Home generator backup question

[blackpowderhunter]

Looking to pick up a generator to wire in for home backup for emergencies, power outages, etc.  we dont seem to lose power much..but i'd ike to be prepared.
i saw this one at costco
https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Dual-Fuel-Generator-7500-Running-Watts.product.100417697.html
with 7500 running watts, i like that it is dual fuel.
anyways..i have a 3 bedroom home, currently in the process of switching the furnace, hot water heater, and stove to natural gas.
so this would mainly be to run lights, keep the freezer in the garage going, fridge in the kitchen, and a few small things.
would a generator of this size be sufficient?
i've run through a few online calculators and it seems as though it would be..just wanted to check with people who have actual experience.
thanks.

[MADMAX]

I run my entire house 3600 sf with the Honda 2000 using my Gentran panel
 no heat pump no oven
gas cooktop
gas fireplace during power hour outage
runs the lights runs the TV runs the fridge and I switch off on the freezer just because of the circuit it’s on in the house that I purchased
Neighbors went out bought an 11,500 W generator and run the same stuff I run

[Hilltop123]

Looking to pick up a generator to wire in for home backup for emergencies, power outages, etc.  we dont seem to lose power much..but i'd ike to be prepared.
i saw this one at costco
https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Dual-Fuel-Generator-7500-Running-Watts.product.100417697.html
with 7500 running watts, i like that it is dual fuel.
anyways..i have a 3 bedroom home, currently in the process of switching the furnace, hot water heater, and stove to natural gas.
so this would mainly be to run lights, keep the freezer in the garage going, fridge in the kitchen, and a few small things.
would a generator of this size be sufficient?
i've run through a few online calculators and it seems as though it would be..just wanted to check with people who have actual experience.
thanks.

Are you also running a well or are you on a community water system?

[blackpowderhunter]

city water, no well.

[PolarBear]

I bought the next size up for my folks last year and it worked great!  I was baby sitting my Dad with Alzheimers while Mom was in the Hospital.  The power went out, I was not in a position to get fuel so when the gas ran out I switched to LP and ran until the power came back on. It's a good thing because my Dad freaked out not being able to figure out why it suddenly became dark.  A little loud but at that point who cares?  I was able to run everything from the well, septic and even their heat pump.

[spin05]

A 7500 watt will easily run it. Where you run into problems is trying to run a electric oven,water heater or a well.  Right now i run everything on a 3500 watt honda but no oven,no water heater and no well

[Wazntme]

You will need a transfer switch and the problem is the affordable ones only have 6-8 circuits. So even if you have a lot of power to use from the gen you can only distribute it so many ways. You can go with a bigger switch  but then you have a 500 dollar gen plugged into a 1200 dollar transfer switch

[BNAElkhntr]

Hi There What Brand is your electrical panel  some manufactures are able to convert Your whole panel to be able to be used   of course within limits of
your generator   PM me I'll point you  the way

[ctwiggs1]

My guess is you could run all that on a significantly smaller genny.

We did the same thing to our house a few years ago.  Once I did all the calculations to figure out what my real draw would be (worst case), I think I came in under 1500W.  I ended up putting the stove, Microwave, etc. on there for the heck of it.  Why not?   

A big help is replacing all the old bulbs with LEDs - you can take your wattage from 60W down to 6W real fast per bulb. 

If you use that particular generator, it looks like the power cord you'll want to use will be the one that connects with this:
14-50R Dual Voltage 120V/240V - 50A

I would plan to spend a good chunk of change on a power cord.  I think we spent about $150 on ours @ 100ft long.

[Special T]

I think your generator is plenty big enough. I dont lose power often but did for over a week. Here is what I learned.

While the power is still working in your home you should map out which plugins go on what breakers and circuits. Create a map that signifies it. Make a couple copies and keep one in a ziplock takes to your breaker pannel.

Figure out where the generator will be placed when running. It needs to be secure from theft and as close to the plug in as possible. Proper planning ahead of time makes all the world of difference.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[ctwiggs1]

 

[Special T]

I separated my comments out because the last time I mentioned this I got an ear full.

