Posted: 9/11/2011 3:15:38 PM EDT
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Did a search, but less came up than what I thought. After the crazy weather we've been getting I decided that I need a generator. We rarely lose power, but during bad weather, my two sump pumps run constantly and save me from probably feet of water in the basement. After the flooding around here I decided I really need to have a backup plan.
I am really only looking to run two sump pumps and maybe a light, but running a fridge and freezer would be good also. I realize that I can rotate power by only powering the later two on and off periodically. The sump, however will run every minute in a bad rain. What size am I looking at? I'm trying to keep cost down also. How are the units that Harbor Freight sells? Was looking at this one. Harbor Freight or even this one Home Depot . Any other thoughts or models would be great. Not really interested in the water powered back up pumps either. I figure a genny will keep me dry and save my grub too. |
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Quoted:
The champion brand generators seem to work well for imports. Decent stateside support as well. My recommendation as well. Champion Power Equipment is somewhat unique among the Chinese-made brands in that the company is American-owned, and headquartered in California. It owns and operates its own factory in China, using parts built mostly to its own specifications - If you disassemble one of their generators, you'll find "CPE" stamped on most of the major parts. The parts and service departments are also located in CA. If you phone them, you'll discover that the tech staff speaks English as a first language. Lowe's sells a 3.5 KW surge/3.0 KW continuous model for around $300 - This model is very highly regarded in the RV community. |
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As soon as dual sumps stop working, the flooding happens FAST.
If you are on city/public water, get yourself a water powered sump pump ASAP. For the price, these are unbeatable... http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Pumps-SJ10-Discharge-SumpJet/dp/B0013H94MO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top In fact, do to the amount of water you are getting, I'd spend a bit more and get one of the basepumps... http://base-products-corporation.amazonwebstore.com/Basepump-HB1000-Water-Powered-Backup-Sump/M/B000GE81W4.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=froogle I'm not personally comfortable recommending a generator in your price range, especially for the purpose of saving your basement from flooding. |
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According to this sizing booklet by generac, a sump pump will draw .5 kw while running, but needs 1.5kw to start (this is roughly the same for a fridge and a stand alone freezer). So if you need to run two sump pumps, plus miscellaneous stuff you'll want a genny that will run 2kw minimum, but w/ a surge of 3kw. If it were me, I'd size it at 3kw w/ surge at 4kw (or whatever the surge rating is for a 3kw genny).
Check the survival forum, there are lots of threads on generators, including many from HF. |