Posted: 12/18/2007 8:21:21 AM EDT
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I have the oppertunity to get a Coleman Pwermate 4000W Gen. for cheap. I have a 1200sq foot home with not alot of gadgets to run. Should this be enough? Also, I was wondering if it was possible to convert it to propane and if so, at what cost. I am thinking propane, as I can buy in bulk and dont have to worry about rotating as I would gas. Come to think of it, can you convert one to multi fuel, to include propane, like you can w/ a car or does it have to be either or? Thanks in advance and have a great Christmas RLS |
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Can't answer your question abought if it will run every thing or not; you didn't tell us what you need to run: Furnace, well, heat pump, lights frig, freezer ect? 4000 is a good amount but not huge it will probly run any one of the 110 items you have and a couple of lights but it's not gona run the 220 items, washer dryer electric furnace as examples. Converting to propane is easy but the kit's not that cheep couple hundred bucks. Most conversions are not Tri-fuel, some are. My propaine gennys are tri-fuel but the propane kit I have for my Coleman is not. |
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I don't know about that generator specifically, but you can generally convert generators to multifuel. Check out http://www.propane-generators.com/ as an example (I have nothing to do with the site). It probably costs about $150-$200 of parts, and they claim you can do it yourself (although multifuel seems harder than just converting to propane or NG). 4000 W might be small to run an entire home, but obviously that depends on how much power you use. Someone else may be able to give you a better idea. Good luck! Nunya |
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4KW will not run any high load appliances while supplying the rest of the home with basic needs (well pump, water heater, range, etc). As others have stated, conversions are readily performed but none have mentioned that the conversion to propane also comes with power loss. It is not a staggering problem, but one to consider. Gasoline had a good measure more energy per liquid gallon than propane, next to that is diesel. A 4KW on the cheap is a good deal, just keep it's limitations in mind. c0 There are some things in life that you just can't fix, stupidity is the highest one on the list. falloutshelter653.org |
Actually it should be enough.....might not be a whole lot of extra power left but will run it without a problem. It will probably draw about 700-1000 watts running and about 2000-3000 at startup. 4kw is on the small side but will do a lot. |
agreed it should start your well when isolated from everything else. You will lose 10% of your rateing on propane. if 4 K is your run watts and not your surge watts you'll be squeekin by. |