Need advice re gas generators

 We are still feeling the terrible effects of Hurricane Juan after a week and
as I speak there are still thousands without power in Nova Scotia, Canada.

I was lucky to have had power regained after 72 hours. In that time we did
what we could to survive. Being out in the country meant that we had no
water either as we are dependant on an electric pump for our water. We ended
up throwing out a considerable amount of food.

We would like to purchase a gas generator so that we can be prepared in the
future.
I saw generators at Wal-Mart for $849.00CDN (6250 watt) this week and wonder
if this is enough to meet our needs?

What should I look for in terms of power and ease of use (is 6250 watts
enough)?

Are there variations in quality from one generator to the next?

What would the approximate cost be to adapt our home wiring so that I could
literally plug the thing in to power the whole house?

Ron

 

Rockin Ronnie wrote:


    You need to think about what are the vital things that need power in your
home.  Obvious candidates are the well pump, furnace and the kitchen fridge.
Then you get into nice to haves such as lights, the TV, computer, radio, etc.
Once you have gotten that list, go read the nameplates on the gear and find
out what voltages and wattages each one draws.  Things with motors also
will have a starting wattage you need to write down as well.

Add that up, and then go shopping for generators and power transfer
switches. And yes, with generators you get what you pay for.  That 800
buck 6250 watt generator is on the cheap side.


    --Dale

 

  I like my Honda 5000.   It will run all my necessary stuff - but the
well pump needs a lot to start - so I just shut down everything while
I run a goodly supply of water,  then I shut off the well pump and
turn everything else back on.
What I have run for numerous 2 - 5  hour outages and one long 30 hour
February outage  :
    : propane high eff. furnace
    : propane water heater
    : fridge
    : freezer
    : sump pump
    : lights
    : TV, computer, stereo
    : small appliances (with care) kettle, toaster, microwave
  If all these were to start at once it would probably stall the
generator.  The furnace blower seems to cause the biggest
momentary dip in voltage.
  You always need to keep the genny test-run; fresh gas; etc.
 They are noisy machines !    Very noisy.
  I would consider the new  inverter-style  if I were shopping now.
  Good luck.
   John T.

 John T. wrote:

   Particularly for computers etc.
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   Why   ?
  My electronics all work very well from the Honda.
Some of the old cheapo portable generators were bad.
  John T.