Portable generators to stay away from?

[nancyk]

As the desired generator would get limited use, even in a power outage only a few hours a day, I can see no need to research getting an inverter. Can understand if perhaps this way for whole house and for many hours a day.

 

[5030]

Be apprised that standby generators have went WAY up in price. A 17KW Generac will set you back around 15 grand installed.

 

[Williy]

Some say these small generators will run their whole house but they have a gas stove, gas water heaters, gas heat and the only items that are electric are lights, refrigerator maybe a freezer and the latter two don't run all the time. Now try a small generator on an all electric home and see what happens

willy

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Some say these small generators will run their whole house but they have a gas stove, gas water heaters, gas heat and the only items that are electric are lights, refrigerator maybe a freezer and the latter two don't run all the time. Now try a small generator on an all electric home and see what happens

willy

My well pump alone is 2hp...

Whole house is electric to boot

 

[Mike1955]

Anytime we have an outage I select a time to get the water heater charged. Leave the fridge on all time Careful to not trip out coooking. I am even careful with the coffee maker. I only have a 6500 generator. But it’s a lifesaver

 

[groundcover]

I would try flashing yours before tossing it.

 

[Racer4]

Be apprised that standby generators have went WAY up in price. A 17KW Generac will set you back around 15 grand installed.

Wow, I think mine was around $6000 all in back in 2012. Helps to have a buddy that’s an electrician.

 

[garry1p]

A generator puts out 120 VAC at 60 cps the sign wave is dependent on a governor to keep it and the voltage in specs. Some units put out a sort of crappy sine wave but it is a true sine wave and should not harm electrical equipment.

An inverter takes DC and turns into AC.

There are 2 types of DC inverters a pure 60 cps sine wave electronically converted from a DC source and a modified sine wave electronically converted usually from a battery.

The difference is cost a modified (MSD)inverter puts out a square wave while a inverter ( i ) puts out a highly regulated 60cps sine wave.
MSD is much cheaper to produce, can damage sensitive electronic equipment like TV's and computers and in some cases damage things like refrigerators.

 

[LittleBill21]

computers can give 2 sh*t's about MSW. they are switching psu's and 90% of ups's used on them use MSW.

people like to say they damage crap, they really don't. UPS's and clocks and heat blankets tend to give a crap thats about it. maybe some high end furnaces.

no inverter generator I am aware of runs MSW.

 

[Mike1955]

Wow, I think mine was around $6000 all in back in 2012. Helps to have a buddy that’s an electrician.

Racer4. I was referring to watts. Sorry I did not specify