Buying a generator... how many watts?

[Andy Perreault]

The power goes out at my place at least once every winter for a day or two. I want to buy a generator to keep the refrigerator/freezer running. That's the only thing I really need power for. I saw a Coleman Powermate 5,000 watt generator on sale, and I'm thinking about buying it. But then I got to thinking, is 5,000 watts enough? 5,000 watts sounds like a lot, but they make small heat guns that fit in the palm of your hand that draw 800 watts. How much power does the average refrigerator use?

TIA, Andy

 

[CChase]

I don't know exactly, but they can't use more than 1800 watts otherwise they would kick the breaker on a standard 15A circuit in the house.



1800 watts = 15A (cap. of standard circuit) X 120V. I know my dad uses a old 3500 watt generator to keep the fridge, TV and a few lamps going during outages... . so the 5k watt gen would be fine for what you need.

 

[Headshot zod]

What kind of heat do you have..... You need to factor that in too..... unless you can depend on wood heat. There should be a plate on the back of the fridge. It will say how watts/amps it uses.

 

[Bob Wagner]

5000w is plenty, we also lose power alot here. I run pellet stove, lights tv dss refrig and computer -fax -phones and never a problem.



bought it ar costco several years ago, cheap insurance





this year I even ****** off some neighbors by running the christmas lights :-laf most other homes were dark

 

[smartineau]

Andy,



If you buy a generator you will never be without power for more than 15 minutes again.



But it is cheap insurance and piece of mind.



steve

 

[PJereb]

If your fridge is newer (not from the 80's) it probably draws 300 watts or less. Most modern refrigrators have a very small compressor motor ( about 1/8th of a horsepower). No worries, 5,000 watt is more than enough, my only suggestion it to buy quality. Honda makes some very nice generators, 2000 watts should be more than enough to run a fridge, and a few other small items. Consider buying a smaller, lower wattage, but high quality unit. They are big $$$, but are very quiet, and should last a very long time.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Thanks, all of you, for the replies.

Andy

 

[GeneA]

I have one of those 5000 watt Coleman Gen Sets. They are very loud and not suitable for a campground. The outlets are a max of 2500 watts each so you do not get 5000 watts out of one outlet. Also if you connect to your house system you must have a transfer switch to prevent current from going out over the line or possibly you can throw the main.

 

[Andy Perreault]

IAlso if you connect to your house system you must have a transfer switch to prevent current from going out over the line or possibly you can throw the main.

I was just going to do it "redneck style" and run an extension cord through the kitchen window to the fridge. More than likely, it would only be for a day or two. As for the noise, I might make some kind of 3-sided box and line it with 2" styrofoam insulation and set it over the generator with the open side facing away from the house.

As for heat, I'm going to get a wood burning stove.

Andy

 

[mgonske]

I've just gone through the learning process here in Florida. I had hoped to be able to run my well pump with my Honda EU1000i, so I'd at least have water. No such luck--it wouldn't start it.



Fortunately, I was able to string a couple hundred feet of heavy gauge extension cord over to my neighbor's generator to run the pump (that worked OK until he added a window air conditioner to the load after a couple of days, then was pretty marginal). I was able to use the EU1000i to run one refrigerator and a couple of fans (no air conditioning is no fun :{ !), and oh yeah, the DSL modem (phone lines didn't go down), the wireless router, the DISH receiver, and a big TV. After the pump results, I was pleased with what the little guy could handle.



I had myself all fired up after the power was back on to get a 15,000 watt Generac automatic standby generator with automatic transfer switch ($3,000 from Harbor Freight or Home Depot). Besides firing itself up for 10 minutes of exercise once a week, it would start up and transfer within 30 seconds of a power loss (my electrical service is really unreliable--I lose power at least once a week during the normal summer thunderstorm season).



Unfortunately, after looking at the fuel consumption numbers, and figuring I'd need about 750 gallons of LP on hand to get through two weeks without power if this scenario plays itself out again on the worse side (four days was bad enough here, and I still could find gasoline for generators at one nearby station), it looks like it would cost $1700 for a 1,000 gallon propane tank (plus installation), plus $1850 for the initial fill. All-in-all, too much of an initial investment for contingency planning.



So when they finally got some in stock (well after our power came back on, naturally), I got a 5550 watt (8550 surge) Troy-bilt from Lowe's for $659. I was close to springing for the $400 transfer switch with 10 circuits, but there are really 12 I'd like to have the option of using (not all at the same time, of course). So, since I have a 60 Amp 240 Volt circuit run out to the little garage out back, I'll install a 30 Amp generator inlet plug there, and just switch off the main breaker before connecting the generator and switching off the unneeded circuits at the main breaker panel. The only drawback over the transfer switch (besides being sure to isolate with the main breaker) is not knowing when the utility power comes back on.



My experience with the EU1000i addresses your real question about the refrigerator load; in searching around I've found several websites (although I haven't saved them) that list typical loads for estimating generator size needs.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I use a 5000 watt and it gets a regular workout here in the swamp. The transformer out here blows regularly and they won't replace it because they can't get a truck out to it, so I get to use my generator all the time.



I bought a volt meter that plugs into one of my house outlets. When the power goes out, I crank up the generator and turn on stuff until the meter drops and then I trade on/off appliances. I can run the furnace and the freezer, or furnace and refer. The computers and tvs, I keep them running the whole time.



The plug in volt meter was about $6 at Radio Shack



Bob - Where do you get your pellets? Would they burn OK in an airtight wood stove?



Doc

 

[Bob Wagner]

Doc, I buy the pellets at my local farm supply, usually 160. 00 ton. The pellets won't work well uless you can rig a feeder ino the stove.



They also sell press fit logs for woodstoves

 

[EBottema]

I would try to stick with a Honda engine. They are awsome, only the GX though. I dont really know about new sears made stuff, it seems low quality... You get what you pay for. My grandpa has a 1500 watt honda mini generator and it is used once every year and it starts up on old gas, runs great and its about 20-25 years old now id guess



erik

 

[sbrennan007]

All of the Sears generators are made by Generac. I have had one for about the last 20 years now, and my Dad has had one longer than that. They work great and have never had any issues.