generator advice

NH.Solar · 03-09-2025, 02:29 PM

Hard to say without being there, but the most of the loads you described should have been within the capability of a 5.5 kW Honda. The killer for overloading generators in most cases is any high surge startup loads such as a well pump and HVAC blowers and compressors. In many cases even these are possible to power if you add a soft start device to your high surge loads. By equipping your air handlers with soft start mechanisms you might be able to run those as well and keep your home equally conditioned during an outage.

camp guy · 03-09-2025, 02:59 PM

In early 2000 I wanted to install a generator. The electrician suggested a unit large enough to carry the entire house, auto-transfer, weekly auto-exercise, and an over-sized LP tank. My reaction was "over-sell", and we talked about it for a while, and I finally agreed to his plan. The was the best decision. Never had a problem. When we moved, I wanted a generator, called (now a different electrician) the electrician, told him I wanted a unit large enough to carry the whole house, auto-transfer, weekly auto-exercise, and extra LP tanks. He was silent for a moment, then said, "You've done this before." Yes, so that is what I had installed. It isn't cheap, but it is money well-spent, peace of mind, and one less "system" to worry about. The punch line by me about generators is very simple" "Go big, go auto-auto, and have periodic (annual) service".

TomC · 03-09-2025, 03:14 PM

When some outlets work, and some don't, you may have dropped a leg and only have half your panel powered. Your 220v appliances (air handler?) will not work and any of those 220V devices that remain connected, such as baseboard heat, will energize the dead leg through high resistance and cause a low voltage/brownout condition on that side of the panel. That can cause all kinds of weird effects on circuits on that side, such as dim bulbs and motors that won't run - like perhaps your fish filters? Check your connections at the generator, on the transfer switch, any cords you may use, and inside your panel...

03-09-2025, 02:29 PM	#1
NH.Solar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Jackson Pond, New Hampton Posts: 238 Thanks: 48 Thanked 142 Times in 79 Posts	Hard to say without being there, but the most of the loads you described should have been within the capability of a 5.5 kW Honda. The killer for overloading generators in most cases is any high surge startup loads such as a well pump and HVAC blowers and compressors. In many cases even these are possible to power if you add a soft start device to your high surge loads. By equipping your air handlers with soft start mechanisms you might be able to run those as well and keep your home equally conditioned during an outage. __________________ Peter NH Solar

03-09-2025, 02:59 PM	#2
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,190 Thanks: 301 Thanked 527 Times in 294 Posts	Generator installation In early 2000 I wanted to install a generator. The electrician suggested a unit large enough to carry the entire house, auto-transfer, weekly auto-exercise, and an over-sized LP tank. My reaction was "over-sell", and we talked about it for a while, and I finally agreed to his plan. The was the best decision. Never had a problem. When we moved, I wanted a generator, called (now a different electrician) the electrician, told him I wanted a unit large enough to carry the whole house, auto-transfer, weekly auto-exercise, and extra LP tanks. He was silent for a moment, then said, "You've done this before." Yes, so that is what I had installed. It isn't cheap, but it is money well-spent, peace of mind, and one less "system" to worry about. The punch line by me about generators is very simple" "Go big, go auto-auto, and have periodic (annual) service".

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03-09-2025, 03:14 PM	#3
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 695 Thanks: 22 Thanked 99 Times in 68 Posts	When some outlets work, and some don't, you may have dropped a leg and only have half your panel powered. Your 220v appliances (air handler?) will not work and any of those 220V devices that remain connected, such as baseboard heat, will energize the dead leg through high resistance and cause a low voltage/brownout condition on that side of the panel. That can cause all kinds of weird effects on circuits on that side, such as dim bulbs and motors that won't run - like perhaps your fish filters? Check your connections at the generator, on the transfer switch, any cords you may use, and inside your panel...

The Following User Says Thank You to TomC For This Useful Post:
sunset on the dock (03-10-2025)