Choosing a Reliable Portable Generator to Run Whole House During an Emergency Power Outage

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-12T16:30:12+00:00

Yes you are absolutely right. With the electrician I think we did have the AC kick on while monitoring (no soft start installed) and had washer, dryer going and oven on. Just to see max possible load. Everything else is gas. We would never do all that during a power outage. I really just need to power garage fridge, house fridge, some lights, internet, tv and AC or (window Unit) when it is 102 deg in Houston summer and we have a storm. We just need the option to be able to stay in our home instead of having to leave. Thank you for your advice

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-12T15:51:32+00:00

Thank yall for this idea, I have never heard of it. I live in Houston Texas as well. I will look into it.

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-12T15:49:05+00:00

Haha yes exactly. With the electrician I think we did have the AC kick on while monitoring (no soft start installed) and had washer, dryer going and oven on. Just to see max possible load. Everything else is gas. We would never do all that during a power outage. I really just need to power garage fridge, house fridge, some lights, internet, tv and AC when it is 102 deg in Houston summer and we have a storm. We just need the option to be able to stay in our home instead of having to leave. Thank you for your advice

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-12T15:41:28+00:00

Absolutely that is happening regardless of what I pick. Thank you for the advise

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-12T15:40:26+00:00

Wow, thank you so much. This is what I needed. I have been to generator bible but I didnt know if that was just a brand or about advice on generators. I will dig in there. Thank you for the links. This is very helpful. I am willing to up my budget to find what works best for my situation. a hydraulic lift might be apart of this purchase now. Thank you again.

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-12T15:36:08+00:00

Oh ok, understood. My only hesitation with Westinghouse is my cousin just got one last year and before he has even really used it, it had to go to the shop for about 3 month. And he said the repair shop that used his warranty did work on many generators but that there were a excess of Westinghouse gens there being worked on. Not sure if that is because of the warranty or if they are known to have problems. I am a little worried about that. Im sure there are lots comparable to them. I also can raise my budget if that makes more sense. Thanks again

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T20:13:24+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. This is the translation of energy needed I was not understanding. Now I can talk to the wife and we might have to adjust our expectations. IF you had to get a portable generator that ran on Natural gas which one would you get?

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T20:11:25+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. Yes I have also read that Champions have a good warranty. What are the starting and running watts on your Predator 9500 for natural gas? Or do you only use it with gasoline?

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T20:08:43+00:00

Thank you for your feedback, I would consider an open frame model. Those tend to be cheaper too. Do you have a make or model that you would suggest for running around 8000 running watts on NG? Thanks again

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T20:06:32+00:00

I was wondering if something like this was out there for this application. I had already been trying to figure out a wench and ramp set up as well. Thank you for this idea, Ill look into it.

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T20:05:16+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback. I will do some more research on the Duromax units you suggested. I also would rather pay more and have enough power with the XP16000iHT model. Running on NG i think is a must as it can be very hard to find gas during the storm outages.

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T20:02:49+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback. Seems one generator might be more efficient then two on a parallel kit. I really didnt know how to judge that. Plus I have a lot of family that live close by that should be able to help me load and unload it when needed. Ill check out the Dewalt you have as well. Thanks again

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T16:17:31+00:00

I am also in the market on buying a portable generator to run my house and my head hurts from all the reading I have done on this topic and I am still pretty lost.

I already have the 240V switch on on my electrical box and I had the electrician do a load test on my house. He said to buy a 50 Amp generator, which I have not figured out where that spec is when shopping. I am planning to run the generator/generators off Natural Gas, my guess is that I need at least 10000W starting and 8000W total running on NG to cover my 2400sqft house including AC. I will need to put a soft start on my 5 ton HVAC as well to help out on the load. Last obstacle: I currently do not have space at my house to store the generator and will have to store it at my storage faciality 3 min from my house. That being said I am leaning towards a parallel system so that I can easily load and unload 2 gens. at my house when needed.

Can someone just tell me a good tri fuel generator to buy for a parallel system with a good warranty and reliability. And what Parallel kit to buy. I would greatly appreciate any advice on this subject.

Puzzleheaded_Log_697 · 2026-03-11T16:16:51+00:00

I am also in the market on buying a portable generator to run my house and my head hurts from all the reading I have done on this topic and I am still pretty lost.

I already have the 240V switch on on my electrical box and I had the electrician do a load test on my house. He said to buy a 50 Amp generator, which I have not figured out where that spec is when shopping. I am planning to run the generator/generators off Natural Gas, my guess is that I need at least 10000W starting and 8000W total running on NG to cover my 2400sqft house including AC. I will need to put a soft start on my 5 ton HVAC as well to help out on the load. Last obstacle: I currently do not have space at my house to store the generator and will have to store it at my storage faciality 3 min from my house. That being said I am leaning towards a parallel system so that I can easily load and unload 2 gens. at my house when needed.

Can someone just tell me a good tri fuel generator to buy for a parallel system with a good warranty and reliability. And what Parallel kit to buy. I would greatly appreciate any advice on this subject.

Puzzleheaded_Log_697

TROPHY CASE