I've been looking into generators for awhile. I would like to power 2 refrig/freezers, water pump, sump pump, and if there's any power left a water heater.

Everything added up according to chart (start up wattage) would put me around 10kw.
Could i get away with a little smaller generator because of the difference between running watts vs. start up watts?

First, is that your startup/surge wattage? If it isn't you'll want a lot more KW to cover it or your generator will dump.
If you can afford it get a diesel powered generator. More efficient, less maintenance, and you can burn cooking oil,
jet plane fuel, furnace oil in it.

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

Agree with Sarky, the diesel or multi-fuel generator is the best option if cost is not a factor.

One other thing to consider ... refers/freezers/water heaters don't need constant power. If they are well insulated and relatively efficient, you can run them through a cycle every 4hrs or so to maintain temp. It would be an absolute pain in the backside, but you may be able to get away with the smaller 8-10kw generator since the motors aren't drawing power/surge simultaneously. Not the best option, but something to consider if you need to put dollars towards other supplies. You can upgrade to a diesel at a later date.

That's OK only if you have to. I hate spending money twice and you won't get back what you
expect from the older/used generator unless maybe on a tradein. It's the surge that will get you
even if you only run the fridges part of the time. When they start up it draws a lot of power.

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

Although she is not "on board" with a lot of my prepping ideas, my wife supports getting an emergency generator this year. I'm having a lot of trouble deciding which brand and fuel-type I want to go with. Propane is attractive because the fuel can be stored nearly indefinitely. Diesel is attractive because the fuel stores well, and multiple things can be used as fuel. However, gasoline is by far the cheapest and most readily available. I'm looking into Briggs & Stratton and Honda, for gas-powered models. Our budget for a generator is going to be in the neighborhood of $1,000.00 or so. I've done some reading on the cheaper models (e.g. Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, etc.), and it seems that you have to buy additional equipment to make them function properly, which puts your right back up there with the better ones.

Any recommendations? I haven't decided what size I need, but I don't need help with that. I'm mainly looking for recommendations on brand and/or fuel type.

Thanks!

I don't have what most people would call an emergency generator. Mine is more like what people use when camping in motor homes and travel trailers. I have made modifications in some of my electrical wiring where I can plug in my generator and run what is necessary in an emergency. I prefer to use a gasoline generator. All of my vehicles are gasoline along with my mower. I have enough vehicles around that I don't have to actually store gasoline in large containers and worry about it going bad.

I keep 2 5 gallon gas cans for mowing and mixing gas for my chain saw, snow blower and weed whacker. When one is empty, it gets refilled. I own 3 vehicles and also have my company owned work van. None of them ever get under half a tank, and are normally kept full. With the rate that my generator uses fuel, if I don't run it more than what is absolutely necessary I can go for 6 weeks without having to find any fuel. I figured this for winter time when I will be using it to run my furnace as well. In the summer I can go for more than 2 months.

Another reason I like the portable generator is if I have to bug out, I can take it with me. If I need electricity for something, I am all set.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

This is an excellent point. Gas is the most commonly available fuel source, and if you own vehicles and yard implements, you're going to have gas on hand.

I went and looked at Honda generators the other day. We have a dealer in the area that stocks most of the Honda models. I'm looking at the EU3000iSA as my primary choice. Our local dealer has them on sale right now for $1800. MSRP is quite a bit higher, and the new models are going up in price. Still, $1800 is a lot of money to dump on something I may never use very often. Although, re-stocking my fridge and freezer certainly could cost as much as the generator if all my food spoiled during a power outage.

My wife doesn't want to spend that much on a generator...she was expecting to spend 1/3 that.

Look on http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites That's where I got mine for $400. 3800 surge watts and 5000 running watts. You could also look on ebay.

_________________
And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand

If you don't need a very large generator, you can get one that works great at a Tractor Supply, other farm type store, or even a home improvement store for less than $600. I bought mine at a tool auction for $300. It can be a pain getting up in the night to run the generator and keep changing what is hooked up to so everything is covered, but I find that it's a lot better than freezing in the winter or having my perishable food spoil.

Mine is fairly small. 3500 continuous Watts and will take a surge of 4500. I could probably run more on it at a time then I do, but why make it work hard when it's not necessary.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

OK. I got that backwards. It's 5000 surge and 3800 continuous.
I've really gotta start reading my posts before I hit the submit button.

_________________
And To The Republic For Which It Used To Stand