Re: Whole house generators (slightly OT)

[sylvan butler <ZsdbUse1+noZs_0610@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:27:28 -0400, Robert L Bass <robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> I'm basing the size on the fact that I have 200 amp service (and use every bit of it) now although I wouldn't need to run all the
>> AC units in an emergency...

> You probably only need 15-20 kW.  My 10-room home with attached office
> ran well in southern New England (read: "ice and snow") using

I dunno...  200amp is 38kw sustained.  And don't forget the utility is
very low impedance compared to small (yes, 40kw is small) generators.

The big concern is the AC units...  Those usually need a hefty surge to
start, and the genset needs to be considerably oversized to do it.  The
next big concern is a well pump, and then finally we get to large
freezer and refrigerator units.  Everything else is usually pretty
reasonable unless an electric furnace is involved.  Even an electric
range/oven is no biggie when you have already allocated for a multi-ton
AC.  (On a hot summer day my 2.5 ton heat pump pulls around 100amps to
start, with a new starting capacitor.  The oven's only 35amp cycling.)

sdb
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