So just went 8 days without power and realize it's time to upgrade my generator situation. I currently have a 5500 Watt Troybilt generator, a window AC ,and lots of extension cords. It actually runs a lot of my stuff, but I'd like to be able to run my 4 ton heat pump along with everything else (selectively). A neighbor has a 22K Watt Generac system and it eats propane like candy. I don't want that. I am strongly considering a Duromax 10/12K watt dual fuel generator. They are relatively cheap and can run on propane or gas. It should be able to run my heat pump. For those of you with generators, what is your setup?

We don't. I really don't want to rely on fuel delivery trucks either, so figuring on a setup where I can swap out propane tanks ideally, and gas if I must. Propane was never too hard to find this go around, but gas was dicey for a few days.

Fuel delivery gets expensive, at least around here. In the last ~13 years, I've had numerous multi-day outages in 2004, 1 in 2005, then this last one with Irma lasting ~8 days. I can go years without a power issue so don't want to invest a bunch in this, but this last outage highlights a need to try to improve the comfort level . At a minimum I'm going to add a power inlet box and interlock. I'll at least be able to run my hot water heater and dryer, and possibly my stove with my current generator. I know I'll need a generator upgrade to run the heat pump. It looks like if I add a soft start kit to my heat pump, I can definitely start and run it with a ~10K watt generator.

Picked up an XP12000E as they just recently were very cheap on Ebay. It survived shipping undamaged. Thank you Fedex! Gonna crank it up tomorrow. Crossing my fingers for no issues. Still waiting on my interlock kit, power cable, and power inlet. This should be fun!

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That's a great price, especially considering the lifetime Costco warranty. Mine isn't dual fuel, but I'm probably gonna add an aftermarket kit. Honestly it looks like if you can rig a propane feed into the air intake, all you really need is an on demand regulator to safely convert to propane.

Anybody using a soft start on their heat pump?

http://hypereng.com/

I've read reviews where owners say they have been able to run a 4 ton heat pump with the XP12000. Maybe they are using a soft start kit and simply didn't clarify? Using the LRA x volts calculation, there should be no way it would work without one. I'd certainly prefer going with a 10 kw generator and a $250 soft start kit vs a costly 20 kw generator. Check the graph.

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Researching soft start devices, I found an HVAC thread where somebody actually popped one open to see what was inside. There was a nominal amount of electronics and a start capacitor. Between that and a couple videos showing most of the efficiencies gained were realized immediately, I suspect a $30 to $50 start capacitor kit would do nearly as well. I've got a USA made Amrad start capacitor on the way. I at least know Amrad makes solid products and it sure as hell didn't cost $250.

I got this from a semi-local place for $29. I've had good luck with Amrad capacitors in the past. We'll see. The heat pump is more a want than a need. I've still got a couple portable ACs for emergency use if necessary. After all said and done, I'll at least have double my current generator capacity and a 50 amp generator inlet. My wife will have hot water and I won't be running extension cords all over the place.

https://www.amazon.com/Amrad-Universal-Replacement-Start-Conditioning/dp/B0170BOW6Y/ref=sr_1_1

Got the TES-4 installed and of course, it was defective. Ha! It would start the compressor, but apparently, the potential relay was stuck, and wouldn't remove the start capacitor from the circuit. This is not good. The compressor starts, runs for a bit, then stops (probably overheating).

Anyway, quickly removed it from the circuit and e-mailed Amrad. They were very cool and offered a replacement with the newest model (TES-5). Their HQ is just up the road from me, so I drove up and they gave me a tour of the place. It was neat to see how the capacitors are made. I had no idea.

So got the new part installed. You can definitely hear the relay click now and the compressor startup sounds so much better. I will probably leave the start capacitor out of circuit unless using the generator though. I imagine a start capacitor stuck on for any extended length of time would probably smoke that compressor. Why take the chance?

Not preparing for the end of the world, just my 8-10 day hurricane outage. This last time was a bit sketchy getting the gas for a few days, but I had stocked up in anticipation. Having the option to run propane or gas, I should be OK. Many of our gas stations in Florida do have backup generators for that matter. Propane refill stations don't require it.

Yeah sure. That would be cool. I thought about adding a meter box for the generator, but I've read they are next to useless. Some sort of z wave monitoring would be better, but this project is nickel and diming me to death. I do use a Smart Things controller, so the potential is there.

Just to be clear, I'm using the same run cap. I just added an optional start cap. Just a night and day difference in startup sound from that compressor now though.

When I had Progress Energy at my old house, they upgraded the meters and gave us this sort of monitoring for free. It was pretty cool.

The only electronics I've ever killed with a generator were a couple battery backups. I've had a large LCD TV not run well on a generator, so I just disconnected it. A smaller TV ran fine. I've used some pretty crappy generators over the years.

Given everything else I'm upgrading, I am also installing a HEPD80 whole home surge protector in my main panel.

I just finished installation believe it or not. The hardest part was knocking out the hole in the box. One wire to ground, one to neutral, 2 to a dedicated double pole 20 or 30 amp breaker. Easy peasy with a healthy dose of respect for that which can kill ya I looked at those like the one you have, but the HEPD80 seemed to be the most bang for the buck. It really wasn't difficult.

Here's my crummy pic.

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I'd have preferred mounting it on the side to keep the wires short as possible, but there were no knockouts. I'm not sure it would be kosher to make my own and suspect probably not. Plus I'm in Florida, so water intrusion is a concern. You've got me wondering if I should install another in my garage panel?

I kill the breakers when I'm working on it, but I know the main feeds on the main panel are still hot. I give them plenty of space

Fortunately, I rarely need to go into it. It only contains my main breaker and a couple irrigation breakers. Your lucky you have space to add more circuits in your basement panel. My garage panel was full.

Thanks. I didn't even know they made quads. Not sure those would have worked for me though as the panel didn't have the notch to take tandems. Though, I could have popped a couple of the older style (pricey) in to make it work. I needed another main breaker anyway, so I found a value pack load center that would take tandems and also used the same box. It fit perfectly and for just a little more money. Plus now I've got even more room to expand if I need it.

Will this also measure amps?

Interlock is installed and just gotta wire up the generator inlet. We are almost cooking with Crisco!

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Thanks! I looked into those a long time ago. I see they are now up to Gen 5. I may go ahead and pick one up.

50 amp power inlet is installed. Ended up putting it in the garage as I was going to have to drill the studs above the breaker box otherwise. You really have to measure 6 gauge wire just right to get it to all fit in the box. Gonna do a test run tomorrow as it is about to storm here.

Anybody running a Sense Home Energy Monitor? Kinda pricey, but I like the concept.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075K6PHJ9/ref=asc_df_B075K6PHJ95421953/

And we have success! My heat pump started right up. You could tell the load increased very briefly on the gen, but it didn't sound like it was straining. Ran a few lights, a freezer, and a mini-fridge at the same time. No problems.

The breakdown...

9.5/12.5K Generator - $660

50 FT. 50 Amp Power Cord - $200

Interlock Kit - $50

50 Amp Power Inlet - $85

Easy Start Capacitor for Heat Pump - $30

6 FT. of 6/3 Romex - $20

So for ~$1K, I can run everything in the house and I'm not screwing around with extension cords all over the place. I can't run all the high load things at the same time, but I don't need to. This worked out very well. I still need to convert to propane and I know that will reduce the power a bit, but I don't think it's going to be a problem.

That's a reasonable price, but I'd like to also be able to measure load when the generator is the power source.

Believe it or not, it was $240 last week with the Father's day 20% off.

Ebay must really be hurting for sales. Today they've got 15% off and 8% ebay bucks.