Electric Generators for Emergency Power

what size generator do i need?

Posted by admin

I’m looking into buying a propane or natural gas powered generator. I want to run my garage on it full time. I need to be able to power only about 5,000w. About how much am I looking at for the generator, and the cost per month in gas to run it. Just a guesstimation really.. thanks

You would be better off buying a gen set used and you can get them for dealers (propane type) or get a 6500 watt generator at sam club less expensive (gasoline type)
A circular saw 12 amp will use 1440 watts, a drill about 600 watts or so etc.
A few lights and maybe a small motor say a furnace you should be ok.
Propane generators are more expensive to run but a 30 lb tank would last you maybe 8 hrs hours depending on what you are running.(full load)
To fill one depends on where you live, about 15 bucks or so for a 20 lb tank and about 25 bucks to fill a 30 lb tank.
I suggest you do some research and see what you can find on the net.

Good Luck:)

3 Responses to “what size generator do i need?”

1. William B Says:
   January 27th, 2010 at 9:44 am

   5,000 watts isn’t,t much it may power a drill or router
   you need a 10,000 watt or larger,
   more than likely a 1K gen a 20 lb tank will run it for about an hr,
   at $20 a tank ?
   it would be cheaper in the long run to have the power co put a service to it,
   References :
   maint man

2. Pat Says:
   January 27th, 2010 at 11:35 am

   You would be better off buying a gen set used and you can get them for dealers (propane type) or get a 6500 watt generator at sam club less expensive (gasoline type)
   A circular saw 12 amp will use 1440 watts, a drill about 600 watts or so etc.
   A few lights and maybe a small motor say a furnace you should be ok.
   Propane generators are more expensive to run but a 30 lb tank would last you maybe 8 hrs hours depending on what you are running.(full load)
   To fill one depends on where you live, about 15 bucks or so for a 20 lb tank and about 25 bucks to fill a 30 lb tank.
   I suggest you do some research and see what you can find on the net.

   Good Luck:)
   References :

3. Warren914 Says:
   January 31st, 2010 at 6:17 am

   I have a 5500 watt generator for backup use in my home. During an extended outage it will operate from about 7am until 10pm and consume about 6 gallons of gasoline. For a full month you would require about 180 gallons of gasoline. Factor in an oil change every 3 days as well. Unless the garage is terribly remote you will likely be better off financially with connecting to the main electric grid or from a branch circuit in your home.
   References :
   http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html

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