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Started By
Message
Generator (inverter type) for home use
Posted on 9/15/17 at 6:25 am
Posted on 9/15/17 at 6:25 am
Yes I searched and TBH I didn't want to wade through 20 pages to see if I could find an answer.
OK anyway I'm generator challenged bc I've never owned one. Yes I understand the basics BUT need some specific info/recommendations.
OK as far as manufacturers go, Honda appears to be the gold standard but I've read a lot of good things about Briggs & Stratton generators.
What's your recommendation?
Next, should I get 1 big genset (OK not that big), like a 4K watt or 2 2K watt and run them separately or in parallel? I know wattage is based on what I would need and 4K seems to be plenty (I wouldn't run my AC). IF I bought 2 smaller units I could dedicate 1 to my refrig and freezer and the other one to the other stuff. This way I'm only running what I need.
Now with this said, the new technology with some gensets will only make the generator work as hard as it needs to (for the most part), i.e. if you're only running 50% load, then the genset is only running at 50% capacity.
Am I overthinking this? Should I just get a 4K Honda inverter type and be done with it?
TIA
OK anyway I'm generator challenged bc I've never owned one. Yes I understand the basics BUT need some specific info/recommendations.
OK as far as manufacturers go, Honda appears to be the gold standard but I've read a lot of good things about Briggs & Stratton generators.
What's your recommendation?
Next, should I get 1 big genset (OK not that big), like a 4K watt or 2 2K watt and run them separately or in parallel? I know wattage is based on what I would need and 4K seems to be plenty (I wouldn't run my AC). IF I bought 2 smaller units I could dedicate 1 to my refrig and freezer and the other one to the other stuff. This way I'm only running what I need.
Now with this said, the new technology with some gensets will only make the generator work as hard as it needs to (for the most part), i.e. if you're only running 50% load, then the genset is only running at 50% capacity.
Am I overthinking this? Should I just get a 4K Honda inverter type and be done with it?
TIA
5
Posted on 9/15/17 at 6:35 am to Wtodd
quote:
What's your recommendation?
What are you using it for? You looking to power your entire house for long periods of time, or just want to run your fridge/freezer and a fan until power is restored?
quote:
Should I just get a 4K Honda
Buying a Honda is never a bad idea. You never hear anyone say they regret it. If they made pencils I would buy them.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 6:40 am to tenfoe
quote:
What are you using it for? You looking to power your entire house for long periods of time, or just want to run your fridge/freezer and a fan until power is restored?
During power outages (like Irma) but not the whole house. Frig, freezer, a couple of fans, a couple of lights, charge some cell phones, TV/cable box and the occasional coffee pot, Foreman grill....stuff like that.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 6:50 am to Wtodd
Believe it or not a coffee pot (depending on the pot of course ) take a huge amount of power as would the foreman grill
I think they're around 1500 watts by themselves if not more.
I have 2 2k Hondas and I've them. Our coffee pot was almost too much for one.
I think they're around 1500 watts by themselves if not more.
I have 2 2k Hondas and I've them. Our coffee pot was almost too much for one.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 7:17 am to bbvdd
quote:
Believe it or not a coffee pot (depending on the pot of course ) take a huge amount of power as would the foreman grill
I think they're around 1500 watts by themselves if not more.
I have 2 2k Hondas and I've them. Our coffee pot was almost too much for one.
Get a camping stove and a french press and there is no need for coffee pot.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 7:24 am to Wtodd
Like the others have said, using electricity to heat requires a lot of electricity...
Posted on 9/15/17 at 7:25 am to Wtodd
quote:
During power outages (like Irma) but not the whole house. Frig, freezer, a couple of fans, a couple of lights, charge some cell phones, TV/cable box and the occasional coffee pot, Foreman grill....stuff like that.
10-4. I have a 4500 watt Honda. It has a 6 gallon gas tank. During prolonged outages, I've used it to run my fridge, freezer, fans, etc. (about like what you want to use it for). It burns about 1/2 gallon per hour gas as long as I'm not running a big A/C unit. I usually only run it a couple hours at a time, just enough to keep the frozen stuff frozen.
Don't frown on other brands of generators though. Most of them are pretty good. Hope this helps.
