Anybody know anything about generators?

[aic]

I am going to buy a generator to back-up my residence electrical system. This is not related to PC's in any way.

I know Honda is best but that cost scratch.

How about Coleman and Generac?

http://www.nbmc.com/cpgen/pm0610023.html is a Coleman 10,000 watt I am considering.

http://www.generac-portable.com/products/generators/generator.cfm?ID=153 is a Generac 10,000.

Thanks

 

[jhu]

do you have a v5 6000 or something?

 

[aic]

Hi,

No. In winter my electric company sometimes fails to provide me with the juice.

I am going to buy a gasoline generator to be a back-up just in case the lights go out.

This question is not related to a PC.

Thanks.

 

[lotust]

AIc, how much stuff you gonna run? stove fridge Ect.......

 

[yakko]

I know someone who has the Generac and they are pretty good. I would rather have the Honda though.

 

[aic]

I would run (at least) the furnance, the kitchen (freezer and frig) gas stove, hot water heater...etc.

I thought 10,000 should cover the basics and some juice left over.

New question. I was told that I cannot run a 50 foot cord from my shed (where the generator would be locked down) to my electrical/fuse box. Is that right? 50 feet is way too much?

 

[lotust]

Aic you can do 50 feet just get some 220 volt romex wire or better. Other wise you will have problems.

 

[aic]

Here is the response I got about the 50 foot idea.

"This really is off the top of my head, but in order to carry 70 amps ( 7500 watts divided by 120 volts) the wire would need to be 2 guage copper. Not only a little pricey, but you don't have a safe method of connecting to the generator."

Lotus, how much would the cord you suggest cost?

 

[lotust]

aic. It depends where you live I guess. I have a home Depot near me so I think 50ft would be around 50$ the most.

But the heavier the wire the better. I think 2 gauge might be nessasary though. The fridge use's some amp's to start up.

2 gauge wire is 2$ a foot i think.

 

[eia430]

AIC why don't you buy or borrow a clamp on amp meter? Then you can just go to your circuit box and measure amp draw for each breaker and see what the actual wattage draw of the things you intend to power. (watts = amps x volts) When things first start up like the compressor motor on the fridge, or the blower fan on the furnace it will spike it's watt draw quite a bit (surge) just make sure the generator you get has a surge rating that is at least twice that of your projected constant draw to be safe, but the more the better. Good luck on your project

 

[aic]

Thanks.

The generator maker web sites gives you the wattage (for each specific device) and adds its up for you.

I say 10,000 because I think that it will be a decent size supply.

I know I will not draw 10,000 but I want to play it safe and have that cushion.

7,500 would be the minimum.

 

[Stallion]

We bought a Generac last year, 5000watt. It's a nice unit.briggs & straten motor.. It will do 6250 surge I think. We bought it at costco for $500. 10,000 is huge. You can also get a box so you can hook it up strait to your fuse box so you can pick certain appliances you want to run with out running cords all over your house but make sure an electrician or someone with the know how hooks it up as if you do it wrong you can feed power back through the line and fry someone who might be working on a power pole somewhere.

 

[eia430]

Stallion, unlike the power company that transmits power via high voltage then uses step down transformers to lower voltage to 115v Generators only generate 115v (I know some can output 220)so even if you feed power back out to the grid and some tech is working with the power off you are only putting out 115v. That would only make you tingle at best unless you are standing barefoot in a puddle of water and you licked the live 115v wire, then it might kill you.

 

[aic]

Stallion, how did you hook yours up to the house (if you did)?