Relatives of mine are trying to choose, with my help, a properly sized genset or genny and transfer switch(s) for back-up since the aged grandparents are living there complete with life-support and powered chairs.

Minimum, they want on the "EM" circuits:

2 Lift chairs @ 130W each

1 Breathing Machine with a nameplate rating of 4A 120V (480W)

1 Refrigerator, 600W

1 Freezer 600W

1 Water Pump 5A min, 240V

The clincher:

1 furnace 240V 35A min, 46A max. (unsure due to lack of model number versus a generic nameplate)

If possible add:

2 lighting circuits to include Living Room and Bedroom of elders (might get lucky and they're on the same circuit, but unlikely)

1 Water Heater (4800W) (Hah!)

My figures, 12KVA to 18+KVA, but this is a guesstimation big time.

How much diversity can I count on?

How small can we go and not have the genny stall when the furnace kicks on?

They originally had hoped to only spend $2K, but I dashed those hopes as soon as they said they wanted the electric furnace on the genset as well.

Hoo boy!

Would they be better off with a 200A transfer switch, and transfer everything, or isolated circuits? Or, a genset with auto-transfer (they kinda like that idea...)

They are looking at what Northern has to offer, and I told them I would investigate the possibilities (read: post on ECN and yell "help!")

Help!

[Linked Image]

-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI