Watt Gas
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 |
 FUSION 6500 Watt Portable RV Camping Gas Generator NEW  US $699.99
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 Super Quiet DuroMax 4400 Watt Gas Generator Camping RV US $369.99
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 COLEMAN POWERMATE 6250 WATT 145HP GAS GENERATOR US $105.95
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 Honeywell 2000 Watt Gas Powered Generator US $217.50
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 All Power 1000 Watt Gas Generator Camping RV Free Ship US $147.00
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 2 HP 900 WATTS MAX 800 WATTS RATED GAS GENERATOR AS IS US $4.99
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 NEW Quiet 4000 Watt Portable Gas Generator EZ Start US $369.99
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 SEGMA 1250 WATT PORTABLE 2 HP GAS GENERATOR US $149.95
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 NEW 10000 Watt 12Hr EPA Quiet Portable Gas Generator US $899.95
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Powering a gas furnace with a Gasoline Generator.?
I am considering purchasing a 1200 watt (max) 10A generator. They are reasonably priced right now. I would think that it should power my furnace in case of a power outage. My furnace is 6 years old. It is a mid-efficiency type with a 4 position blower fan. It is connected to an electronic programmable thermostat. It seems to me if I disconnect it from the house wiring and divert it to the generator, everything should work including the blower fan, gas valve and thermostat. I would think that 1000 watts continuous would be adequate. Do you agree? Is there anything else I should know?
While the manufacturers specs on the label is the best place to start, sometimes it is not perfectly accurate or complete. Best approach I've had is to use a clamp on current probe with average and peak readings. This will give you operating and startup current requirements for the furnace. From there you can decide whether the 1200 Watt Generator is adequate. My hot water baseboard oil furnace requires only 276 watts while operating and 780 watts startup.
Perhaps the easiest place to do your wiring is at the main electrical panel. Remove the furnace wiring from the panel and install a twistlock plug on the end. From the panel, install a new twistlock outlet powered from the original Circuit Breaker. Under normal operation the furnace will simply plug into the outlet. During an outage, disconnect the plug and connect it to an extension cord to the generator. This will leave the emergency cutoff switch active in case you need to turn the furnace off.
Never connect the generator to your house with a double male cord, and always use it outdoors where there is adequate ventilation. Read my Home Generator page for other ideas.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html