Buzz 502 #1 Posted January 21, 2009 Saw an ad for a Wheel Horse generator a while back: 5500 watt, with wheels and a 5 gallon gas tank. I'm pretty sure I remember reading that one of the companies that make generators made a model called the Wheel Horse but had no connection with Toro/Wheel Horse. Any info? :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,092 #2 Posted January 21, 2009 If it's the one on Craigslist, I think it actually said "Wheel House" in the pic on the side of the generator. The one I saw has been listed several times before. Not sure we're talking about the same thing. But, it was red... kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 14 #3 Posted January 21, 2009 The Wheel House generators are made by Generac. My next door neighbor has one. At 5500 running watts it won't run your house, but will keep your fridge and a few lights going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buzz 502 #4 Posted January 22, 2009 If it's the one on Craigslist, I think it actually said "Wheel House" in the pic on the side of the generator. The one I saw has been listed several times before. Not sure we're talking about the same thing. But, it was red... kevin That's the one. For some reason the picture wouldn't come up for me. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #5 Posted January 23, 2009 At 5500 running watts it won't run your house Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have a 4000 watt 8hp briggs generator, and there's really nothing I can't run with it. I even open up the garage door with it. My furnace, hot water, and stove are all gas, and require little if any energy, exept the circulator pumps on the furnace. The light in the house are cfl, and draw 14 watts each. The rest are dimmable. It is possible, as I have done it. :thumbs: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 14 #6 Posted January 23, 2009 Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have a 4000 watt 8hp briggs generator, and there's really nothing I can't run with it. I even open up the garage door with it. My furnace, hot water, and stove are all gas, and require little if any energy, exept the circulator pumps on the furnace. The light in the house are cfl, and draw 14 watts each. The rest are dimmable. It is possible, as I have done it. Perhaps I should rephrase. At 5500 watts it will not run the typical home with a 100 amp service at typical usage rates. 5500 watts won't even run an older home with a 60 amp service. Your 4000 watt generator has a max capacity of a bit over 33 amps/120 volts. That will not run a typical central air conditioning unit with any power left for fridges, lights, etc. It will run the basics and with proper management of circuits will get you through a power outage, but with other gens out there that have higher capacities in the same price range you'd be better off to buy one of them. I have a gas furnace and water heater. The furnace blower is on my gen panel. I also have CFLs in most of my overhead lights and like that they save a lot of electricity and last a lot longer. But you bring up a good point. If we would all manage our power usage as if we were trying to keep from overtaxing a small capacity generator, think of how much energy and MONEY we could save. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 13 #7 Posted January 23, 2009 Buzz, I lost the overall picture but have a close up of the tag on a WheelHouse generator. I think it just had a vert engine on a small cart to roll around. Brother said people swear they are Wheel Horse when they call for service. About the same as Troybilt tillers that people think are Toro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 13 #8 Posted January 23, 2009 The amount of power you need is going to vary but most whole house systems start at 10K or 12K watts. Or if your like my Uncle who was checking on his 5,500 watt generator when it lugged down and he thought it was going to burn out. He went to the house to find the problem and found his wife/kids had everything turned on plus the ELECTRIC OVEN! To throw in another possible problem Ive been reading about pure sine wave power battery backups. Many generators and inverters produce a modified sine that some say is hard on electronics and motors. :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #9 Posted January 23, 2009 I live in Ct. Point being, when you actually need a generator, your creature comforts, such as central air conditioning should be passed on. I understand that 10K plus might be the going thing now, but it's overkill for a power outage. That's kind of like saying because they're building homes now with 2800+ sq/ft that living in a house w/ 1500sq/ft is inadequet.. Just unessasary. Besides, when I got my generator for $100, how could I be tempted by a 10K unit for thousands? :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mwhod 1 #10 Posted October 22, 2015 At 5500 running watts it won't run your house Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have a 4000 watt 8hp briggs generator, and there's really nothing I can't run with it. I even open up the garage door with it. My furnace, hot water, and stove are all gas, and require little if any energy, exept the circulator pumps on the furnace. The light in the house are cfl, and draw 14 watts each. The rest are dimmable. It is possible, as I have done it. :thumbs: if you are selective in what you use it for and dont overload it you will be fine 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
