generators what low cost generator would work for 2 computers cable modem routor and eletric heater and a frig

Question

and maybe a light or 2 for up to about a week straight as in my town weather is a problem

to the first thats why i listed the thigns that will be runing becuse i dont know what the watts are 2 computer are about 2500 watts cable modem abotu 5 watts or so i dont know

Answer 1

Your town is not unique.

First of all you need to determine the "draw"/ usage of each appliance. Obviously a heater and refrig; will require more than a light bulb or computer.

Once you've determined that usage; then you can shop generators by output.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

200 - 300 watts for each computer, 200 watts for the fridge, 10 watts for the modem, 60 to 100 watts for each light. But the biggie is going to be the heater. You have to find out the wattage of the heater. Why not just run the furnace off the generator? That would be less watts than a large heater. I use a 5200 watt 240/120 volt generator for my house, running just about everything but the washer, dryer, microwave, and dishwasher. I paid around $300 for the generator and $100 for a transfer switch.

Answer 3

I think you'd be better served if you could figure out how many watts you'd need to use.

It's pretty easy, and there's two ways to do it:

(1) Read the label. Any electric device should have on it someplace basic power consumption info and it will either list how many watts they consume or they'll show current (how many amps), which you multiply by 120 to get watts.

(2) Measure it. Get a device called a "clamp ammeter" which is designed to read current. Then get a big, thick extension cord and flay it open so that you can get at the individual conductors (don't strip the insulation, you just want to separate the wires). Place the clamp of the clamp ammeter around ONE of the conductors (either hot or neutral, don't use ground as it won't read anything useful) then plug in your device and run it. The ammeter should show you how many amps you're actually using at that moment. Just multiply by 120 to get watts.

Also keep in mind the devices you mention have drastically different power requirements and you might want to take some extra steps.

* The computers and router will draw little current (compared to the heater) and will be more sensitive to the condition and cleanliness of the power they get.

* The heater will draw lots of current and may disrupt the computers when it turns on.

* The fridge will not draw much current for much of the time but its power usage might surge when the compressor turns on, and that too may disrupt the computers.

Those surges of power might be more of a problem when using a generator because the generator even if it's rated to handle the steady-state current draw of your appliances might not have the surge capacity to smooth over sudden load changes like turning on the heater or fridge compressor.

In light of that, you might want to consider putting the computers and router on a UPS to protect them from the other appliances. If your power problems are limited to short-term outages you might even want to consider getting a UPS big enough to carry you through an outage without generator assistance if you're just dealing with brown-outs or power losses of seconds or minutes in duration, and reserve the generator for the fridge and heater.

Answer 4

Having a generator for things like a refrigerator, heater, and light bulbs is fine and should draw at least 5000 watts. However you say you have a "Cable Modem" and if the power on the grid goes out, so does the cable service, INCLUDING the cable computer services. There is nothing you can do about that. Sorry!

Answer 5

2500 watts for computer; minimum 1500 watts for a SMALL electric heater, add a few lights and a frig, a 5000 watt generator would be minimum. Unless you have a good quality generator that has quality voltage regulation, I wouldn't use it on any expensive electronic equipment. The voltage fluctuation could destroy sensitive computer equipment. Stay away from the cheap generators made in China that are sold in home improvement stores.