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Thread: What size Portable Generator do you have?

  1. #1
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    What size Portable Generator do you have?

    Every fall I say i'm going to buy a gas power portable generator. I start looking and get all bogged down in the details, add up everything I may want to run etc... I know about what and what not to do tapping into the electric box etc.......Can never decide.
    This is just for around the house so I can plug the freezer in every few hours, plug portable electric heaters in so I have some heat etc....

    To make it simple on myself. What size portable generator do you own and do you wish you purchased bigger or smaller.


    The one im looking at (at a price I feel conformable spending) is 4500 starting watts 3650 running.
    http://www.championpowerequipment.co...00w-generator/
    "Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
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  2. #2
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    Dave, the portable I own has similar specifications to the one you linked to and it's a nice size for general purposes. I don't need mine anymore because we put in a whole house generator last fall, but for the time I've owned it, it did what I asked of it. One tip...drain the fuel when it's stored away. Really hard starting these puppies with stale gas!!!
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
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    Dave

    That's actually a little on the smallish size if you're planning on running temporary heaters. That isn't a whole lot of watts. I'd go higher, 6500 watts continuous.
    I have a 4000 watt and need it for the well pump, refer, and freezer, and it's undersized for my needs. We've never lost power i the winter, knock on wood, but if we ever did, I know i want at least 6500 watts continuous.
    "The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)

  4. #4
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    http://www.electricgeneratordepot.co...rator-eu7000is

    I have this one. They have upgrade to this newer model but I have the 6500watt. Great generator. Done whatever I threw at it. Went through a few storms in the winters.
    John T.

  5. #5
    I have a (11) year old Honda EB5000, Works well with regular changing out of gas, recently been using REC 90 w/o ethanol. If you have back or shoulder issues, consider a electric start model. I run a sump pump, furnace, fridge and a few lights with 0 problems. Wired in with Honda panel.
    Good luck,
    Mac
    Last edited by Mac McQuinn; 09-04-2017 at 12:41 PM.

  6. #6
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    One thing to be cautious about is to be sure the generator has a voltage regulator (electricians please pipe in here) to avoid potential problems with running electronic equipment. I experienced the loss of the command module on my boiler because the generator didn't regulate the voltage well enough to a low percent fluctuation (5-10% ???).

    Also, from what I understand there is little that can go wrong with the actual generator part of the system. Instead, I think the engine should be carefully considered for reliability in the event of a multi-day outage. For that reason, I felt more comfortable with a Honda engine with the portable generators I had.

    Further, have a good supply of fuel on hand in outside storage since an outage will also affect gas stations as well.

    I had a 5 KW and a 7 KW portable, each of which powered the well pump motor, boiler, refrigerator, microwave, & master bedroom suite. I got tired (~75) of getting up at night to haul the generator out, setting things up & then firing it up. We had a 20 KW whole house generator installed in 2015 and no longer have power worries. Previously, a 5-day & a 3-day power outage was very uncomfortable to go through.

    Good luck with your search.
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  7. #7
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    We had. "5500" previously and could get along pretty good with heat, well, refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, lights, etc. We learned pretty quick that it was bad for electronics but luckily only fried a cheap microwave and some UPSs. We eventually put in a 12kw whole house system since we had a lot of outages and this house happened to come with one too but we haven't needed it in the three years we've lived here. I just saw it actually run with a load for the first time when they changed out our mechanical meter for a smart meter a few weeks ago.

  8. #8
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    Often the starting load of a motor is a major factor to consider when sizing a generator. But in your case, electric heat could be the main issue. I backfed my panel through my drier's 30 amp breaker so I don't have to run extension cords. A proper lockout will not allow the main breaker to be on while using your generator. Very important. Much less expensive and complicated than a transfer switch. I have a 5500 watt Generac that serves me very well and can run my furnace, sump pump, microwave Tv and all the lights I want in addition to my refrigerator. I don't have a well pump. But if I wanted to run two 1500 watt heaters, I would be looking for at least 7500 watts.

  9. #9
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    Forget about running electric heaters. Get a kerosene heater. Much cheaper and more dependable. I have run one for a week with a CO detector next to it and never had a problem.
    I have run my fridge, freezer, furnace (perhaps not an issue for you) and a few lights and television for a week at least three times on 2000w Honda.
    Remember, in an emergency gasoline might not be available and can't be stored reasonably. Big generators use lots of gasoline; you do the math.
    OTOH, kerosene can be store forever.
    I now have a Champion 2000w inverter. I have never actually used it except to make sure it runs, but people seem to love it. I saw it for $325 last year and couldn't resist.

  10. #10
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    Many of us really can't stand the odor from a Kero heater, Wade...even if it is safe for the situation.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker View Post
    Many of us really can't stand the odor from a Kero heater, Wade...even if it is safe for the situation.
    And I have someone in the home on oxygen.
    "Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
    - Rick Dale

  12. #12
    I bought a 7000 watt continuous generator a year ago but haven't needed it yet. Had an electrician install a whole house transfer switch, and the generator should run everything except the electric range, electric dryer and air conditioners. It should handle lights, heating system and refrigerators without too much trouble. We rarely lose power but all it would take is one time in the winter for the cost of frozen pipe repair to exceed the cost of the generator.

  13. #13
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    OLE... "I backfed my panel through my drier's 30 amp breaker so I don't have to run extension cords. A proper lockout will not allow the main breaker to be on while using your generator. Very important."
    Hopefully you disconnect the main breaker before you do this... Very easy for you to back feed on the main line and possibly kill a lineman working on the power lines or even a neighbor thinking the power is completely gone...
    Also, you will not know when power is restored unless the the power company or a neighbor advises you if you disconnected the main breaker..

    VERY DANGEROUS....

  14. #14
    I own several generators. When we lose power, I start with the 2250 watt 5.0 HP. If outage is more than 4 hours, out comes the 3250, 6.5 HP, and if it over ten hours, out comes the 5250, 10.HP. The 10.0 HP is electric start. Last fall in Hurricane Mathew, we lost power for a week. We ran both refrigerators, a small (5000 BTU) window AC, small TV and some lights, along with booster pump. (We have a 1500 gal above ground storage tank on well.) Craiglist is an excellent source for used generators, usually less than 50% of new. Unfortunately a generator is not a good source to run electric heaters. The coffee pot puts a load on any of our generators. If you happen to have a gas water heater, consider adding an aqua coil to your heating system. This way water heater furnishes hot water to heat the house. We use a surge protector on anything that has electronics in it (refrigerator, TV, microwave etc.)
    Last edited by Bruce Wrenn; 09-03-2017 at 10:23 PM.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Al Launier View Post
    One thing to be cautious about is to be sure the generator has a voltage regulator (electricians please pipe in here) to avoid potential problems with running electronic equipment. I experienced the loss of the command module on my boiler because the generator didn't regulate the voltage well enough to a low percent fluctuation (5-10% ???).
    Al
    The "voltage regulator" you're referring to is part of an inverter. Honda, Yamaha, and others have them. Much more expensive though.The inverter makes a nice clean 60 hertz sine wave, AC, that is filtered. Digital electronics do not like "ratty" AC.

    If money were no object, I'd have two Honda, inverter style generators, with the ability to parallel them.
    "The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)

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