On Nov 30, 7:30*am, dgk wrote:
On Tue, 30 Nov 2010 04:50:01 -0800, Smitty Two





wrote:
In article ,
dgk wrote:

I'm getting a cheap 1000 watt gasoline generator. Is that sufficient
to power a 16 cubic foot refrigerator/freezer in an emergency? I know
those compressors draw a lot of power when they kick in.

Googling "inrush current to a refrigerator" (without quotes) returned
this page:

http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/startingload.html

which has some good information.

1. their test fridge drew 13 amps at startup, about 50% more than your
proposed generator can supply.

2. they also note that the defrost heaters, when they kick in, will draw
significantly more power than the compressor.

3. their rule of thumb for motors is that a 5 h.p. generator can start a
1 h.p. motor (linear 5:1 ratio)

I think 1000 watts is pretty minimal for an emergency unit.

Thanks to all. Yes, it seems like it won't handle it very well, and I
sure don't want to hurt the fridge. I called Fridgedair and they said
1800 watt minimum.

It was one of my more stupid impluse buys. I checked with Home Depot,
Lowes, the local hardware store, Sears, PC Richard, and Best Buy
before giving up on actually finding a relatively inexpensive ($300)
generator locally.

Then I saw an online ad for a ETQ type cheapo and the reviews said
that it handled a fridge with no problem so I just ordered it ($130).
It's due to arrive tomorrow.

Then, of course, I see that my local National Wholesale Liquidator has
a 3300 watt for $288. Worse, PepBoys has an ad for a 3500 for $240.
Both made in China of course but they certainly look like they'll do
the job. No Honda for sure, but I'm not planning on running it very
often.

So I bought the PepBoys one, and I know that will handle the fridge
and the boiler, which are the two things that I really want it for.
And the computer of course.

Either I return the 1000 or I give it as a gift to folks who go
camping, or maybe I can use it for something else, like lending it to
a neighbor during a blackout. Maybe it will run their fridge.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

1800W 16 cu ft , I say BS. You didnt test it , a Clamp On Amp Meter
or Kill-A-Watt is 35$ or less and will show you whats really up. None
of my old friges wont start with a 1000w gen, normal running about
350-400w and with defroster on about 6-700. Newer units of the last 15
years run on 120-300w and im talking about 19.5cu up to big double
door units that I have, so I dont believe tech support for your little
16cu ft unit. Why not test it for yourself, you need a good clamp on
amp meter any way to properly know how to safely power any gen. But
you have a bigger problem, you are buying the cheapest stuff you can
and will have issues keeping 3600rpm = 60hz-120v, and those cheapest
units are not honestly rated. but this is another discussion.