Looking for a portable back up generator. Natural gas is not available and wife doesn’t want a large propane tank so looking at larger portables. Generic has one that is rated for 18kw and the largest Honda is rated for 10kw. They are close in price. Generac would give more headroom for the house heat pump and a load of wash, but I am more familiar with Honda. Anyone have any experience on the Generace portables? Motor on the Generac 18kw unit looks to be a v twin made in the USA. TIA.
Honda v Generac Portable Generators - anyone with first hand experience?
- Thread starter RBT
- Start date
My question, is how are you going to get the power into your house?
A twist lock 240v outlet is rated for 30 amps max.
A 14-50 is 50 amps max.
If that's the way you will connect , I don't see you needing more than a 12000 watt genset, as you can't deliver more power than that.
A twist lock 240v outlet is rated for 30 amps max.
A 14-50 is 50 amps max.
If that's the way you will connect , I don't see you needing more than a 12000 watt genset, as you can't deliver more power than that.
Thanks for responding - A manual transfer switch hooked into the house’s main electrical panel.
Well years ago when I used a Honda for a different home, that generator had the proper round safety recepticle for the cord that connected to the house’s recepticle. The generac has a 120/240 50 amp recepticle. Honda looks the same but will double check. Maybe I am missing something. Thanks again.
What I'm getting at , is that the 14-50 outlet on the generator can only deliver 50 amps max. About 12000 watts.
You have no way to get more than 12000 watts into your panel, so you cant use the 18000 watts.
The 18000 watts is from all the outlets together.
If you can't deliver more that 12000 watts through the cord, you only need that size generator. You can't get 18000 watts through the one outlet on the generator.
Keep in mind that large generators consume a lot of fuel, even when lightly loaded. But if you need to run a heat pump, make sure what ever you purchase can start the compressor. Inverter units are much easier to start due to low in-rush current. Conventional (older) heat pump designs can require a larger generator.
I'm a fan of Honda equipment. Known performance, reliability and parts availability.
I'm a fan of Honda equipment. Known performance, reliability and parts availability.
Thank you. I did not realize this. You likely saved me a lot of money too. Much appreciated.
If you are planning to run the heat pump purchase an EasyStarto for the heat pump. It will reduce the inrush amperage when it starts. Makes it easy on the generator.
You could post this in the generator section of thepowerequipmentforum.com. the guys over there are good and have plenty of info on Generac and Honda units.
You could post this in the generator section of thepowerequipmentforum.com. the guys over there are good and have plenty of info on Generac and Honda units.
A soft start kit is always a good idea for conventional compressors. Not needed or usable on inverter driven compressors
I believe they make a 50A twist lock too for a manual transfer switch. Lots to potentially go wrong with this setup though.
EDIT: Here it is
https://www.electricgeneratorsdirec...MIq_Ty3JyXkAMVmHhHAR0U9CVOEAQYASABEgLzbfD_BwE
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