A few days ago I was making noises about installing a backup generator at my house. Apparently the city codes make it problematic to install the big propane tanks for it, so now I've switched my research to big portable units. Other than the price tag, is there a reason that I should NOT get this one or something comparable?

https://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/portable-generators/gp-series/gp17500e

My object is to have enough power to run one of the two HVAC units on the house, along with a refrigerator or a freezer (preferably both), and at least some of the household items. For example, being able to run one appliance (dishwasher, laundry) at a time while also having some lights in at least one room of the house.

I can secure the generator on my property so that it's unlikely (though not impossible) for thieves to take it, and I understand that I need to have an electrician do some work at my house so that the generator can be used for everything that I want to be able to run.

Appreciate any ideas that the OT brain trust has.

Very nice model.
Some could critique that it’s not dual fuel. High octane gasoline was difficult to find for a about 48hrs last week.
No pull start back up to the electric start, so be sure to maintain the battery/battery ignition system.

have your electrician come out and do a bid for install, let them tell you how large a generator you need then go up at least one.

outside ac units use 50a 220 circuits and even with capacitors they have a pretty good kick when the compressor comes on.

have you checked code for buried tanks? you can get a 120 gal. buried/truck filled. I can see a concern with above ground in more dense populations but buried may be acceptable.

plumber will do the tank thing and hook up the gas if they are allowed.

16 gal fuel tank is decent. But how will you be refilling it? Carrying around 5 gal containers will get old quickly.

And no matter how well you secure it. Someone will try taking it.

I've got an older version of a slightly smaller model. I'll try to get a pic

Other than slightly smaller generating capacity the other main difference I see is mine has a 50amp plug and the one you are showing doesn't.

I don't know if you could use the two 30amp twist-lock plugs on your power bars at the same time (to deliver the 60 amps).

I'm assuming you have no natural gas in your neighborhood.

This thing is dog heavy. I used my tractor to put it on my back porch which varies from 3-4 feet of the ground instead of trying to roll/lift it up the steps..

Fueling with the 5 gallon cans is no issue as it takes 3 but not a big deal. I ran about 9 hours on 7 gallons.

Running 2 HVAC units seems s problem because of the startup amp draw but what is the tonnage on each unit and could you zone off the part of the house on one unit?

Don't think you could pull start it if you had to . . . maybe. But you could jump it with one of those battery power packs.

As I've said here a couple of times I salvaged mine out of my uncle's barn. It had some glitches after sitting up for 15 years but he got it started fairly easily but had to replace a $200 circuit board to get it to idle right. Otherwise seems a good unit.

I'm assuming you have no natural gas in your neighborhood.
i was thinking the same thing. nat gas is a great way to go if you can.

Oh, if you get it get the no-flat tires for the wheel kit.

Gas caddy if the 3 - 5 gallon cans prove too challenging. 35 gal gas caddy $279

We have natural gas. But after this storm, I realized that that can fail too. My boat has a 61 gallon fuel tank, so if I needed to run a gas generator for a long time I could use the boat as backup fuel.

I would only want to run one of the HVAC units. We'd close off the north end of the house and only have power running in the living room/kitchen area.

Hop, I'll investigate code for buried tanks.

sounds to me like you need one big enough to be permanently mounted, that may help with the buried tank.

Put the propane tanks in your garage so they can’t see them. Pray they don’t leak.

So since you're thinking ahead, why would you live there? Codes won't let you have a generator,and if something real happens, you're first to die in the city anyway. So move

I’ve been doing a lot of research on this lately too. My only concern with the one posted is that it does not appear to be an inverter generator. From what I’ve read most things these days should plug into an inverter generator if possible.