Han wrote:
" wrote in
:

On 02 Oct 2012 21:26:15 GMT, Han wrote:

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
:

Also good idea, to do actual current draw, using ammeter.

Christopher A. Young
snip

Good idea, Christopher, but I don't have an ammeter. If I add up all
the watts and amps and multiply by 2, I think I should be covered,
right? 30 amps then should cover it?

Invest in a Kill-a-Watt. They're quite handy to have around and well
worth the $20 or so. Generators aren't really rated in watts, rather
volt-amps, so you should measure the amps. Multiplying by two
probably won't cover starting current for big motors, so make sure you
keep that in mind.

I've got a Kill-a-Watt, but haven't really used it. Time to start that.
It scares me that starting current for a fridge would be more than twice
nominal current. I have to look what kind of circuit breaker the fridge
is on. How long would the peak startup amps be required, since the
circuit breaker doesn't blow.

Likely be 3-6 times normal current. Normal current should be 1.5- 2.5 amps.
Defrost mode is what consumes higher steady current, and the compressor is
off.

Greg