On Sat, 6 Jan 2018 20:03:57 -0500, Keyser Soze wrote:

On 1/6/18 4:38 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 6 Jan 2018 11:40:51 -0800 (PST), True North
wrote:


That was my general emergency plan. A small space heater and if needed something to keep the sump pump working.

It seems ironic to use a generator to make electric heat when you are
usually throwing away more heat from the engine than the generator can
produce. That is why I was thinking about scavenging some of that
waste heat to heat water. If you had a bigger, water cooled gen set
that would be trivial to do.

Sheesh...do you overanalyze everything in life? If the power goes out
and we still have electricity because of a generator and we're comfy and
the refrigerators, hot water, air conditioning or heat are working, do
you think I should worry about what the propane is costing me? A water
cooled generator for the home would probably run at least $10,000 for
just the hardware and another $5,000 or more for various pieces and
parts and proper installation by licensed electricians and plumbers. And
then what, kitbash some sort of heat scavenging system to provide hot
water to heat something in the house?

I have a $300 generator and you probably have almost 50-60 times as
much in yours. Who is over thinking this?
If I was going to do this at my house I would heat exchange the
exhaust with a finned heat exchanger and a little pump, I already have
and some CPVC pipe plus a few fittings. I can use the drain cock at
the bottom of the tank and a hose bib I have at the top. No plumber
required if you can hook up a garden hose without calling one.
Well it is you, so who knows?

I doubt I will do anything for the once every 15 years power outage I
have.