Should I Get A Second Generator?

[Industrial Toys]

I would say, a good guideline for a small portable is maybe shoot for 1500 watts. Then, you can figure, you could use just about anything you can plug into a 15 amp recept. Any ONE thing, if it's a heavy load. Bearing in mind, that an inductive motor load can take several times the current to start.

 

[Olympus]

I think I’m gonna order the 2200w duel fuel version. At $300 and free shipping, it does seem like a pretty good bargain.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I would say, a good guideline for a small portable is maybe shoot for 1500 watts. Then, you can figure, you could use just about anything you can plug into a 15 amp recept. Any ONE thing, if it's a heavy load. Bearing in mind, that an inductive motor load can take several times the current to start.

15 amps is 1800 watts. Tools are an intermittent load, so often will pull the full 15 amps. For a continuous load, a 15 amp circuit is derated to 12 amps.

A little 1000/800 unit is fine for camping on propane. It will run the battery charger on a travel trailer and a couple of light bulbs, which is all you need. The furnace fan and water pump are 12 volt, cooking, furnace and hot water are propane. It will run very small hand tools, like a 1/4" drill motor or screw gun, but will not run a circular saw.

If you are looking for cheap power, hook an old GM alternator to a lawnmower motor and use it to charge a couple of deep cycle batteries. Tap 12 volt power directly, or buy an inverter for 120v. A 5 hp lawnmower motor on a heavy duty truck alternator will provide power to a 3 kw. inverter, as long as the load is intermittent.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Here you go. With free shipping even! It says normal price is $680, but it's on "Rollback" for $300. I see it's $700 on Home Depot website right now. I'm wondering if this is misprint or if that's just a crazy good deal. It has 4 stars at the Home Depot website with 208 people writing reviews. That's not too bad in my opinion.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sportsma...h-Parallel-Capability-CARB-Approved/435994295

Well, in my excitement to get a "dual fuel inverter generator" at that price, I did not take the time to READ the ad ..... THIS IS NOT DUAL FUEL!.... Only gas. My mistake for not reading...the dual fuel is $489. I'm taking it back. You can get a 2000 watt sportsman gas generator for $149. Oh well...thought it was a good thing , but not true

 

[thatguy]

I only have 2 Honda EU2000 generators.. I want to look into getting a larger one to power the water heater and/or well pump...

But right now the Honda will run a freezer or fridge PLUS tv, internet, fan, lights, phone chargers, satellite tv etc without issues..

Mine got converted to propane a while back and a 20# tank will run about 20 hrs or so.. and for the most part they will run what we consider the necessities LOL although for the right price id get a larger one in a heart beat to take a shower

my thought is that the smaller ones are cost efficient since most of the power used by the larger units is going to waste..

brian

 

[Olympus]

Well, in my excitement to get a "dual fuel inverter generator" at that price, I did not take the time to READ the ad ..... THIS IS NOT DUAL FUEL!.... Only gas. My mistake for not reading...the dual fuel is $489. I'm taking it back. You can get a 2000 watt sportsman gas generator for $149. Oh well...thought it was a good thing , but not true

Oh man! Even the picture says duel fuel though. I guess I’m glad I’ve been too busy to order.

 

[Brucester]

I love my Honda EU2000i. whisper quiet, economical on gas, ECO mode. 46 lbs. 11 amps. That's the backside of my cabover camper. It will run the microwave or the rooftop AC with no problem. It's been more than enough for my needs. Lately I keep in in the back seat of my RAM 2500 which I use to tow my tractor in my dump trailer. I set it in the bed and have it running and connected to the battery charger strapped to the tongue on the trailer, charging the deep cycle battery when I'm using it. It's a very handy setup.

 

[Brucester]

I only have 2 Honda EU2000 generators.. I want to look into getting a larger one to power the water heater and/or well pump...

But right now the Honda will run a freezer or fridge PLUS tv, internet, fan, lights, phone chargers, satellite tv etc without issues..

Mine got converted to propane a while back and a 20# tank will run about 20 hrs or so.. and for the most part they will run what we consider the necessities LOL although for the right price id get a larger one in a heart beat to take a shower

my thought is that the smaller ones are cost efficient since most of the power used by the larger units is going to waste..

brian

I had 2 of them but sold one.. I have the parallel kit that connects them together.. do you..? It's for sale if interested.

 

[Brucester]

I love mine..!

 

[PILOON]

15 amps is one household circuit which in turn is generally 10 outlets/lights, or 1800 watts.

Can also be converted to, say, 15ea 100 watt light bulbs but with most other devices (like motors) peak start amperage changes it all.
Then to consider that labels that state 15 amps generally refer to 'start up draw' with continuous probably down in the 8-10 amp range.

All that to say that yes you could boil water in a kettle, or possibly nuke a bowl of soup but you'd have to do that in the dark; LOL. For sure not both.

Modern TV's draw very little and LED lighting would be your friend, but forget anything that wants an electric motor due to the high startup current draws.

I use a 7 KW genset that covers all my needs (fridge, freezer, water and sewage pump plus lighting) and some lights + (bonus) TV and satellite.
For heat I have slow combustion stove so power outages are liveable for me.

My genset has has a battery keeper permanently connected.