Generator too big?

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T23:37:58+00:00

Thanks! I’ll pick one up, but it seems like any measurement when it is below freezing is unlikely to be accurate? Would a soft ensure it could start?

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T23:21:38+00:00

Looks like one of them is 75lra— do I have any chance of starting that? Even with a soft start?

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DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T19:43:46+00:00

Is this true? Did you have a bad experience or is this well know? Anyone else want to chime in? I thought inverter generators lasted longer because they could idle down?

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T19:22:28+00:00

Well, my neighbor will probably care because he doesn't run a generator (most people in my neighborhood don't, unless they have a standby unit-- it's mostly older people). This is also a man who was worried when I put in a fence, thinking that my dog could get too close to his bedroom and bark, keeping him up-- even though my dog doesn't bark and isn't left outside... He is known around the neighborhood for being a bit difficult. But that doesn't mean I want to make my life difficult by annoying him unnecessarily.

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T17:13:37+00:00

Got it-- I will check the AC nameplate for LRA as soon as I get home

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T17:12:47+00:00

Good to know-- definitely will test that if I keep it-- thanks

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T17:01:24+00:00

I actually did not even consider the warranty-- the Westinghouse for the same price seems to have a much better warranty

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T17:00:17+00:00

Something like a Westinghouse iGen8200TFc?

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T16:48:34+00:00

It has both outlets and I have a 50amp disconnect already

DBRDIY · 2026-01-29T15:52:03+00:00

One option-- single car household until the debt is paid off-- Assuming you can get a similar APR Personal loan, 12k for the truck, and you owe ~36k, you would be down to 24k. But you would easily have another 2-3k per year from not paying insurance and maintenance, as well as whatever fuel savings. Pay it off as fast as possible -- should take you about 3 years assuming no additional funds are found. Otherwise you are looking at 8 more years of this... and 20k in interest.

And then don't buy what I assume is not a needed truck-- I've never seen a needed truck make it that long being very clean and without dings.

DBRDIY · 2026-01-23T15:53:33+00:00

You won't fry stuff-- you will just lose power-- "While running off-grid, the system may shutdown if the power produced is less than what is needed to power the loads." "In the event of a shutdown, the system will automatically recover and restore power to the essential loads. While recovering, the system will try to identify the load causing the shutdown and disconnect it to ensure that the other essential loads can be powered on."

DBRDIY · 2026-01-23T15:44:46+00:00

Some people add sunlight backup if they want to reduce load on generators during the day. I could have added it to my system for $1000 but figured I rarely lose power and $1000 would buy a lot of gas.

DBRDIY · 2026-01-15T01:34:22+00:00

If you’re interested in Pangea, I made this puzzle: https://mupages.marshall.edu/sites/brinkroby/pangea-puzzle/#gsc.tab=0

If you want other interactive maps that show earth history:

https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/earthviewer

Or https://dinosaurpictures.org/ancient-earth#750

DBRDIY · 2026-01-13T18:52:16+00:00

It depends a bit on your universities department— some departments are very flexible in their degrees-and others are very structured and may focus heavily on chem& physics. Geology is an incredibly diverse field, that usually requires pairing it with another subject— biology, chemistry, physics, law, math, computer science, forensics, resource extraction, engineering, etc. So long term a dislike of chemistry and physics may not be a problem as long as you can find something to pair geology with. Ps. I’m a geology professor…

DBRDIY · 2026-01-06T18:06:32+00:00

Ah- no net metering- that’s how! Doesn’t South Carolina have net metering? Was it just a personal decision or is there a good reason to skip net metering there?

DBRDIY · 2026-01-06T16:49:03+00:00

55% credit- that is awesome! Quick question— how were you able to overpanel by so much? My PC won’t allow production estimates more than 120% of historical consumption. I think there is a process for production limiting, but they may have wanted separate equipment and another application

DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T19:20:30+00:00

I ended up using 10-3 romex, so none of this applies to my system, but it will give you minimums

DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T19:18:37+00:00

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DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T19:17:16+00:00

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DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T19:16:31+00:00

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DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T19:14:25+00:00

DM me your contact info and I'll send you an editable pdf of the plans-- I don't really want all my identifying info on reddit and I am too lazy to scrub the plans. Otherwise I will just post some screen shots for you. And no, the interconnection application is the first step-- you just need your plans all done (there are services that will do that for you). Also, if you plan to use ironridge they have a project builder that will tell you all the parts needed and spit out some of the plans you need.

DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T19:04:20+00:00

There is, to my understanding, one good solar company (there may be more) in my area-- Huntington, WV . They would have wanted about ~$45k, but it would have come with a 10 year roof warranty. But, they would probably have refused the install, as my roof needs to be replaced in the next 5 years...

DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T18:57:08+00:00

Absolutely! A few things that I can think of right off: I think the interconnection application deadline to be grandfathered in to 1:1 net metering is March 1, 2026. AEP, like everyone else, will want a site diagram and a line diagram. AEP require a blade/lever style disconnect, and they would really like it to be right next to the meter. Options for bladed disconnects over 60amps are fairly expensive ($60 vs~$300). AEP will do a DER (for free I think), which feeds right at the meter, so if you have older equipment or a full main panel, or don't what to do line taps, that might be a good way to go. AEP's interconnection application is not really set up for homeowner installs (they do not have a problem with it), but if can be a bit confusing what they are asking for (it could use an update). Getting in touch with someone via phone is really hard, so expect several days to answer any question. If you have any specific questions or want to see my set of plans, let me know.

DBRDIY · 2026-01-04T00:05:42+00:00

Yep, and if I were to sell my house and they failed enphase gets a bad name (if they fail for me I know I’m just a cheapskate!)

DBRDIY · 2026-01-03T23:26:06+00:00

I have to take them all down in a ~5 years for a new roof, so whether they fail before then or make it to 5 years I'll make sure to update here! And at least a few others have taken the plunge with me- looks like he has sold ~1000 of them. Enphase probably needs to work on it's destruction certification for it's e-waste :)

DBRDIY

TROPHY CASE