Sizing Generators - 12KVA enough? - 01/14/03 02:45 AM
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!
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!