If you turn off your master breaker in your home you isolate you while house from the grid. If you hook the power of your generator to your home and do not isolate your home you are financially and I belive criminally liable for damage or injury.

The generator isolation breakers are made so they are idiot proof. It isnt possible to put power to your home  without disconnecting it from the grid. This doesnt mean it isnt possible to power you home without one.  If you main breaker is off and you connect your generator to your 220 welding plugin that is next to the breaker box all your power is isolated.

I remember finding a "certified product" that was some kind of mechanical lockout that went over the breakers on your existing panel for much cheaper than the $1200 panel mentioned. $2-300.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[blackpowderhunter]

Hi There What Brand is your electrical panel  some manufactures are able to convert Your whole panel to be able to be used   of course within limits of
your generator   PM me I'll point you  the way

ill have to take a look this afternoon.
thanks for the replies everyone.. i know i could probably get by on a smaller one, but i do appreciate the dual fuel aspect, since this wont be used much, i dont want to have to worry about gas sitting in it, as i always do have propane available.

[Special T]

Here is a pic of my panel and map. Nothing fancy just number coded

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[blackpowderhunter]

I think your generator is plenty big enough. I dont lose power often but did for over a week. Here is what I learned.

While the power is still working in your home you should map out which plugins go on what breakers and circuits. Create a map that signifies it. Make a couple copies and keep one in a ziplock takes to your breaker pannel.

Figure out where the generator will be placed when running. It needs to be secure from theft and as close to the plug in as possible. Proper planning ahead of time makes all the world of difference.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

definitely on my to do list while i do this project. 

[wapiti hunter2]

A 7500 watt will easily run it. Where you run into problems is trying to run a electric oven,water heater or a well.  Right now i run everything on a 3500 watt honda but no oven,no water heater and no well

I can run my whole house plus my well on a 5kw. I have recently upgraded to a 6500w but that's because I got a good deal. I have a fairly small place and my stove and water heater are propane. I have a chest freezer and refrigerator as well as all the lights in the house. I also heat with wood but can run 3 plug-in oil heaters off the gen. In 2012, we had an ice storm and the power was out for 6 days. We carried on like nothing was wrong. We only ran the gen for about 6 hours/day though. No real reason during the day and the 6 hrs/day kept the freezers frozen. Be sure to have plenty of gas. In the ice storm, Yelm was out as well and we had to drive to Olympia to get gas.

[Special T]

My folks have a dual fuel generator that they are planning to hook up to thier 500 gal propane tank that heats the home and water. Fuel becomes a non issue if you do that.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Special T]

Propane vs Gas vs Diesel debate is important, but very application specific.  If your goal is to run essentials sporadically for shorter periods of time the comparison of production isnt all that important.
Gas and diesel have a storage shelf life. Propane does not. Few people have a 500gal diesel tank at thier home, but many have a propane one.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[baker5150]

I separated my comments out because the last time I mentioned this I got an ear full.

If you turn off your master breaker in your home you isolate you while house from the grid. If you hook the power of your generator to your home and do not isolate your home you are financially and I belive criminally liable for damage or injury.

The generator isolation breakers are made so they are idiot proof. It isnt possible to put power to your home  without disconnecting it from the grid. This doesnt mean it isnt possible to power you home without one.  If you main breaker is off and you connect your generator to your 220 welding plugin that is next to the breaker box all your power is isolated.

I remember finding a "certified product" that was some kind of mechanical lockout that went over the breakers on your existing panel for much cheaper than the $1200 panel mentioned. $2-300.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

You will need an Interlock and breaker as mentioned, it will need to be installed on the right hand side of the panel at the very top.  It will not be able to be turned on if the main is on, and the main will not turn back on until this breaker is off.  There is a lock out bar as a fail safe that makes it idiot proof.

If you do it this way PLEASE, check the neutral bar for voltage when the main is off.  If you have voltage there, find out why and fix it. 


This is how my panel is set up and it works great.  They are made for most popular panels.

