On Tue, 27 May 2008 22:58:28 -0400, "John Gilmer"
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> snipped-for-privacy@crossl> >It really comes down to handful of questions:
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> >1) Do you want to live essentially a "normal" life while the utility power
> >is out? If so, you get something that will run your airconditioner and
> >your water heater at the same time plus about 4 kW more. When you are on
> >generator power, use some common sense and don't take showers and use the
> >electric stove at the same time unless you turn off the central air > >conditioning.
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> >2) If you can live without central air for the duration, but don't want to
> >get carried away with energy management you might want 8 to 10 kW. This
> >will run your water heater and part of your stove at the same time. Again,
> >don't be foolish and try to run everything at the same time.
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> >3) Otherwise, you should get a 5 kW unit. That's enough for a window A/C
> >and "some" use of the electric stove, water heater, microwave. That's the
> >arrangement we have. We also have a deep well water pump. When the power
> >goes out for a time (like a few days), I get by with running it a few hours
> >in the morning and another few others in the evening. We can take quick
> >showers, cook meals, watch TV in an window A/C cooled family room, and even
> >run the dishwasher. We can't do laundry and we actually turn off loads like
> >the water pump, the water heater, etc. except when we have cut other loads
> >to the bone.
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> The thing a lot of people ignore is "feeding the monster" as folks
> called it after Charlie here.
> These things, even small ones, use an extraordinary amount of fuel. A
> 120 gallon propane tank is not going to last very long, maybe a week
> if you take it easy but you can burn 120 gallons in 3 or 4 days if you
> are running your house like normal. If you are carrying cans from the
> gas station plan on going every day or two with a truck load.
> You will also start to appreciate how cheap electricity is from the
> utility when you fill up those tanks and cans,- Hide quoted text - >
> - Show quoted text -
They are monsters, and the auto cycling of those auto gens can cost $10-20 month for their "self tests" Nothin is free. Buy gen and its a new kid to feed, at least installing a transfer panel gives options.