Home Generator System

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hey all I am looking into getting a home generator to run just in cast the power goes out, but I really don't know anything about them and was wondering who knew or had experience.

The smallest one at Home Depot runs 7,000w and it is like $2400. If my power went out I would only need something too run my frig, tank, and that's about it. How much wattage does a central air unit run? I got heat from a gas fireplace so heat is not an issue.

What do you think?

 

[SaraB]

I purchased mine through Northern Tool and Equipment.

It all depends on what you need for your application. Do you plan on being the person to start it manually or do you want it to start on its own if you are not home. Do you want a portable unit or a permanent fixture? Do you want gas powered or natural gas powered?

I have a large installed system with a separate panel with the automatic transfer switch where the generator starts for you after several seconds and you don't have to be home to start it up. Mine also runs on natural gas.

Knowing how big of a unit to purchase takes some adding up of how many watts your items that you want to power use up. My friend was an electrician so he did all the work for me and I just payed for the install

Here's a link to some general generator details on the Northern Tool website: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_36

 

[MarvinsReef]

dang... I'll have to read up on this as well... so many things to do when you own your first home... LoLz...

 

[jerryc]

Marvin if you or close to home from work or someone home
most of the time. id go with a manual to save on $$ A automatic
start up a lot of the time will in tail a lot of extra install. unless the
gen can Handel your total load.
I have a 1700 set up with a manual transfer switch total cost
for me was $2100. for you probable at least 3500.00

The little ones you or looking at will work for you.
You will just have to run cords out to it.
2400 for a 7000 is a little high but you live in a higher price
area so maybe not. I gave 800. for the 5000 we use at work

 

[msman825]

I have a miller gas welder . I just run a cord into a 220 plug were my air compressor sets by my breaker box and fire it up. BE SURE too turn the main breaker off in the breaker box are you might fry the line workers cause it will back feed

 

[dbarker]

We have a Campbell Hausfeld 5000 continous W with 6000 surge protected w home generator. It has two 120 electrical outlets and one 120/240 outlet. It is a 9 hp briggs and stratton vanguard engine with a 7 gallon gas tank.

We have used it several times, usually accompied by bad weather, oh and I might add in the middle of night. It is very loud, smelly, and will heat up whatever room it is in but it keeps all the equipment going that we consider an emergency.

I have often considered the whole house generator but so far have not looked into that option.

Debbie

 

[gparr]

It is very loud, smelly, and will heat up whatever room it is in but it keeps all the equipment going that we consider an emergency.

Debbie

Debbie,
Please tell me you are NOT running a gasoline combustion engine in the house.
Gary

 

[SaraB]

Debbie,
Please tell me you are NOT running a gasoline combustion engine in the house.
Gary

Come on Gary, they make a great end table in an apartment! :nerd:

 

[jerryc]

And a good long sleep:squigglemouth:

Come on Gary, they make a great end table in an apartment! :nerd:

 

[dbarker]

Hey Gary,

No, I do not having matching generators for end tables. The only one we do have is located at the opening of the garage door. And while I might enjoy a good nights sleep, I am currently not interested in the "big sleep"!

We are very carefull with the operation of our generator in respect to carbonmonoxide emession. Thank you so much for your concern! And I am truly sincere!

Oh no, I would never operate the generator without proper ventilation no matter how bad the weather is outside the door is always open! Debbie

 

[mfinn]

I have a 6500 watt electric start Generac generator that is wired to my house on a separate circuit box. Power goes out, I remove the cover, hit the starter, and flip 6 switches and about half my house including hotwater tank are powered. Plus a 240 gallon tank, everything including a chiller.
Total cost including wiring was $1575.

If I had enough money at the time I would have sprung for a Honda. The low noise alone would have been worth the cost.
I like my setup, but it is noisey. It was cool the first couple times I powered it up, but now I cringe when the power goes out because I know I'm not making my neighbors very happy. I've offered to cook them breakfast and let them shower, but still,,, it's dang noisey.
I usually run it untill midnight, shut it off till 6am and back on again.

I recently bought a small Yahmaha 1000 that is whisper quiet that I will use to keep the tank going at night, but so far I haven't had to use it.

So my advise is to look at how quiet it runs as well as the amount of power you need.

 

[mikedelgado]

I have a miller gas welder . I just run a cord into a 220 plug were my air compressor sets by my breaker box and fire it up. BE SURE too turn the main breaker off in the breaker box are you might fry the line workers cause it will back feed

I have a 220 compressor plug in my garage. So are you saying I can just flip the main breaker off so I dont kill electrical workers, put the same plug on the end of my generators 220 output cord as the compressor has, plug it in where the compressor was and it will backfeed the panel and power up my house ? that would be awsome! cause right now I shut off the city power take the ponel off of my box and tap into it with the cord that came with the generator. I had to cut the end off of the cord to expose the wires. SCARY. but effective .

 

[jeninjohnk]

thats what i do. not only do i turn off the main breaker-i also turn off all not needed circiuts so not to over load the generator. works great-not as good as an automatic system.but it does the job and only cost me 500.00

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

So lets find the best priced place to get a generator!

Post the links here!

 

[mikedelgado]

so just plugging that sucker in to the 220 plug for my compressor would work!!?? I think my gen is 5000w (cant remember for sure) It was like $500 at home depot on sale. Powers my entire house . The only thing I did not attempt was turn on the central air. Its hott in texas, I wanted too. It was so hot it almost came down to me or the fishes

 

[cultivatedcoral]

Rev,

Generac 16kw w/automatic transfer switch in case you are not home when the power goes out. Our generator runs on natural gas. Gotta have it here in the home of the Hurricanes.

Home depot had very good prices but we got ours through a friend I thought was going to give us a better price than he did. The whole thing was about $6k or less installed from what I remember.

Any questions, let me know.

 

[gparr]

Debbie, that's good to know. When I read your post I became very nervous on your behalf.
Gary

 

[acronautical]

I got the smallets unit at HD for $500.00 about three years ago. It runs the pumps on my 150, the fridge, and the TV...What else does one need in life? If you pick up a model for about $1,000.00, it should be more than enough.

 

[gnoles]

Generac 16kw w/automatic transfer switch in case you are not home when the power goes out. Our generator runs on natural gas. Gotta have it here in the home of the Hurricanes.

Home depot had very good prices but we got ours through a friend I thought was going to give us a better price than he did. The whole thing was about $6k or less installed from what I remember.

Nick,

Approximately what all can you run with that setup. I'm looking at doing that to our home one summer.... we've only had one week without power since we moved to Alabama, but now that we have kids... well, let's just say a week without something to plug them into might kill me and the tank.

Thanks!

 

[planecrazy]

The best course of action is to actually measure your current at the input to the breaker box. a 16kw generator is good for 67 amps @240v give or take. This will power most homes. It could power your tank as well, but depends on draw on the system.

Measuring is pretty simple, but potentially dangerous so it's best to hire an electrician.

Just FYI, I am responsible for the maintenance (I hire it out...) for over a dozen generators ranging in size from 15 kw to 750kw. My advice here is to look for used and definately go for the automatic. Find a good company to maintain it. It really only should need a once a year check and oil change so cost isn't huge but it will pay off big when it starts every time you need it.