7 Responses to “Generator questions: the right size and brand?”

1. Cornstoves on July 30th, 2009 3:36 pm
   

   Generators Feedback: Want to heat the home affordably with a 750-1000 watt portable generator purchased at Walmart for $148? Run a few lSSL LED ights too and the frig? Cost less than grid power total?
   The 1000 watt generator - $150
   800 watt inverter (Walmart) - $148
   100 amp-hr auto battery - $120
   Model 2100 corn stove - $650
   Figure 100 watts for the corn stove. 900 watts remaining for lights, frig, microwave, but avoid hair dryer (2000 watts) and coffee pots and electric ranges (goodzillions of watts) You can use A small window a/c that will run on only 300 watts.
   Plus tax
   All right,. So I exceeded the installation budget slightly but look what I save monthly. Subtract 5 gal fuel for generator per week (250 gal/yr at $3/gal = $750
   (The gen only runs 10% of the time to recharge the battery!)
   Corn to fuel the Model 2100 - $300 annually
   Total annual energy bill $1050
   Present energy bill at $100/mo = $1200 annually
   Annual savings going off grid - $150
   Why bother? Because if the model 2100 is too small then the model 4100 or Model 7100 will certainly keep the house warm.
   The equipment pays for itself the first year.
   Subsequent years the savings fills the pockets.
   And the heat warms the heart.
   Talk to over 400 happy users on the following web sites.
2. Joey on August 2nd, 2009 9:52 am
   

   Generators Feedback: OK, it’s been awhile since doing elec calcs,but let me try. Keep in mind that these are very loose numbers, but they will make a fair amount of sense.

   From a 20 amp circuit, you can get 1800 watts. I think $800 will buy a generator that is 8000 watts. 8000/$800 will get your generator powering 10 20amp circuits. Just for giggles, lets say that you need 60 amps for your furnace and 40 amps for the fridge and 60 amps for your stove. THat is 8 of the aforementioned 10 circuits used, which leaves you with 2 - 20amp circuits for house lighting, etc. SO, to answer your question, $800 dollars will do the trick. As for brands, it’s a shot in the dark at this price point. If it’s me, I am looking for a Briggs and Stratton motor on whatever brand generator you buy.

   So after submitting my answer, I read the guy above….did I miss something in this question?
3. luka on August 3rd, 2009 5:58 am
   

   Generators Feedback: a 8500 watt generator form home depot is perfect, and you can add other loads to it for 600.00 dollars.
4. John himself on August 5th, 2009 1:23 am
   

   Generators Feedback: You will need a generator, transfer switch, and professional installation by an electrician. Call an electrical contractor to get an estimate. He will also get the best price on a reliable generator. There is more to this than meets the eye. Permits and inspections are required as a mistake could kill a lineman during a power outage. Do it right.
5. hotchevymanzach on August 7th, 2009 2:40 am
   

   Generators Feedback: what your asking too run 6000 Watt gen would be enough

   i had a power outage last year lights were out for three days ice storm temps below zero and wind there for had to hook up the generator to keep the pipes thawed

   it was a simple thing i did made a two male ended cord(dont really remember how i hooked it up but if the circuitbreaker trips on the generator switch wires around in the plug)
   fed it through an outside recepticle into the main pannel
   SHUT OFFf all other circuits besides furnace fridge and lights AND the receptical that you r feeding the power too and it works

   NOTE:

   !!!!!TURN OFF MAIN BREAKER OR PULL |MAIN FUSE BEFORE DOING NE THING IF YOU DONT YOU CAN KILL LINE MEN WORKING ON THE POWER LINES!!!!!!

   also you have to find a plug that is on the same branch of 120 in the house you havea 50 50 chance that this will work ifyou dont check the fuse box. find the breaker for the furnace skip a breaker and the next one is on the same leg as the furnace keep doing that untill you find an circuit that has an outlet you can feed into

   this is just a quick fix to keep the place from freezing not to be used as a full time means of power.
6. billybob on August 10th, 2009 4:57 am
   

   Generators Feedback: I will add a little to what hot chevy recommends. You can add a 220v outlet to your breaker box. Now you can connect your generator to this using the appreciate 30amp plugs and at least 10 Gage wiring. This way, you can back-feed through your system and turn off breakers you will not need to power. REMEMBER TO TURN OFF MASTER BREAKER BEFORE CONNECTING GENERATOR! I have a 8000 watt gen which will power refrigerator,gas furnace and several lights. Turn off hot water and other 220v appliances. Remember, this is an emergency.
7. Jim W on August 12th, 2009 3:01 pm
   

   Generators Feedback: You will need at least a 6.5 KW genset, that is a total of 30 amps maximum output. The refrigerator is 15 amps, the lights 15 amps, that leaves a single circuit of 15 amps at 220 volts to run your furnace. Since you do not want the genset at max load at all times figure a typical load of 60% is what you will run. The first 2 circuits are 110 volt on opposite legs of the genset.
   You also will need a transfer switch and the permits to install it legally. The permits are cheaper than a lawsuit for somone being injured because you installed it wrong. If your furnace is a gas furnace with 110 volt power the 6.5 is barely large enough to do what you want. If it’s electric you will need at least a 15 KW unit.
   $800 is a reasonable price for a 6.5 with a transfer switch, the permits and installation are extra.

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