[TowerTalk] Low RFI diesel generator?

[R.Morris]

On 03/26/2013 09:45 PM, Rick Kiessig wrote:
> I'm in the market for a new genset - probably a low-RPM diesel generator,
> with 240VAC, clean sine wave output, audibly quiet / "silent" canopy, in the
> 10 to 20 KW range.
20 KW..? Need to run all your Alpha amps and the machine shop at the 
same time?

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-how-much-power 
....and they sell generators.

If you are talking a normal family home, grab your last few electric 
bills and do some numbers.

Make a list of all that "needs" to run and figure their start current.

My 3400 sq foot, four bedroom house with most of the toys, does a high 
average of 1kw on a 24/7, 30day month.

My eight year old heating system pulls 3 amps on start up and drops to 
1.3 on run. (360 watts to start)
Natural gas, forced air. It has a "soft start" ramp up blower.

My 48" LED TV does less than 100 watts.

The house is full of CFL light bulbs.

You don't need to run the clothes dryer, clean underwear is overrated 
anyway.

Honda markets a "smart" breaker panel. If it knows the refrigerator is 
running, it does not let the freezer or furnace start.
Five minutes one way or the other won't make a bit of difference.

When it's all done, for a normal, single family house, 5kw is way more 
than enough.

My 4kw Honda did just fine for three days. Book says 16 hours on a tank. 
I did 18 between fills and not empty.

Lots of fuel spinning that other 15kw....