On 7/13/2011 3:24 PM, D.A. Tsenuf wrote:
Our cabin recently was subjected to multiple days of no electricity
during to a bad storm taking out trees and power lines
I would like to set up a generator to run the following
1) well water pump 3/4 hp (120v)
2) refrigerator (120v)
3) freezer (120v)
4) hot water heater (240v)
5) stove (240v)

I would like to set it up so that is one appliance is drawing power,
everything else waits.
It would also be nice to set up the chain in the order listed above

It should also be noted that:
a) the stove is optional since there is a great fire pit where food can
be cooked and hot water heated in large enough quantities for hand and
dishwashing and sponge baths.
b) the hot water heater is big enough to hold enough water from one
heating cycle for all daily hand and dishwashing needs + couple of
showers. Which means that unless there are more than 2 people using the
cabin, it would only need to run once - possibly in the morning to start
the day
c) the freezer only needs to run once every 2 days
d) the refrigerator only needs to run once a day if access is
controlled, otherwise twice a day will keep it cold enough
e) the well water pump only needs to run if water pressure has dropped
low enough to trigger it.

I already have an electric start generator to run everything at the same
time.
But I would prefer not to load it to the gills at the same time,


So I'm looking at
1) a box that will make sure that when the generator is going, it will
sequentially feed the 5 devices and then shut off by itself when there
is no demand...
2) If the generator is going, then IF a higher priority device wants
power it can bump of a lower priority one. After which the bumped device
gets serviced.


Any help and suggestions are appreciated



Is there any particular reason why it needs to be so complicated and
automagic? If the generator you have can handle all of the load and if
the loads have the duty cycle you described the generator will almost
never need to run at full load (and if it does so what?). If it does and
the generator labors why can't you simply turn off the range or water
heater for a while?