Posted: 9/4/2008 6:26:00 AM EDT
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Anyone had any experience with these? Also, any idea on a ballpark for power usage in my home? 1800 sq ft +- central air, gas heat, electric stove/appliances, gas water heater. this 10k gen do it? Thanks Patrick 
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doubtful...startup loads from the motors will eat that..... |
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10K sounds about right if you need the central A/C. Startup load is ridiculous - heck a standard 25 cu-foot fridge is going to pull 20-22 amps on startup, and that's a much smaller compressor. You can go smaller if you're willing to give up the A/C. I have a 7500-watt generator, and that is enough for everything in my house except the central A/C. That includes the furnace, sump pump, range, well pump and two refrigerators. Be careful on no-name engines. You're much better off going with brand-name engines like Honda (the best, IMHO, and quietest) or Briggs (good, but loud). |
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This is in TX, mind you. I could probably live without the AC, with just a few fans, maybe a swamp cooler, but the GF and my son likely could/would not want to live without it. Guardian/Generac makes a 15kw (surge to 22kw so they claim) unit thats not too far outside of my $2000-2500 price range. Guardian Any experience with Generac motors? Says USA made. Patrick ETA Frequently Asked Questions Where is the engine made? The engines used on the Generac Ultra Source® portables are manufactured at our Generac Power Systems, Inc. factory in Whitewater, WI. Generac engines are industrial grade engines designed to provide the ultra-quiet, longer-lasting performance required of portable generators. Generac OHVI® industrial engines run 3-5 times longer than SV/OHV lawnmower style engines. They also run 30-50 degrees cooler, are 5% more fuel-efficient and reduce oil consumption by 25%. |
Thats a bit more realistic especially for A/C since you will have 3 motor bearing units starting at once in cool mode...just realize that the power delivered from a genset is not always as clean as the utility company and is very hard on compressors and start windings...I know...I sell commercial HVAC equipment...... |
| I found a resource that helps you figure your total wattage used. It is here: Onan Generator .pdf. It is a .pdf file so you can download it and save it to your computer. I hope this helps. |