Residential Generator Needed

I need to buy a Generator. Small home, 3 bed 2 bath. Have 2 little kids. Want to run the essentials when/if we lose power.

- refrigerator
- tankless water heater
- stove/oven
- a few lights (all LED)
- couple of outlets (for charging phones/computer)

Costco has this tri-fuel unit, seems like a good price:
https://www.costco.com/firman-7500w-running--9400w-peak-tri-fuel-generator.product.100648883.html

i want to hook to my elec panel. Is that a DIY project or you have to know what you're doing?

What else should i be thinking about regarding generators? Budget appx $800 or less

 

You definitely need to know what you are doing. You would need a transfer switch added to your panel to plug the generator in to. There is a master cutout switch that you flip and slide a lock onto.

There are several websites that list common household appliances and their power consumption. When it comes to things with compressors such as portable AC's, freezers, and refrigerators, you have to look at the starting wattage as well. A small appliance that pulls alot of power....a coffee pot!! I'll see if I can find a couple good links that will give you an idea on power usage. As far as a transfer switch, most electrical service shops install them. They usually give free estimates and make sure your current panel is compatible.

 

No offense but if you have to ask then its NOT a DIY project.

Thats a low budget and that style gen will eat 5 gal of fuel every 8-10 hrs. If you loose power for more than a day then fuel becomes an issue unless you can use LP or NG and plumb it up.

Personally I use an inverter style generator and thats after having had several different ones of that style. Inverters are great on fuel, quiet and can be moved easy. If you find you need more power they can be run in series, super easy.
This is what I have had for the last 4 yrs with zero issues I run it off of two of these cans, much like a boat motor. No having to refill it or worrying about spilling gas on a hot motor
https://www.amazon.com/VP-Racing-Sq...5BZQ58T1YD5&psc=1&refRID=79TRY72X35BZQ58T1YD5

 

I have this one as one of my generators. What part of Florida are you in?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cat-RP6500...-Generator-with-Caterpillar-Engine/1000988222

 

I was reading that you have to know starting watts vs running watts of everything you want to run so i'll look into that. Transfer switch.. thanks for letting me know about that.

 

Dual fuel at least and only run it on propane if you want it to start for sure every time Champion brand get good reviews.

Assuming your tankless is natural gas powered look for an inverter generator around 3-5kw, you may have to manage circuits (shut the fridge off for the oven to run) but the fuel savings be greater. The problem with running a 7.5kw is it'll run full tilt whether it needs all that power available where an inverter generator will regulate the engine speed to load resulting in a much lower fuel usage.

If you're tankless is electric, forget about running it off of a generator unless you want a screaming demon in your yard.

 

Not offended at all, just figured i'd ask. Good to know HF product has worked for you. I read about inverter but didn't seem like enough power and only one fuel source (i think)

 

i'm actually in Atlanta GA

 

My tankless is natural gas. I forgot to say that

 

How often do you loose power?

 

Good. Any electrician can run a transfer SW for you, like everything else, it just takes money. lol
We run 2 fridges, 1 freezer, Microwave, washing machine, 1-2 window units and whatever lights we need with zero issues. Granted, you're not likely to run everything at once. We also run a TV and computers as the inverters have a clean (er) signal and we've never had a problem.

EDIT: We also have a NG tankless, love that thing

 

2-3x's per year so not often. when we have lost power, it's only for 8 hrs or less. we have 2 babies and we can't make the bottles and keep the hot water going. so that's why i'm thinking running tankless water heater (natural gas) and refrigerator and couple of lights.

we lost power at night a couple of times and it was a pain with the kids. but power in Atlanta is (generally) restored fairly quick imo

 

No problem. I just saw a fl zip code on the Costco link. Here is a link the gives info on transfer switches and how they work. Once you buy the generator that you want, call one of your well known electrical service shops and tell them that you want an estimate for the transfer switch. They will look at your generator and panel and tell you exactly what you will need. Tell them what you want to power as well. That will help them with your setup and make sure that it is safe.

