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Home > Archive > Home Repair forum > July 2005 > generator set for whole house
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generator set for whole house
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| Got an 1800 sq ft house with 4 ton a/c, electric range, washer, dryer,
microwave and various low draw lights, etc.
What is a good kw number for a "whole house" generator that will, for sure,
run the lights and a/c, at least? I'm thinking 15kw would do it, once stuff
was online. I'm told to go from the biggest load to the smallest in
bringing stuff online.
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| Travis Jordan 2005-07-08, 11:25 pm |
| RB wrote:
quote:
> Got an 1800 sq ft house with 4 ton a/c, electric range, washer, dryer,
> microwave and various low draw lights, etc.
>
> What is a good kw number for a "whole house" generator that will, for
> sure, run the lights and a/c, at least? I'm thinking 15kw would do
> it, once stuff was online. I'm told to go from the biggest load to
> the smallest in bringing stuff online.
What's the SEER of the A/C? Divide 48000 by the SEER and it will give
you the steady state current requirements in watts.
Note that starting surge for A/C systems can be six times or more the
running load. A "hard start" kit will reduce the starting current
requirements, so if capacity is a problem then have a hard start kit
installed. Don't forget that once the thermostat is satisifed and the
A/C shuts off you'll still have all the rest of the load there....and
the A/C may not restart unless you shed that load first.
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| SQLit 2005-07-08, 11:25 pm |
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"RB" <rbig@bellsouth.nospam.net> wrote in message
news:0VBze.28418$ho.24066@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
quote:
> Got an 1800 sq ft house with 4 ton a/c, electric range, washer, dryer,
> microwave and various low draw lights, etc.
>
> What is a good kw number for a "whole house" generator that will, for
sure,
quote:
> run the lights and a/c, at least? I'm thinking 15kw would do it, once
stuff
quote:
> was online. I'm told to go from the biggest load to the smallest in
> bringing stuff online.
Your probably going to need a 15kw just to get the a/c started.
15000 watts translates into 62.5 amps.
Musing about
A/C 20 amps running, starting 120 amps, better part of a
second at least
Oven 40 amps
Water heater 25 amps
Washer 20 amps
Dryer 30 amps
these figures might be a little on the high side except for the washer. When
washers go into spin mode they will draw upwards of 18 amps, at least mine
will. Your compressor will have a LRA number this can also be used as the
starting amps.
There are a ton of variables, some interlocks will help.
Make sure that the generator you choose is rated for 100% loading. Most
stand-by units are 80% of full load. Then comes the fuel issue.
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| toller 2005-07-09, 4:25 am |
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quote:
> running load. A "hard start" kit will reduce the starting current
> requirements,
What is a hard start kit? A google search showed many for sale, but no
explanation of what they are.
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| Travis Jordan 2005-07-09, 12:25 pm |
| toller wrote:
quote:
> What is a hard start kit? A google search showed many for sale, but
> no explanation of what they are.
It is a large non-polarized electrolytic capacitor along with a time
delay relay, designed to provide an additional current source during the
compressor start phase.
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