Generator size

[jay55]

I have a 2.5 ton central ac. Will a 6000 running watt 30 amp generator start this ac? What about with soft start? I would also like some recommendations for inverter generators for this purpose. We have a 1500 sq ft house and don’t lose power often so I want to minimize how much money I sink into a system. I know Honda makes the best but I can’t see spending $5000 on a generator that might get used once a year.

 

[AA/FC]

I have the Genmax 9000 inverter generator. (7600 watts continuous) I run my 1.5 ton central AC (with MicroAir easy Start) and the rest of my house with ease. In fact, it might be a little too big for my application but that's okay.

You will need an Easy Start to run the central AC with almost any portable generator. The inrush amperage of a typical 2.5 ton AC condensing unit is probably in the 75 amp range. You would probably need an 18-20 thousand watt generator to start that unit WITHOUT an Easy Start.

My suggestion is to install a power inlet box on your house, with a generator interlock device mounted to your main panel, a MicroAir East Start installed on your central A/C unit, and buy one of the big Genmax inverter generators. The 9000 like mine comes in either gasoline only, or dual fuel (gas/propane) and they now also sell a 10,500 unit that is tri-fuel (gas/propane/natural gas). That is probably the cheapest legal way to run your entire house with a full 240 volt service during power outages.

A video showing MicroAir instalation and powering the entire house with a Genmax 9000 generator. Fast forward to 9:21 if you're not interested in the Easy Start installation portion of the video.

 

[D45]

Generators are used all over Facebook marketplace for a fraction of a new unit

I buy them all the time for $100 and flip them for $350

 

[mike93lx]

My 5500 watt generator doesn't even think about starting my 2.5 ton units. Just trips out.

Haven't tried a soft start yet

 

[Innovate1]

My 5500 watt generator doesn't even think about starting my 2.5 ton units. Just trips out.

Haven't tried a soft start yet

I seriously doubt your generator thinks about anything. Just saying...

Reminds me of a corporate legal case I was involved in years ago. The opposing counsel was questioning me in court about electronic motor control and limiting startup current and asked "Isn't it true that the motor wants more current?" I said I didn't understand the question several times and he just kept restating the exact same question. I knew what he was getting at but taken literally it made no sense. I finally stated that the motor was just iron and copper and I was unaware that it had any desires. The judge then stated he thought what I had issue with was implying that the motor sucked. Everyone present tried to keep from laughing and the lawyer quickly moved to a completely different line of questioning.

 

[mike93lx]

I seriously doubt your generator thinks about anything. Just saying...

Reminds me of a corporate legal case I was involved in years ago. The opposing counsel was questioning me in court about electronic motor control and limiting startup current and asked "Isn't it true that the motor wants more current?" I said I didn't understand the question several times and he just kept restating the exact same question. I knew what he was getting at but taken literally it made no sense. I finally stated that the motor was just iron and copper and I was unaware that it had any desires. The judge then stated he thought what I had issue with was implying that the motor sucked. Everyone present tried to keep from laughing and the lawyer quickly moved to a completely different line of questioning.

Lol.

Well, I did say it isn't thinking about it, to be fair.

 

[Rick1953]

I have the Genmax 9000 inverter generator. (7600 watts continuous) I run my 1.5 ton central AC (with MicroAir easy Start) and the rest of my house with ease. In fact, it might be a little too big for my application but that's okay.

You will need an Easy Start to run the central AC with almost any portable generator. The inrush amperage of a typical 2.5 ton AC condensing unit is probably in the 75 amp range. You would probably need an 18-20 thousand watt generator to start that unit WITHOUT an Easy Start.

My suggestion is to install a power inlet box on your house, with a generator interlock device mounted to your main panel, a MicroAir East Start installed on your central A/C unit, and buy one of the big Genmax inverter generators. The 9000 like mine comes in either gasoline only, or dual fuel (gas/propane) and they now also sell a 10,500 unit that is tri-fuel (gas/propane/natural gas). That is probably the cheapest legal way to run your entire house with a full 240 volt service during power outages.

A video showing MicroAir instalation and powering the entire house with a Genmax 9000 generator. Fast forward to 9:21 if you're not interested in the Easy Start installation portion of the video.

Why an Inverter ? You read some many difference opinions . Almost makes one wonder if they are worth it unless you lose power for weeks on end

 

[mike93lx]

Why an Inverter ? You read some many difference opinions . Almost makes one wonder if they are worth it unless you lose power for weeks on end

Noise and distortion

 

[AA/FC]

Why an Inverter ? You read some many difference opinions . Almost makes one wonder if they are worth it unless you lose power for weeks on end

1. Because they run at a lower engine RPM under light loads. (makes them much quieter)
2. They are enclosed an run much quieter than a typical open frame, non-inverter generator
3. They put out clean electricity so it won't hurt any sensitive electronics. Both my furnace and central A/C have printed circuit boards inside and I don't need to find out the hard way that they don't like standard generators that put out "dirty" electricity.


My little house only draws roughly 3000-3500 watts (I don't remember the exact number) with at least one light on in every room, garage light, driveway light, (all LED bulbs) refrigerator running, TV turned on, one home oxygen concentrator running, and central A/C running..... At that load, with my 7600/9000 inverter, it runs just above idle... I hate listening to a "standard" open frame, non-inverter generator screaming away at 3600 rpm because that's the only way it can maintain 60 hertz. I also have a 7500 watt Generac non-inverter generator that I bought brand new many years ago. It still has less that 20 hours one the clock, but it's EXTREMELY annoying to listen to when it's running. You can barely hear my inverter running in the back yard.


The answer to "is it worth it?" will always be different for everyone.
You may not think it's worth it.... at all! But it was an absolute necessity for me. I wouldn't live without it..... And neither one of us would be wrong. To each his own.

Why not an inverter?

 

[Flycableguy]

I have a 11k/9k runnning Champion that powers our 1700 sq ft house with 2.5 ton AC without issue. Granted, the AC is the only 220 circuit on with the generator. Runs around 3/4 load. An inverter gen would be great, but at the time I purchased it, they weren't quite up to this size yet and a full on whole house gen install just didn't make sense financially. I'm in central Florida so it's only used after bad storms when powers out for days on end, then all the neighbors are running them also. Never had an issue with "dirty" power.

 

[toyotadriver]

There aren't a lot of 240V inverter generators on the market (like 120V units) but there are a few. Harbor Freight has the Predator 9500 surge/7600 running inverter generator.





Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.