Generac GP3250 Generator

[sloeffle]

I need a generator that can supply 240V power to a 50 AMP transfer switch. This generator seems to be the smallest generator that can supply 240V. I was looking at a Champion 6500 Watt unit at Costco but then I started reading about how much gas the bigger units use. It would supply power to a wood burning furnace ( 1/3 HP motor ), freezer, two refrigerators and some task lighting. If everything is running at once, I would guess it will be a constant 1250W load max.

Does anybody have any experience with this unit ? All of the reviews that I can find seem to be positive. I realize it is a basic unit. It will be in my barn, so noise is not an issue and I highly doubt we would plug any electronics in unless the power is out longer than a day.

Edit: I know that Honda and Yamaha generators are the best. But I can't justify spending that kind of money on something that would normally get used <8 hours a year. Our power goes out very rarely, and generally for less than 4 hours.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[KB007]

If it's less than 4 hours, why do you even need a generator? I don't even think about starting ours until I know it's gonna be 8 hours or more.

As for that Generac - it'll give you 13.5A on the 240 (L14-20), so that'll be about the same as 2 15A 120V circuits. Is the 1/3HP motor 120 pr 240?

If you balance the freezer/fridges across both legs, you could be OK depending on how often they all start up etc.

 

[sloeffle]

Last year we lost power when it was around 0F out or so. A few hours later when the power was finally restored the house was down to 56F. This is a very unusual event for us. Ever since then the wife ( CEO ) has been on me about getting a generator. She is really on me since winter time has hit. We also got started in the sheep business so we now have a partial freezer full of frozen lamb. A freezer full of lost lamb and other meats would easily pay for the generator.

The 1/3HP motor is 120 volts. It pulls around 250W when running. All of the circuits are fed off of one 50AMP breaker in the Gentran panel so I would expect the balancing to be correct. It is possible that I might need to run a 250W stock tank heater also.

 

[maple1]

So you're not running anything that uses 240? Just that the 120s are fed through a 240 box? The one you linked will likely do. You could also get a smaller 120 & use cords & not use the box, if outages are that small & infrequent. If 'needing' a 240 is limiting your preferences.

 

[sloeffle]

Correct, nothing uses 240. I originally wired it up to run my geo. The LRA on the geo is 100AMPS w/ out a soft start. A soft start would bring it down to 35AMPS and cost me $400. The boss says she can live without AC. I can get heat from my wood burning furnace.

By using the 240V panel I can keep the generator locked up in the barn away from the elements and people.

If I were to buy a generator that was only 120V, I would have to set it outside my bedroom window in the elements, not away from people.

 

[velvetfoot]

Be careful nonetheless about running the generator in an enclosed space.

 

[Highbeam]

I use the well known champion 3500 240volt genset. I would recommend it over the generac and it is much cheaper. I also use it to backfeed my panel so it needs to be 240.

The fridges when running use low watts but take a big surge when starting. You can't size a genset based on running watts.

 

[sloeffle]

I use the well known champion 3500 240volt genset. I would recommend it over the generac and it is much cheaper. I also use it to backfeed my panel so it needs to be 240.

Which Champion generator do you have ? I have heard good things about them from reading the online reviews.

 

[Highbeam]

Champion's bread and butter for more than a decade and still made is the 3500/4000 surge 120/240 genset. It has a 30 amp rv plug and when you select 120 with the switch all 3500 goes to that plug as 120volt. 6 hp honda lookalike engine and a muffler about the size of a car muffler. Pull start only. Gasoline only but dependable runs way over 12 hours with no refill.

Not a honda, not an inverter, but way better than a generac/craftsman/Briggs type contractor set.

I'd post a link but don't know how from a tablet. Champion has a decent website.

 

[sloeffle]

This looks be to the generator that you are referring to. Generac, Briggs, etc are at the bottom of my list but I couldn't find a small generator with a 240V outlet until I found the Generac 3250.

