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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Size Generator for mini split
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bamalamadingdong
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 01:54pm
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I have a 600 sq foot cabin with loft …. I’m looking for the best size and quietest generator to run a mini split, lights small appliances , refrigerator small electric stove … I don’t know watt of minosplit yet….

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 02:28pm
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An A-Typical standard 120V circuit is 15A (1800 Watts).

Small Inverter Generators provide clean pure sine wave power that can run motors to electronics with issues. Note that your normal usage should NOT exceed the "Running Watts" rating of the generator. It will handle short surge demand (fridge startup) which only last a moment.

It is best to go a little bigger because there are always unexpected situations that may demand more power than you usually use.

Depending on use case, location etc, a small solar system with battery may also be a practical & affordable solution. Several of us here are on Solar or at least use it.

bamalamadingdong
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 03:51pm
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My brother in law passed away ..... he had a nice cabin that has solar but its 30 years old and complicated as was he as a mad genious.....it had a generator that ran a pump to a well and ran lights and some window unites....that generator is gone.... I want to go with a diesel or propoane...... it had a RV refrigerator but its gone.... so Im redoing it all for my sister.....Im tyring to figure out a 12000 or 14000 watt generator or bigger so that someone can stay there for a week or two at a time.....Im in the deep the deep south summers are brutal and air is essential.... Ill spend the money just dont know what the quietest and best bang for the buck ......Ill get back to redoing and updating solar later.....cabin and wiring etc is all set up for everything just need to know the best generator for it....

travellerw
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 03:52pm
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We have a 12,000 BTU mini split in our cabin (16X28 - 20ft loft). It takes about 1800W-2000W when running full out with cold boost! If I did it again, I would go with an 18,000BTU

Fridges have a startup surge that you need to be aware of. If the min split is running and the fridge kicks in, you could have issues (that surge could be over 1000W to start). Small electric stoves are about 1500W for 2 burners (no startup surge).

So you really have to decide whether you want enough power to not worry about anything or a smaller generator and you will manage what runs when (i.e. shutdown the mini-split when using the stove).

5-6000W is probably what you require if you don't want to worry about anything.

2500-3000W if will manage your usage.

NOTE - These are very rough guesses. You really need to figure out what devices you will use and look at the spec sheets to determine power requirements.Then size things from there.

bamalamadingdong
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 04:11pm
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Any recommendation on a generator..... diesel, propane, etc......silent is important.......

bamalamadingdong
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 04:12pm
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Any recommendation on a generator..... diesel, propane, etc......silent is important.......

bamalamadingdong
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 04:20pm
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I didnt realize a 6000 w would be all i needed

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 06:51pm
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There are plenty of manufacturers making 4500-5000w inverter generators with electric start and remote start. The best modification for any generator to make it quiet is a 100ft extension cord.

travellerw
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2024 08:30pm - Edited by: travellerw
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8000W would be A TON... 12000-14000W would be overkill and a massive fuel waster.

If you are looking for quiet then there are a few options but the really quiet ones are pricey. Also, diesel or propane will add some complexity. A quiet diesel generator of that size would be a unit targeted for marine or RV use (north of 4K easily).

For propane you need to add %20 (unless you are looking at the propane Watts rating). A multi-fuel generator running on propane produces roughly %20 less power.

I really have no suggestion other than Honda or Yamaha converted to propane. They are quiet, but you will PAY for it big time.

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