Electrical advice (generator related)

I run my whole house on a 5500W (continious) generator. I have a small 3 bedroom house and it powers everything including AC. I mean everything. Tried to turn on absolutely everything to kill it and couldn't. It could easily run a much bigger house just by turning off what you aren't using.
 
Dave H said:
I run my whole house on a 5500W (continious) generator. I have a small 3 bedroom house and it powers everything including AC. I mean everything. Tried to turn on absolutely everything to kill it and couldn't. It could easily run a much bigger house just by turning off what you aren't using.
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i just ordered a 6500/7000 peak watt honda powered generator. From what your saying, it sounds like it will get the job done for me.
Wish I had it now..
 
A co-worker told me Lowes carries Generac brand as most web sites do, and does have them on sale lower than web sites. I just have to wait for the hype to pass and then get one.
 
It's a tough call. We've been here 8 years and have had good luck. But the last year has been worse, and we didn't even lose power for this or Irene. If we did for Irene, the basement would have been f'ed. The $$ seems worth it in that respect. If it were 3 degrees out it would also seem worth it. I'm gonna get something just not sure what.
 
Norm said:
It's a tough call. We've been here 8 years and have had good luck. But the last year has been worse, and we didn't even lose power for this or Irene. If we did for Irene, the basement would have been f'ed. The $$ seems worth it in that respect. If it were 3 degrees out it would also seem worth it. I'm gonna get something just not sure what.
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either get a generator or make sure you have sump pump overflow on your insurance... (I had neither)
 
I bought my generator 7 yrs. ago only because homo depot was having a sale. it sat in my garage all that time and I never used it until this year. With hurricane irene and the halloween storm it has come in handy. I still don't have power since saturday.

I also have a sump pump that runs constantly, even in droughts. For me no power = flooded basement.

generators are expensive but like da man says...got to have it.
 
If you get your generators at Homo Depot, where do you get your homos?
 
Robson said:
I'm researching different options for my house. I don't want to deal with cables, gas and etc...

I like this http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200434682_200434682
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There is a difference in delivery time if you want it sooner here:
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Generac-Guardian-5870-Standby-Generator/p4763.html

Have you checked your town for zone requirements? My meter and panel are on the side of the house. The town wants permanent units in the back and won't allow side installs.
 
I was thinking about a standby generator, but I decided not to because of the fact that im not interested in the complexity. I know a few people who have them and all have told me stories about having stupid problems with them. Like leaking coolant, or the automated switch failing...just crap ill never have to deal with using a portable generator. . Plus I like that its mobile if I need to use it elsewhere for whatever reason.

I bought a 6600w generator and it was more than enough at my house. I have an electric hot water heater/forced hot air and the hot water heater was only thing to bring it off idle. I also installed a 6 circuit transfer switch. For my house I might change it to a 10 in the future since 3 of my 6 are used for hot water/furnace. The other 3 run my kitchen, living room, bedroom/bathroom. Now if my power goes out, just move the generator outside, plug it into the transfer switch, start, return to television. It ran from 6:30am yesterday until 7pm on 1/2tank of fuel, about 3.5gallons.
 
Standby makes more sense to me. Start by itself if needed so If I'm not home, no worries.
 
pjrohr said:
I was looking at something similar....anyone in the know here on the site know what you're looking at in the way of electrician/plumbing fees in order to really get a feel for what the budget is for this kind of solution?
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I think it will depend on what unit you buy. According to my calculation 17kW unit will cost me around $5,000 with installation.
 
UtahJoe said:
I was thinking about a standby generator, but I decided not to because of the fact that im not interested in the complexity. I know a few people who have them and all have told me stories about having stupid problems with them. Like leaking coolant, or the automated switch failing...just crap ill never have to deal with using a portable generator. . Plus I like that its mobile if I need to use it elsewhere for whatever reason.

I bought a 6600w generator and it was more than enough at my house. I have an electric hot water heater/forced hot air and the hot water heater was only thing to bring it off idle. I also installed a 6 circuit transfer switch. For my house I might change it to a 10 in the future since 3 of my 6 are used for hot water/furnace. The other 3 run my kitchen, living room, bedroom/bathroom. Now if my power goes out, just move the generator outside, plug it into the transfer switch, start, return to television. It ran from 6:30am yesterday until 7pm on 1/2tank of fuel, about 3.5gallons.
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Actually portable generator sounds to me more complex... Every time you need it you need to set it up, connect cables, every so often check gas and so on. Plus they can't be exposed to rain, snow and etc. Now, with family members who have no clue about anything mechanical standby unit make perfect choice.
 
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