Calculate Watts for Generator - Be Exact

Doc explains how to calculate the needed watts for a generator. If you can get precise with your wattage needed, you can keep your generator smaller which is a major advantage in long term power outages. The wattage meter shown not only measures watts, but also volts and many other features.
Calculate watts for generator quickly and easily without guessing.
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[MyGuyKirby]

Great real life exposure to power shortages, thanks for making this and the new preparedness channel. Please do touch on the subject of winter issues without power.

[raulsanchez]

Thanks for all the great info you put out. I’ve learned so much from my YouTube dad 😂

[aussieuGA]

Loving these preparedness videos. Hope you'll touch upon the "small" generator but still needing 240V to start a well pump so the house can receive water. This was a big issue in Helene when everyone only had 120V solutions.

[GardenAquaticsReMix]

Great info. Thank you.Thanks Doc !! Looking forward to the next video.

[rogersmith]

Keep in mind when measuring a refrigerator the motor need to be supplying freezer and refrigerator to get max current

[straydawg]

Maybe someone has already touched on this: most electrical devices have data plates on them with all the info you need to determine load requirements. You'll generally find voltage, amps, and sometimes watts all together. In the case of say, a refrigerator, the wattage may show 400-600 watts (for example), but this does NOT take into account the inrush current of starting the compressor motor from a standstill. This is also known as Locked Rotor Current and can be 4 to 6 times the run amps for a brief period of time. It can, however, trip something if too much load is already being utilized elsewhere. Just FYI....

[rogersmith]

Usually look at the motor spec will show current max current draw

[douglasbarnhart]

Thanks Doc !! Looking forward to the next video.

[tedhall]

Thanks for all the time and info your vidio's provide. The link to the window air conditioner is no longer working. Please provide the model number of the unit you recommend.

[avflyguy]

Need to be careful when choosing an AMP meter. What you *really* want to know is to capture what is called *INRUSH* current. This will show you total AMPS needed to get something started. Generally, this applies mostly to things that have an electric motor. It takes considerably more watts/amps to get a motor up and running. In fact, most motors have capacitors that also act to help 'kick start' that motor until it's up an stabliized. This is where generators fall short because while they can handle a running motor, they can't provide enough amps to meet the start-up inrush current. On HVAC systems there is a Placard on the side of the outdoor unit. Look for Compressor / LRA which means Locked Rotor Amps or Starting amps needed to get it started and running. The other value usually beside it RLA Running Amps. This value shows how many watts/amps it draws once it starts up and is running. In some cases, the LRA can be as much as 3 times the runnng amps which a lot of generators just can not handle, even a 9000 watt generator, certaintly nothing less either

[lmdetect]

I'm really hoping that you will dive into generator cords. Gage and length of cord.

[captainbill]

DOC, Great video but what about the communications device. Since I'm a ham, licensed FCC commercial coms license and USCGAUX license wondering what your coms device is.

[thufir]

I'm not a fan of gas generators. The fire risk and more hazards of fuel storage are not worth it to me. If you are going to run a liquid fuel, look at diesel generators. Diesel generators are more fuel efficient that gas as a diesel motor is load based. I'm lucky enough to have natural gas connection to my home and that is what I use.
Also, max current isn't just when the motor is running. You have to look at many circuits based upon power on load. While the high load is short in duration when you first apply power and turn it on, it needs to be accounted for. I also recommend hiring a good electrician to check you home electrical system. A home that's a bit older and gone through a few owners can offer a few nasty surprises like a floating ground.
One last thought is that any backup power needs to be exercised on a regular basis. It does no good never test the back up. This goes for power and data. The test should be complete at least once to see how long power will last between refills.

[traviswright]

Check to see if one side of the splitter is x10 and the other x1

[Gators]

Doc do you use an Anker system as well?

[jamesblack]

Can a system like your EcoFlow be setup in a garage or does it need to be in a climate controlled space?

[spyderzill]

Off topic doc, but what do you do about mice on your farm

[donaldrichard]

What’s up Doc 😂
Sorry couldn’t resist… 🙋‍♂️ what are your maintenance recommendations for a 22KW generac generator? We have natural gas feeding it so fuel not option.
IS it necessary to change oil every year regardless if you use it for period of time or just for weekly test. Also, should I do a “load” test yearly on my unit?
Thanks for all these helpful videos.
Happy Halloween 👻

[chadcochran]

Would it be safe to say, if I have a soft start on my HVAC, and my big generator will run them, then maybe that is all my large generator should be used for and I should concentrate on smaller more efficient generators to run the rest of the house? Of course if I am running the large generator might as well run everything else off of that so maybe I should look into the window units and run those off a smaller generator. Hmmm now what do I do with my big one?

[sideler]

Hi Doc,
I'm considering buying the same generator you have in the video (slightly different rating because it's newer presumably). Champion 9000-Watt Electric Start Gasoline Powered Open Frame Inverter. Do you have an electric water heater pulling 4500 watts and have you tested it on that? I bought another brand generator and it can't handle the abrupt 4500 Watt load even though it's rated to.