On May 29, 9:41�pm, ransley wrote:
On May 29, 6:40�pm, wrote:





On Tue, 27 May 2008 22:58:28 -0400, "John Gilmer"

wrote:
It really comes down to handful of questions:

1) � Do you want to live essentially a "normal" life while the utility power
is out? � If so, you get something that will run your airconditioner and
your water heater at the same time plus about 4 kW more. � When you are on
generator power, use some common sense and don't take showers and use the
electric stove at the same time unless you turn off the central air
conditioning.

2) � If you can live without central air for the duration, but don't want to
get carried away with energy management you might want 8 to 10 kW. � This
will run your water heater and part of your stove at the same time. � Again,
don't be foolish and try to run everything at the same time.

3) � Otherwise, you should get a 5 kW unit. � That's enough for a window A/C
and "some" use of the electric stove, water heater, microwave. � That's the
arrangement we have. � We also have a deep well water pump. � When the power
goes out for a time (like a few days), �I get by with running it a few hours
in the morning and another few others in the evening. � We can take quick
showers, cook meals, watch TV in an window A/C cooled family room, and even
run the dishwasher. �We can't do laundry and we actually turn off loads like
the water pump, the water heater, etc. except when we have cut other loads
to the bone.

** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

The thing a lot of people ignore is "feeding the monster" as folks
called it after Charlie here.
These things, even small ones, use an extraordinary amount of fuel. A
120 gallon propane tank is not going to last very long, maybe a week
if you take it easy but you can burn 120 gallons in 3 or 4 days if you
are running your house like normal. If you are carrying cans from the
gas station plan on going every day or two with a truck load.
You will also start to appreciate how cheap electricity is from the
utility when you fill up those tanks and cans,- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

They are monsters, and the auto cycling of those auto gens can cost
$10-20 �month for their "self tests" �Nothin is free. Buy gen and its
a new kid to feed, at least installing a transfer panel gives options.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

please cite that monthly cost,,,, want link.

i doubt is anywhere near that, they run basiclly unloaded for 5
minutes 4 times a month..

how do you get 10 to 20 bucks a month from that?