How big of a Generator should I get?
Well Hurrican season is rolling around again and this year, I am considering getting the power generator to add to my supplies.
My question is this. How much power do I need to power my refrigerator and a few lights and fans?
My new fridge has a 652 kWh/year power rating (from the yellow tag)is 25.4 cubic foot side by side.
I'd also like to be able to power some lights and maybe some fans. If the cable modem has a connection, then I might even want to plug in the modem and router with a laptop.
I was looking at an inexpensive model at HomeDepot for about $400-$500, but am really not sure if it is enough power.
Any help is appreciated.
Re: How big of a Generator should I get?
The 652 kWh/year power rating is how much power it might use in a year. You need to know the rate it uses when running. Virtually everything has a plate on it somewhere giving that in amps or watts. My refrigerator has a plate hidden by door saying 7.5 amps. At 120 V, that would be 900 watts. Harbor freight lists a 5 1/2 horse one rated at 2200 watts for $400. That would plenty to run a bigger refrigerator than mine plus several 100 watt bulbs.
I keep thinking about one too. A freak wind blew down a pole by my neighbors house last night about 11 PM. My power came back on about 4 AM, but he didn't get his until this afternoon. I lose my electricity, I also lose my phone, heat, and water. I would be pushed up the scale to one that delivered 220V if I want water.
Re: How big of a Generator should I get?
Harlrey, I live a few miles inland from the Gulf in the Tampa Bay area and I rode out Donna when it came ashore. In 1960. NEVER AGAIN!! Fort Myers Beach had a 16 foot storm surge. The next one that looks like its going to hit will find me, my dog and a lady friend that I'm rather fond of all shacked up in motel that's well inland and on high elevation. Generators, no matter what their power, aren't going to work under water and my elevation is well under 16 feet. If the "big one" hits your're going to find me long gone and otta here. If you elect to ride out a hurricane that comes ashore north of you, good luck! I guarantee that you'll have more to worry about that some spoiled food and power outages. Regards from Sarasota. Tom