to what you are planning.

Good luck!