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what size generator?

Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:08 pm
Posted by TigerKurt
Kenner, LA
Member since Apr 2005
1051 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:08 pm
I think I am finally going to break down and buy a portable generator for hurricane power outages. How much power would I need for refrigerator, freezer, lamps, computer modem/router, small kitchen appliances? Also, what brand is recommended?
Thanks & good luck to all for minimal storm damages.
This post was edited on 8/21/20 at 3:11 pm
Posted by No Colors
Sandbar
Member since Sep 2010
13185 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:13 pm to
Better go get one this afternoon
Posted by MightyYat
StB Garden District
Member since Jan 2009
25029 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:31 pm to
You'll need something up in the 8-10,000 range to account for the start up of all of those things.

I have an 8000w Generac. It runs everything you listed except I don't run small appliances on it. Those things are wattage eaters.
Posted by pdubya76
Sw Ms
Member since Mar 2012
6522 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:46 pm to
I bought a 9k from HF 2 weeks ago. It had great reviews. I hope I dont need it next week.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
18148 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:48 pm to
I was at Costco earlier and saw a few people walk out with generators. 1st serious storm of a season and there is usually a run on them.

FWIW the Harbor Freight generators have good feedback/reviews.
Posted by LSUA 75
Colfax,La.
Member since Jan 2019
4856 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:49 pm to
I have a 6500 watt Briggs &Stratton.It does a good job but is loud as hell.I have a separate 2200 watt Honda Invertor generator for television,computer,charging phones and I-pads.
I have 2 freezers and 2 refrigerators,I don’t run them all at once.Have a window unit in my shop to have cool place to sleep.
One of these days I’m going to get electrician to put in a transfer switch,when I’ve had power outages for couple of days I have extension cords all over the place.
Posted by reggo75
Iowa, LA
Member since Jan 2016
1433 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:49 pm to
I have a 6500w that will run all of my lights and receptacles including the Fridge, Freezer, and upstairs window AC. We usually have a few box fans and all the ceiling fans going to help with air circulation.

I typically turn off my water heater, microwave, and AC unit breakers and have no issue backfeeding my panel. (I have a disconnect between my panel and meter so I can backfeed safely)
Posted by back9Tiger
Island Coconut Salesman
Member since Nov 2005
17877 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 3:55 pm to
I run all of that with a 5,500. Only think i can't run is my central AC and instead run a window unit to the bedroom.
Posted by plazadweller
South Georgia
Member since Jul 2011
12371 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 5:38 pm to
Add up all of the starting watts on those appliances and then get a generator with another 1K watts on top of that amount
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
12295 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 5:43 pm to
You don't need much to run what you listed at all. I use to run the refrigerator off a $99 two stroke tailgate model generator and to charge a battery to run a fan, TV and computer off an inverter. I wouldn't hook up electronics a non inverter generator. We have a dual fuel generator 7500 running/9400 peak and it runs 3 window units a refrigerator and a freezer, I would never hook a computer, TV or router to it.
Posted by weadjust
Member since Aug 2012
15732 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 7:28 pm to
quote:

I wouldn't hook up electronics a non inverter generator. We have a dual fuel generator 7500 running/9400 peak and it runs 3 window units a refrigerator and a freezer, I would never hook a computer, TV or router to it.


A modern refrigerator is electronic. The main board in fridge doesn't look much different than what your would find in a tv or computer.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71865 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 7:32 pm to
quote:

wouldn't hook up electronics a non inverter generator.


Any fancy appliances will be full of computer stuff.

My 8500kw generac will run my whole house, central air included if I am careful about how I bring circuits online. It makes filthy power unless it is fully loaded. I can hear my ac blower and the generator surging when the ac is the only thing online
Posted by SoFla Tideroller
South Florida
Member since Apr 2010
40402 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 7:51 pm to
I've got a 15K Generac
Posted by tenfoe
Member since Jun 2011
6973 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 8:12 pm to
I run all that on a 5500. Mine is a generac and it’s about 20 years old.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
15159 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 8:41 pm to
I have. 30 amp 3500 predator inverter.

Runs my window unit, fridge, freezer.
Posted by lsufan1971
Zachary
Member since Nov 2003
24114 posts
Posted on 8/21/20 at 8:50 pm to
Get a 30KW diesel liquid cooled and call it a day.
Posted by Tigris
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Member since Jul 2005
13119 posts
Posted on 8/22/20 at 9:02 am to
I have a Honda EU2000i - bought it because of the reputation, there are generators that are cheaper that get good reviews too. It's really for future truck camper travel but doubles as hurricane backup too.

Power was out last year for Michael - I ran refrigerator, chest freezer, fan, all the lights I wanted (all LED), two computers, had the LSU/Georgia game on the 70 inch TV. If it had been hot I would have tried a small window unit AC.

From what you listed 2,000 watts would cover it, not sure about "Small kitchen appliances" though, they can pull a lot of power. Forget about microwave/toaster with 2,000 watts.

You can get a digital meter to test your different applances. You plug the meter into the wall, then the appliance into the meter. I used one to decide that 2,000 watts is enough for me.

Watt Meter Example
Posted by deltaland
Member since Mar 2011
101980 posts
Posted on 8/22/20 at 9:28 am to



Cat C175 3,000 KW
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
15159 posts
Posted on 8/23/20 at 8:07 pm to
Follow up if it helps anyone.

Did an amp draw today.

With two fridges/freezer combos
Window unit (small)
Bedroom lights/fan.
TV with router for internet

That totalled 10-12 amps as it fluctuated.
Posted by Major Dutch Schaefer
Location: Classified
Member since Nov 2011
38737 posts
Posted on 8/23/20 at 8:11 pm to
quote:

I was at Costco earlier and saw a few people walk out with generators. 1st serious storm of a season and there is usually a run on them


Same thing at Lowes today, they had signs everywhere about that had to be returned within 30 days in their original packaging.
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