Generator install - where to start

[WinterDeere]

Good advice, as always, Peter! But do note that my 35 kW number is steady state, without considering surge/inrush of each appliance, which could easily be 100 kW for a brief few seconds immediately following a long outage without load management.

Simply put, I summed the steady-state draw of each appliance, in calculating that load. Add maybe 4 kW for lighting, computers, TV's, refrigerators... we're likely at 35 kW max steady state, if all HVAC's, pool heater, well pump and shop air compressor run at the same time. Heck, now that I think of it, I didn't even include kitchen range (10 kW?) or microwave ovens (2x 1.5 kW?). Now we're at 45 kW.

The scenario of all AC compressors, refrigerators, pool heater, and air compressor running simultaneously for minutes or an hour is very likely, immediately following any extended outage. Although with our goal being the avoidance of extended outages, I guess all of those large loads may never run concurrently under normal circumstances.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Nothing surprises me anymore - we asked for a bid to install a propane line from our LP tank to the generator last fall.

When I called them, they said, oh, we factored in digging the trench!!

Hi Nicole

Ryan came by today promptly at 8:30 am then called back about 1 pm with the estimate $10,055 - yes $10 thousand dollars to run and connect 10’ of gas pipe and fittings for a 10 kw generator in a trench we will dig/provide and on a pad and post we provide.

Ryan was very professional and pleasant and we were pleased with his assessment and overall presentation as a professional.

However we will not be engaging with your company.

For small projects I rarely ask for a bid. Mostly I go cost-plus. Less paperwork for the contractor, less oops pricing for me. I got a new 200 amp house electrical panel for $780 that way, including permits and a couple hours of electrician time to install it.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Good advice, as always, Peter! But do note that my 35 kW number is steady state, without considering surge/inrush of each appliance, which could easily be 100 kW for a brief few seconds immediately following a long outage without load management.

Simply put, I summed the steady-state draw of each appliance, in calculating that load. Add maybe 4 kW for lighting, computers, TV's, refrigerators... we're likely at 35 kW max steady state, if all HVAC's, pool heater, well pump and shop air compressor run at the same time. Heck, now that I think of it, I didn't even include kitchen range (10 kW?) or microwave ovens (2x 1.5 kW?). Now we're at 45 kW.

The scenario of all AC compressors, refrigerators, pool heater, and air compressor running simultaneously for minutes or an hour is very likely, immediately following any extended outage. Although with our goal being the avoidance of extended outages, I guess all of those large loads may never run concurrently under normal circumstances.

145 amps? I don't think so.