Costco Members: Firman 7500W Running / 9400W Peak Tri Fuel Generator Expired

For those of you getting the generator with the intention of running the whole house, there are some additional things you will need. This is an email I sent my friend after I did mine 2 years ago. Price has gone up a bit since, but it's a good reference. Overall, it cost me about $2500 total for everything. It's certainly cheaper than standby generator which will run 8K to 15K installed. Hope it helps!

Generator:

Firman T07571 [costco.com] ($700 in store Costco)
Champion 100416 [homedepot.com] (Home Depot $1300… Sale around 900-1000)


Connection to Main Panel - Transfer Switch VS Interlock kit:

1) Transfer Switch: Stick with Reliance Controls [reliancecontrols.com]. They make the best transfer switches in the market.

Reliance Controls R510A [electricgeneratorsdirect.com] ($400), has a built in inlet.

2) Interlock kit:

Depends on your existing power panel, you might be able to use Interlock kit. Around $50 to $80 at Home Depot.


Inlet Box (around $50-$80) installed outside to connect to power panel inside.


Inlet must be rated same as cable (ie. 50 amp cable needs 50 amp inlet, 30 amp cable needs 30 amp inlet. The connectors are different….)


Example of 50 amp inlet box [amazon.com], 30 amp inlet box [amazon.com]

3) Labor to install Transfer Switch $300-400 by electrician. Labor for Inlet Box install + connect to panel should be a lot less, $100-$200 since it's very simple.

Cable to connect Generator to inlet box:


Must figure out the distance between the outlet and generator.


30amp wire VS 50 amp wire. For shorter distance, 50ft or less, you may be able to get away with 30 amp wire. Just get 50amp wire for the peace of mind


Firman generator has a 50 amp outlet, so you need a cable rated for 50 amp (14-50p connector)


Example of wire: Amazon [amazon.com]


For 100 ft run of 50 amp wire, anything less than $350 is a good deal

Wire material: Difference between power wire cable [wireandcableyourway.com] . In short SOOW is the best type. It's rubber, oil and weather resistance, and very flexible. Cheaper wire using other material like SEOW or SJEOW….etc… are stiff, doesn't last as long.

Gas Line (Use 1/2-inch line, don't buy 3/8)


Gaspro 1/2-inch Gas quick connect hose [amazon.com]


Gaspro quick connect fitting [amazon.com] (optional, to connect to main gas line from house)


Micro-Air (for AC unit, lower starting amps so generator can run it)

Easystart Micro-Air [microair.net]

Must find out the size of AC unit (how many tons?) and use the tool on the website for the model you need. Price is around 320-350.
It will pro-long the AC unit life too.

For those wanting to use NG, it uses 101,000 BTU/h at full load. That's ~100 cuft of NG an hour. A 1/2" pipe will deliver that up to 10 ft, but you'll need 5/8" for 30ft or 3/4" for 60ft. All assuming standard 0.5psi NG.

Furman sells 10 and 25ft 1/2" hoses. If you have an existing connection, you should check the size and length of its run to your house gas regulator or gas meter. Do not expect to run a really long hose to where it's convenient.

I've considered using my existing gas grill connection, but I think I should just add a new quick connect at the meter with a shut off.

I have the yellow painted one w/o the CO alert. Pretty solid. It wasn't able to start my 3 ton AC had to install a Hyper Sure Start, so that was an extra cost. It's impressive on what it can run, I run it on propane, so I have about 30ish amps on 240V to play with. The bigger the unit the more thirsty it is, burns about a 20gallon tank in 8ish hours with medium usage.

Fun story, when we first got it I had to go into work, I didn't explain everything clearly to my spouse, my exact words were "live your live it can run everything". Forgot to say it can't run everything at once. I think it tripped out after the she had the: AC, well pump, washer, electric dryer, and hair dryer going. And while it can run an electric dryer, the generator isn't happy about it, also kinda silly. Whole burning propane, to turn to electricity, then back into heat.

With no load the UPS's I have get pretty upset about the power output from the generator. Adding a light resistive load makes them happy. It's loud, heavy too but to be expected with the output and it has wheels. I would like a standby but we just don't loose power enough and for long enough to really justify it.

So would I recommend it? For the price, yes.