010 What is a Backup Emergency Generator, Choose one for Standy Power Generation

I answer the question,” What is a backup emergency generator?” I explain to you how to choose one for your standby power generation.

More information on this topic may be found on my Survivalist Blog, post Choosing a Generator for Your Home Generator.

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Call in number is (978) KNOWS-IT, (978) 566-9748

1. First, What loads are in your house?  You want to size your generators for this.
   1. Generator Load Ratings
      1. 2000/3000 Watt means 2000 continuous and 3000 peak
   2. Most typical homes can use a 5000 watt generator and run most loads
   3. If you do it correctly you can run most everything on 2500 Watts.
      1. Load Rotation
      2. Load reduction
         1.  LED Christmas lights 
         2.  hand-cranked blender
         3.  a French press
         4. Small heating or cooling of individual people
         5. Cooking with propane, gas, or alcohol stoves, burners, and grills.
         6. 2 Watt LED Bulb
         7. 7.5 Watt LED Bulb
   4. A decent fridge can be turned on for a couple of hours and then shut off most of the day, as long as it is kept closed.  Same with freezers.
2. Generator Price: Typically 7-10 dollars/watt.
3. Permanent, PTO mounted, portable models… There are others as well.
   1. Portable Generators are cheaper that permanent ones
   2. Natural Gas Generators ($1.50 – $2 cheaper per gallon for similar power output)
   3. Generac and Champion are both decent brands.
   4. Generators:
      1. 4000 Watt 7HP Generator
      2. 7000 Watt 13HP Generator
      3. 10000 Watt 16HP Generator
4. Consider a basic DC-AC inverter first.
5. Connecting it:
   1. Gen-Cords vs. Power Transfer Systems
   2. Grounding your generator is important
   3. Things to use with your generator:
      1. 100 foot 12/3 Extension Cord
      2. 50 foot 12/3 Extension Cord
      3. 3 Way T-Shaped Grounded Splitter (The one I was talking about)
      4. 40 Foot 30Amp Power Cord for up to 7500 Watt Generators
      5. Gen-Cord or Generator Power Cord with 30 Amp Twist-Lock Male and 20 Amp 120V Female
      6. Generator Power Cord Inlet Box (Not for Amateurs)
      7. 60 Amp Transfer Switch for up to 15000 Watt Generators (Not for Amateurs)

Tools or Appliances Running Watts -Surge Watts

What is a Backup Emergency Generator, Choose one for Standy Power Generation

• Cell Phone Battery Charger 10 -0
• Christmas Lights (50-string, small) (RV/Camping/Tailgate) 20- 0
• Laptop Computer (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 75- 0
• PDA, iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Cell Phones 80 -0
• 13-Inch TV (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 100- 0
• Outdoor Buglight (RV/Camping/Tailgate) 100- 0
• AM/FM Radio / CD Player 100- 0
• 20-Inch Box Fan 200- 0
• Video Game Console 200- 0
• Crockpot (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 250- 0
• Desktop Computer 300- 0
• TV/DVD Combo (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 300- 0
• Refrigerator – Dorm Size (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 350 -500
• Food Processor/Blender (RV/ Camping/Tailgate) 350- 500
• Small Power Tools; Electric Drill 3/8-inch, jig saw…) 440- 600
• Color TV 27-Inch 500- 0
• Frying Pan / Skillet (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 600- 0
• Refrigerator / Freezer 600- 2200
• Microwave Oven 750W 750- 800
• Single Element Hot Plate (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 750- 0
• Washing Machine 750- 2300
• Coffee Maker (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 800- 0
• Sump Pump 800- 1400
• Toaster – 2 Slot (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 850- 0
• Furnace Fan Blower ½ HP 875 -2300
• Griddle/Deep Fryer (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 1200- 0
• Toaster (Home/RV/Camping/Tailgate) 1250- 0
• RV Low Profile Air Conditioner, 13,500 BTU – Heating 1600 -2300
• Circular Saw 1500- 3000
• Space Heater 1800- 0
• Electric Range 2100 -0
• Electric Water Heater 4000- 0

Call to Action: iTunes and Research your personal power requirements for a generator.