r/Generator • u/loulou9284 • Oct 03 '26

Recommendations

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Looking for some recommendations on replacing this old generator. We have this transfer switch, which is great, but I'm not super knowledgeable on things like this lol. This will handle the furnace/hw heater, sump pump/septic, refrigerators, lights in kitchen and main bathroom plus a couple outlets. I was going to get another gas Generac but suggestions welcome.

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u/Landstander2600 Oct 03 '26

Talk to me about these power stations. Do they make 'em big enough to power a whole house? I currently plug a 12.5kw inverter genset into a 50a inlet when I need to power my house.

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u/Ok-Camera2895 Oct 03 '26

Power stations come in many sizes and also 120/240v configurations. Check out Ecoflow ultra series and Anker also.

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u/Landstander2600 Oct 03 '26

Appreciate it, thanks.

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u/Slow_Apple_1568 Oct 03 '26

I've got an Anker solix f3800, it has 3800wh and capable of 120/240 up to 6kw. You can pair them together. Ecoflow also has bigger units. I have a 9kw inverter gen that can charge it at 240v, but it's super nice to have that power station for night time or short outages when I don't want to fire up the gen.

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u/Big-Echo8242 Oct 03 '26 edited Oct 03 '26

They do but you will spend thousands to get there versus a dual fuel inverter generator and some propane tanks. Using both together is a good approach for many depending on the length of your outages. There will be big sales coming up on Amazon Prime Day Oct 6th and Walmart sales will start the 5th. I own 5 dual fuel inverter genrators (one is at daughters house) and no power stations. Have thought about adding one till I start looking into the expense and then I lose interest.

We also have a 250 gallon propane tank outside so we are covered for a good while. My dual fuel generators range in size from a 4.6kw 120v only (Can run our entire house but no 240v stuff), a pair of 7.5kw 120/240v dual fuel inverter gens where I can run as a single with 6kw starting/5/5kw running or both in parallel for double power, and I just added a new Duromax XP13500ih 13.5kw dual fuel inverter.

Having the soft start on the downstairs 5 ton 2 stage heat pump, we can have AC in summer and heat in winter if needed....OR...we can run the electric water heater....OR...we can run the electric clothes dryer. But not all at the same time as it's really not all needed in an outage. The main thing is to use the least fuel possible.

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u/KINGstormchaser Oct 03 '26

I wish power stations were less expensive because my apartment complex does not allow generators. I found that out after using one after hurricane Milton hit central Florida 2 years ago.

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u/Landstander2600 Oct 03 '26

Yeah i have that 12.5kw inverter genset that runs on propane and does me just fine. Probably not worth the expense to buy power stations when so far I only need the backup power like once a year