re: Anyone running the predator 13k generator?

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13k will likely not run everything in my home. Ideally, I'd like to be able to run a new carrier 5 ton variable unit, a refrigerator, all led lights, router, TV and fans. We are all electric.

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I'm using my 5750kW to run a 4.5 ton variable unit, 2 fridge/freezers, router, lights, fans, tvs, microwave and a crock pot.

What makes you think you need more than twice the kW to run what you're needing?


One thing i have noticed is that if you have a good surround sound system, you might want to unplug that. Uses a lot more juice than you'd expect.

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option 1: spend 5K, have to deal with transport/storage/manual start/transfer of a big portable...and possibly not be able to run everything

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The 13kW Tri-Fuel Predator is $1,200. That's signficantly cheaper than a $10K whole home generator.

Whole home generators are generally sized by a woman who wants to cook a roast in the oven while also using the stove for something else and two crock pots for snacks/appetizers, running the dishwasher to wash 3 plates and 8 cups, while she leaves her straitener on in the bathroom while also running the heater in the bathroom to warm up the room before she takes an hour long bath with the heater on, while also washing clothes and drying them, and cranking the AC down to 69 b/c it's hot, and making sure the upstairs AC is running at 69 as well even though no one is up there.
How much electricity can i possibly use all at one time? That's their mindset.

What extension cards? If you do this right, it's one 50 amp cord you plug in.

Have fun with those generacs. Biggest POS ever. I live in a 200 home neighborhood and about 1/4of homes have generacs. Day 6 to 8 of our 15 days with no power for Ida, every single air cooled generac had problems. My next door neighbor who is a generator mechanic had to take take off all covers and run a fan with a shade over it to prevent over heating. He also had to use cardboard and ducttape over his eaves due to CO levels in his home.

These units aren't made for continuous use like we do for hurricanes. They are meant for a 8-12 hours. Everyone I've spoken with is highly upset with the 12-15k investment especially when they still needed to go out and buy a generator.

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every single air cooled generac had problems

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I don't believe you.

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cardboard and ducttape over his eaves due to CO levels in his home.

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that doesn't have anything to do with specifically generac. And if he's a generator mechanic then he should know proper placement of a generator.

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They are meant for a 8-12 hours.

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After an hour any air-cooled gernerator is going to reach its operating temp and probably more like 30min. If it can run for 8 hrs then it can run for 100. (with oil checks/changes)

Only way its going to increase in temp over several hours is if ambient temp and/or load increases. Thats why its silly when people say to shut down a generator to "give it a break" every few hours. All you're doing is heat cycling components.

I will say I'd try and keep as much load off as I could. Maybe put off cooking a turkey for 3 hours in the electric oven when its 100 outside. Let some laundry stack up for a few days until main power comes back. No need to push a low-cost generator like Generac to the max just because you can. And no matter what brand standby you have, I wouldn't feel comfortable not having a small portable to run the essentials as a back up.

Why are you guys so upset over extension cords? If you lost power what the hell are you doing anyway? Most offices shut down, I mean you have time to kill basically.

If you have loads of money and want it as a pure luxury to just be lazy and continue living normally, sure I get that. But if no where has power and you have limbs and what not down all over, its not like life is really normal anyway.

I just have never really seen a major issue with living for 2-3 days with a window unit and extension cords.

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I just have never really seen a major issue with living for 2-3 days with a window unit and extension cords.

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While I understand this mentality, it misses the mark a little bit as if this is the only possible scenario.

A major storm comes through, with “limbs and whatnot”, 2-3 days is pretty ambitious. I was without power for 12 days after Ida and was not heavily/directly hit.

But more commonly, what about an inconvenient 8-12 hour outage? Just a regular heavy thunderstorm rolls though. Indefinite estimate from the power company, decision do I deal with a little discomfort? Break out the portable with extension cords to power up fridge/freezer/fans? With a true standby, you don’t have to worry about that decision. With a portable whole home backup, it’s now just a single cord and it’s all exterior to the home.

A standby is certainly a luxury, but if it brings comfort at home and peace of mind, to many that is worth it.