How many watts would it take to run a small cabin with just basic lights, mini fridge, stove, maybe a small tv? I was thinking a 6000 watt diesel generator.would running it every day ruin it?
6000 is probably about right, and they are designed to be run regularly. Make sure you do the research, a $600 generator will probably only last you for about 2 years, then you will have to buy another one. Make sure that you go with an industrial one.
6000 watt would probably cover it, especially if you bought a gas stove. Generators are designed to run for long periods, but I would suggest you shut it down at night - it would probably be too loud to sleep anyway. Personally I would also tend to install batteries and an inverter and some small solar panels too - you could get away with a smaller generator to just charge the batteries but it would probably cost more overall.
here is a simple rule of thumb for every hundred watts is a amp so a 6000 watt generator could handle 60 amps of current witch was the standard size fuse box many many years ago. a 100w light bulb uses aprox. 1amp the tv 3 amps give or take 2amps depending on the set. where you need to pay attention is your stove if you power it any other way but eletric you are fine. but if not shop shop and shop some more for a down sized stove. most home stove/ovens and seperate units are 60amps . I am sure it will nut be long be for the combined load of the cabin and part time use of the stove puts a strain on your equipment remember try to go no more than 80% of max watt or amp.
That should probably be a big enough generator to run what ur describingThe only problem you could have is with the stove. You may have to run it by itself, depending on its size some stoves can pull alot of amps. As far as running it everyday, a diesel engine is made to run pretty much non stop, that is the advantage of a diesel over a gas engineHope this helps, any other questions feel free to email or message meDoug
