Back-up generator question- - Firman T07573

[BetterDays]

As we are now identifying another "need an electrician" project (kitchen rewiring), I want the electrician to quote an interlock for easy generator usage in case of a prolonged power outage. This would allow us to roll it out, plug it in, start it up, and know we have power instead of wrangling the extension cords all over the house.
Link to Firman Generator
Specs from the site

• Running watts 7500W (GAS), 6750W (LPG), 5500W (NG)
• Starting watts 9400W (GAS), 8450W (LPG). 6900W (NG)

Long term, we want NG as an option in case we have a delayed outage, so I need to limit closer to 5500W.

We want the generator the power two fridges, the deep freezer, gas furnace (NOT A/C) , gas hot water tank, living room breaker (central area on first floor), 1 breaker in the basement (for sump pump and networking equipment).

From what I can calculate, it should be feasible but need to confirm.

Questions:
What concerns do you see from a consumption standpoint?
What else would you have available?
Any specific questions I need to ask the electrician?

Thanks in advance!

 

[larry4406]

We have a Generac 7500 KW/13500 peak KW generator. We run

• Garage fridge
• Garage freezer
• Kitchen fridge
• Kitchen freezer
• Kitchen appliance circuits
• Well
• Septic pumps and alarm
• Ejector pump
• Basic lighting
• Smoke detector circuit
• Router
• TV
• Desk top computer

Edit - we can also run our hybrid heat pump water heater while in heat pump mode (resistance elements not in use).

 

[PopcornSutton]

My setup is similar to Larry's. I installed an interlock on the electric panel, which isolates the service power to generator power, and an outside connection for the generator. It's not hard to ad up what the wattage needed to run on the genset. I had a smaller generator before this one that didn't have 240 capabilities, which made the well pump a no go. That ended up being the biggest "problem", although I had access to water to flush the toilets. So now, I can run all the essentials except hot water heater, but that's more of a luxury than a necessity, like keeping all your frig/freezers going, and lights/tv/internet, etc.

 

[Mike65]

We have a Westinghouse 9500 KW/ 12500 peak KW tri fuel backup generator. We have a Gener link automatic transfer switch mounted between the electrical meter & the box. The Gener link isolates the house from the electrical grid in case the power comes back on while we are running the generator. We than just have to plug the generator cord into that & then just turn on the circuits on the breaker panel that we want to power in the house. We have needed to use it yet, but it is there in case we need it. Our electrician said we could run the refrigerator/freezer in the kitchen, the spare refrigerator/freezer & stand-up freezer in the basement, some lights, heat pump or A/C & tankless water heater.