Generators flying out of Costco...

[Maddox]

4 years ago I got a Troy Built Gen. and a window unit A/C. They are both still sitting in my garage in the box. I haven't used them, but I have them if I need them.

I just hope they still work.

[kyle1974]

4 years ago I got a Troy Built Gen. and a window unit A/C. They are both still sitting in my garage in the box. I haven't used them, but I have them if I need them.

I just hope they still work.

just like insurance....

I bought one that's 6200 running and around 10K surge, and it will easily run a fridge, deep freeze, TV, lamps without so much as a hiccup.

a 5000 watt will run those things plus a window unit fairly easy.

I think about the only thing a small 3-6K geneator won't run is the central air

[Tmag]

Question: Do you get a window AC unit to use with the generator(s) ???? Or is it just for a refrigerator , freezer and a lamp or two???? If it is HOT as hadies why would I want to use my generator for 2 days - 2 weeks after a storm??? Am I misssing something. Heck, my 5,000 Honda has not been used for more than 2 hours in total for the last 10 years I have owned it! HElp my thinking on this whole generator thing?

Oscar - You can run most of your place and a window unit with 5000 watts. Let me know if you need to hook it up when you get home and I'll help you out. I have gas stove and water heater and I run my house on a 5000. Fridge, deep freeze, window unit, ceiling fans, tv, the works.

[Javelin]

Question: Do you get a window AC unit to use with the generator(s) ???? Or is it just for a refrigerator , freezer and a lamp or two???? If it is HOT as hadies why would I want to use my generator for 2 days - 2 weeks after a storm??? Am I misssing something. Heck, my 5,000 Honda has not been used for more than 2 hours in total for the last 10 years I have owned it! HElp my thinking on this whole generator thing?

I dont understand it either. My mom went out and bought a 5500 generator the other day and a window unit. I remember Rita we had no power for about four days, it was hot in the house but not unbearable. I do understand though for folks with babys or old folks the AC may be good to have, I just can live without it for a few days myself. I can always crank my truck up and let her idle all night and sleep in it if it turned off to be 100degrees

[cosmiccowboy]

In our case it was for refrigerators/freezers. We still have a lot of beef from the last steer we fed out and slaughtered plus the usual venison/fish/sausage etc.

[bwssr]

Oscar,
I have two small window A/Cs....I will sleep good if the lights go out!

[Landrover]

I've already been able to rationalize that...
you can barely stay in a hotel for that price.

Aha, I assumed the window units was the key! YES...this hotel is $211 a night and I am DIAMOND level with Hilton!!! We are just acting like we are on vacation....so far, so good!

Oscar - You can run most of your place and a window unit with 5000 watts. Let me know if you need to hook it up when you get home and I'll help you out. I have gas stove and water heater and I run my house on a 5000. Fridge, deep freeze, window unit, ceiling fans, tv, the works.

Yes sir! I may need your help so I don't burn the dang place down!

In our case it was for refrigerators/freezers. We still have a lot of beef from the last steer we fed out and slaughtered plus the usual venison/fish/sausage etc.

Gotcha! we have lots of stuff also but nothing we cant loose. I am sure I will replace the venison easy enough once the season gets going.

Oscar,
I have two small window A/Cs....I will sleep good if the lights go out!

cool, i may pick you two here in Dallas before we head back. Do they come with KITS to keep them in window and also stop the cool air from going back out? Never done one before so this may sound idiotic!

[cheez]

cool, i may pick you two here in Dallas before we head back. Do they come with KITS to keep them in window and also stop the cool air from going back out? Never done one before so this may sound idiotic!

Yes, they usually come with an installation kit. Support brackets, adjustable side covers (to keep the cool air in), etc... You just have to watch whether you get a 110 or 220 volt unit. I think the 110s use a standard plug, but the 220s can have some funky plugs. Open the box and check the plug before you leave because you may need an adapter or something. The 110 volt units have less cooling power, but if you don't have a 220 outlet near where you plan to install (usually not, in a home) it you're SOL.

After typing all of that I remembered you will probably be running off a generator. Most generators do have 220 outlets but you may still need an adapter.

[kfd82]

Will a 5000 run all that stuff yall mentioned like, fridge, freezer, water heater, stove and window unit....if the window unit is a 220? or only if its a 110?

[ranchdog]

Will a 5000 run all that stuff yall mentioned like, fridge, freezer, water heater, stove and window unit....if the window unit is a 220? or only if its a 110?

Here is a link to Honda generators and the wattage required by various items. A 10,000 BTU air conditioner needs 2200 watts, the rest of it will run whatever else you can squeeze into the remaining of the 5000 you have.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/generators/content.aspx?asset=gg_wattage

Good Luck, Ranchdog....Riding it out in Katy baby with a 8500 KW gen, 220 volt 18,000 btu Air conditioner, and a lot of deer meat.....

[Tmag]

Will a 5000 run all that stuff yall mentioned like, fridge, freezer, water heater, stove and window unit....if the window unit is a 220? or only if its a 110?

We go with a 110. 220 pulls too much. I ran my house for 8 days after Rita on a 5000 watt. Turned the main off and wired the generator into the breaker box thru one of my 220 breakers. Makes the breaker a main for the generator. Ran all my 110 breakers and turned the 220 ones off.

Guy with SHECO told me that a guy in Livingston did the same with his but forgot to turn his main breaker off. Fired the generator up and said "look honey, everybody has lights." Generator blew up and was done.

[kfd82]

I actually have a 220 plug outside on my front porch. I'm thinking if I buy a generator I could pull my electric meter, and pulg it in there and backfeed my house.

Just have to be sure to pull the meter so it wont fry anything if the power comes back on.

We have window units, no central air. Two 220 units for the house and a small 110 in our bedroom.
I'm thinking I could maybe run one big unit during the day and run my small unit at night.

Of course this will be later, I havent even bought a generator yet. still trying to figure out what size I need.

[cheez]

Turn off the breaker for the water heater and don't use the stove. Those will be a BIG power drain. Fridge, freezer, and A/C I think will be okay.

[Tmag]

Turn off the breaker for the water heater and don't use the stove. Those will be a BIG power drain. Fridge, freezer, and A/C I think will be okay.

Agreed! 220 plug on the porch is a plus. You can rig a cord right to it. You don't have to pull the meter as long as you have a main shut off between your meter and breaker box. But, pulling the meter is the best way to prevent back feed.

[Landrover]

Guy with SHECO told me that a guy in Livingston did the same with his but forgot to turn his main breaker off. Fired the generator up and said "look honey, everybody has lights." Generator blew up and was done.

Ouch!!! That is UGLY!!!

Here is a link to Honda generators and the wattage required by various items. A 10,000 BTU air conditioner needs 2200 watts, the rest of it will run whatever else you can squeeze into the remaining of the 5000 you have.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/p...set=gg_wattage.....

Very kewl!!!

Will a 5000 run all that stuff yall mentioned like, fridge, freezer, water heater, stove and window unit....if the window unit is a 220? or only if its a 110?

I was wondering the same thing!

Yes, they usually come with an installation kit. Support brackets, adjustable side covers (to keep the cool air in), etc... You just have to watch whether you get a 110 or 220 volt unit. I think the 110s use a standard plug, but the 220s can have some funky plugs. Open the box and check the plug before you leave because you may need an adapter or something. The 110 volt units have less cooling power, but if you don't have a 220 outlet near where you plan to install (usually not, in a home) it you're SOL.
After typing all of that I remembered you will probably be running off a generator. Most generators do have 220 outlets but you may still need an adapter.

Thanks a ton for the info!