Thinking About A Generator

[Valuesize]

I hate not having any power. I would want to power the fridge, a couple of lights, one portable heater and maybe the wifi.   How many watt generator would I need and can you get a decent one for under $500?

[chuck white]

I hate not having any power. I would want to power the fridge, a couple of lights, one portable heater and maybe the wifi.   How many watt generator would I need and can you get a decent one for under $500?

Depends on the size of your fridge, guess around 10 amps, what type light ? LED bulbs 1/2 amp, tungsten filament bulb 2 amps . Portable heater on low 7 amps, high 15 amps.
So 10 +2+15=27 amps
27 amps * 120 Volts= 3240 Watts.

get a 3500 watt  or more generator.

[Valuesize]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

[chuck white]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

There you go, 6.5 gal of gas for 11 hours.

Gas can run up a lot of money.

Do they have a electric one?

[Cuzz]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

There you go, 6.5 gal of gas for 11 hours.

Gas can run up a lot of money.

Do they have a electric one?

Just get a wireless extension cord and cop power from your neighbor. New tech.

[chuck white]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

There you go, 6.5 gal of gas for 11 hours.

Gas can run up a lot of money.

Do they have a electric one?

Just get a wireless extension cord and cop power from your neighbor. New tech.

Wireless extension cords, was that a 'made in China' product?

[Wonky3]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

There you go, 6.5 gal of gas for 11 hours.

Gas can run up a lot of money.

Do they have a electric one?

Very funny. 

You might want to consider a TRANSFER SWITCH also. Lot's of folks who are not familiar with the main panel get in a lot of trouble when the grid power is restored and they have not connected the generator correctly. Also, it's VERY IMPORTANT you don't make a mistake and connect the generator to the "line side" of your panel. You could kill a Lineman working on what he thinks is a "dead" line. 

I've never had to use one, but have friends who live in "the mountains" and have them. Their advice: Buy the "largest" unit you can afford and consider hiring an electrician to install a transfer switch.

[tvguy]

I hate not having any power. I would want to power the fridge, a couple of lights, one portable heater and maybe the wifi.   How many watt generator would I need and can you get a decent one for under $500?

Depends on the size of your fridge, guess around 10 amps, what type light ? LED bulbs 1/2 amp, tungsten filament bulb 2 amps . Portable heater on low 7 amps, high 15 amps.
So 10 +2+15=27 amps
27 amps * 120 Volts= 3240 Watts.

get a 3500 watt  or more generator.

You are WAY off on the fridge. It should only use a couple of amps of power. and

  Also a 1500 watt heater is 12.5 amps.

2+2+12.5= 16.5 amps  or about 2000 watts

[Valuesize]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

There you go, 6.5 gal of gas for 11 hours.

Gas can run up a lot of money.

Do they have a electric one?

I'm out and about right now but I guess I'll have to do a search for fuel efficiency when I get back.

[Valuesize]

Very funny. 

You might want to consider a TRANSFER SWITCH also. Lot's of folks who are not familiar with the main panel get in a lot of trouble when the grid power is restored and they have not connected the generator correctly. Also, it's VERY IMPORTANT you don't make a mistake and connect the generator to the "line side" of your panel. You could kill a Lineman working on what he thinks is a "dead" line. 

I've never had to use one, but have friends who live in "the mountains" and have them. Their advice: Buy the "largest" unit you can afford and consider hiring an electrician to install a transfer switch.

I think you're talking about a whole house generator. I'm looking at  portable generator for under 500 because I'm still stuck in this crappy apartment. :-)

Thanks though....

[tvguy]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

Am I wrong thinking you rent an apartment? because if do the transfer switch idea is out.

Since heat is going to use the most electricity you could consider something like this.

[Valuesize]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

Am I wrong thinking you rent an apartment? because if do the transfer switch idea is out.

Since heat is going to use the most electricity you could consider something like this.

We posted at the same time, see my post above. So that heater safe to use indoors?

[chuck white]

Transfer switch is for wimps.

Just get yourself a male to male power cord.
Turn off your main circuit breaker (don't want to be giving power to the grid)
plug your generator into a wall out let and your good to go.


(Is that right TV-GUY?)

[tvguy]

Home Depot has this. It's the highest output with the lowest price under $500.

Am I wrong thinking you rent an apartment? because if do the transfer switch idea is out.

Since heat is going to use the most electricity you could consider something like this.

We posted at the same time, see my post above. So that heater safe to use indoors?

Yes it is a vent less heater. That's the thing with Amazon. They never fully describe their products?? Normally something like this would have the specs.

[tvguy]

Transfer switch is for wimps.

Just get yourself a male to male power cord.
Turn off your main circuit breaker (don't want to be giving power to the grid)
plug your generator into a wall out let and your good to go.


(Is that right TV-GUY?)

It is indeed a way. But not so much "right" lol.

I got shocked once because someone did that.

[orygunluvr]

If that generator doesn't have a surge protector you could fry your frig.

[tvguy]

If that generator doesn't have a surge protector you could fry your frig.

Or your computer That's one reason people get inverter generators like the Honda's They are more  expensive but they are also a lot quieter.
The ones with an I or IS in the name. I've been looking to buy a used Honda  EU2000i used for a long time.

[orygunluvr]

If that generator doesn't have a surge protector you could fry your frig.

Or your computer That's one reason people get inverter generators like the Honda's They are more  expensive but they are also a lot quieter.
The ones with an I or IS in the name. I've been looking to buy a used Honda  EU2000i used for a long time.

Yamaha also has the same thing and is quiet as well.

[Valuesize]

If that generator doesn't have a surge protector you could fry your frig.

Or your computer That's one reason people get inverter generators like the Honda's They are more  expensive but they are also a lot quieter.
The ones with an I or IS in the name. I've been looking to buy a used Honda  EU2000i used for a long time.

About a grand new. How much would a used one go for?

[tvguy]

If that generator doesn't have a surge protector you could fry your frig.

Or your computer That's one reason people get inverter generators like the Honda's They are more  expensive but they are also a lot quieter.
The ones with an I or IS in the name. I've been looking to buy a used Honda  EU2000i used for a long time.

About a grand new. How much would a used one go for?

I've seen them for 800 but I'm too cheap. I'm waiting to find a more motivated seller.