generator help/info

[Flester1]

My elderly in laws are out if power and we are heading their way in 100 degree heat to take our camper to them.

Please tell me what type/size generator I need.  Gotta get it soon.  Everywhere close to then is sold out. 

Need to run the AC.  And possibly a fridge if possible. 

Cost is not an issue.

Please tell me what numbers I need to look for.  Amps watts... Peak etc.

Thank you so much.

[Flester1]

Also sorry for not searching... on a cell phone. Hard to type and see threads. 

[BIRDDOG]

You need at least 2800 watts to run the a/c and everything else.. Good Luck

[wavery]

Depends on the size of the AC.... 4500W would be the minimum for a small AC, average home fridge and a couple lights. 6500W for an average central AC unit, fridge and a few lights. Not sure how you would wire it, if it's central AC.... window AC (under 15,000BTU) will need a separate 12G HD extension cord (Max 50'). Over 15,000BTU will need a 30A cord with the appropriate plug. The AC may also be 220V...... too many variables to just "Pic something up on the way" unless they can give you more info.   The fridge will need a separate 12G extension cord.
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Just read the thread again...... are you saying the generator is for your camper AC and fridge inside their home?

The camper AC will take minimum 2000W, Fridge maybe 1000W. I would not scrimp on wattage if safety is an issue. I'd still shoot for one of those big noisy 4500W units. They are popular and fairly cheap. AGAIN... don't scrimp on the extension cords....... 12G wire minimum with max length of 50'. If you have to go longer, you will need to get 10G, 30A cord and adapters.

[JessJosh61]

The Honda Generator web site had a power estimator that you may find helpful. It shows a Fridge needing 1200 startup watts and about 200 running watts. They rate a 10,000 BTU Window unit at 2,200 startup watts and 1,500 running watts. They didn't rate a central air system, and if that is what you want to run, you'll have to be careful and may have to buy big. You would have to run the AC unit outside plus the furnace fan. Our home AC unit has a 40 amp 220v breaker (8,800 watts), and the furnace has another 15 amps at 110v (1,650 watts). Honda doesn't make a generator that big. You would have to have a whole home type generator installed for that.

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-wattage-estimation-guide

Here's an AMPS to Watts converter which I used to give some of the info above.

http://www.supercircuits.com/resources/tools/Volts-Watts-Amps-Converter

Good luck. I wish you and your in-laws well...

[Flester1]

The rv ac is 13500 120v.

The freezer to try to save some of the thousand dollars worth if meat is 120v as well. 

Would an 8000 generac do the job or is that overkill? What peek watts should I look fir.  Thank in advance.

Sorry fir misspellings. Dumb touch phone.

[Flester1]

They will be moving. Into camper for the week until ppswer is restored.  Est 1week.  Can run short heavy ga ext cord to freezer

[austinado16]

8,000 watts peak will have about a 7,500watt continuous rating.  That's probably perfect, if not a little on the "large" size.  But in your situation, I'd rather have too much than too little.

[wavery]

8,000 watts peak will have about a 7,500watt continuous rating.  That's probably perfect, if not a little on the "large" size.  But in your situation, I'd rather have too much than too little.

I agree. If you can grab an 8000 that will run the entire house if they use some common sense. Itll easily run the AC, fridge, freezer, lights, TV and occasional pot of coffee and/or M/W.

That is one heck of a noise maker though.... hope you have a garage with a couple windows to run it in. It also will drink about 1.5x the gas of a 4500W. A 4500W would be my choice if you are just talking about the camper AC and freezer. Anything in between is a bonus.

Those things will generally run 6-8 hours on a tank of gas (at 1/2 load). Be sure that they have a safe way to fill the tank. Let the generator cool down a bit before filling. Careful not to spill. Have a LARGE fire extinguisher at hand... especially if running it in the garage. If the tank holds 2G, I would get them a bunch of 2G gas cans and 4 or 5, 5G cans.

Is there a place to buy gas close by? Can you set their vehicle up with an electric fuel pump running into their gas tank? Fuel is usually the biggest issue when running 24/7 for a week.

Also.... the oil will have to be changed after a minimum break-in time (like 50 hours- 2 days). I'd refill it with Mobile1 synthetic. It helps air cooled engines run a LOT cooler and longer. Believe it or not, it will also use less gas/longer run time per tank.

[Flester1]

Figures this happens when we are away.  They are in the basement for now.  Early estimates were over 1million without juice and phones in value "VA" and WV.
Sorry to use the 911 forum.  Reading responses via email.  Thank you soon much. Will be shopping for 6500and up first thing tomorrow morning around Philly.  Maybe a farm equip store will have them too.  Lowest and depot both show they have 6500w. In stock

[wavery]

Figures this happens when we are away.  They are in the basement for now.  Early estimates were over 1million without juice and phones in value and WV.
Sorry to use the 911 forum.  Reading responses via email.  Thank you soon much. Will be shopping for 6500and up first thing tomorrow morning around Philly.  Maybe a farm equip store will have them too.  Lowest and depot both show they have 6500w. In stock

6500W should be perfect. Give it a little cush and safety margin. Re-read my comments above. I edited.

[GoneCamping]

If you just want to power the camper, go to Northern Tools and get the Champion 3500/4000 unit that is rated at 29.2 amps that comes RV ready, has RV style 30 amp receptical on it... it's plug & play. Not as quiet as the Inverter style generators, but it's not as noisey as many that I've heard.
Champion Cat-5

[Flester1]

First off I would like to thank the "reliable" members of PUX for responding, as well as the couple names that I've never seen before.

We made it through PA and to a Home Depot that had a very slim selection on generators.  When I couldn't find one the size I wanted, I walked up front and asked if they had any in the back or on the top rack.  The gentleman pointed to the end of the check-out isle and said they had one "big one" left that was sent in as a result of potential power problems from the same storm that tore WV and VA up. 

I inspected the "big one" and quickly determined that I could power half the block with it.  We are now the proud owners of this puppy:




I plan on wiring a box in so that my father-in-law can just run a 50a cable into the garage and plug it into a second breaker box that will power select breakers.  The next time a storm hits, they will be good-to-go and won't be out in the cold... or heat for that matter. 

I also took a picture of the "camp" we set up in their driveway.  I can't wait for the HOA to call and tell me to move it!! 



Again, thank you very much for the responses.  Trying to find this stuff on a cell phone is like pulling teeth... that don't need pulling!

[wavery]

YEP!!!!! That should do it!!!!!

hahahaha..... now your parents can sell power to all their neighbors.....  that thing should power the whole house without working up a sweat..... Now you just have to figure out how to keep it fed.

Looks like it burns 1 gal per hr (24g per day/170G a week) at 50% capacity. That may prove to be your biggest challenge with a gen that size.

It has an electric start which is a huge bonus if they take care of the battery.

Like I said before.... be sure to change the oil @ the recommended intervals...... If it were me.... I'd use synthetic oil but check with the manuf.

[Flester1]

That thing is a beast!  I would love to buy one to take along to the campground should I ever need it... it would have to be a quiet model though.  Any suggestions on models that are the "whisper" quiet ones?  (also that don't weight 350lbs haha)