Posted: 4/23/2012 8:01:02 AM EDT
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As newbie to this I need help.
Looking for a generator for the house as I live in hurricane country. I was looking at buying one that will run the fridge, a small one room A/C unit, possibly the tv, some lights... the essentials, and yes that could include the XBOX at times  . Please point me in the right direction. Thanks
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5KW should be fine if the A/C isn't too big. You need to watch out for the fridge and A/C compressors trying to start at the same time though.
Once a month exercise under some load (a couple portable electric heaters will do) is sufficient. Use synthetic oil (Mobil1) and use Sta-Bil in all gas if you get a gas fueled unit. Do not be tempted to significantly oversize the generator as that will just use more fuel. A 5KW gas unit will use ~3/4 gal/hr under full load and 1/3-1/2gal/hr under light load. Remember that the portable units (except a few $$$ units) are *LOUD* and plan your operating location where it will deflect / contain the noise as much as possible. Plan and manage your fuel supply to provide the required run time and also to keep fuel fresh (if applicable). If you get a gas unit again use Sta-Bil in all fuel supplies and cycle the fuel through your car at least once a year, every 6mo is better. Diesel generators are easier to store fuel for, but again you need to treat it (biocide) and rotate stock periodically. LP generators are nice if you have a large LP tank, however the storm will catch you when the tank is low, and getting an LP fill in an emergency will be much more difficult than liquid fuels you can go out and get (gas/diesel). Nat. Gas generators are good for permanent installations as long as nat. gas service is reliable where you are. Since there is no on-site fuel supply you are at the mercy of the gas utility to keep service going and while gas service is pretty reliable, there are situations where you can be without power and gas service at the same time. Always connect the generator through a proper transfer switch. While the reality is that *all* of the utility workers who are supposedly killed by someone's improperly connected generator were in fact killed by their own negligence in not following the required utility safety procedures, you don't want to try to explain that fact to some emotional jury composed of people who can barely change a light bulb. |
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Quoted:
As newbie to this I need help. Looking for a generator for the house as I live in hurricane country. I was looking at buying one that will run the fridge, a small one room A/C unit, possibly the tv, some lights... the essentials, and yes that could include the XBOX at times . Please point me in the right direction. Thankshttp://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/656438_What_size_generator_should_I_get_.html ar-jedi |
| Don't skimp on the generator cord. I couldn't get my window AC to run on my 5600w genny. Came here for advice... I was using a heavy-duty "consumer" extension cord, and based on what I heard here, replaced that (temporarily) with a hand-wired cord made of 10g Romex. And we all lived happily ever after. |
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I'm going to give you my experience and go from there: I live in the south too but instead of owning the biggest generator I can find I bought one of those small Honda suitcase 2kw super quiet, super fuel efficient generators and in my house it will run the :fridge, sat tv box, 50" plasma, and even a small fan.
At night I swap out for small bedroom ac unit. Works for me! 
If I had the extra coin I would go up to the 3k size but they weight and cost a ton more, IMHO. 
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