How big of a generator would you need to power a house?

[stephen4785]

Im looking into some generators for the house as back up units. I want it to run everything though. Not just the fridge and some light. I want to be able to run lights,tv,fridge,a/c etc...

[line-em-up]

Im looking into some generators for the house as back up units. I want it to run everything though. Not just the fridge and some light. I want to be able to run lights,tv,fridge,a/c etc...

Since your house probably has a 200 amp panel, that would be roughly 200x120= 24kW's.

[cobraman93]

Im not an electrician but at the firestation we have a large backup unit like you would get at home depot and all it runs is backup lighting and power to one room, I would imagine a large generator.

[Tiny Tim]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AAKQKE?smid=A3LDAX1Z8QDFC&tag=yahoo-tools-mp-20&linkCode=asn

[Nate]

After you find out the cost of one that size, I bet you might think about stepping down to something that powers the fridge, and maybe a/c and lights for one room. At least that's what my father did because he lives out in the sticks.

[PWTRTXSS]

Maybe one that runs on diesel fuel and needs to be transported by big rig and moved into place with a crane?

[Muffrazr]

You will likely want to step down to bare necessities. We have a setup to run basics here at work: register, most lights, and propane pump. We use a 5k watt generator, but we have a newer, bigger one now just haven't had to use it.

[livinglegend_86]

Since your house probably has a 200 amp panel, that would be roughly 200x120= 24kW's.

Close, but you would have to check the actual calculated load and base it off that.

NOBODY uses the full 200A of their panel's rating at once, it's too damn hard to. A 20kW might be more than enough... hell, maybe a 15 will be enough depending on exactly what you will be using (AC / lights, etc.)

Also, don't forget about the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch); which is what automatically starts the genset when you're power is out. I would also look into an annunciator panel to be located inside the house, probably near the elec panel. If you live here in texas you probably won't need a block heater, so don't let them sell you one.

[JimD]

Friend of mine has a 10k and runs everything in his house that you normally run at once. Now if your gonna dry clothes, fix dinner and turn the heat/AC on at the same time...Better go big.

[BP]

$15k easy for a 20kw one that'll be just like having a power line. You've also got to consider the fuel costs on them, the bigger it is the more it costs to keep it running. Easily $20-30 per 8 hours in fuel costs alone.

Or you could get one of the 7-8kw ones from Sears, Lowes or HomeDepot for under $2000 that'll run a TV, PC, refrigerator, lighting and maybe a central air unit if it's not massive.

The other and more likely option is a portable gas powered 5kw unit. They are anywhere from $500-$1000 and have up to 5 gallon tanks which are good for 8-10 hours at a time at half load.

[grove rat]

why would you want to run everything in your house in a blackout :confused:

i'd get something that could power the fridge, a/c unit and maybe a few outlets for lights/radio

[line-em-up]

Close, but you would have to check the actual calculated load and base it off that.

NOBODY uses the full 200A of their panel's rating at once, it's too damn hard to. A 20kW might be more than enough... hell, maybe a 15 will be enough depending on exactly what you will be using (AC / lights, etc.)

Also, don't forget about the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch); which is what automatically starts the genset when you're power is out. I would also look into an annunciator panel to be located inside the house, probably near the elec panel. If you live here in texas you probably won't need a block heater, so don't let them sell you one.

I was just trying to make it simple, figuring he would want to keep everything on. I doubt he would need the full capacity, though. It sounds like you've messed around with generators a bit. I want to eventually get a wind generator for my house so I can quit getting raped by the electric companies.

[grove rat]

I was just trying to make it simple, figuring he would want to keep everything on. I doubt he would need the full capacity, though. It sounds like you've messed around with generators a bit. I want to eventually get a wind generator for my house so I can quit getting raped by the electric companies.

he does electrical estimates/bidding if i remember right

[TurboTodd]

During the ice storms in OK, my brother came down and I sold him a 5500W running/8500W starting generator. He basically ran everything he needed in his home during the blackout, and kept the portability option so he could then help his friends power their needs until their power was restored.

