Generators

[Don G]

The storms in VA have me looking again. We have been fortunate this time not to have had any outage but some of our family is still without power and they have been told it would be Friday before they have service back.

We have a 3 1/2 ton heat pump, deep well, electric hot water heater, etc. I am looking for suggestions as to what generator we need.

I see where Lowes has the Generac brand. Some are portable and some are permanent mounts that will do self tests.

I need some ideas on what wattage unit I will need.

[Shellback]

Don, you are going to need a mighty big unit to run all that at once. I have a 6000w unit, and a transfer panel. I rely on it strictly for the furnace in the winter and refrigeration year round. I also have some circuits reserved for lighting and small kitchen appliances. I don't run A/C or a water heater or electric stove. just pretend I'm camping! Most transfer panels allow you to select what circuits you would like to run. By selecting circuits, you can run your refrigeration till it shuts down, then run your well pump till pressure is up, etc etc.

[Ferdi]

Don G I have a Coleman Powermate PM0645250 PL0645250 portable generator that will operate my Mobile Home but will NOT handle my whole house AC. It does operate everything else if you turn off things you are not using, limit yourself some. I did also purchase a 110V window AC unit and it will keep you from over heating. We have made it thru two hurricanes with it and I keep it running every so often to keep it ready for the next. Everyone seems to sell theirs when the emergency is over but then have to run back out everytime there is a two day outage. Good luck and be safe with it so you don't have any feed back through the lines and enjure someone. Ferdi aka Fred

[Tracker123]

The electric water heater alone will require 5K (5000) watts. Anytime heat is generated, it takes alot of watts. I have a propane hot water heater, range, and heat along with a deep water well. My 8K (8000) generator runs the whole house. I have a welding recepticle wired to the main circuit box - the generator plugs into it. Before plugging in the generator, I always trip the main breaker. I have been through many hurricanes, many days like this.

[Shellback]

The electric water heater alone will require 5K (5000) watts. Anytime heat is generated, it takes alot of watts. I have a propane hot water heater, range, and heat along with a deep water well. My 8K (8000) generator runs the whole house. I have a welding recepticle wired to the main circuit box - the generator plugs into it. Before plugging in the generator, I always trip the main breaker. I have been through many hurricanes, many days like this.

Pretty sure it's illegal to backfeed a breaker box. If the main wasn't shut off or turned on by accident, you are risking a lineman working on a repair being electrocuted.

[fishingpox]

yessir that is true...doing so will get you in big big trouble if the issue is pushed, if caught

Pretty sure it's illegal to backfeed a breaker box. If the main wasn't shut off or turned on by accident, you are risking a lineman working on a repair being electrocuted.

[LA CrappieMaster]

Honestly, if you are looking to run the entire home and invest that much money, you will probably be on the safe side by paying someone to come evaluate which size you need. As stated above, if you are total electric, running a stove, A/C and water heater alone will require a nice size unit. Fuel storage is another concern for the bigger units.

I work with a lot of people from south Louisiana that have done without power numerous times due to hurricanes. Most of them have 7500 W range generators to run essentials like lights, small freezer and possibly a window A/C at night. (Meaning they usually have a window unit in there storage and a spare freezer) They do a lot of grilling and start with the meat that won't fit in the smaller freezer.

Once a storm is announced, beer is the first item to be sold out down here though.

[fishingpox]

Mr. Don, I have worked on and repaired several Generac generators...this is me knowing dielectric properties of many classes of insulation. Twenty years ago the insulations they used in their windings and wiring itself was not good enough for me.

Knock the dust off that million dollar CD you have and buy Honda

[Cane Pole]

DonG, I will as Russ my neighbor. He had a propane generator installed. It is a big one and permanent install. It automatically kicks on when power is lost. His house is over 4000 sqft.

Max has a portable from Lowes that wakes up the dead and sucks gas, but runs his whole house of about 3000 sqft (not including the a/c dog house). Brenda and I just go "visit" when things go a muck up here.

I will check on what they have.

You have met Max and Russ. Good neighbors I have. We are getting things in our neighborhood ready for our annual 4th July block party/or neighborhood party. I hope the fireworks don't catch my dock on fire. It happened one time...ha

[Barnacle Bill]

Don I use a 7500 too and I can run everything (including well) except my heat pump. Actually I never have tried it so maybe it will if I don't run the hot water heater. I have back fed my breaker box when needed for years. Once in a while Dominion Power will check with me and make sure its not getting to them. (I always trip the mains). The one Tom talks about is expensive but the way to go.