What will the Generac GP6500 COsense run?
The Generac GP6500 COsense makes 6,500 running watts and 8,125 starting watts on gasoline. On the generator makers' wattage charts that runs a well pump, a sump pump, a furnace blower, a refrigerator, a freezer, a microwave, lights, Wi-Fi and a TV at the same time, using about 5,846 of its watts.
At 6,500 running watts it can run a refrigerator, furnace blower, sump pump and lights together, with a window air conditioner as the biggest add. Generac lists it as HomeLink manual transfer switch compatible, and COsense is the maker's term for its carbon monoxide shutoff.
Outage combinations
| Running at once | Running W | Runs it? |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, TV and phones | 1,046 | Yes |
| Gas furnace blower, refrigerator, lights and Wi-Fi (wired in) | 1,428 | Yes |
| Sump pump, refrigerator, lights and Wi-Fi | 1,828 | Yes |
| Window air conditioner, refrigerator, lights and Wi-Fi | 2,028 | Yes |
| Well pump, refrigerator and lights (wired in) | 1,810 | Yes |
| Refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker | 3,450 | Yes |
| CPAP with humidifier, refrigerator, lights and phones | 947 | Yes |
| Furnace blower, refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, lights, Wi-Fi and TV (wired in) | 3,326 | Yes |
| Well pump, sump pump, furnace blower, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, lights, Wi-Fi and TV (wired in) | 5,846 | Yes |
| Electric water heater, refrigerator, furnace blower and lights (wired in) | 6,410 | Check |
| 3-ton central air conditioner (wired in) | 6,000 | No |
One appliance at a time
| Appliance | Running W | Runs it? |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 750 | Yes |
| Freezer (chest or upright) | 750 | Yes |
| Gas furnace blower (1/3 to 1/2 HP) | 600 | Yes |
| Sump pump (1/2 HP) | 1,000 | Yes |
| Well pump (1/3 to 1/2 HP) | 1,000 | Yes |
| Window air conditioner (10,000 BTU) | 1,200 | Yes |
| Microwave | 1,500 | Yes |
| Coffee maker | 1,200 | Yes |
| Electric space heater | 1,500 | Yes |
| CPAP with heated humidifier (and heated tube) | 67 | Yes |
| Home oxygen concentrator | 325 | Yes |
| Electric water heater (50 gallon, 240V) | 5,000 | Yes |
| Central air conditioner (3 ton) | 6,000 | No |
Cautious running and starting watts from Champion's and DTE Energy's wattage charts. "Check": it runs once started, but the charts' start-up surge is more than its 8,125 starting watts, so read your appliance's label (amps × 120 = watts). Wired-in loads need a transfer switch fitted by a qualified electrician. Your own list: the generator calculator.
Questions
Can the Generac GP6500 COsense run a refrigerator?
Yes. A refrigerator needs up to about 750 running watts and 2,600 to start on the charts, within its 6,500 running and 8,125 starting watts.
Can the Generac GP6500 COsense run a well pump?
Yes. A 1/3 to 1/2 HP well pump needs up to about 1,000 running watts and 3,000 to start on the charts, within its 6,500 running and 8,125 starting watts. A well pump is wired in, so it needs a transfer switch fitted by a qualified electrician.
Can the Generac GP6500 COsense run central air?
No. DTE Energy's guide puts a 3-ton central air conditioner at 6,000 running watts and about 18,000 watts to start. That takes a standby generator.