 

[velvetfoot]

I wired up a plug so I can feed my 240 v input socket with 120v to both legs. Naturally there are no 240 v loads involved. I think doing it that way would make sense with the bigger unit you are using if you are not powering any 240 v loads. Then, I think, you don't have to worry about balancing the load on each leg. I'm no expert though.

 

[sloeffle]

The panel has a 50AMP 240V plug in the bottom of it. So all I need is a the correct twist lock plugs ( $$$$ ) for the generator and panel, some SO cable and I am ready to go.

 

[Highbeam]

I wired up a plug so I can feed my 240 v input socket with 120v to both legs. Naturally there are no 240 v loads involved. I think doing it that way would make sense with the bigger unit you are using if you are not powering any 240 v loads. Then, I think, you don't have to worry about balancing the load on each leg. I'm no expert though.

I have considered doing this too. My electrician contacts could not find fault so long as you don't overload the neutral. How does it work for you?

 

[Highbeam]

The panel has a 50AMP 240V plug in the bottom of it. So all I need is a the correct twist lock plugs ( $$$$ ) for the generator and panel, some SO cable and I am ready to go.

Home depot sells the cord as a kit but I think it is the 30 amp version.

That is my genset. Highly recommend it you are looking for small, noninverter, 240. Easy on fuel and easy to start.

 

[velvetfoot]

It works fine for me. I don't think anything would happen if a 240 v appliance came on, but I haven't tried it.

Edit: That plug is a three prong plug. It goes into a cord I made that plugs the 120v Champion's RV plug into the 240 v house inlet. So, I can either use the little Honda, or the Champion, but it turns out I don't use the Champion at all since it can't power the well. I hope to get by with just the Honda.

 

[Highbeam]

So what velvet's adapter does is feed both sides of the panel with "in phase" 120 instead of out of "phase" 120 which your two pole breakers need to make 240. I suspect that parts of 240 appliances would work like the clock on the oven but not the actual oven. It should allow those of us with interlocks the ability to run a small inverter genset to power the 120 volt circuits and also provide better voltage regulation than unevenly loading each phase of a normal 240 genset.

I'm just too ascared to try it.

 

[sloeffle]

Interesting setup velvet. I didn't realize you could do something like that.

I was looking at my Gentran panel yesterday trying to figure out the plug it had. I got onto Gentran's site and was looking at the power cords they sell. Does anybody know the purpose for the metal nipple that sticks out on the female outlet on this cord ? Here is a better pic. The manual says it uses a CS6365 male end and I need a CS6364 female end on my cord.

Edit. This looks to be the cord that I need. It will probably be cheaper to buy it then try to make it. The ends are around $30 a piece.

 

[Highbeam]

Interesting setup velvet. I didn't realize you could do something like that.

I was looking at my Gentran panel yesterday trying to figure out the plug it had. I got onto Gentran's site and was looking at the power cords they sell. Does anybody know the purpose for the metal nipple that sticks out on the female outlet on this cord ? Here is a better pic. The manual says it uses a CS6365 male end and I need a CS6364 female end on my cord.

Edit. This looks to be the cord that I need. It will probably be cheaper to buy it then try to make it. The ends are around $30 a piece.

The benefit of making your own cord is that you can make it really long (to allow you to locate your genset far away) or really short to save money on cord.

 

[KB007]

The benefit of making your own cord is that you can make it really long (to allow you to locate your genset far away) or really short to save money on cord.

That's true - just have to consider wire gauge if you get too far away...

 

[sloeffle]

I picked up the Champion 3500 / 4000 on sale, along with the wheel kit today at TSC. I found some ends for around $50 total and 10/4 is $2.08 a foot at Lowes. So I would save about $50 on a 25 footer.

Good point about making my own length. I will probably make it long enough so the generator is far away from any combustibles.

Thanks everyone for all of the input.

Scott

 

[KB007]

Put it where it's safe, but also remember to put it where you can chain it down. Remember back in 98 (and more recently last winter in Toronto) people started trying to steal generators!