Conflicting information on which capacity generator to buy

[kid_again]

OK, I'm a newbie who's going to buy a Generac and have gotten lots of useful information here. Based on what I've seen posted by the manufacturer (of which I am always a bit skeptical because those Marketing people get into the darndest places), I figure that I can comfortably use a 16/18kW model. I have three AC units (two 3.5's and one 4.0), only one of which will be used at any time, three central heaters (all of which could be used at the same time), a well pump and then just refrigeration and tv's lights, etc. I have a 4 post lift but I digress:D .

I talked to a local installer who came with recommendations and he has a different point of view, even with just one AC unit on line. He says that the combination of a large inductive load and resistive loss in the wires points him in the direction of 30kW. I'm thinking I don't want to power a small town but he does make some points.

I'm a biologist and I know enough about home current to shut off the breaker before I install a new outlet. I'm a car guy though and this is what sticks in my mind. On the older cars I have, the factory used a short run of #2 wire from the positive (and negative) battery terminals to power the starter. I replaced that with #00 fine strand wire and that change alone increased starter performance to the point where I thought I had a new starter. Same issue, inductive load and resistance loss.

I'm not going to buy a 30kW. Out of the question. I may go as high as 18kW.

Any thoughts on the electrician's view?

Thanks;)

[Kelly Myers]

Post up the "LRA" numbers from the name plates on your ac compressors.

[wwarren]

If you're a little technically minded, and want to know how to do it yourself, you might want to take advantage of a free Generac webcast where they discuss guardian residential sizing. I just finished an hour long webcast this evening and it was detailed enough to answer some questions I had but didn't go over my head. It was meant for dealers, but the host didn't seem to mind me listening in. What I especially liked was that they offered a few strategies using accessory hardware (hard starts, soft starts, time delays, load shedding) for reducing the needed size.

Look for "webcasts" at www.generac.com under "news and events".

Walter

[kid_again]

Post up the "LRA" numbers from the name plates on your ac compressors.


Ok, will do tonight when I get home.

Thanks

[kid_again]

If you're a little technically minded, and want to know how to do it yourself, you might want to take advantage of a free Generac webcast where they discuss guardian residential sizing. I just finished an hour long webcast this evening and it was detailed enough to answer some questions I had but didn't go over my head. It was meant for dealers, but the host didn't seem to mind me listening in. What I especially liked was that they offered a few strategies using accessory hardware (hard starts, soft starts, time delays, load shedding) for reducing the needed size.

Look for "webcasts" at www.generac.com under "news and events".

Walter


Thanks, I'm looking at that now.