Choosing a Standby Genreator and will some circuits be wasted?

[vdotmatrix]

I have narrowed this thing down to 2 Generac units (NG): Core series 6kw (5837) and the Guardian 7k(5870).

I have a spread sheet I created to help me choose:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjEgKaZ9jOWQdHhGRFdMTHE3U3czaTVqNFlBN0hzVHc#gid=0

My question(s)"

1. my a/c is on a 30A breaker. It is a larger 2-bay breaker in my 100watt panel. Can I assume this is 240?

2. If I choose the larger 5870 over the smaller footprint core, which has an additional 20A-240, should I choose the smaller unit so the 20A-240 doesn't go un-used?

3. Will either unit work for my house to supply some of these circuits or will the smaller core be too small based on the electrical capacity of the unit?

core:
5870:


thanks in advance

[HayZee518]

standby generator(s)

the 6kw unit will produce 25 amps to the load with occasional peaks. the 7kw unit will produce 29.16 amps at its top end. what you refer to a double bay 30 - I guess you mean a 2 pole breaker for the a/c. the breaker will either have an internal common trip [one handle] or two handles with a tie-bar in between, even though the breakers are physically riveted together.
Look at the current draw on the a/c nameplate for running amps. if yours has, let's say a fla of 22 amps, then that leaves 3 amps for incidental loads [total 25 amps] or 7.16 for incidental loads on the 7kw unit. mind you, as voltage goes down [240 to 120] your load amps increases by 2X.

[saunD]

In my experience the Guardian would be a better bet solely due to it's reputation . Not to mention for lareger uses it would be a better idea to go for something a bit on the heavier end like a whole house standby generator. We purchase this generac portable generator and it runs a lot of our smaller needs but to deal with in home luxuries a larger unite would be best.