Generator Help??

[GilbertsGrape]

I am in the market for a gasoline Generator (or propane if it is not too much more) I want to hook it up to my house so that when the power goes out this winter (and it will I live in the boon docks) I will have power to run the Furnace part of heat part of my heat pumps, not the out side units emergency heat only. And then I want to turn the heat off for a while and then turn on my hot water heater, Etc.

A few questions I have about getting one are, is a 5500 generator enough power to do what I want, and I want to know if I have to buy a transfer system of if there is another way a electrician can hook it into my house besides buying one of those kits?



This is the specs of the generator I am looking at is it enough to power what i need?

Generac 5500 Watt Generator 1642
Rated Watts Out: 5500
Max Watts Out: 8500
Type of Engine: Briggs & Stratton GenTek
Volts: 120/240
Amps: 45.8/22.9
Number of Outlets: 5
Fuel Tank Size: 5 Gallons
Half Load Run Time: 12 Hours
• 10 HP Briggs and Stratton GenTek OHV Engine
• 5,500 Watt Generator
• PowerSurge alternator produces 8,500 surge watts for starting multiple motors
• Large pneumatic wheels
• Long Distance Runner fuel tank provides 12 hours run time from 5 gallon tank of fuel
• Super Silencer muffler
• 2 year warranty

Thanks,
Grape Dude

[ribitch]

people that i know that have bought a backupo generator have set it up so the generator will only power the furnace and a select few outlets. They did this so they wouldnt pull more than the generator could handle.

[Tommy Boomfiger]

i need to get me one of those, i hate it when the power goes out in the winter. a big one

well, i dont know much about them, but unless you know what you are doing get a pro to install it. go around to some shops and find out what they feel is good for your needs. most of them should be able to tell you better than most of us can. and install it outdoors. there have been too many morons who install it inside and they get tired and never wake up

[johnnymk]

Generac is top of the line!! I have a slightly smaller one(4500 watts, but I have never had the need to use it.
5500 watts is approximately 50 watts at 110 volts. I believe that there is a 220 volt line on it, also., but remember that the amperage is reduced by 1/2. Add up what you want to run and check to see if it's less than 50 amps total.
Also, if you want to run your fridge, you can disconnect the defrost mechanism temporarily. That thing really draws the power!
You don't need a transfer station or an automatic switching device unless you want it to automatically come on when the power goes out.
You can actually hook up what you run with extension cord to the outlets on the generator. Not too sophisticated, but it will do in a jam
There is a place in Georgia that sells propane conversion units for the Generac generator. I forget the name, but do a search. I believe the entire kit, minus the propane tanks runs less than $200. Definitely cheaper than buying a propane generator!

[GilbertsGrape]

Originally posted by johnnymk
Generac is top of the line!! I have a slightly smaller one(4500 watts, but I have never had the need to use it.
5500 watts is approximately 50 watts at 110 volts. I believe that there is a 220 volt line on it, also., but remember that the amperage is reduced by 1/2. Add up what you want to run and check to see if it's less than 50 amps total.
Also, if you want to run your fridge, you can disconnect the defrost mechanism temporarily. That thing really draws the power!
You don't need a transfer station or an automatic switching device unless you want it to automatically come on when the power goes out.
You can actually hook up what you run with extension cord to the outlets on the generator. Not too sophisticated, but it will do in a jam
There is a place in Georgia that sells propane conversion units for the Generac generator. I forget the name, but do a search. I believe the entire kit, minus the propane tanks runs less than $200. Definitely cheaper than buying a propane generator!

I was wanting like a one plug setup, Plug it in pull the starter and away it goes. and i want to be able to use my breaker box to switch things on and off like the heat, and hotwater heater

[Lady In Red]

I have a back up generator that I use for power-outages and I got it from Lowe's.

Being the female I am - I don't know the specs - I just know it does what I want!

[CynJon]

Originally posted by johnnymk
Generac is top of the line!!

You don't need a transfer station or an automatic switching device unless you want it to automatically come on when the power goes out.
You can actually hook up what you run with extension cord to the outlets on the generator. Not too sophisticated, but it will do in a jam

Agreed, Generac is probably the best.

However, in most places it is against the law to hook a generator up without using a transfer switch/disconnect, in order to prevent backfeed of power to the distribution system. You may want to look into that...and a disconnect is not that expensive. Automatic switches are expensive, though.

[GilbertsGrape]

Originally posted by CynJon


Agreed, Generac is probably the best.

However, in most places it is against the law to hook a generator up without using a transfer switch/disconnect, in order to prevent backfeed of power to the distribution system. You may want to look into that...and a disconnect is not that expensive. Automatic switches are expensive, though.

so could i just install a disconnect and a outlet to plug the generator into and then use my existing breaker box?

[Ladogaboy]

1) I wouldn't say Generac is the best... it is however, the best for the money. IMO, Honda generators are still the best.

2) You can just run a cord from the generator to one of your outlets, but you have to make sure that the main circuit breaker is shut off. Otherwise, all sorts of problems can arise.

3) To be completely legal and legit, you will probably need a certified electrician to install any switches, components, etc.

4) From personal experience, I think a 5500 might not be enough. If you just want to use it for certain things, then it should probably be okay, but for taking over the basic appliances that we had running in my house, we needed a 10K.

5) We were also told, when looking into a propane generator/propane conversion kit, that propane generators need a lot of pressure to kick over and start properly. Now this might have just been the propane guy trying to cut a fat hog in the ass, but he told us that we shouldn't run a propane generator off of anything less than a 250 gallon tank.

Anyway, good luck.

[Showtime]

Bingo!
Honda5500 = #1 portable geny.
For the big boys those volvo powered monsters rock.

I'm not familiar with the gener... but the Hondas are everywhere and run forever, FO EVAA! Quiet and reliable. They have that 6500 kit that brings the noise down even more.

cant believe i missed this post...

-jel