Smarter Tools 6500-Watt Portable Gasoline Generator with No-Flat Wheels-EPA and Carb Approved $500 *Site updating*

Much better deal than the 3500W Champion generator that was FP a while ago.

Any thoughts on this? I have a 2400 sq foot house (100 amp service though). Is this big enough?

Quote from sa330206 : Any thoughts on this? I have a 2400 sq foot house (100 amp service though). Is this big enough?

Size of house is not a determinent of generator size need. It really depends on the wattage of what you wish to run. To get the most out of it you'll also need a transfer switch or interlock for your main panel.

Gets good reviews.

Quote from sa330206 : Any thoughts on this? I have a 2400 sq foot house (100 amp service though). Is this big enough?

If you are going to use anywhere close to the 100 amps then no, you need at least twice this size.

As Lerxst stated, you need to know what your usage is. I have 1600 sq feet house and need a 20 KW for all my needs, if I just want to run the furnace, frig, and a few lights, I can get buy with a 4.3 KW.

does anyone really run the household furnace (ie. 5kW heatsptrip or heatpump) during a power outage? vs a 1500 watt space heater?


My typical power outage useage is this.
1. fridge. (1000 watts?)
2. 1500watt heater (or window ac unit in summer)
3. a small tv (or even a large 200/300watt LCD)
4. a few lights (16w cfl bulbs).
5. laptop (macbook 45w) or ipad/iphone chargers 5watts each.

Quote from timtim2008 : does anyone really run the household furnace (ie. 5kW heatsptrip or heatpump) during a power outage? vs a 1500 watt space heater? My typical power outage useage is this. 1. fridge. (1000 watts?) 2. 1500watt heater (or window ac unit in summer) 3. a small tv (or even a large 200/300watt LCD) 4. a few lights (16w cfl bulbs). 5. laptop (macbook 45w) or ipad/iphone chargers 5watts each.

I do, and know several people that have whole house units.

CF bulbs? Stick with LED or incandescent.
Macbook, tampons and phones?

You are making it with the basics so you will be fine.

Quote from pingb : If you are going to use anywhere close to the 100 amps then no, you need at least twice this size. As Lerxst stated, you need to know what your usage is. I have 1600 sq feet house and need a 20 KW for all my needs, if I just want to run the furnace, frig, and a few lights, I can get buy with a 4.3 KW.

What are you doing that you need 20,000 watts?

How do you get the $500?

Don't forget to use the $10 off $100 promo code "HDFEB10" that was provided by JBTULSA yesterday

Quote from pingb : If you are going to use anywhere close to the 100 amps then no, you need at least twice this size. As Lerxst stated, you need to know what your usage is. I have 1600 sq feet house and need a 20 KW for all my needs, if I just want to run the furnace, frig, and a few lights, I can get buy with a 4.3 KW.

So, do you have a 200 A service to your house? Do you have growing lights in the basement? Or is it a "grow house"?

1600 ft² and 20 kW generator? Time to switch to LED grow lights!

As to the real answer, your generator needs will depend on what you use electricity for. If you have a gas furnace, then the blower only uses 500 watts or less, depending on the kind of blower you have. The ignitor uses very little and is only needed to light up the air/gas mixture, which then burns on its own.

If you have fridge, what is it using?

If you have a freezer, whatis it using?

If you have incandescant lights and large screen tube TV's, you are probably going to need a lot of juice to keep all of those going.

We have a 2,800 ft² house with gas furnace and gas fireplace, HE Washer, HE gas drier, dishwasher. gas water heater, mostly LED lights (couple CFL's still waiting to be replaced), 5x LED/LCD TV's, Microwave, French door fridge, chest freezer, sump pump... We can run the whole house off a 3500 watt (peak) CHonda generator without straining it too much. Of course if we have everything on, and laundry is going you can hear generator revving up, but it is livable.

The only thing we can't run is the 5 Tonn central A/C unit off the generator.

Edit: You don't need a $500 transfer switch when you use a $20 Interlock device.

Does the *site updating* mean the price will go to $500 later or I have already missed getting in on the $500 price?