Small Natural Gas Powered Generator

[Lucas Tam]

Hi all,


I'm looking to install a backup generator to power a well water pump, pool
filter system, as well as 2 fridges. I noticed that most Natural Gas
generators for home use are in the 10,000+W range which seems to a little
large.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a small natural gas generator? Maybe
in the 5000 - 7500W range? Would that be sufficient?

Thanks.

 

[William P.N. Smith]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a small natural gas generator? Maybe
in the 5000 - 7500W range? Would that be sufficient?

The Superior Power Sentinel 9 is rated 8.2KW on NG, is very quiet, and
has worked well for us! Call Power Equipment at 508-226-3410 for
details.

 

[[email protected]]

A 5KW gen sounds small I run a 5KW diesel genset now and it cannot
handle everything you mentioned. Starting loads are a lot higher than
name plate amps.
Offgridman
Lucas Tam wrote

 

[Lucas Tam]

A 5KW gen sounds small I run a 5KW diesel genset now and it cannot
handle everything you mentioned. Starting loads are a lot higher than
name plate amps.

Thanks for the info. Is there a good way of calculating starting loads?

 

[SQLit]

Thanks for the info. Is there a good way of calculating starting loads?

Starting amps can be as much as 6 times running current. Watch out for
clothes washing machines when they go into spin mode..... It depends on the
load. If you give your self 6X you will not have a problem. Also watch out
for voltage drop. You should keep it with in 5%, source to last load. Unless
your last load is a light bulb in the out house then I would not worry about
it... Humor intended for last statement.

 

[[email protected]]

Check each appliances metal plate for the running amps and voltage. I
would use three times running load as the multiplier for my estimate.

Offgridman

 

[William P.N. Smith]

Thanks for the info. Is there a good way of calculating starting loads?

Unfortunately, no. I've got two large and one small AC units, and my
8.2KW generator will start the two large ones but not the small one.
Go figure. My Fluke 87 DVM in peak-reading mode saw a 65-amp reading,
where the others only do 40 amps peak (and 12A running).

 

[daestrom]

Unfortunately, no. I've got two large and one small AC units, and my
8.2KW generator will start the two large ones but not the small one.
Go figure. My Fluke 87 DVM in peak-reading mode saw a 65-amp reading,
where the others only do 40 amps peak (and 12A running).

Ain't life grand? Go figure!!

Probably the designers of the larger units *knew* that starting would be an
issue so designed the motor & controls to start them unloaded and as 'soft'
as possible.

Where as the designer of the smaller unit figured, "What the heck, it ain't
that big, just throw it on the line and let 'er go!"

daestrom