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Gas powered/electric generator question.

FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
edited November 2008 in General Discussion
After the ice storm last year when we were w/o electicity for a few day, we've decided to buy a gas powered generator for "just in case".
Not looking for one big enough to power the entire house. Just one we can run some extension cords in from to power the fan on our gas heater. And to switch between the frig & freezer to keep them from thawing. And a TV (smaller one if need be) and a lamp or two.
Really don't want spend the big bucks on something we may not need or use. And the 5K watt models seems to run $500+.
Local farm store has a 4000 (4500 surge) watts model for $379.
Think that woud be big enough for our needs?
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Comments

  • A J ChristA J Christ Member Posts: 7,534 ✭
    edited November -1
    To answer your question.

    Yes.
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  • slipgateslipgate Member Posts: 12,741
    edited November -1
    4000 will run most of your house. I have a 5500 Watt and my transfer switch has wattage meters on it to tell you how much power is actually being used, the highest it has gotten is like 3000 watts. I have almost my entire house on the generator. All accept the washer, dryer, Microwave and a few minor circuits. I do have the heater fan, 2 fridges and a chest freezer, all the TVs, the alarm system, most lights and outlets. If your stove, water heater and heat are gas, you should be able to run just about everything on 4000 watts.

    BTW: Don't Mickey Mouse the generator setup, get a transfer switch and feed that bad-boy directly into your circuit box.
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  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    Thanks, that's good news.
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  • DBMJR1DBMJR1 Member Posts: 1,854 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 5kw for hurricanes. I backfeed the whole house, and can run everything but the central ac.
    So yes. I think a 4kw will more than meet your needs. If you invest in a manual transfer switch, and a way of connecting the generator, you can eliminate those extension cords, and backfeed, as I do. Look into it, if you use it for any length of time it's worth it.

    Change the oil on a new generator after the first tank of fuel, and every 100 hours afterward. Very important! I've seen more than a few, go without because of this.
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  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by DBMJR1
    I have a 5kw for hurricanes. I backfeed the whole house, and can run everything but the central ac.
    So yes. I think a 4kw will more than meet your needs. If you invest in a manual transfer switch, and a way of connecting the generator, you can eliminate those extension cords, and backfeed, as I do. Look into it, if you use it for any length of time it's worth it.

    Change the oil on a new generator after the first tank of fuel, and every 100 hours afterward. Very important! I've seen more than a few, go without because of this.


    Good to know. Thanks for the info!
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,223 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    Yep, we used to do what you want on a 3500. Last year I bought a portable welder and it has an 8000 watt plug so now we're standin' in tall cotton.[:D]
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  • sigarmsp226sigarmsp226 Member Posts: 2,461 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am like Don and have a 5000 watt for storm reasons... Remember one very important issue - Do not use ethonol blended gas in it if possible and when you finigh running the unit run all lof the gas out of the unit. I installed a in line fuel shut off valve (Lowes for 4 bucks) and after I run mine I shut off the gas to the carborator allow the unit to run until it quits and all StaBil to the remaining fuel in the unit. I also pull my generator out once every 2-3 months and fire it up... My mother, brother, sister, and father all have the same Toro unit from Lowes... We love ours...
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Get the Transfer Switch - extension cords catch fire, and slowly melt so that you don't smell them going until you step on them and or they fail. They are a pain to run out, and backfeeding through a wallsocket can set the walls afire inside where you don't catch it soon enough.

    You will probably find you need to swap around some breakers/circuits in your panel, to balance the loads on the two phases/windings on your generator.

    Because I have Gas Heater Furnace, Clothes Dryer, and Water Heater, I can run my whole house on an average load of just over 2KW. The biggest single load is, Believe it or not, My Wife's Hair Dryer!! That Dang thing uses just shy of 2KW by itself. The 5KW Genset really grunts when she hits it with that load.

    You probably will have to ban such abuse to your Genset, if you get 4KW unit, but will probably have no other problems.
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Oh yeah, a couple of other "Issues" - Know which way the wind generally blows in your area. Plan a long enough power cable to situate the generator so that the exhaust plume is not impinging your house. THEN, either calculate (or have it done) the conductor size to carry FULL LOAD safely over the distance.

    Get a Carbon Monoxide detector or two if you don't already have one.


    Best,

    Big Ugly Guy
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  • ruger270manruger270man Member Posts: 9,361 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you switch out the incandescents for fluorescents on the lamps you run on the generation, that'll save you about 80 watts per bulb.

    Or even better, go with LEDs.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i use a 10k welder/generator combo....also need to install a double throw switch after meter so not to fry anyone down line while using unit..mine is on service trailer in shop & plug into 220 welder outlet to run whole farmstead while being inside out of weather...stabil in fuel always...add up load & size accordingly, lo oil switch, big fuel tank, jumper cables to pickup maybe....consider value of house/shop/freezer, etc & don't cheap john a unit....friend of mine bought econo & went back for third unit in ice & snow to farm store after they failed, then borrowed a heavy duty from friend... cost him $$$$ for not doing it right from get go
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