A similar product to what I used.
https://www.ebay.com/i/172254359314?chn=ps 

[shallowforks]

Looking to pick up a generator to wire in for home backup for emergencies, power outages, etc.  we dont seem to lose power much..but i'd ike to be prepared.
i saw this one at costco
https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Dual-Fuel-Generator-7500-Running-Watts.product.100417697.html
with 7500 running watts, i like that it is dual fuel.
anyways..i have a 3 bedroom home, currently in the process of switching the furnace, hot water heater, and stove to natural gas.
so this would mainly be to run lights, keep the freezer in the garage going, fridge in the kitchen, and a few small things.
would a generator of this size be sufficient?
i've run through a few online calculators and it seems as though it would be..just wanted to check with people who have actual experience.
thanks.

Yes with this generator you will be able to run lights, fridge, freezer, and gas furnace with room to spare. I recommend that exact generator to all my customers. (Im an electrical contractor)

[Special T]

I separated my comments out because the last time I mentioned this I got an ear full.

If you turn off your master breaker in your home you isolate you while house from the grid. If you hook the power of your generator to your home and do not isolate your home you are financially and I belive criminally liable for damage or injury.

The generator isolation breakers are made so they are idiot proof. It isnt possible to put power to your home  without disconnecting it from the grid. This doesnt mean it isnt possible to power you home without one.  If you main breaker is off and you connect your generator to your 220 welding plugin that is next to the breaker box all your power is isolated.

I remember finding a "certified product" that was some kind of mechanical lockout that went over the breakers on your existing panel for much cheaper than the $1200 panel mentioned. $2-300.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

You will need an Interlock and breaker as mentioned, it will need to be installed on the right hand side of the panel at the very top.  It will not be able to be turned on if the main is on, and the main will not turn back on until this breaker is off.  There is a lock out bar as a fail safe that makes it idiot proof.

If you do it this way PLEASE, check the neutral bar for voltage when the main is off.  If you have voltage there, find out why and fix it. 


This is how my panel is set up and it works great.  They are made for most popular panels.

A similar product to what I used.
https://www.ebay.com/i/172254359314?chn=ps

I knew the member that installed one  would post up the link... way cheaper than the other options.

[Katmai Guy]

I knew the member that installed one  would post up the link... way cheaper than the other options.

Most people don't have their generator permanently connected with auto start so this is the best way to do this vs a transfer switch if they can/want to run the whole panel.  Also, it's safer for the lineman trying to restore power than just trying to backfeed a recept.

[thinkingman]

I separated my comments out because the last time I mentioned this I got an ear full.

If you turn off your master breaker in your home you isolate you while house from the grid. If you hook the power of your generator to your home and do not isolate your home you are financially and I belive criminally liable for damage or injury.

The generator isolation breakers are made so they are idiot proof. It isnt possible to put power to your home  without disconnecting it from the grid. This doesnt mean it isnt possible to power you home without one.  If you main breaker is off and you connect your generator to your 220 welding plugin that is next to the breaker box all your power is isolated.

I remember finding a "certified product" that was some kind of mechanical lockout that went over the breakers on your existing panel for much cheaper than the $1200 panel mentioned. $2-300.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

You will need an Interlock and breaker as mentioned, it will need to be installed on the right hand side of the panel at the very top.  It will not be able to be turned on if the main is on, and the main will not turn back on until this breaker is off.  There is a lock out bar as a fail safe that makes it idiot proof.

If you do it this way PLEASE, check the neutral bar for voltage when the main is off.  If you have voltage there, find out why and fix it. 


This is how my panel is set up and it works great.  They are made for most popular panels.

A similar product to what I used.
https://www.ebay.com/i/172254359314?chn=ps

This is the only way to go.
I got one from the same manufacturer. 
It looks home-made but works great.

[WAElkhunter89]

When we had our home built, we had a Generac 22,000KW wired in. Probably a little overkill, but it will power the whole house which is all electric. We also have a wood stove for heat if the power does go out. I believe we paid around $3,750 for the 22,000KW from Lowes after discounts, then an additional $1,500 to completely wire it up, and then we purchased a 250 gallon propane tank dedicated for the generator. Once the power shuts off, the generator automatically kicks on within 30 seconds and powers everything. Figured we would pay the upfront cost and not have to worry about anything.