5500W is around $700.
8000W is around $1250.

Generac makes a nice 7KW home standby generator with automatic start for just shy of $2000. LPG or NG, looks like an air conditioner unit. It includes the transfer switch, and will start automatically when needed.

[line-em-up]

If you are going to use a portable generator, what is the best way to connect it to the house wiring during an outage?

[BP]

If you are going to use a portable generator, what is the best way to connect it to the house wiring during an outage?

Most of the nicer ones have a cable that you can run into the house with several outlets built in. The cheaper ones have outlets on the unit and you use your own extension cords.

If you are really daring and don't mind possibly burning your property down and electrocuting utility workers you could splice another male end on an extension cord and plug it directly into a wall socket. You could flip the breaker on that ckt if you only needed 1 wall powered or something or go outside and flip the main switch on the wall to avoid killing anyone.

[Sgt Beavis]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AAKQKE?smid=A3LDAX1Z8QDFC&tag=yahoo-tools-mp-20&linkCode=asn


That is the shit man.. Runs on NG or LP too.

Just a bit on the pricey side though :)

Personally I think a 5Kw unit is just fine. You can run the fridge, some lights, a small heater, cable modem, and your computer. As long as I can surf DFWstangs, I think I'd can rough the rest of it. :D

[stephen4785]

Im actually planning on building my own. All I need is the transition panel and the generator head. I have access to a 20kw genertor head and didnt know if that would be overkill. Figured it would be overkill but I would rather it be overkill then under. I have a 4 cyl gas engine that I was gonna build a setup with but Im thinking about using a V6 instead. Im not planning on running everything at once. Just a/c,fridge,one room at a time and entertainment center.

[line-em-up]

Im actually planning on building my own. All I need is the transition panel and the generator head. I have access to a 20kw genertor head and didnt know if that would be overkill. Figured it would be overkill but I would rather it be overkill then under. I have a 4 cyl gas engine that I was gonna build a setup with but Im thinking about using a V6 instead. Im not planning on running everything at once. Just a/c,fridge,one room at a time and entertainment center.

It seems like a diesel engine would be more efficient.

[stephen4785]

It seems like a diesel engine would be more efficient.
Im sure it would but I dont have one of those laying around

[jyro]

Im looking into some generators for the house as back up units. I want it to run everything though. Not just the fridge and some light. I want to be able to run lights,tv,fridge,a/c etc...
5 kw will usually do fine
like one of these http://dallas.craigslist.org/for/669977358.html

[mikeb]

Most of the nicer ones have a cable that you can run into the house with several outlets built in. The cheaper ones have outlets on the unit and you use your own extension cords.

If you are really daring and don't mind possibly burning your property down and electrocuting utility workers you could splice another male end on an extension cord and plug it directly into a wall socket. You could flip the breaker on that ckt if you only needed 1 wall powered or something or go outside and flip the main switch on the wall to avoid killing anyone.

I don't see this as daring. As you mentioned if you simply flip off the main breaker you will not backfeed the line or kill anyone. Then common sense rules; many of the feeder circuits are 15 amp; if the feeder circuit the generator is plugged into is a 15 amp circuit then don't try to run the central A/C or a welder off of it and you'd probably be ok.

Personally, i'd rig up a beefy extension cord with multiple plugs coming off the generator and run the fridge, etc off of this cord.

[line-em-up]

Im sure it would but I dont have one of those laying around

Good point. :)

[line-em-up]

I don't see this as daring. As you mentioned if you simply flip off the main breaker you will not backfeed the line or kill anyone. Then common sense rules; many of the feeder circuits are 15 amp; if the feeder circuit the generator is plugged into is a 15 amp circuit then don't try to run the central A/C or a welder off of it and you'd probably be ok.

Personally, i'd rig up a beefy extension cord with multiple plugs coming off the generator and run the fridge, etc off of this cord.

That would work. I was thinking of something along the lines of adding a DPDT breaker (not sure if there is such a thing) inline with the eletrical panel. That way, I could flip it over to the generator, start the generator and not have to worry about running cables evreywhere.