Portable Generator

So after being out of power 6 days this past week, I want to get a portable generator for backup power.

I rent, so I’m looking for a portable one that will run as much of my house as possible. Maybe not the heat pump, but if I can that would be great. Maybe turning things off to use water heater and water pump for showers.

the landlord is looking at installing a transfer switch, but any suggestions for a good dual fuel generator that won’t cost too much? How much power would I need to power fridge, freezer, lights, tv, and internet?

 

So my two cents

Either buy a cheap one from harbor freight and use it til it dies. Decent option

Or buy a Honda generator and keep it for the rest of your life.

Also consider doing a propane conversion. Don’t have to worry about storing gasoline and having it go bad. Less maintenance, less mess.

Sorry missed your power requirements. You’d be fine with anything in the 3-4000 watt range imo with just those things.

 

It's the starting wattage of the fridge and freezer that you need to account for. There are charts online that show you what certain wattage generators can handle.

 

Yea that’s why I said 3-4kw for what he needs. Fridge will take 800-1000 start up and freezer a little more.

But yea there are charts everywhere

 

*edited*
Removing my product link since I can’t vouch for it

If it were me I’d get the Honda generator in the size I needed and convert it to propane

 

I get the initial surge. There are so many things online it’s hard to keep up with what is actually needed. I could probably alternate large appliances when needed to help reduce the demand. like turning on the water heater an hour or so before we want to shower then turning it off again. I used a small wood stove in the basement which did pretty well at warming that area. I would just stay down there most of the time.

I was looking at the predator units at Harbor Freight as I heard good things, but they only run on gas.

I could probably do $1000 - $1200 and was looking at something in the 9kW to 10kW range.

I’m not sure what the difference is between the units with 30A and 50A 120/240 plugs. I guess the 50A are on larger generators for more power. And the cables/connectors and transfer switch would need to be sized appropriately?

 

You can get a cheap dual fuel on Amazon for under 1k but I have no personal experience with them. Like WEN and Champion.

You want the 240v if you’re gonna try to plug in to transfer switch. If you’re just gonna string extension cords everywhere then you can do a 120 only but in that range I think they’ll almost all put out 240 as an option.

 

I have a Honda 6500 and it will run all the lights two refrigerator freezers, 168 ft deep well pump, power vent water heater, TV internet ect. Just won't do AC/heat pump or oven. The Honda has been great I believe it has 600 hours on it now.

 

I run the predator 3500 watt generator from harbor freight and it does great! I've never had an issue in the two years now. It's an inverter so it's quite. I just change the oil frequently and it seems to do really good.

 

Jelly of that Honda 6500

 

Generac about 6500 running watts, won't break the bank and will get you through with some common sense. You can run different things at different times in cycles so to speak. Use quality HD short as possible cords. Check pawnshops!

 

So do you guys run all this with the 30A plug?

when do people use the 50A?

The Honda’s are top of the line, but out of my price range.

 

8kw is wayyyy overkill for a house. My dad and I were talking about this today. I got my parents an 8500 powerhorse years ago and installed a transfer switch for him. He’s never even come close to touching even 4000 watts. Unless you’re planning on running your whole house plus a plasma table; 3-4kw is all you need. We converted his to propane/natural gas/gas which is nice to give options and usually just go propane. 20lb tank of propane will give you 8hr. 5gal of gas will give you 8hours as well.

if I were to do it now; I’d skip the transfer switch and go interlock. Far better option and the same price if not cheaper. Go with a 4kw generator from HF and get the $50 tri fuel carb off of Amazon and swap it out. You’re into the whole setup for well under a grand.

inverter generators are nice and quiet; but if you don’t plan on using this all the time then save your money and get a regular

 

30 amp plug is the easiest way to hook up to multiple breakers or to a small sub panel for backup

 

50a if for electric ovens (really heavy duty oven), central air, or when welding

 

Yes 30amp

 

I put in a whole house manual transfer switch. Makes it nice everything works when you want it to.

 

Depends on what you want it for and what your house has right?

If it’s winter time and you’re on electric heat……

Or summertime and you want the AC running?

4000 watts won’t cut it

 

I thought only Canadians use electric heat

 

I don’t think any portable generator is going to have enough to run the heat pump or ac. If they can, I’d be interested. We had to rent a hotel room at least one night for my GF bc she got tired of the cold and dark and showering at the gym.

I definitely want dual fuel as propane is easier to store and I always have a couple tanks for the grill.

I was just thinking nobody ever wish they went with a smaller unit.

 

Same as a smoker buy the biggest one you can afford lol

You can power a little space heater off a portable genny so you can keep a room warm(ish). My bigger generator shit itself and all I had was a 3000w generator to use in the Texas freeze last year and it powered a little 1500w space heater and we just stayed in one room. Kept it at 65 when it was 20 outside so it was better than nothing

 

Have you moved a 9000kw generator before?

 

I have a Cat 7500w, 240v/30amp plug wired into my breaker box. Will run everything in the house except for the AC. Will get 14hrs out of a tank of fuel. I'm pretty happy for the price.

 

A buddy had a Yamaha 15,000 and it runs his AC.
Mine will run my furnace no problem but of course it's gas so just running the fan and igniter.

 

This will run your home.

 

Yes I have and I loaded it myself. I cheated and used some 2x4s as ramps but damn if they didn’t want to keep moving on me.

 

You do have a gym membership; so you got me.

 

That’s gonna explode the second my five ton ac kicks on

 

Yeah, went and looked at that this evening. But at 2k it’s more than I’m willing to put out.

And I really want dual fuel.

and to ditto’s point, that thing was massive.