Comments for Magniwork Review

Comment on What size generator would I need? by Danny

Danny — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:34:58 +0000

In your question you said you could live without a few items for a few days.
If a few day’s is all your concerned with even a week or two you’d be thousands of dollars ahead if you just turned off all electrical devices, left the hot and cold water dripping in a facet that is the furthest room from the cold water supply line to the house and hot water heater and go to a motel ( for a few days or weeks ) if it is the novelty of having an emergency generator call or go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and price a turnkey 15 KW unit, they market the Generac system. In either case, emergency generator / wind power or solar you will live to be old and grey and never see the return on your investment.

Comment on What size generator would I need? by Jim W

Jim W — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:44:09 +0000

Have a local electrical contractor do a complete load calculation for critical systems and optional systems. They can give you a fairly accurate estimate for the whole package. From what you describe, a 15 KW diesel drive is minimum, 25KW if a LPG drive. Installed price, probably $ 15 to $ 30,000

Comment on What size generator would I need? by Robert Tanguay

Robert Tanguay — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:09:21 +0000

It would be wise to leave room for you to tie solar/wind power as an option if plausible where you live. This would allow you to generate power continually and if the gas lines run out you will be set.

The only thing I worry about would be the internet completely going out.

Comment on What size generator would I need? by f100_supersabre

f100_supersabre — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:21:34 +0000

Add up ALL the “running” wattages, and allow an extra 30-50% for starting surges as a minimum since you can’t be sure what will start when.

MOST “auto start” units are 10,000 watts or larger, and some are available for natural gas fuel.
It would ALSO require an ELECTRICIAN INSTALLED transfer switch to prevent feedback into the power lines. THESE switches are ridiculously expensive.

My guess would be in the neighborhood of 12-15 THOUSAND including the electrician’s time.

Comment on What size generator would I need? by idontgivafork

idontgivafork — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:41:29 +0000

only a fool runs anything of value on a gen set.if you cant monitor the voltage and cycles,dont hook up anything with a logic processor

Comment on What size generator would I need? by Maliss

Maliss — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:11:07 +0000

I would suggest a 15KW unit at the least.

Comment on What size generator would I need? by Grebbler

Grebbler — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:04:37 +0000

If your furnace is gas then don’t bother with space heaters. A space heater will use for 900 to 1800 watts each. The furnace will use around 600 -1000 watts for the whole house as the gas does most of the work – only need electricity to light it and run the blower motor(s).

So lets start there. Furnace 1500 watts max, 1000 for the fridge, Hot water (0-100 watts for gas – 2000 to 6000+ for electric). Well pump 1000 or so, 1000-1500 watts to cover TV, PC etc. and about 1000 for lighting (10 100watt lamps or a bunch of CFLs).

Now for cost. Common sizes like 5kw, 8kw, 10kw, 15kw, 20kw are cheaper as more are made. A 10,000 watt unit may seem like overkill but will be cheaper than a less common 5kw and not have to strain under loads like when motors start up or everything comes on at the same time. Labor and install costs will be about the same so choose wisely.

Cost vary by location, contractors, permits, equipment used, etc. You will need to get some estimates.

Comment on What size generator would I need? by Peter W

Peter W — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 09:15:23 +0000

Each “pureguard” (which, in fact, is neither) takes 1500 watts. A standard tank-type electric domestic water heater takes 6,600 watts. A refrigerator takes 750 watts. Allow an arbitrary 400 watts for lighting. A PC takes 100 watts. TV and so forth, clocks and miscellaneous, allow 200 watts. A plasma or LCD TV takes 600 watts or more. A well pump will take up to 2,500 watts.

Brings you to a *minimum* 10KW generator to allow for some overlap. But, _if_ you really mean to run all those things you suggest all at once, you will need a 15KW generator.

You can get the 10K unit for about $ 3,000+/- $ 500 including the transfer switch. Installation will include a pad, wiring and testing – about another $ 1,500 to $ 2,500 depending on various factors such as soils, distance to the gas line and similar.

Add another $ 700 to $ 1,500 to go to a 15KW unit.

Good luck with it.

Comment on I have some questions on home genorators? by Warren914

Warren914 — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:57:42 +0000

The biggest load of the items mentioned will be the water heater. It is likely on a 240V 30A circuit and will require everything a 5500W generator can produce. The generator would have to be wired into the main electrical system through a transfer panel.

The other items such as lights or computer are relatively minor. If you can do without the water heater a much smaller generator can be used. Extension cords would eliminate the need for the transfer panel. Look for something in the range of 2500 watts.

These things are noisy! You may want to look into ways of reducing the exhaust noise to prevent annoying your neighbours. Portable generators have a tendency to walk away during power outages as well. Find a way to properly secure it against theft.

Don’t jump at the first cheap generator you come across. Many of the Chinese built generators aren’t worth purchasing. Spend a few dollars extra for something of reasonable quality and you will be much happier in the long run.

Comment on I have some questions on home genorators? by specal k

specal k — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:02:20 +0000

honda makes a good generator if you were to run extension cords out your door but the cheapest one on the link has an msrp of $ 1,149.95 there is a cheaper economy version but it would be rough on any electronics but motors would be fine.
‘http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/models.aspx?page=models&section=P2GG&category=home

why would you need a refrigerator? buy a few rubber maid coolers and keep your food out sid where it is cold.