Posted: 12/1/2009 8:56:33 PM EDT
| I am really confused, I have no idea what to look for with everyone talking about all these different generators I have no idea what to get for my new house. I need it to run lights and a fridge. is the honeywell 1k one good for that? |
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You have to account not only for the wattage your appliances use while running, but also for how much juice they pull when they start up ("surge" or "start-up" wattage). You want your genset to be able to comfortably accomodate the total wattage required for the devices you're running.
Here's a calculator that you may find helpful: https://www.ch.cutler-hammer.com/generatorCalc/wattshow.jsp |
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Didn't you ask this same question recently? http://www.ak47.net/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=629827 
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Yea so what ? The purpose of this forum is to share ideas and to help people .
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Didn't you ask this same question recently? http://www.ak47.net/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=629827 |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Yea so what ? The purpose of this forum is to share ideas and to help people .
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Didn't you ask this same question recently? http://www.ak47.net/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=629827 Because the last time the question was asked people tried to help but their questions weren't answered. The generator topic comes up often, there's no point in cramping up fingers typing out answers if the OP isn't willing to do his part. |
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Quoted:I need it to run lights and a fridge. is the honeywell 1k one good for that? No. Try one of these (assuming you are looking for inexpensive/basic/non-steathy).
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My $0.02 USD 
What are you trying to run? Do you know how much juice it needs? .. and do you know what startup surge it needs? Are you just running lights and such, or will you be running sensitive electronic loads like computers? So will you need clean power from an inverter generator? Not trivial questions, and the nameplate doesn't really tell you. Compressors and hard start motors take 2 to 5 times what they claim for startup versus steady state. Get a Kill-a-watt meter and find out. http://www.killawattplus.com/?gclid=CL71-LKLuZ4CFQ8MDQodSEhvlA A HVAC clamp-on amp meter will also tell you. http://www.professionalequipment.com/mini-clamp-meter-220/electric-meters/ The jaws go around *one* wire, not both, so you'll need to split a short extension cord and measure the current flowing in one leg both at peak and steady state. A 1000 watt generator may not even be able to start a fridge, depending on the initial surge. ETA: I checked out the thread on the original ak47 site, TJ answered most everything ... he knows what he's talking about 
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http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Vegetable-Oil-Lister-Generator-6600-Watt.asp?page=L09989
buy that one and forget about ever buying another generator again - of course it weighs 1300 pounds and only uses 2/10th gallon at 1/4 throttle an hour - and can theoretically run for 100,000 hours before being overhauled - and yep it costs over 4 grand and all the extras including a kit will push it up to 4800 - but hey you will never have to buy another one unless someone nukes your cave or house - the big one is 6600 watts and there is a smaller one at 3000 watts. ah yes this one is already set up to heat your oil in a cold climate. - forgot to mention it runs on diesel or veggie oil. |
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Due to personal experience I would avoid buying any Generac products. They may work or they may not.
Hindsight being better than foresight; I'd buy either a Honda or Yamaha (tri-fuel) generator of some sort. More expensive, but they generally are easier on the fuel consumption and are quieter. |