Home generator question

[Zef]

I'm in the process to install a home gen....I'm fed up of all the power shut down...I want to know if somebody on the forum has experience with the Champion generator (6500 running and 7800 peak) that Costco sell...Thanks...Syl

[widgeon13]

I don't have any experience w/ the Champion but I do have an installed Generac at my place in the Adirondacks, upstate NY and it's one of the best decision's I've made. We have National Grid as electric provider and they are terrible. You will love having a generator.

[schamp]

6.5 K is not much power and isn't a very clean sine wave wise. Running a computer off of it with other things comming on and off can be risky. With that said, you might want to check out Aura Systems, Inc. and their generators that run off of you truck. I have one in a suburban along with a home transfer switch and love it. I live out in the country and electrical service is real iffy sometimes. Had to run the suburban about four days once. I would have had to leave my home without it. The auragen I have give you about 50 amps and 115 and 230. You just have to watch how much stuff you plug in to it. I never have to worry about if it will start or if the gas is bad etc. Not to mention risk of being stolen. Had it for years and it keeps on working when I need it. Its expensive but works. If you just want piece of mind and to plug in a TV and a freezer the 6.5 will work.

[idontknow]

Originally Posted by schamp

6.5 K is not much power and isn't a very clean sine wave wise. Running a computer off of it with other things comming on and off can be risky. If you just want piece of mind and to plug in a TV and a freezer the 6.5 will work.

I have a 6.5k 115/230 volt generator. To use the computers with the generator we have APC backup units to condition the incoming power. The 6.5kw generator has proven well enough for us. We run a window shaker A/C unit, the refrigerator, washer, computer, and chargers all at the same time. I have it set up as well so we can run the water heater or dryer (each consume 4.5kw) one at a time.

One note, the compact flourescent bulbs tend to burn out in about a week when running off the generator. I'd definitely recommend if you're going to use any expensive electronics to add a power conditioner.

[Rusty Heap]

Add up all the wattage of stuff you want to run, 1200 watt blow dryer takes 10 amps at 120 volts.

Figure on allowing induction motors like refridgerators starting up, or A/C units to double the current draw on motor start up.

Thirsty things in your house, are microwaves (about 1500 watts), fridge/freezers about 700-800 running and 1500 surge on start up, TV is about 700 watts.

The biggest thing is NOISE, most the ~cheap 5KW-8KW generators in the $500-1000 range are damn loud, obnoxious loud. Better to buy a quiet honda and spend $2000-2500 on it. I live on 5 acres and even with my generator 150 away from the house I can hear it inside.

Also you need to figure out how to wire it into your house. Per code, you'll need a gen-tran switch, where you dedicate 10-12 circuits in your house to an A/B selector switch to switch between Line power and your generator. You can "cheat" and back feed into a 220 VAC dryer outlet, or other 220 VAC big plug like my Arc Welder out in my shop. JUST BE SURE to always disconnect your main 200 amp breaker to isolate your house from the street power lines.

Wire it up safe and use common sense. Noise is something that many people don't consider.

[Hugh R]

I'd look at the ability to get rebuild parts. If if eats a piston, can you order parts from Costco, I don't think so.

[widgeon13]

Go the whole route and get a Generac 15kw or Onan 12kw installed with 200 amp transfer switch. On and off automatically, transparent operation. Its another world when the lights go out for everybody else.

Unless you have a very big house, you can run everything you need and never worry.

[Mo_Gearhead]

QUOTE: Per code, you'll need a gen-tran switch, where you dedicate 10-12 circuits in your house to an A/B selector switch to switch between Line power and your generator."
__________________________

THIS is important to anyone installing a home generator. If you have a power outage and your generator 'backfeeds' into the power grid you may endanger the life of a utility lineman that is doing repair work, has disconnected a power line from its source and now is confident it is dead.

Utility crews working outages KNOW which way the current feeds from ...they will not expect it to be backfed.

DO NOT put one of these in your home without a proper transfer switch!

[Zef]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I'd look at the ability to get rebuild parts. If if eats a piston, can you order parts from Costco, I don't think so.

http://www.championpowerequipment.com/
It's a US based company...

10006 Santa Fe Springs Road
Santa Fe Springs, California 90670

Possibly no problem to get parts...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Go the whole route and get a Generac 15kw or Onan 12kw installed with 200 amp transfer switch. On and off automatically, transparent operation. Its another world when the lights go out for everybody else.

Unless you have a very big house, you can run everything you need and never worry.

After 14 years with a portable generator, we're going that route this summer...the final straw was a two day outage this winter.

If you decide to go the portable route, look at a diesel unit as well. Good luck.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

QUOTE: Per code, you'll need a gen-tran switch, where you dedicate 10-12 circuits in your house to an A/B selector switch to switch between Line power and your generator."
__________________________

THIS is important to anyone installing a home generator. If you have a power outage and your generator 'backfeeds' into the power grid you may endanger the life of a utility lineman that is doing repair work, has disconnected a power line from its source and now is confident it is dead.

Utility crews working outages KNOW which way the current feeds from ...they will not expect it to be backfed.

DO NOT put one of these in your home without a proper transfer switch!

Sure...A certified pro electrician will do the job...insurance wise. I do not get the ability to do it safe...

[avi8torny]

after adding all the costs and hassles associated with having a portable standby generator, it is hard to beat the generac home standby power system.

It comes with the transfer switch incorporated in the supplied breaker panel and all the wiring and hardware necessary for installation. If you do it yourself, you would need to buy an automotive battery and a double 40amp breaker for your main panel. Having someone install your LP or NG supply will be the only cost. You could do it yourself if you were not going underground and were able to feed the generator with a 1" supply line. Some of the flex and underground piping in that size is proprietary and would have to be purchased from the utility by a licensed and would have to be approved in underground connections.

I have installed 8 of these generators for relatives and friends and I am pleased with the quality of these units. Duplicating a standby panel for someone who has a gasoline powered standby generator is expensive and the pits IMHO

[MT930]

We have standby power 10KVW runs 80% of the house, take some time prioritizing circuits, for E- power

1.Furnaces, 2.well, 3.septic, 4.fridge, 5.kitchen 6. Freezer. Living in rual Montana we use it couple days every year. The transfer switch is critical, you can not have a back feed condition. You could really hurt or kill a line-worker.

[Tim Polzin]

Page down to "Other Items"... a couple of entries under generators.

Really funny.

http://userweb.windwireless.net/~jimc/index.html

Tim

[cashflyer]

To really have the most efficient power supply you will need a gererator.
'Nuff said.