Portable Generators
- Thread starter Whatswrong
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buickanddeere
Super Member
BACKFEED ?
buickanddeere
Super Member
This topic has been beaten to death here on this site and others. How vital it is to protect personal and property with a proper transfer switch.The hack that switches off the main braker and back feeds a clothes dryer plug or worse yet a welder plug. They are a "special" type of person.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Bigger is better . Loads are not always balanced line to line. Generator ratings are somewhat optimistic. As in operating a 5000watt load with a 5000watt generator is not a good idea.
Figure amps instead of watts as most people are not familiar with the lagging power factor caused by electric motors.
Figure amps instead of watts as most people are not familiar with the lagging power factor caused by electric motors.
ksluy
Bronze Member
Those of us that do a lot of camping know. I can run two AC units, Fridge, Lights and TV's with a 5500 watt Gen but when you add that coffee maker or anything that makes heat it will overload you. Its all about the amps.
KubotainNH
Veteran Member
In this aspect, bigger is better is not always true in my opinion. Proper sizing will save you money. I have what is enough to power the items connected to my 6 switch manual transfer box. That's my radiant heating system which also gives me hot water, my fridge, most of my ceiling lights, a set of plugs in my kitchen and the plug in my basement that runs my freezer and internet stuff. My 4k inverter gen can easily power all of this stuff with all motors running. It throttles up when the fridge or freezer starts but then comes right back down. I have no need for a 6k gen that is sucking fuel running full tilt because I can't afford one that big that has auto speed. With my setup I have gone days on 6 or 7 gallons of fuel in the winter. I don't run it at night. I also don't care about not having the electric stove or dryer. I can still use the microwave and the gas grill is outside if needed.
Aside from the dangerous aspects of back feeding, it's also not easy to tell when the power is back on seeing the main breaker is off. I paid less than $200 for my Gentran style transfer switch, it paid for itself in the first power outage.
My first gen setup was a 4kw Generac with idle down. It was quiet for that type of unit but any load whatsoever who make it rev up. Using my FIL's 2kw Honda EU2000 made me want one that adjusted the RPM for the load needed and oh so quiet. With the first setup I ran cords everywhere. I wired my furnace and radiant water pumps to a regular plug so I could plug the heating setup into an extension cord.
My current unit is electric start. I wouldn't expect my wife to be able to start a pull start only unit.
Aside from the dangerous aspects of back feeding, it's also not easy to tell when the power is back on seeing the main breaker is off. I paid less than $200 for my Gentran style transfer switch, it paid for itself in the first power outage.
My first gen setup was a 4kw Generac with idle down. It was quiet for that type of unit but any load whatsoever who make it rev up. Using my FIL's 2kw Honda EU2000 made me want one that adjusted the RPM for the load needed and oh so quiet. With the first setup I ran cords everywhere. I wired my furnace and radiant water pumps to a regular plug so I could plug the heating setup into an extension cord.
My current unit is electric start. I wouldn't expect my wife to be able to start a pull start only unit.
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dave1949
Super Star Member
Our best indicator that power has been restored is our cable modem. We leave that plugged in while on the generator. The cable system gets its power the same place we do, so when its lights start flashing, power is on.
George2615
Super Member
My first generator was a portable 5000W, 6500W surge. It worked fairly well except when we lost power on hot summer days and needed some AC. The 5K would not run the house items plus an AC unit. When I thought of upgrading I was also in need of a new welder so I ended up buying a Miller Bobcat NT250 welder / generator. The generator is a 10,000W unit run by an electric (battery) start. Motor is 20HP gas. Selling my 5K genny and old AC buzzbox paid for 1/4 of the Bobcat. The 10KW has run the entire house including 2 AC's, fridge, chest freezer, well pump, furnace and any lighting.
davrow
Veteran Member
So, can someone help explain the numbers?
We use 401 kWh per month (that's the high number, low is around 258). Looking at the usage by hour (it's absolutely amazing what the utility can show on the web these days) shows max use of 1.88 kW in any one hour (from 11:00AM to noon and just a bit less from noon to 1:00PM).
So, do I need a 2 kWh generator to power my house (most in 1 hour), or do I look at the daily usage (10~15 kWh/day) for sizing a generator?
(our usage is very low 'cause we are in a downstairs condo in town... upstairs neighbors do a great job insulating us
)
We use 401 kWh per month (that's the high number, low is around 258). Looking at the usage by hour (it's absolutely amazing what the utility can show on the web these days) shows max use of 1.88 kW in any one hour (from 11:00AM to noon and just a bit less from noon to 1:00PM).
So, do I need a 2 kWh generator to power my house (most in 1 hour), or do I look at the daily usage (10~15 kWh/day) for sizing a generator?
(our usage is very low 'cause we are in a downstairs condo in town... upstairs neighbors do a great job insulating us
)