What size generator to get?

The HF generators get really good reviews. Get the inverter. Your neighbors will thank you and it sips gas. Harbor freight

Get a window unit also.

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ETA: would something from harbor freight be a total POS

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In fact, HF generators have a pretty good reputation, relatively speaking. Most of the Chinese made generators come from the same factories and the seller (Honda, HF/Predator, Wen, Briggs and Stratton, etc.) just put their feature set, color and other branding (although Hondas are probably just a little cut above, overall, but comes with a premium).

I would also strongly consider a dual fuel that you can run on gasoline or propane - propane is going to be more expensive, but nice to have options. Probably at least a 3500/4000 watt range - plenty of choices around $1k (for non-inverter) or even a little less depending on the sale.

If you're just running a fridge and freezer (and charging phones/tablets), you can get by with a 2000 to 2250 inverter and plenty of those are in the $500 to $600 range. Inverters are good for electronics (clean 60hz power) and quiet, but usually cost more per watt, especially comparing their 3600/4000 models to the open frame, 3600rpm non-inverters.

I have the honda 2200 and I can run fridge tv wi fi lights and it will run 8 hrs on a tank and it will run a small window unit by itself. the HF is a clone of the honda and 1/2 the price. Apartment? where are you going to put it? get a chain so no one can steal it be aware of the exhaust will it be a problem (kill) neighbors?

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Basic appliances and only one tv.

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As others have said, ~2kw inverter. My general rule of thumb is that HF is ok for things that don't use electrons, but their generators get pretty good reviews and if this is for emergencies I'd be comfortable with a higher end (they're getting into tiers) HF. Frequent camping, running on a regular basis I'd spring for a Honda or Yamaha, but everybody's priorities are different.

A larger place doesn't really matter unless you plan on running a well pump or A/C, then you need to get into the 5-10 range for the start-up amps.

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Croozin2

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Yep...

LINK

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parallel connection available,

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Whoa no shite? You can parallel these things?

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ETA: would something from harbor freight be a total POS

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No, they are perfectly serviceable. I have known many people who owned them and were very satisfied. Like most things at HF if it is going to be used 12 hours a day 5 dasy a week for a year it probably wouldn't last as long as a Honda but for the homeowner who will only use it couple of hundred hours a year they are fine.

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Yes, clean power to run electronics. It is a biggish deal and getting bigger every day. Modern appliances have electronics everywhere. Think about the space shuttle control panel on modern washing machines for what I'm getting at. EVERYTHING has a computer in it. Some tolerate dirty power better than others and you may not need inverter power. Or maybe everything in your house is finicky and you need inverter power to keep your fridge from crapping itself and shutting down because there's a little too much distortion in the power that your non-inverter generator puts out

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My opinion on inverters is:

There is only one thing I feel is a necessity to run.......the fridge/freezer.

I can sleep on hot nights with no AC. I did it in college at the dorm before it got AC. Cold nights are like camping.

But the fridge freezer needs to be run to keep the meat eggs and milk.

Once all that runs out, I’m moving to the dry rice and beans.


The 2k inverter runs it and it does it quietly and uses less gas.

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I have a back porch it can go on. It’s open and I can run an exhaust hose if I have to.

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A small box fan will provide enough airflow to disperse exhaust and is not enough of a load to impact performance. Be careful of vinyl siding and in fact any siding or painted surfaces on the porch....generators produce a surprising amount of heat, especially at the exhaust....lots of vinyl siding melted by small inverter generators exhaust.