generator

[Dan49]

I'm thinking about purchasing a generator for my tank . This generator will not be used for the rest of the house, tank size will be aprox 100 gallons with sump. I'm curious about approximate number of watts needed.



Thanks, Dan

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

You can get an exact number yourself - Add up the wattage ratings of all your equipment, give yourself a 20 - 30% overhead, and look for a model with that rating or better.

Edit to add - I would suggest looking for a generator with clean output, i.e. a true sine wave. Induction motors (the pumps in your system) sometimes don't run well or at all on poor wave shapes that you sometimes get from low-end generators.

 

[EllieSuz]

We use a 3,250 watt generator that I bought at B.J.'s for $200. Two days after we brought it home, our power went out for eight hours, so it paid for itself in just one use. We've used it since and it ran the tank, the fridge and the freezer. On the tank, I didn't run the lights, but kept the return pump, powerheads, skimmer and heaters going. We also had an electrician put a "pig tail" on the furnace so it could be plugged in, if needed. We haven't had to try that yet.

 

[pascal32]

I like the Kipor generators - I believe they got sued for part by part copying Honda. I have a sinemaster - quiet and reliable, works great.

Yamaha and Honda IMO make the best generators. the less you pay the more upset your neighbors will be - the cheap ones can get REALLY loud.

 

[Srixon]

I use a 6500 watt.....pig tail right into my panel, that being said I do this for a living so I know what to load shed and how to do it.....look at the above posts and make sure what you want to do. Best is to total the load and add to it like der Willie said.....don't try to get something to do that and then switch it for the next available item to power....my 2cents

 

[SkiFletch]

I'm with the above posters. Calculate your usage, add 20-30%. I went with a 6500watt Honda as I'd like it to do my tank, fridge, furnace, and laptop. Got plenty of headroom with that setup. I picked my generator up from an estate sale for $250. Needed a spark plug and a cleaned carbeurator, but well worth it as these things are usually a minimum of $1000...