Oh, get one with a plastic gas tank if you can. The metal ones will rust on the inside if you don't keep the tank full and don't run it for prolonged periods.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 7:26 am to Jester
quote:
Get a camping stove and a french press and there is no need for coffee pot
OR a $10 tea kettle if you have a burner on your grill. Heat the water and pour it over the coffee grounds in your coffee pot.
I mentioned Briggs & Stratton for a reason. The reviews I read were comparable to the Honda but cost much less; in looking at a 3K Honda it is $2K whereas the B&S was $1300. If anyone has a B&S (or has personal knowledge of them) I'd like to here from you or any other mfr. I heard good things about Champion too.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 7:28 am to tenfoe
quote:
Don't frown on other brands of generators though
I'm not that's why I brought up B&S and Champion (in another post).
quote:
Oh, get one with a plastic gas tank if you can
Will do
Posted on 9/15/17 at 9:23 am to Wtodd
quote:
I mentioned Briggs & Stratton for a reason. The reviews I read were comparable to the Honda but cost much less; in looking at a 3K Honda it is $2K whereas the B&S was $1300. If anyone has a B&S (or has personal knowledge of them) I'd like to here from you or any other mfr. I heard good things about Champion too.
I have a Troy-bilt XP 7000. It has a Briggs and Stratton engine. That thing will run my entire house with the exception of central AC. I have 2 window units that I run instead. Obviously I haven't tried running every single thing in my house at the same time but I have had the refrigerator. two window units, ceiling fans, oscillating fans, television, and some lights going all the time. This puts me at about 60% load so I can still run a coffee pot and other things as well for short periods of time. I never have tried using my stove or washer and dryer as that would likely put it over the top. It has an 8.5 gallon tank and that will go for about 10 hours. Biggest downside is that it is very loud but I will take that over discomfort any day. Paid about $800 for it but that was a few years ago.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 9:32 am to Wtodd
You're not running generators in parallel on the house panel. You'd have to string extension cords everywhere.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 9:39 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
You're not running generators in parallel on the house panel. You'd have to string extension cords everywhere.
Transfer switch or suicide cord. I have the transfer switch now but have used a suicide cord.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 9:39 am to jflsufan
If your stove is electric it is likely 240v
If you try it on your generator you will be needing a new generator.
If you try it on your generator you will be needing a new generator.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 10:24 am to jflsufan
That's fine, you just can't parallel two of them that way. You have to be able to synchronize them to do that.
I backfeed my house via suicide cord through the shop breaker panel. Works great but my generator just barely doesn't have enough arse to start the AC compressor.
I backfeed my house via suicide cord through the shop breaker panel. Works great but my generator just barely doesn't have enough arse to start the AC compressor.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 10:37 am to jflsufan
quote:
I have a Troy-bilt XP 7000. It has a Briggs and Stratton engine
I was just at Home Depot and they have some B&S in stock; Power Stroke 6000 for $700.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 10:59 am to bbvdd
quote:
If your stove is electric it is likely 240v If you try it on your generator you will be needing a new generator.
Never tried it and never will. I don't think it is even set up on the transfer switch. We just cook outside on the grill and side burner when the power is out.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:01 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I backfeed my house via suicide cord through the shop breaker panel. Works great but my generator just barely doesn't have enough arse to start the AC compressor.
Yeah. Electrician said that my generator could probably run the central AC but getting it started would be the problem. I have never tried it but the Troy-bilt XP 7000 does have 10,500 cranking amps.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:02 am to Wtodd
quote:
I was just at Home Depot and they have some B&S in stock; Power Stroke 6000 for $700.
I would buy that before buying 2 smaller generators.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:21 am to Wtodd
Have seen some pretty good reviews on YouTube for the Ryobi inverter generator available at Home Depot. One guy on YouTube, if I recall correctly had connected two in parallel. Seem almost as good as the Honda but significanly cheaper. Lowes had one too, can't recall the brand, though. Was about $900 for 2200 watts, I think.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:25 am to jflsufan
You can put a soft starter on the compressor in place of the start capacitor and it makes it MUCHHHHH easier to start. It's also easier on everything. I looked into it and got to the point I was about to order it, and then found out I was moving so didn't do it.
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