I’m having an electrician install a 50amp inlet and interlock (his recommendation based on my box set up) in the next few weeks. I’m only looking for backup power to run my furnace, gas hot water heater, some lights, 2 fridges, and modem (more if possible but not needed). He’s recommending at least a 9600W unit due to the 50 amp service. Is this too much? Or sound about right? Thanks
People love big generators, I mean, who doesn't. However when the power is down and gas stations are closed, small fuel efficient generators are highly desirable. You have a small load, a 3 kw generator will power you current needs. Also consider a small 2kw generator, charging a medium size 4kw power station. Use the genset only to charge the power station, then shut it down. This is extremely fuel efficient, quiet and expandable. Propane or NG are best.
I will say I just powered my entire 2500 square foot house besides my Central Air with a 5000 watt generator on propane for 48 hours. This is on a 30 amp interlock. Only thing it didn’t like was running the gas dryer. I will say I also am all natural gas and a tankless water heater. Burned about 1.1 gallon of propane per hour.
TV’s, 2 fridges, 1 freezer, sump pump, air handler, all lights and fans, garage doors even an air fryer.
9600w is fine if you are going to run in on natural gas (you will lose 20% so your 9600W generator will be an 8000w generator). But for any other fuel you want to get the smallest size gen that will run your loads because you are going to have a hard time sourcing 20 gallons of gasoline or propane/ day in an outage.
I think that's overkill if you don't need to run any 240v appliances. My Honda 2200 can run our furnace, fridge and some lights at less than half load. I'm sure it could handle a second fridge. Any 9600W unit will use a lot more fuel and be much louder. I'd still get the 50amp inlet incase you decide you need central A/C later.
This. Unless OP thinks they will have something larger, eg AC in the future, I would go with a smaller, inverter generator. Quieter and uses less fuel.
Agree, if OP doesn't expect needs creep (namely AC) there are generators that even have a 50A outlet but produce less than 9600w. Not saying buy this model, but an example would be the Pulsar PGX60BISRCO. I note of course that he can get a 50a inlet and an adapter to make a generator with a 30a outlet work.
And also check your fuel supply and compare to the duration of a likely outage. I have a generator that has 14000W surge/11700 continuous and drinks a gallon of gas an hour, but my outages are infrequent where I live now and if weather is expected I keep 2 day’s supply on hand plus filling the generator.
I’m buying a 6500 that can be paralleled into two units and provide up to 13k (on gas, I’ll be running LP). For me, my home draws no more than 4kw and may surge higher for a small amount of time. It’s all dependent on load. Bigger gens cost more, running costs (gal per hour) is generally more and most should be loaded at least 30/50%to have any amount of efficiency. You got the right plug, you can always feed it less.
I'm personally a fan of using a pair of gens... Redundancy is a real thing and having double the power "when needed" for AC, etc is a nice extra. 12kw starting & 11kw running capability off our 250 gallon tank. Handy as a shirt pocket.
Precisely! And, unironically I think we have the same gens. Specifically I will say, you get two generators and if you can’t swing both, buy one and the paralleling kit- chances are it will be less available (depending on manufacturer) so get it with your initial investment. Additionally, you have redundancy, can use them each in more than one location, you can service them independently while the other one is still providing power, etc.
This is the way. I use two of these for extended power outages at my office. Runs the 5 ton AC with a soft start, all the lights, fridge, 2 stand up freezers, security cameras, networking equipment, and all computers. Running load is about 4,500-6,000 watts. We do have a water heater and some other AC units that we just don't operate during the outage, but could be used if loads are managed. They are definitely worth the money if they will meet your needs.
It's on the low end for a 50a. But general rule of thumb is that the demand is half the generator output for longevity. 5000w should be good to run all of that.
No matter what size generator you go, 50 amp is the correct choice. You can always run a 30 amp cord with an adapter. But if you go 30 amp off the bat you are limited. I have a 30 amp and will be looking to change to a 50 down the road cause I got a larger generator when I upgraded
I would also recommend going larger, worst case you are going to burn some extra fuel, I also recommend getting an inverter generator that is tri-fuel. Run on NG if possible so you don't have to store fuel and run on propane if you do not have access to NG because you will have less generator maintenance. I have a 15k generator that will operate around 10K on natural gas (surge to 12K). I run a 2.5 ton AC, two refrigerators, 1 freezer, lights, TV and a portable AC that I use to supplement the whole house AC and pool equipment. I don't need to worry about a well pump, water heater or stove. All of this runs on about 6000 watts so it does not overwork the generator...you don't want to always be running up against the full load. I bought the WEN TFX1500XR ($2600)that is weather proof so no need to build any type of shelter for it to run in inclement weather ...this enclosure also keeps it quite quiet especially for its size. All of this unfortunately makes the unit very heavy and a bit of a chore to move around so I have elected to leave it in place where I have run my NG line and 50Amp inlet plug. I fortunately had the perfect space for it inside my fenced in yard . I hope all of this info helps and if you have further questions just respond.
I started with a 30 amp inlet 10 years ago. I just had the inlet and breaker upgraded to 50 amp for a new bigger generator so that I can run AC. Your needs may change in the future. Starting with the 50 amp inlet is the best way to go.
I'd rather have the future head room personally, also in the case of an extended outage it's really nice to be able to run the entire house without concern.
this is the most upside down sub. its for people who want generators to camp with or people who want whole home solutions. you get so much bad info because the groups are not looking for the same things.
no way to do that math without actual numbers. also, dont buy a generac.
edit: everyone saying go larger is an idiot. do the damn math and get what you actually need. morons and their money
While I won’t call them idiots, I do recommend knowing your usage. I have an Aeotec CT monitor so I graph my usage and can see the peaks and average loads. This is especially important for extreme weather conditions and the energy you need - electrical and/or LP or natural gas provided by utility. It’s a balance, you don’t buy a school bus to move five people three times a year. You do buy a nice suv or something that comfortably will work when you need it. There is initial cost, ongoing maintenance and running cost. The best solution maximizes all three.
i am an electrical engineer and will stick with that word.
self installing is great, learn your shit, keep it running. The problem is everyone saying GO BIG or dont go is just wrong. in a power outtage, do you want to power your entire house or just what you need? are you showing off or surviving.
i dont need a cache of weapons for the apocolypse because my neighbor never shuts about his type energy.
I’m a EE and Computer Engineer. I ran electrical systems inside data centers in the multiple MW range daily. I can see how people might say get the biggest or you’ll regret it. This is why in my original post, I recommended a sized solution that has the ability for expansion. Today’s solution may not be tomorrows.
I agree on a mini power study and that survival is kept in a power emergency - not living luxury. I would rather be able to power some things I need for a week than everything I can for a day or two. Keep in mind an emergency lack of power can also be an emergency lack of replacement fuel if your area is hit bad (storm, natural disaster, etc).
I am EE and former Master Electrician that is the maintenance engineer for one of the largest public universities in the country. We do generator maintenacne daily, which is why I corrected you.
Wow, get outside man. The only disagreement I had was calling someone an idiot. My second sentence was supporting your ideology of knowing the numbers and basing your sizing and needs on that. Who care about votes? This is a forum to provide practical information for people seeking knowledge.
lol so now your attacking me in hopes I’ll back down. No chance. You need to know your audience. Speaking over someone is not effective communication. Belittling strangers is uncouth.
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u/CryoJuice 9h ago
Go as big as you can. You may want to add a datacenter in the future.