Home Standby
Air Cooled
Liquid Cooled
Essential
Whole House
Commercial
10 - 20 KW
20 - 32 KW
Accessories
 

When buying a PowerStation® backup power system consider

 
Why buy a Home Backup Power System?
 
When bad weather interrupts your electrical service you can find yourself in a position where you are not able to provide the essential things your family needs; heat, air conditioning, running your refrigerator and lights. These essentials will stay off until the power grid is restored which could be a while. The Powermate PowerStations® make it possible to maintain power in your home to run heating/cooling, your refrigerator, computer, lights and sump pumps during such outages.
 
How does the PowerStation System work?
 
A PowerStation system is permanently installed outside your home, wired directly to your home's distribution panel and is a little larger than most air conditioners. There are two basic components to a PowerStation backup system, the system itself (or power generating unit) and a transfer switch. The power generating units come in several sizes. Your choice depends on the amount of power you need and the size of your home.
 
The units are made up of an engine and a generator in an enclosed galvanized steel or aluminum sound reducing housing. The engine is designed to run on either liquefied petroleum gas vapor or natural gas
 
The transfer switch operates/switches between the power unit and your existing power being supplied from the electric company. This switch senses a loss of power from the electric company and automatically starts the PowerStation backup system. Once power is restored to the power grid, the transfer switch will sense that the power has been restored and automatically stop the PowerStation backup system.
 
How do I determine what PowerStation system is right for me?
 
Choosing the right PowerStation backup system is based on your emergency circuits and appliances. Some common emergency circuits may include heating / air conditioning, well pump, sump pump, water heater, lighting, kitchen outlets, bedrooms, living room, bathroom and garage circuits.
 
The PowerStation air cooled units, powered by Honda or Subaru and with 10kW to 12kW of available power, offer the best solution with an expandable transfer switch to cover 10 to 22 of these emergency circuits in your home depending on appliance electrical demand.
 
For large electrical demand appliances or whole house applications, the PowerStation liquid cooled units, powered by GM Vortec engines, offer 22kW to 32kW.
 
You may choose to back up your entire panel and have complete home power during an outage. This method will involve working with your electrician to determine the total electrical load of your home and sizing your generator to match it.
 
 
Common uses of the PowerStation backup system
 
PowerStation backup systems are the right choice for any home located in an area where you experience loss of power. Professionals that frequently travel find having a PowerStation backup system provides peace of mind for when storms hit and they are away. Additionally the PowerStation backup system can provide power to a vacation home or any home in a remote location where loss of power could take days to restore. In winter conditions this type of power loss could cause broken water pipes leading to extensive property damage, inconvenience and expensive repairs.
 
FAQ's
Can I install the PowerStation myself?
Units weigh over 400 lbs and as much as 1,300 lbs depending on the size. Installation also requires wiring the unit to your existing circuit breaker box which we recommend be done by a professional electrician. Most electrical contractors are familiar with this type of installation. If you need help finding a dealer, contact our customer service group at 1-800-445-1805.
 
How do I know the PowerStation will start after it has been idle for months?
Your PowerStation has a battery monitoring system that utilizes float charging (for longer battery life) to maintain the battery and ensure starting when needed. Additionally your PowerStation engine will "exercise" itself several times a month to eliminate just sitting the entire time it is not needed. PowerStation is equipped with fault indicators located on the generator and the transfer switch so you don't need to leave your house to check on your system's operation/status.
 
What maintenance do I need to do?
Your PowerStation is designed to provide years of service with minimal maintenance. The complete list of recommended maintenance is in the owners' manual and may vary depending on the size and model, or you may decide that an extended service contract best fits your needs (supported by our dealers).