OT: farm generators

2x4 · May 5, 2010

Tenn. storm has knocked out power; lines & poles swept away or in river. Need generator to hook to freezer for awhile, then to refrigerator awhile, etc. How big a one do I need? Freezer is full of beef - 18 cu. ft. What brands & price range have worked best for you?

tjdub · May 5, 2010

Freezer and refrigerator use very little power. You can hook them both up at the same time to the smallest gasoline powered generator. I would guess the combined load of the two would probably be under 1 kW. You might want to plug them in at separate times though since compressor start-up draws the most juice.

Russ from MN · May 5, 2010

I think our Coleman is 2200 watt, and it will do those things, but if you ever want to run a well pump most of them are 220 volt, so if I was doing it again I would buy one that has that capability.

paul · May 5, 2010

A typical 15 or 20 amp wall plug is about a 2000 watt generator - allowing for a bit of inefficiency.

For starting bigger electric motors, having a bit more is a good thing, if you'd care to plug them both in plus a TV & lamp with some cords & sit back, might want to look for a 4000 or 5000 watt setup and you will be good to go - often they get you a small 240v plug in which may run your deep well if needed....

Honda is the Caddy of them, and costs it so you won't be affording that.... There are 100's of brands out there, some mid-level, some cheap, hard to pin down better or worse from all that. Many of the generator/alternator heads come from China, all about the same; pick an engine type you like I guess, B&S, Honda, Honda-clone, Kohler, etc.

--->Paul

Mike (WA) · May 5, 2010

We have a 2000 watt Honda, and it works fine for that. Plug in one, then plug in the other, then when both the refer and freezer compressors stop (ie, both are down to proper temperature), shut it off for a few hours. Honda is more expensive, but I understand the voltage regulation is precise enough to use for electronic equipment and computer. But the main reason I got it is that it is soooo QUIET! Doesn't drive me crazy like the conventional ones.

55 50 Ron · May 5, 2010

The main concern is what is the peak current draw during startup on those compressors. Consulting an electrician may be a good thing.

I have a Generac 7500 watt with 13500 watt peak capability. Need that for a 230 volt, 3/4 HP well pump motor. I contacted my well pump provider and got the manufacturer of the pump motor who then gave me the specs of the motor so I then knew how many amps it needed at startup.

The 7500 watt unit powers my whole home if needed.

Gun guru · May 5, 2010

Go to Home Depot and get a 10HP Coleman powermate, mine was $600. about 35 amps total. Plenty to run 2 refrigerators.

Gun guru · May 5, 2010

Go to Home Depot and get a 10HP Coleman powermate, mine was $600. about 35 amps total. Plenty to run 2 refrigerators.

kyhayman · May 5, 2010

I use a 6500 peak 5000 steady watt Coleman. It manages the freezer, refridgerator, a couple of light bulbs, tv and in spite of what some people warn me about a computer. The only thing I've learned to watch is the coffee pot and a light bulb are a full load so everything else has to be off.

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2010

Was in the same fix five years ago due to ice storm here (Indiana). Bought a $500.00 3500 watt generator at Sears that FEMA later reimbursed me for. All of these generators should have 240 volt and two sets of plugs for the 120 volt (one for each phase). Plug the freezer into one plug and the fridge into the other, this will help keep the load balanced. Make sure you have that thing away from your house several feet. We had multiple cases of carbon monoxide poisoning here from people trying to run them in their basements or garages. Hard to believe I know, but a lot of people are not very smart (unlike tractor board folks) Best of luck, hope your family and property are ok.

IOWA NORTHEAST · May 5, 2010

Honda makes a model, that you tag two generators together if you need more power.

Our fire department will not purchase anything that does not say Honda on it. They just run so much quieter, and so far they have been trouble free.

buickanddeere · May 5, 2010

Here is a way to connect that generator for in the future.

http://www.reliancecontrols.com/ProductDetail.aspx?TWB1512DR

Paul from MI · May 5, 2010

My 4400 watt Powermate handles 2 refrigerators, a freezer, and my furnace. Oncce you are on generator it is unlikely that more than one will start at the same time.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · May 5, 2010

I have a 6000 surge 5000 continuous Coleman generator. I have it set up so I can back feed my entire place from a welder outlet in the shed. I just flip the breaker off on the meter pole to isolate me from the grid. Yes, it's not the correct way to do it, but it works.
I would recommend whatever you buy, make sure the generator is brushless. OHV engines will burn less fuel. I was told by an electrician that the brushless generators will surge less than a brush type. I had to replace a circuit board in my furnace this past winter. The repair guy said the generator surging when loads turn on was what killed the board.

Cas · May 5, 2010

Had a few generators over 40 years. I wish I
would have saved up and bought a Honda earlier.
It is a 5000 watt and I know they say you need
a bigger one. But, I run my house with it.
Includes running a 240 volt water pump.

T_Bone · May 5, 2010

Hey 2x4,

Get the Honda 2000EU. You will save in fuel what the other cost too buy as the new Honda's are stingy on fuel. They vary rpm from output demand. These are inverter based generators therefor can almost idle while producing 115/230vac.

T_Bone

Bob from Australia · May 5, 2010

I have had several generators over the years as we do not have
power on the farm.

Nothing beats the Honda 2000, quiet, reliable, easy on fuel. I
have a cable arrangement that allows two of them to be hooked
together when I need more than 2000 watts.

For running a refrigerator, I use a Honda to charge deep cycle
batteries (CTEK 25 amp chargers), then use an inverter to get AC
power. Only need to run the Honda (with 2 CTEK chargers, one for each 12V battery)
for about an hour to run the refrigerator for 24 hours even in the hot Australian summer.

OT: farm generators

2x4

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tjdub

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Russ from MN

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paul

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Mike (WA)

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55 50 Ron

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Gun guru

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Gun guru

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kyhayman

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Anonymous-0

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IOWA NORTHEAST

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buickanddeere

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Paul from MI

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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Cas

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T_Bone

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Bob from Australia

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