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirec...-Pick-the-Perfect-Manual-Transfer-Switch.html

 

Dang.. you run all that off the HF unit. that's awesome. is that unit real quiet or loud? the HF site says it's 57dB but i don't know how loud that is

 

I forgot to mention....DO NOT backfeed through the dryer plug. Houses have burned down from doing that and it is not safe at all.

 

That's a good article. I def don't know how to do all that so i'll have to call someone for a quote. Looks like i gotta get the two panels so i guess we're talking expensive? How much would you guess for the two panels, the switch and labor for all that? under $1,000 or over?

 

You can have a conversation next to it without yelling, the 2000 are really quiet. Like you can't tell it even running quiet and again you can run them in series.


PSA- Please be careful about where you run these. We have lost 6 people since Laura hit land due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. So very preventable

 

This.

However there are interlock kits to feed an existing panel safely.
https://www.interlockkit.com/

 

Having just lost power for 7 days straight after Isaiahs, I'm happy I bought a Honda 6500. I've logged over 400 hours in the time I've had it. 100% reliable, and runs my whole house. I'm on propane for air heat, hot h2o, and cooking, so I can run AC fridges and the well pump too with some common sense. Not bad for a portable. Mine is gas only, and I was using about 7-9 gallons/day running about 20hrs/day, depending on how much load was on it, so not terrible. Higher price buys peace of mind it will always be there. Kinda like your truck, you bought a Toyota Tundra, not a Ford pos. In this situation, you want it to work.

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Honda-EB6500-Portable-Generator/p6560.html




Inverter model:

https://www.campingworld.com/honda-...or-with-electronic-fuel-injection--81958.html

 

Honda is top of the line for sure. where do you keep this when it's not in-use? just in the garage or can be kept outside with a cover over it.. sorta like a grill cover?

 

The Costco unit is nice However it will not perform well running all the items listed like the refrigerator, stove/oven, couple of outlets (for charging phones/computer) all at the same time because it only has 7500 running watts on Gas and if the stove / oven is all electric that can really hit hard on the watts.

As for tie in to the Electrical Panel that is advanced DIY for someone who is already very familiar with Electrical Work and Knows what the Codes are for the area because failure to do the system to Code alone will Void Homeowners Insurance if an incident happens related to Electrical system and it is found.

Also very important that the Generator Exhaust is no where near the house since it can be deadly.

Budget wise $800 is not going to do a heck of a lot considering that the Generator itself will cost that much or more to handle the load.

 

With the humidity in the southeast, I would keep it inside a closed environment such as a garage or shed.

 

Not trying to derail or anything, but can you please share how you hooked the vp fuel cans up to the predator?

I recently purchased one myself and have vp cans I can use. Thanks.

 

Around my area its around $1300-1500. It just depends. The electrician supplies all the parts.

 

I'll get some quotes this week or next and will update when i get responses. so, i could be talking upwards of $2500 or so for generator and professional hook up. like everything else, way more than i first was thinking

 

After reading about the manual transfer switch and panels, and like you said.. safety, i'll have to farm this job out. i try to do as much as i can but this seems like a job for a pro, esp where my family is involved. will cost way more than i had hoped for but that's how it goes sometimes i guess

 

You’re correct with the tri-fuel; definitely the way to go. Get NG plumbed into the side of your house (can double up in the summer time for your grill) and put your power inlet close by. Don’t do a transfer switch; go interlock. I put a transfer switch in my parents house and immediately regretted not doing interlock when I was over there during the first power outage. Just be mindful of what you have running in your house and you will be all set.

 

Go interlock and have a licensed electrician do it

 

I hear ya there. Its crazy, but one of our popular family owned electrical businesses down here actually has a financing program for bigger jobs like this.

 

never heard of this. i'll check it out for sure